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FYI
11-13-04

KARTS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ENTRY LEVEL RACING KART

Cleveland, Ohio — In an announcement Saturday, October 09 at the Hot Import Nights car show in Cleveland, Ohio, veteran racer and kart designer Trevor Hilliar revealed plans for an entry level racing kart that would revolutionize motorsports by making competition accessible to a broad segment of the population. T Karts intends to accomplish this by creating a “spec” kart designed to compete on a grassroots network of privately owned and operated dirt road courses and ovals. Production of the karts will begin immediately at T Karts’ Essex, CT facility.

“The plan is to create a nationwide network of back yard racetracks all using comparable karts,” said Hilliar. “It all started when a fellow racer and I bought a few older racing karts to keep ourselves entertained and sharp in the off season. We have been racing on several dirt road courses and ovals in Connecticut for over 5 years and the growth in popularity and participation has been tremendous.”

Hilliar, founder of T Karts, LLC, an Essex, CT based company, reported the successful completion of a six month long test involving several prototype karts. T Karts will begin the production of the kart in the fall of 2004, code named T1, based on the successful prototype field test. The T1 will conform to national and international rules for racing karts, allowing it to compete in a wide variety of sanctioned events. The primary design considerations for the T1 were not based on that of a top level kart racing, but rather the desire to build a safe, durable and low maintenance racing kart that could make the crossover from recreational competition to full on sanctioned competition.

“We had several requirements in mind when we set out to build the T1. First it must be a competition kart and not a recreational vehicle such as a fun kart, ATV or quad. Second, it must be affordable to buy and operate. Third, it must be safe. We feel we have hit the nail on the head with the T1,” said Hilliar.

The T1 gets it drive from an ultra-reliable Honda 6.5 horsepower engine with an integral gear reduction and wet clutch. This choice of power plant ensures years of reliable service, adequate power and performance for back yard competition, and avoids one of the most expensive and high maintenance components of a competition kart, the clutch. A chain drive, mechanical brake, easily adjustable seat, and tunable chassis are all features that were essential, based on the years of backyard kart racing that Hilliar and his friends have been involved in.

“Backyard kart racing is the safest, most fun and most affordable way for racing fans and current and aspiring racers to get high quality seat time without the complications of sanctioned racing. About one-eighth of an acre, two karts, two helmets and a friend is all that it takes to go racing. There are no memberships, licenses, tow vehicles, trailers, long tows, short track sessions, expensive rebuilds, huge tire bills, unsportsmanlike competitors, inconvenient schedules, hotel rooms, race gas, and all of the other headaches that come with sanctioned racing.” Hilliar speaks from experience, having competed with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Grand Am since 1991, including competing in the Grand Am and Grand Am Cup series, the SCCA Valvoline Runoffs, the Rolex 24 at Daytona and a variety of professional Formula 2000 series.

More information about the T1 and T Karts is available on line at www.tkartsusa.com or by calling 860-767-5012.

COMPCOR MAINTAINS STRONG COMMITMENT TO KARTING
Scottsdale, Arizona — On Friday, October 29th, Ron Huber, President of CompCor Distribution, was killed in a tragic non-karting accident while attending the SKUSA Supernationals in Las Vegas. Huber’s family and the entire staff at CompCor would like to express their deep appreciation to everyone in the karting community for their sympathy, prayers and support.

In early 2003, Huber started CompCor Distribution, the sole U.S. importer for Tony Karts of Italy and Vortex engines. Huber had made a commitment when he took on the TonyKart line to maintain a fully stocked, on-site inventory for easy parts availability and to provide first-rate technical support for TonyKart drivers, including tuning and technical assistance at national events. At the Supernationals in Las Vegas, Huber had brought in three top kart racing engineers from Italy along with CompCor’s technical director to assist TonyKart drivers at the event.

CompCor’s strong commitment to Huber’s goals continues to be a top priority. His wife Judy will fill the position of company president. She and the capable staff at CompCor are dedicated to providing excellent customer service, technical support and maintaining an in-stock inventory for all TonyKart and Vortex customers. CompCor’s current focus is to prepare for the 2005 racing season.

Ron Huber will always be remembered for his need for speed. In addition to karting, Huber’s other passion was auto racing. He was one of the top amateur race car driver’s in the nation and served on the board of Russell Racing Schools. Huber will also be remembered as a devoted family man, for his faith in God and for his contributions to the community.

Please direct any inquiries to CompCor at 480-443-7747.

ROCK ISLAND GRAND PRIX UPDATE
Rock Island, Illinois — “Thanks once again for everyone's support of this year's Rock Island Grand Prix and thanks to all of the media for the great coverage of our event, said Roger Ruthhart head of the premier street event in the US. “We are looking forward to seeing you all again Sept. 3-4, 2005, so mark your calendars!”

The RIGP is happy to report that we have received our first entries for the 2005 Rock Island Grand Prix. How does that work, you ask? North Texas Karters have approved a program by which the club will pay for four of its racers to race at The Rock - entry and practice fees, pit passes, hotel. They will tentatively be sending competitors in 2-cycle Super Sportsman, TAG Senior, 125 motor and ICC. It's a great program and we are happy to work with Rod and Tammy Heslor and everyone at NTK to develop this. If any other clubs are interested in doing something similar, please let the promoter of the event know.

