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FYI
11-06-04

NEW ‘LTO’ STANDS NOW AVAILABLE

Oak Creek, Wisconsin — A brand new rolling kart stand called the ‘LTO’, from Wisconsin-based Streeter Superstands specifically designed for oval track racers is now exclusively available through Maroon’s Kart Systems in Peoria, Illinois.

After hearing from several racers, Jim Maroon of Maroon’s Kart Systems found a need to design a stand that would accommodate the left turn only (LTO) chassis. He joined his ideas with others to develop a rolling kart stand which provides solutions for the following conventional stand problems: 1) adequate clearance for the left rear wheel so there is no interference when the rear axle spins, 2) indexing the LTO chassis on the kart stand accommodating the left chassis rail being tucked in, 3) provide clearance for a sprocket guard commonly used in LTO racing so there is no interference with the stand, 4) offer adequate clearance for the large right side wheels/tires used on LTO karts, and 5) provide a stand with a height (less than 30”) that is convenient for the mechanic to perform his work on given the bodywork that is used on the LTO chassis. A requirement of a new kart stand would be to provide solutions to all of these common problems.

After completing several prototypes, the design has now been completed. The new LTO kart stand meets all of the requirements providing features and solutions to solve the previously mentioned problems. Local racer surveys have been completed including that of chassis set-up expert John Durst. The design is solid and meets Larry Streeter’s quality standards.

The Streeter Superstands LTO rolling kart stand is now available and is priced the same as the traditional kart stand. Several options are also readily available: 1) adjustable parts/tools carrying tray, and 2) powder-coating. Other options are under development for possible release in early January.

The new Streeter Superstand LTO kart stand will be available for purchase at Peoria’s 13th Annual Swap Meet on Sunday, November 14 at the ITOO Society Hall. For more information and orders from racers, contact Jim or Jeff at Maroon’s Kart Systems, 309 Carver Lane, East Peoria, IL 61611. Contact by phone at (309) 699-5278 or email orders via the web: www.maroonskartsystems.com

TEXAS’ FIRST KART RACING COUNTRY CLUB WILL OPEN IN JANUARY, 2005
Austin, Texas — And they’re off! Today, Iron Rock Raceway signed the lease allowing the kart-racing track to begin operations at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport January 15, 2005. Iron Rock will be Texas’ first country club devoted primarily to kart racing and the first such racing club to be located at an international airport.

“We’re anxious to get moving with renovations,” said Rich Phillips, president of Iron Rock. “Our members are chomping at the bit to get going, and we want to make the facility and track worthy of their expectations.”

The club will make use of a 22,000-square-foot jet engine repair building, which will be refurbished to provide members with an extensive indoor pit area, a member lounge, pro shop, concession area and locker rooms, in addition to Iron Rock’s membership offices. The .65 mile long, 33 foot wide, 12-turn track is being constructed on the adjacent 8.1-acre parking lot. MRP Motorsports, the nation's largest importer of the highly regarded Italian-made Birel kart chassis, will provides kart rental, sales and service, karting classes for children and adults, and direction for corporate training events.

Iron Rock offers four levels of club membership, including a track-access-only membership and a day pass for those who want to sample the sport without having to make an extended commitment.

The track has numerous events planned for its 2005 season in addition to regularly scheduled racing events for members and local clubs. The nation’s top racekart sanctioning organizations, Superkarts! USA and STARS, are considering plans to make Iron Rock Raceway a component of their 2005 national series. Iron Rock is working with Oklahoma Motorsports Complex of Norman, Oklahoma, to create a regional series.

The club is also planning to host the world's first Tex-Mex Karters Cup, an event designed to give U.S. race kart drivers the opportunity to race against some of the best from Mexico and Central and South America.

“The U.S. karting community has never seen anything like Iron Rock.” says Phillips. “This is the perfect sport for adults, families, corporate training and client entertainment – and Austin-Bergstrom is the perfect location.”

Iron Rock Raceway, one of the nation’s first country clubs devoted primarily to kart racing, is now accepting applications for all levels of membership. Persons interested in becoming a member should request an application at www.ironrockraceway.com or call 512.349.9165.

GRAND VITESSE RACING ANNOUNCES EARLY ENTRY INCENTIVE FOR $25,000 TAG SPECTACULAR
Toledo, Ohio — Grand Vitesse Racing, Promoter of the richest event in TaG karting history, announced today, an early entry incentive for the upcoming event December 29, 2004 in Gainesville Florida.

The published entry fee of $1000.00 (per team, not per driver) has been discounted to $850.00 for teams that enter by November 15, 2004.

