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FYI
09-11-04

THE ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX – A GREAT WEEKEND WITH GREAT RACING

Rock Island, Illinois — Mike Welsh turned in the drive of his life in the final race of the day to cap an impressive three-win performance at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix. Indiana’s Kyle Wiegand set a new track record in winning the Superkarts! USA King of the Streets race and Alan Rudolph won his second straight ICC World Street Championship.

SBC is the Presenting Sponsor of the Rock Island Grand Prix, the world’s largest karting street race.

Welsh (Margay/Vega) turned in one of the most dramatic drives in the history of the Rock Island Grand Prix for his third win of the day in the Yamaha Medium race. After putting his kart on the pole, Welsh got off to a horrible start and soon found himself barely in sight of Corey Reeves (Margay/Bridgestone). But in the last eight laps, Welsh was able to reel in Reeves and erase a 3.5 second gap. All of this happened amidst one of the most torrid paces of the weekend with eight drivers eclipsing the class’ previous fast-lap record. Welsh’s other wins came in the Zimmerman Cars sponsored 2-cycle Super Sportsman, which had the largest field of the weekend, and Yamaha Heavy, sponsored by SBC.

The wins gave Welsh, of Davenport, Iowa, his second 3-win performance at “The Rock” and moved him into a share of third place in the all-time victory list at Rock Island. He is now tied with Iowa's Scott Evans with seven career wins and trails just Todd Bolton (8) and Jason Birdsell (11), both of Illinois.

``That's some pretty darn good company,'' Welsh said, impressed with being ranked among karting legends. Ohio's Gary Lawson, a three-race winner last year, was the only other multi-race winner Sunday. Lawson and Welsh each claimed three pole positions during Saturday's qualifying time-trials.

Lawson won two classes, but one victory came via a post-race disqualification of long-time friend Billy Dickson (Margay/Dunlop), at no fault of the Pennsylvanian. Dickson had the victory taken away after his muffler fell off during the 4-Cycle Stock Medium race.

``That takes away from me getting the victory,'' Lawson admitted. ``That didn't have anything to do with the outcome of the race, so it's too bad. But it's not like I'm going to give it back. You have to take what you can at this race.''

Wiegand’s family turned the trip to Rock Island into a vacation and later a large celebration. Wiegand (GP/Pavesi/Bridgestone) already had two wins at Rock Island on his resume and came to town owning the track’s fast-lap record. But despite his speed, and qualifying on the pole last year, he had never won the coveted King of the Streets race, sponsored by the Bob Bondurant SuperKart School.

``This is the biggest race of the year. It's unbelievable to win those kind of bragging rights,'' Wiegand said, after turning celebratory 360-degree spins in his kart, claiming the checkered flag and being crowned King. ``I finished second in the final last year. Second's pretty good in any other race here. But in The King, there's only first place.''

``We've got a lot to celebrate,'' Wiegand said, nodding to his elated family. Four sisters, two brothers and Wiegand's parents used this weekend as a family getaway. ``Not bad for being on vacation,'' he said. His mother was in tears as he was interviewed at the Finish Line.

Arizona's Alan Rudolph (RBI/Pavesi), a four-time winner of King of the Streets, finished a distant second, but came back to win the CIK rules Intercontinental C World Street Championship race, sponsored by WHBF-TV.

``It never gets old winning here,'' said the six-time Rock Island winner. ``And, it's nice to win this race again. But it's kind of a consolation prize. The King is what I come back for -- I want that title back. My wife came back with me, and like she always says it's easier to climb to the top than stay there. I just have to keep trying, I guess,'' Rudolph said. Polesitter Darin Marcus (First Kart) was the runner-up.

Entries at this year’s Rock Island Grand Prix totaled 391, matching the all-time high for the event, despite cancellation of the ICA class and caps on the number of entries in some classes to keep them from getting too large. The event was marked by many fields that were close to the maximum of 30 allowed by event organizers, which made for great racing action from the front of the pack to the back.

In the 125 Shifter Masters class for drivers over age 35, sponsored by SBC, Kartsport Magazine contributor Bonnier Moulton from California (Paul Tracy/TM), unseated two-time champion John Kindhart of Texas (Birel/Honda/Continental). Another former champ, Dan Roe of Minnesota was third.

In 2003, the Rock Island Grand Prix was one of the first events to embrace the new TAG program for spec engine packages with electric start motors. This year it was rewarded with a large turnout of competitors in TAG Senior and Masters classes.

