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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

GO KARTING!
A Guide To The World's Most Popular Motorsport.

Kart Expo International

Editor Note: We will be updating News Briefs on a weekly basis. If you have news or information relative to the sport of karting, please e-mail it to: karting@msn.com or fax to: 630-653-2637.

• KIC WEB SITE HACKED

According to Curt Paluzzi, the executive director of the Karting Industry Council, a trade organization for the racing industry, the KIC web site was hit by a computer hacker who somehow corrupted the site, www.kartindustrycouncil.com. Paluzzi stated that the site should be back online by press time.
 
 
• NEW MOTORSPORTS PUBLICATION

“Motorsports Now” is a new addition to print publications for all type of motorsports in Great Britain. It is the official publication of the Motor Sports Association, the governing body of British motorsport including karting. For more info, phone up +44-017-53-76-5000 or Fax: +44-017-53-68-2938 or msa_mail@compuserv.com. 
 
 
• FONFERKO WINS RUSSELL/USAC TRIPLE CROWN

Ross Fonferko, 20, a Wheaton, Illinois native (home town of e-KMI.com, too) captured the 2001 Russell/USAC Triple Crown Pro Championship in only his second year in the series. Fonferko ended with two wins and a second for the series. 
 
 
• INKART CEASES OPERATIONS DUE TO EMBEZZLEMENT

Francios Duret of InKart/Allsport Grand Prix, Dulles, Virginia issued the following press release on August 2nd: “This is to advise that INKART USA has ceased its activities due to the embezzlement of equipment by two of its employees, Phillppe Aveline and Yannick Pailhes. Should any of these individuals offer you equipment for sale (2 shifter SodiKart, Bieffe helmets, Sparco equipment, Ithaca race suits, Kinesis), please be advised that these are stolen goods and contact the police.” For more information contact Francios Duret at 571-434-9666
 
 
• HARDEEVILLE SPEEDWAY B&S RACE RESCHEDULED

Hardeeville Speedway has rescheduled the Briggs and Stratton Summer Kart race originally scheduled for August 9 and 23 to August 10 and 24. The time schedule has not changed.
 
 
• FILM UPDATE

“American Racer”, a yet-to-be filmed feature movie based around kart racing, is moving along with staff interviews and organizing. The film producer is now scouting scenic kart tracks in Canada where exteriors will be shot. Any company interested in product placement or sponsorship, please send info pack, brochures, photos or any other information about their company or products to: American Racer, 845 N. Kilkea Drive, Los Angeles, California 90046 USA. 
 
 
• SIMPSON RESIGNS

Bill Simpson, resigned as head of Simpson Performance Products following the controversy regarding the death of Dale Earnhardt in February. Simpson submitted his resignation on July 17. The controversy is based on supposed NASCAR statements referring to a broken seat-belt as perhaps a partial cause of Earnhardt’s death, although the Simpson seat-belt was apparently ruled not a contributing cause by an independent expert in April. 
 
 
• STEWART 2nd QUARTER WINNER OF SPIRIT AWARD

Former kart racer, NASCAR and Indy car driver Tony Stewart, who raised at least $240,000 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp by racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day is the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association/Pocono Spirit Award for the second quarter of 2001. The NMPA/Pocono Spirit award recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.
 
 
• WORLD SUPERKART CHALLENGE COMES TO WILLOW SPRINGS

The World SuperKart Challenge has been invited to run during the AMA Super Bike race at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California on September 14-16, 2001. J.R. Clasen has been asked to organize the WSKC portion of the weekend’s activities and has agreed to do so. 

Practice and qualifying will be held on Friday the 14th and racing will follow on Saturday the 15th. The SpeedVision film crew from the AMA side of the event will also shoot and televise the WSKC racing action on Saturday afternoon. Clasen says that although the deal for the purse has not been finalized yet, but he is confident the fund will reach five figures.

Teams interested in participating are urged to contact Clasen via e-mail at psr-rt@pacbell.net. 
 
 

• WHO WILL BE THE KING OF THE STREETS?

A championship at the Rock Island Grand Prix professional kart races has become one of the most coveted titles a kart racer can achieve. Additional attention is again focused on Rock Island, Illinois this year as it hosts SuperKarts! USA King of the Streets for the second consecutive year and the inaugural running of the Omega Max Street Challenge. The popular grand prix street event will be held August 31 – September 2.
 
 

END
 

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