Most kart racers are busy people with many activities...filling out forms and sending in entry fees may not be a top priority...and often gets left "until the last minute." This discount program gives them an incentive to move getting their entry in up on their "things to do" list.

Due to the nature of the event, the amount of prize money offered, and the desire to provide for good competition for all racers, Grand Vitesse Racing will be limiting the total number of entries...Those wishing to compete in this event and the opportunity to race for $10,000 to win and a total purse of $25,000 are urged to take advantage of this limited time offer.

For full rules and details regarding this thrilling and financially lucrative race are available at www.grandvitesseracing.com or by calling toll free 800-663-5278

VEGA "WHITE" NAMED SPEC TIRE FOR $25,000 GAINESVILLE TAG SPECTACULAR
Toledo, Ohio — Racers wishing to compete in the $10,000 to Win, $25,000 spectacular now know what tire they will be racing upon. Working in conjunction with Grand Prix Distributing, the official importer for Vega Tires in the United States, Grand Vitesse Racing has selected a tire that is assured provide racers excellent handling, grip, and overall performance, while still providing long lasting wear...an important factor in a Three Hour Endurance Event! The VEGA "White" tire will be the Spec tire for all TaG Karting teams in this event, the first of at least 5 large purse events for TaG type karts in the upcoming year!

"There are lots of good Tires out there" says Grand Vitesse Racing's General Manager Glen Mazzone, "But it seems like the Vega Tires Are The Best!"

"Working with Mr. Giacomelli at Grand Prix Really sealed the deal!"

"I can't thank Grand Prix Distributing enough for becoming involved with this project," said Mazzone.

Plans are to have Vega Tire representatives on site at the Gainesville Raceway and have plenty of Tires on hand for competitors wishing to purchase them at the track.

In addition to the $25,000 total purse, Vega Tire also plans of offer additional prizes to the racers making this already lucrative event even more rewarding!

Competitors in this event needing further information about the Vega "White" tire or any of the other excellent products offered by Vega should contact Grand Prix Distributing: 877-864-9060 or visit their website www.grandprixdistributing.com for full details.

MIDWEST SPRINT SERIES ANNOUNCES THE 2005 SEASON SCHEDULE
The Midwest Sprint Series will open the season at New Castle Motorsports Park (Indiana), an exciting event given the great success and overwhelming support from our members during the 2004 event at NCMP. Then the MWSS is on to Mid-State Raceway (Illinois) for their second event where they have been graciously hosted for the last several years.

The next two MWSS events, at Trane Motor Speedway (Illinois) and Badger Raceway (Wisconsin) respectively, align well with the Gold Cup schedule and will give both those MWSS drivers and other Gold Cup drivers the chance to tune up for their inaugural national events at those tracks. Finally, they’ll wrap up the MWSS season by visiting a new track in Shawano, Wisconsin just before the Manufacturer's Cup series holds its 2005 Grands there.

“We are very pleased to be able to put together a schedule that supports the input from our members of where they would like to go, aligns with national venues, supports those tracks and clubs that have supported us and introduces new facilities into the MWSS schedule,” said Chuck Tate in a printed press release. “Of course we are disappointed not to be able to fit all of our historic facilities into this year's schedule, particularly South Bend Raceway Park, but do plan to return there in 2006!”

May 14-15 - New Castle Motorsports Park, New Castle, IN
June 4-5 - Mid State Raceway, Springfield, IL
June 19-20 - Trane Motor Speedway, Norway, IL
July 30-31 - Badger Raceway, Dousman, WI
August 27-28 - USA International Raceway, Shawano, WI

For more information, please visit www.midwestsprint.com.

EASYKART ANNOUNCES ITS CLASSES, SERIES AND VENUES FOR 2005
Miami, Florida — We are also adding Easykart classes to many new Divisional, Regional and Club Series throughout the USA. We have incentives and prize packages earmarked for these series. Any Series or Club Directors interested in adding Easykart classes to their schedules should contact Salomon Bendayan, Chief Operating Officer, Easykart America at salomon@easykart.com

WKA 2005
Easykart 125 Class WKA George Kugler Manufacturer’s Cup.
Easykart 125 Class WKA George Kugler Manufacturer’s Cup West.
Please go to:
http://www.worldkarting.com/news/11-2004/new_mfg_classes.html for schedules and entry forms.

Stars 2005
Easykart 125 Class Snap-On Stars of Karting Presented by IRL.
Please go to the Stars link http://www.starsofkarting.com/ for schedules and entry forms.