TAG Senior, sponsored by Easykart America, saw Minnesota driver Jim Cassi (Birel/Rotax) not only win the pole and the race, but set a fast-lap record for the class as well. After the race, he jumped out of his kart and hugged the flagman, Tommy Argy III. He later explained that Tommy and his father, the late Tom Argy Jr., had been at his first Rotax Nationals and encouraged him in karting. Argy Jr. died in a traffic accident late last year.

``Tom gave me a push one year in a race here,'' Cassi said. ``I wish he had been here to give me a slap on the back, too.''

Second place went to Dale Bales (GP/Sonik/Bridgestone) with Michael Johnson of Texas (Arrow) finishing third.

Illinoisan Sara Hyslop (Ital/Ital/Bridgestone) didn't win, but her fifth-place finish was the highest ever for a woman at the Rock Island Grand Prix. Wisconsin's Bobby Wilson, last year's King of the Streets, who this year won the open wheel Formula Zetec Series Championship, finishing 10th as a last-minute substitute for some Florida Easykart drivers kept from attending the race by a hurricane.

In TAG Masters for drivers over age 35, also sponsored by Easykart America, multi-time national champion Mack McCormack from Alabama (Birel/IAME) edged Iowa’s Don Garwood (Birel/Leopard/Vega) by .78 of a second. McCormack had earlier finished sixth in TAG Senior. Rob Howden, editor and publisher of Super Kart Illustrated magazine, raced out of the Margay tent and finished sixth.

``I've been doing this 30 years, and it's just a thrill to win at this event,'' said McCormack, who brought a huge following with him from Alabama. ``I took this year off to help others in the pit, and just point to this race, and it looks like it paid off. We're going to have some fun tonight.''

In 2-cycle Senior Sportsman, Wisconsin's Corey Reeves (Margay) sweated out a protest after edging a field that included Joey King (Margay) in second and Mike Welsh (Margay) in third. The inquiry was filed by an official because Reeves passed under a yellow flag.

``I passed him, but the flag was just instantaneous, and besides it wasn't for position and it didn't affect the race. The finish was close,'' Reeves said. An investigation by race director Terry Riggins found that a lapped kart was passed under yellow but no position was gained, so the finishing order was allowed to stand. King bumped Welsh on the final turn to take the second-place check, an incident which Welsh credited with motivating him to win his final three races.

Rock Island also offered some great race action for 4-cycles. Two Briggs & Stratton Animal classes were added this year. The Tom Argy Jr. Animal Roundup, sponsored by Rieken Racing, was named after the late race director of the Rock Island Grand Prix. Senior Animal drivers competed for the first time in the Rumble at The Rock.

The first running of the Tom Argy Jr. Animal Roundup was won by Pennsylvania's Zachary Linsell (Coyotoe/Dunlop) who had to hold off a strong field of local juniors. The polesitter jumped out to an early lead, and never was challenged. ``This is bigger than a national championship race,'' Linsell said. ``The competition here is just great. I'm honored to win here.'' Taylor Moore of Indiana (Margay/Dunlop) was second by .173 and Travis DeVrindt from Sherrard, Illinois (Genesis/Dunlop) was third.

The Rumble at The Rock added another “Rock” to the trophy case of Gary Lawson, while Californian Nick Cole (Genesis/Dunlop), an Indy Racing League motor tuner with the weekend off, finished second.

There were also two races for stock Briggs & Stratton flatheads. In 4-cycle Stock Heavy, Ohio's Gary Lawson beat defending champion Billy Dickson of Pennsylvania (Margay/Dunlop) by just .124 of a second. ``He actually got past me with two laps to go,'' said Lawson. ``But I ended getting him back on the second straightaway and just held on from there.''

In the 4-cycle Medium class, Scott Kleman was able to hold off Lawson with a victory margin of just .077 while Dickson finished third. ``It was close,'' Kleman said of the finish. ``You didn't have any room for error in that race, which was hard to do, when you have guys like that chasing you.''

In the final gearbox action of the day, Dan Roe added another Rock trophy to his collection with a win by just .116 over Larry Nagy in the 125cc moto class. ``It never gets old winning on this track against this kind of competition,'' Roe said. ``There was some hesitation when I let off the gas. That's how he got by me once. So, I just stayed on the throttle and rode the brake in the corners, and I was lucky enough that worked. Plus, I knew how to take those corners, while he was getting a lot of air under his kart on the bumps. That's where I beat him.''

The Rock Island Grand Prix is held through the streets of the Downtown Rock Island (Illinois) Arts & Entertainment District each year on Labor Day Weekend. It is the world’s largest karting street race and the only race in the United States on the CIK international calendar. Next year’s dates are Sept. 3-4, 2005.