Easykart Grand Nationals. September 2005. Venue to be announced.
Easykart 60 Class
Easykart 100 Class
Easykart 125 Light Class
Easykart 125 Heavy Class
Easykart World Finals. October 2005 in Parma, Italy.
Easykart 60 Class
Easykart 100 Class
Easykart 125 Class

In addition, you can race Easykart 125 in any TAG SKUSA and TAG USA event.

Also, look for the new "Baby" Easykart. Coming January 2005. This will be an all "Spec" Baby kart for driver 5-8 years of age.

“We will be updating our rule book with all the rules and information you need to know about the new Baby Easykart. For more information on this new class and all the other Easykart classes and products, please contact your local Easykart Dealer,” said Salomon Bendayan. “Finally, this year our Easykart World Finals will be in Parma, Italy. http://www.kartdromoparma.it/ . They say ‘if you could win in Parma, you can win anywhere’. We are very excited to be able to have Parma on our World Finals calendar this year. We hope everyone will join use for what promises to be the most important Spec Kart race in the World.”

For more info, please contact Easy Kart at info@easykart.com.

WKA SAYS BIG CHANGES COMING
Concord, North Carolina — Big changes are coming in 2005 in the Junior classes in Speedway Dirt and Pavement, Gold Cup, and even Road Racing as WKA integrates the Briggs Animal engine.

In Gold Cup, there will be four Junior classes. Briggs Junior Lite and Heavy (TM Section 265.4) will continue to run an unrestricted Briggs Raptor engine. In Briggs Restricted Junior Lite and Heavy (TM Section 264.7), the Raptor and Animal will run together. The Raptor will run the 0.575 gold restrictor plate, and the Animal will run the new 0.505 gold restrictor plate.

The Speedway Dirt series will merge the Briggs Junior and Briggs Animal Junior classes in 2005 (TM Section 413.6). The Raptor will continue to run the gold 0.575 restrictor plate and the Animal will run the gold 0.505 gold restrictor plate. The Junior Champ class (TM Section 413.3) will continue to run with the unrestricted Raptor, and a Junior Animal Champ class will be added to the schedule. Animal engines in this class will run with a new 0.575 black restrictor plate. The current plan is to merge these two classes in 2006.

Similar changes are in store for our Junior competitors in the Speedway Pavement series. Briggs Junior and Briggs Animal Junior classes will merge. Just as in the Dirt series, the Raptor will continue to run the gold 0.575 restrictor plate and the Animal will run the gold 0.505 gold restrictor plate. Briggs Junior Champ Lite and Heavy (TM Section 463.3) will continue through 2005 unchanged. However, a new Briggs Junior Animal Champ class will be added. The Animal engine will run the new 0.575 black restrictor plate. As in the Dirt series, the current plan is to merge the Animal engine into the Champ Lite and Heavy classes in 2006.

Horstman will begin shipping the new gold and black restrictor plates around mid November, and dealer availability should be about a week after that. The part number for the new 0.505" gold plate will be 434400 and the part number for the new 0.575" black plate will be 434500.

Now for the Juniors in the National Road Racing Series. The Animal engine is also being added to the Junior Lite and Heavy classes (TM Section 362.2) and will compete along with the Raptor. The Raptor will continue to run the 0.575" gold plate. The Animal will be restricted with a 0.360" throttle stop. The throttle stop and a required locking cap will be available shortly. Also for 2005, the Junior road racing classes will require a dual braking system. Check out the 2004 WKA tech manual for dual braking system specifications.

Those are the changes for the 2005 season, but there will be more to come. This is just the first step in the transition plan for the Briggs Animal engine. The rest of the plan should be announced in the next two months.

MORE ON THE BRIGGS ANIMAL:
For 2005, WKA is announcing an update to the Briggs & Stratton Animal cylinder rules, dimensions for the new Junior Animal restrictor plates, and specifications for the new Briggs Animal Modified engines.

The new Animal cylinder head rule affects all Stock, Controlled, and Modified Animal engines. Effective immediately, the depth of the head at the shallow part is now 0.011 and the minimum depth at the floor of the head is 0.319. The depth at the top of the valve seat is a minimum of 0.335. This represents a 0.005 reduction in each of these dimensions. This change is being made to reflect a change in the Briggs and Stratton manufacturing specifications. Dynamometer test results from Briggs indicate that this change does not materially affect engine performance.

In the Junior classes where the Animal and Raptor engines are competing against each other, the Raptor will continue to use the gold 0.575" restrictor plate, and the Animal will use a gold 0.505" restrictor plate. In the Champ kart classes, the Raptor and Animal will run in separate classes. Raptors will run unrestricted, and the Animal will use a new black 0.575" plate. Horstman will begin shipping the new gold and black restrictor plates around mid November, and dealer availability should be about a week after that. The part number for the new 0.505" gold plate will be 434400 and the part number for the new 0.575" black plate will be 434500.

For the Animal competitor looking for higher levels of performance and the opportunity to experiment with engine modifications, WKA announces the Animal Modified engine. This engine will compete with the Limited Raptor engines in the Dirt series. In the Pavement and Gold Cup series, the engine will run by itself in the new Animal Modified class.

MORE ON WKA
NRRS:
The National Road Racing Series announces new classes and approval of more TaG engines for the 2005 season.

For the past three years, one of the fastest growing classes in the NRRS has been Spec 125 Sprint. This class has been based on the popular TaG engines, and today over a dozen of these engines are available in the US. Of those engines, only three were approved for use in the class in 2004, the Rotax Max, Parilla Leopard, and Sonik VX 125.

In April 2004, WKA invited all of the TaG engine importers to submit their engines and specifications for evaluation and approval for the 2005 season. As a result of this evaluation and on track performance, WKA has determined that some of the engines have similar performance. As a result, the Rotax Max, Parilla Leopard, BM Jaguar, and Easykart will compete in the Spec 125 Sprint class in 2005. The Sonik VX 125 will also compete. However, based on on-track results, it will be required to run a shoe clutch similar to those on the other four engines. As our rule states, WKA will make every effort to make it a level playing field among engine manufacturers.

Past experience has shown us that the only way to be certain of an engine's performance is to track test it, particularly in a road race environment. As a result, WKA is announcing a Spec 125 Sprint R & D class. This class will include all of the other TaG engines that have been submitted for approval, paid their homologation fees, and demonstrated that they are readily available in the US. Engines that are still being considered are the Comer, Italsistem ML47H A, Sonik SL 125, Vortex Rok, and PRD. A final list will be published as soon as availability is confirmed.

This class will run with the Spec 125 Sprint class but scored separately. It will be awarded trophies at least to third place, and points will be posted on the WKA web site, but the competitors will not be running for a national championship this year. Performance of the engines in this class will be evaluated with the intent to merge them into the Spec 125 Sprint class in 2006 with appropriate performance restrictions. Detailed specifications for all of the TaG engines will be published shortly.

The NRRS is announcing another R & D class for the TaG engine packages. Called Spec 125 Enduro R & D, this laydown class will run the same engines that are approved for the Spec 125 Sprint class. The purpose of this class is to provide a test bed for future TaG based laydown classes. The long term objective is to offer entry level Enduro classes with Yamaha Sportsman performance and to base these classes on the TaG type engines with their long life and high reliability. Here are the class rules for the R & D class:

SPEC 125 ENDURO R&D
DRIVER REQ:
Age 16 or older. Class 2 Road Racing license & Class 1 Sprint license OR Class 1 Road Racing license.

ENGINES:
BM Jaguar, Easykart 125, Parilla Leopard, Rotax, Sonik VX125

MIN. WEIGHT:
410 lbs.

MIN. WIDTH:
37" as measured at the steering butterfly.

WHEELS/TIRES:
4.50 x 5" front, 6.00 x 5" rear minimum.

DRIVE TRAIN:
Engine clutch, axle clutch, or both.

RADIATOR:
Aftermarket radiators are allowed. Radiator may be mounted ahead of front wheels, to either side of the driver, or behind the driver. It may not be mounted between the driver's feet or legs.

PIPE/HEADER:
Stock pipe, modified within WKA provided specifications. RLV spec header. (Pipe specifications to be made available shortly. Watch the web site for details.

BODYWORK:
Minimum width of driver opening from rear of nose to headrest is 20". Inner body panels are allowed on side-mounted radiator configuration on radiator side only to separate driver from radiator and coolant lines. All other WKA laydown bodywork rules for 100cc karts apply.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Spec 125 Enduro R&D class is to develop and test specifications for future TaG based road racing classes. Stock pipes and spec pipes will be evaluated during the season. This class will run with other road racing classes but be scored separately. It will be awarded trophies at least to third place, and points will be posted on the WKA web site, but the competitors will not be running for a national championship. The intent is to make this a permanent class in 2006. Licensing levels may be modified as this class progresses.