Jumer’s Casino Rock Island is sponsor of the $25,000 purse and Kart Expo International is also a major sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include: F1 Indoor Karting Center; Sprint Kart Speedway; Four Points Hotel by Sheraton; Budweiser/Stern Beverage; The Dispatch, The Rock Island Argus and The Leader newspapers; radio stations B100 97Rock and Star 93.5; John Deere & Co.; Illinois Oil Co.; The Jewell Group; A.D. Heusing; U.S. Cellular; Quad-City Online; CEC Communications; Courtesy Car City; Sunbelt Rentals; Koehler Electric; White Cap Construction, Gas & Electric Credit Union, The Body Shop and Michael Joseph Quane. For additional race information, visit the website at www.rockislandgrandprix.com.

(The Rock Island Argus newspaper contributed to this report.)

FIRST PLACE RESULTS OF THE ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX
King of the Streets (30 laps)
Kyle Wiegand - Bargersville, IN

125cc Shifter Masters (20 laps)
Bonnier Moulton - Irvine, CA

4-Cycle Stock Heavy (12 laps)
1. Gary Lawson Mentor, OH

TAG International Senior (20 laps)
Jim Cassi - Minneapolis, MN

Consolation race (10 laps)
Top 5 advance to final
1. Kaitlin Mangham - Jacksonville, FL
2. Matt Zeis - St. Louis, MO
3. Mila Hawkins - Egen, MN
4. Mike Combs - Sheridan, IL
5. Eric Chappell - Portage, MI

2-Cycle Senior Sportsman (12 laps)
Corey Reeves - Franklin, WI

ICC World Street Championship (20 laps)
Alan Rudolph - Gilbert, AZ

Yamaha Heavy (12 laps)
Mike Welsh - Davenport, IA

TAG International Masters (20 laps)
Mack McCormack - Athens, AL

4-Cycle Stock Medium (12 laps)
Scott Kleman - Northville, MI

125cc Moto Shifter (12 laps)
Dan Roe - Cokato, MN

Tom Argy Junior Animal Roundup (10 laps)
Zachary Linsell - Wind Gap, PA

2-Cycle Super Sportsman (12 laps)
Mike Welsh - Davenport, IA

Consolation race (10 laps)
Top 5 advance to finals
1. Allen Kopel - Silvis, IL
2. Chris Enderlein - St. Paul, MN
3. Charles Pistorio - Levitown, PA
4. Shane Wells - Milan, IL
5. Brad Rhoads - Bettendorf, IA

4-Cycle Animal Heavy (12 laps)
Gary Lawson - Mentor, OH

Yamaha Medium (12 laps)
Mike Welsh - Davenport, IA

WKA ANNOUNCES CONTINGENCIES FOR BRIGGS & STRATTON 300
Concord, North Carolina — The Briggs & Stratton 300 is nearing and preparations are being made for the most prestigious event in asphalt oval competition. Amongst the preparations include assembling the award and contingency packages and we are excited to say it's looking better and better.

As in the past, there will be a Purse Payout and Contingency Awards for drivers. Each day, there are more companies submitting contingency agreements for the event. And don't forget about winning an additional $1,000 for winning from the pole. Please check below so you don't miss out on any money!

A big thanks to all the supporters and sponsors for the Briggs & Stratton 300. Without you, it could not have grown to the program it is today. For more info, call 704-455-1606.

Briggs & Stratton Motorsports
Bonsignore Kart Shoppe
Bully Clutches
G-Man Kart Works
Azusa Engineering, Inc.
Bordeaux Dyno Cams
Shadow Racing Chassis
Phantom Racing Chassis
Hackers Cut Tires
GoldSpeed USA
MyChron by Aimsports
Larry Jones Motorsports

Purse Payout:
1st - $2,500
2nd - $1,200
3rd – 800
4th – 700
5th – 575
6th – 525
7th – 425
8th – 375
9th – 325
10th – 275
11th – 225
12th – 200
13th – 125
14th – 125
15th – 125
Pole Award - $300

The following companies are offering contingency awards to the top 3 finishers in the Briggs & Stratton 300. You must be running the following products to claim prize money:

Chassis Contingency
Trick / Olimpic Karts
Phantom Racing Chassis
Laser Racing Chassis
$500. for 1st place
$300. for 2nd place
$100. for 3rd place

Cams Contingency
Dyno Cams
Competition Cams
$100. for 1st place
$ 75. for 2nd place
$ 50. for 3rd place