GEORGE KUGLER MANUFACTURER'S CUP CLASSES ANNOUNCED
Concord, North Carolina — WKA announces two exciting new classes that will run in the George Kugler Manufacturer's Cup Series and the Manufacturer's Cup West Series.

The first opportunity to run these classes will be at Daytona KartWeek, December 26 - 30. The first class is a senior Touch and Go (TaG) class for stock 125 cc kart engines. These TaG engines are increasing in popularity with their self-starting capability and long time between rebuilds. The class will be open to drivers age 15 and up with Sprint Class 2 licenses.

Engines in this class must be stock and equipped with the carburetor, air box, header, and pipe as supplied by the manufacturer. Tires will be Bridgestone YHC (USA) 10x450-5 front and 11x710-5 rear. Front wheel brakes are not allowed, but dual rear wheel brakes can be used. Here are the engines and their respective kart weights for the class:

BM Jaguar – 360 lbs
Comer – 375 lbs.
Easykart – 370 lbs.
Italsistem ML47H A – 375 lbs.
Parilla Leopard – 360 lbs.
Rotax – 355 lbs.
Sonik SL 125 (125cc) – 375 lbs.
Sonik VX 125 (118 cc) – 375 lbs.
Vortex Rok - 360 lbs.
PRD - weight to be announced.

Easykart is the second new class in the George Kugler Manufacturer's Cup Series and Manufacturer's Cup West Series. This class is the result of a partnership with Easykart America and is designed for the racer who wants to eliminate virtually every variable in the racing equation except the driver. Easykart already runs at the Stars of Karting and some WKA divisional events, and race fans report that the class provides some of the event's closest competition.

Like the TaG class described above, the Easykart 125 class is available to drivers age 15 and up with Sprint Class 2 Licenses. Like the traditional TaG class karts, the engines are stock and equipped with self-starters. Unlike the TaG class karts, all Easykarts are identical in every respect. They have sealed 125 cc air cooled engines with spec Easykart carburetors, air boxes, headers, and pipes. All engine and chassis components must be as supplied by Easykart. Spec tires in this class will be MG MZs. Easykarts can also run in the TaG class with just a switch to the TaG spec Bridgestone YHC tires.

To make room for these two new classes, the Spec 100 class has been deleted.

SUPERNATIONAL DOUBLE PODIUMS AND NEAR VICTORY IN PRO IC
Las Vegas, Nevada— Pro ICC: Off the lights, Bowles jumped strongly from the pole and ran hard to the first corner before contact with Ron White (CRG), who was attacking aggressively from the outside. Bowles was slowed and slid back as the field funneled to the second corner. Heading into turn two, the action continued when White ran into the side of David Jurca (Italkart) fighting for the apex, ending both of their days before the race ever made a single lap. It was an unfortunate for the Italian Motors driver as he had the speed to win the event.

Across the Start-Finish line for the first time, Jordy Vorrath (Italkart) held the lead with Bowles in second and Lorenzo Mandarino (GP) in third. Making a strong run earlier was Kyle Martin (Track Magic) on the new FTR chassis.

Moving up steadily was newly crowned SKUSA National Champion Alan Sciuto. After starting back in the pack, Sciuto powered his Kimball Williams-tuned Birel through the field. One by one, Sciuto moved up in the order as Vorrath continued in the lead.

By lap 15, Vorrath’s began to slow and Bowles closed the gap that had once been at 1.762 seconds. By this point, Sciuto had moved into the lead group and, working with Bowles, began to track down the leader.

When the time was right, Sciuto made his move and took the lead from Vorrath with Bowles eventually getting past the Italkart as well. With the laps closing, Bowles looked to be eating into the gap. Sciuto’s SwedeTech TM began giving out on him three laps from the end and he knew it thanks to the display on his data gauge.

On white flag, Bowles was in full stalking mode; he all over Sciuto. Down the long back straight for the final time, Bowles looked to the inside but couldn’t quite make the pass. Heading over to turn 9, Sciuto slowed when his motor stuck hard. Bowles seized the lead while several other drivers scrambled to avoid Sciuto, who was dead-stick on the track.
Bowles, hands in the air, crossed the finish line first with Martin in second and Vorrath in third. Kyle Wiegand drove solidly to fourth while Brett Buckwalter capped the group that was invited to the podium.

On the podium, Bowles dedicated his win to Ron Huber, owner of CompCor, who passed away on Saturday after he sustained head injuries in a paddock accident on Thursday. It was a big win for both Bowles and the CompCor squad and the first victory for Tony Kart in the United States since Scott Speed won the SuperNationals back in 2001.

END

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