Bodywork Contingency
G-Man Kart Works
$1000. for 1st place

Rod Contingency
ARC Billet Rods
$250. for 1st place
$125. for 2nd place
$50. for 3rd place

4-Cycle Exhaust Pipe
RLV Tuned Exhaust Products
$250. for 1st place
$150. for 2nd place
$100. for 3rd place

Engine Contingency
Competition Karting, Inc.
$300. for 1st place
$150. for 2nd place
$75. for 3rd place

Tire Contingency
Maxxis Tires
$500. for 1st place
$300. for 2nd place
$100. for 3rd place
(all 4 tires must be Maxxis to win contingency)

Chain Contingency
RLV - Xtreme Chain
$250. for 1st place
$150. for 2nd place
$100. for 3rd place

Clutch Contingency
Tomar Clutches
$400. for 1st place
$200. for 2nd place
$100. for 3rd place

Gear Contingency
GoldSpeed USA
$100. for 1st place
$75. for 2nd place
$50. for 3rd place

Data Acquisition
MyChron by AimSports
$250. for 1st place
$125. for 2nd place
$50. for 3rd place

WORLD'S LARGEST AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY GATHERING SET FOR ORLANDO
Alexandria, Virginia — Next season’s newest, hottest amusement industry rides, products, and services will be unveiled at the 1.1 million square foot trade show during the world’s largest amusement industry gathering, the IAAPA Orlando 2004 Annual Convention & Trade Show.

The convention—complete with educational sessions, tours, and networking opportunities for amusement industry professionals—will take place November 15-20, 2004 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA. Last year’s IAAPA Orlando 2003 Convention and Trade Show ranked as one of the thirty largest trade shows in North America.

The trade show floor at IAAPA Orlando 2004 will feature approximately 1,300 exhibiting companies, 127 product categories, an outdoor component for larger rides, and a projected overall attendance of 30,000. At IAAPA Orlando 2003, more than 300 new rides, products, and services debuted.

The conference program at IAAPA Orlando 2004 has been expanded to offer four educational tracks for specialized learning: the Attractions Management School, an Entertainment Track, a Human Resources Track, and a Facility Operations Track. Attendees may devise their own educational program by selecting from more than fifty educational sessions—presented by industry experts. A special Zoo & Aquarium Day and a Museum Day will also be offered.

Attendees may partake in educational tours to locations such as the Disney Institute, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Events will include What’s New Theatre, a charity golf tournament benefiting Give Kids the World, the presentation of IAAPA awards, and the installation of IAAPA’s new Chairman of the Board, Wannado Entertainment’s Jane Cooper.

For more information, go online to www.iaapaorlando.com or call IAAPA at +1/703-836-4800. For a consumer directory of amusement parks and attractions worldwide, go to www.ticketforfun.com. Note: The IAAPA Orlando 2004 Annual Convention and Trade Show is not open to the public.

AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL JOB FAIR FOR SEASONAL EMPLOYEES
Alexandria, Virginia — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions will hold a Job Fair on Saturday, November 20, 2004 during the IAAPA Orlando 2004 Annual Convention & Trade Show, the association announced today. The Job Fair will target seasonal employees, and the world’s top amusement industry employers are expected to participate.

Those interested in participating in the job fair must register online at www.iaapaorlando.com to attend the event, which will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Job opportunities will be offered in the areas of housekeeping, hospitality, recreation, merchandising, food and beverage, general operations, and entertainment.

IAAPA offers the following tips to potential employees interested in participating:
Bring multiple copies of your resume and lists of references.
Be prepared to provide the dates you are available to work.
Dress casually and comfortably in slacks/skirts, a golf shirt, or blouse.
Make and wear a nametag
Emphasize your knowledge, skills and abilities in your interviews.

“Many amusement parks and attractions are looking for qualified and professional staff members during their busiest seasons,” said IAAPA Vice President of Education, Professional Development and Training Services Suzanne Mark. “Our Job Fair will connect both groups.”
For more information, visit www.iaapaorlando.com.

IALEI TEAMS WITH ZOOM MEDIA TO PROVIDE FECS WITH FREE SAMPLES, TOYS AND MERCHANDISE
Hillsboro, New Hampshire — The International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry (IALEI) announced that it has partnered with Zoom Media, a lifestyle media and marketing company, to provide its members with FREE product samples, giveaways, and promotions – all paid for by their national sponsors. Over the past 10 years, Zoom Media has provided its members with more than 40 million free samples and giveaways and more than $6,000,000 in free toys and merchandise! The program called Active Family Network has proved itself in hundreds of skating centers and is now available to IALEI members

Members of the Zoom Active Family Network in select markets qualify to receive a free, state-of-the-art LED message and advertising board, which Zoom Media will professionally install and maintain at their expense. Facility managers can use the LED portion to post center promotions, special events information, or just about any message they want their patrons to see. In return for this free message board, Zoom Media will place ads from leading national advertisers below the LED message center. Proprietors also have the option of receiving quarterly royalty payments in place of the LED portion of the billboard helping to generate additional revenues for their business.

“FEC’s are one of the fastest growing segments of the entertainment industry”, said Dennis Roche, president of Zoom Media. “Zoom is excited to partner with IALEI to be a part of supporting their growth through the creation of value added programs and incremental revenue opportunities for proprietors”.

“Zoom Media has the most comprehensive presence in terms of the targeted out-of-home industry, and we continue to be dedicated to helping advertisers reach consumers in their preferred lifestyle environment,” added Roche. “These are destinations where consumers choose to spend their time, and they offer great environments for targeted advertising.”

Frank Seninsky, President of Amusement Entertainment Management and Chair of IALEI's Membership Services Committee, said: "I am very excited that Zoom Media and their Fortune 500 advertisers have recognized that IALEI and its members are the perfect family environment to be the cornerstone of the Active Family Network. It is an honor to be a part of such a valuable program and can hardly believe that it is all 'free' to IALEI members. What a win-win for our industry!!!!"

Harold Skripsky, IALEI Board of Directors and Chairman of the FUN EXPO Board of Directors, said, “IALEI has done it again!! Your hard working Board of Directors, and especially Frank Seninsky, has developed another fantastic marketing program designed just for you and your FEC/CEC. I encourage you to take a good look at this Zoom program and join your fellow operators by signing up TODAY! IALEI can develop and bring excellent marketing products to you, but only YOU can make it happen. Good luck building additional sales and see you at the FUN EXPO! For more information, visit www.ialei.com

SCOTT SPEED MAKES HISTORY AT IMOLA WINNING THE FORMULA RENAULT EUROCUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Imola, Italy — Former karting champion Scott Speed has been crowned the Formula Renault Eurocup Champion after once again leading a Red Bull Junior Team 1-2 finish ahead of countryman Colin Fleming at the legendary Imola Autodromo. The kicker is that the championship is the first ever for an American driver in a European junior formula. Both Speed and Fleming have shown the pace, commitment, and perseverance to turn the European paddock from skeptics into believers.

“I’m thrilled to be representing my country here in Europe,” said an ecstatic Speed. “Colin and I have shown that we can win, and that we are a force to be reckoned with. This feels great, and we couldn’t have done it a better way than with the 1-2 and the Championship.”

Speed knows that wins and championships are vital to move up in the cut-throat environment of European formula car racing, but respect is also important.

“The trophy is wonderful, but I think the best was the sincere congratulations I received from my competitors after winning the championship - that’s something I’ll never forget, and it gives me tremendous confidence about the future.”

Speed’s compatriot Fleming thought he could take it to Speed early in the race, but had to settle for the second place step on the podium as he works to improve his Eurocup championship standing with only two races left.

“This is great for the U.S., for Red Bull, and for Scott,” said Fleming. “I was able to pressure him early, but my brake fluid began to cook, so I followed him home for another 1-2 for Red Bull, and he takes the championship - absolutely a dream result! Now I am concentrating on moving up in the standings, and I plan on taking the fight to Scott in the German Championship.”

The Red Bull Junior Teammates, who are also roommates and good friends, are still fierce competitors. The two lead the German Formula Renault Championship standings, with Speed just ten points ahead of Fleming. When asked if he might give Colin a little breathing room in the championship, having secured the Eurocup title, Speed was clear about his intentions.

“I’ve left him enough room all season! If he wants it, he’s going to have to beat me for it for sure!”

Both drivers have progressed through the Red Bull Driver Search; a program that aims to discover and support the "diamond in the rough," lacking the knowledge and contacts needed to embark on a career in racing, as well as talented young drivers already in racing. The long-term goal is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers racing in Europe, on the Red Bull Junior Team, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World Championship.

Editor Note: Speed picked the perfect weekend to win his first European Championship - there was no CART or IRL race to cast a shadow over this spectacular achievement. We Americans don’t normally look over the pond for our racing news. Well, now, maybe we will start paying attention to what is happening in Europe’s racing scene, as Americans are making dominant moves toward seizing their Formula 1 ambitions.

END

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