Also, the complete Rock Island Grand Prix DVD is now available from www.kartweb.com . All 14 races are included on two DVDs. Over 240 hours of editing went into the production of the collection - one of the best racing shows ever produced. You can get a taste of it by watching King of Streets and 4-cycle Heavy footage online at www.kartweb.com, if you have a high speed connection and a little patience. You'll see great racing and some good bangs, spins and yellow flags flying, especially in the 4-cycle action. But nothing compares to the DVD quality and it's just in time for Christmas !! Cost is $40 plus $5 shipping available through the website. Special thanks to John Denman and his crew for another great show.

Hotel blocks have been established for 2005 at both the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton - the host hotel for the 11th year - and the Radisson Hotel just across the river in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Make your reservations early while rooms are still available. Room rates remain at $69 a night at Four Points and $89 a night at the Radisson. Other hotel packages will be completed soon and all hotel information will be on the website. If you encounter any problems with hotel bookings, please contact the RIGP office as grandprix@qconline.com or phone (309) 292-8133.

Congratulations to RIGP racers Kaitlin Mangham and Jordon Musser on their national championships for Easykart and Rotax Max. Kaitlin and her family dodged hurricanes to make it to The Rock to race and she proved her talents again with the win in Easykart Jacksonville and a strong showing at the World Championships in Italy. Jordon, who qualified for his first Rotax Nationals with a last-minute win at Rock Island several years ago, this year won his third straight national title. He will be off to the World Championships in the Canary Islands in January.

And last but not least, congratulations to Jason Bowles and Bonnier Moulton on their wins at the SKUSA SuperNationals. Jason, who has also raced at The Rock, was one of our traveling companions for a week on Tom Argy's last factory tour to Italy. “He's a talented racer and a great guy and all of us in Rock Island are hoping for great things from him. Also a shout out to Bonnier who followed up his win here with a G1 SuperNats championship,” Ruthhart concluded.

CANADIAN KARTER RETURNS FROM INFINITI PRO SERIES TEST
Fort Worth, Texas — Sutton, Ontario native and current Las Vegas, Nev., resident Juliana Chiovitti returned home Wednesday evening after participating in a three day test session at Texas Motor Speedway in an Indy Racing League Menards Infiniti Pro Series™ car for Nunn Motorsports. Chiovitti, an accomplished high speed kart and Formula Ford 2000 racer had a momentous experience as one of seven candidates who tried out for an opportunity of a full season ride with the Indianapolis-based team.

Kathryn Nunn, the IRL’s only female team owner, and former IndyCar driver Lyn St. James identified Chiovitti as a candidate for the test from an extensive list of applications received. The IRL’s Infiniti Pro Series is the developmental series of the Indy Racing League which debuted in July, 2002. Nunn hopes to bring the first female driver into the series and will make her final decision at the end of this month. For Chiovitti, it was a rare opportunity of a lifetime. “A lot of people dream of this their whole lives,” Chiovitti said. “All of a sudden, we get a phone call at 7 o’clock in the morning, asking, ‘Will you come out?’ You’re like, “I’ll be there. When? In my pajamas? Want me now?’”

“The car was awesome, it just took a little while to gain trust in it. At first, I wanted to muscle it but after I learned to relax, sort of like sitting back on a couch and just driving it, it was a lot of fun,” Chiovitti said after her run.

Chiovitti, 23, a racer since the age of five, has been seeking a professional ride over the past five years and has endured many ups and downs. Preferring to be recognized for her accomplishments in a male-dominated sport, her resume shouts talent with 18 national karting titles and a slew of regional and club championships. Unlike many other sports that elevate on talent, the road to riches in motor racing often depends on the support of sponsors to fund their climb up the ladder and ultimately into the upper echelons of IndyCar, Formula 1 and NASCAR Nextel Cup racing where talent is finally rewarded based on skill and performance.

Despite the outcome of Nunn’s selection, she’s no stranger to disappointment and continues to jump at any opportunities that could lead to a fully funded pro ride in the upper ranks. On numerous occasions in the past she’s been invited to test sessions in Toyota Atlantic and other cars in an effort to advance. Unfortunately, almost all have led only to how much money a driver can bring to the table to secure a full season’s contest. The Nunn Motorsports’ opportunity is unique because Nunn already has a sponsor lined up for the effort that’s bringing a great deal of media attention to the team. “The test has dropped the odds considerably, but I’ve learned to ride the roller coaster pretty well. Like it or not, it’s the nature of the sport and you have to keep plugging away,” she said.

This past season, she advanced into formula car racing after receiving the opportunity for an evaluation based on her 2003 championship title in the Ron Fellows Karting Series. Supported and funded by Sunoco in their Ultra 94 FF2000 team, she contested in the Canadian championship, earned a win and an overall fourth in the point standings. With age being an important factor in driver development, many young drivers are in a rush phase to move up quickly and Chiovitti would like to progress one more notch in 2005.

Often compared in personality to Helio Castroneves, the Italian beauty with long dark hair, sparkling brown eyes and a dimpled smile, is fun to be around and her sense of young spirit and humor is infectious. On track, she’s serious and doesn’t fear making that last lap dive heading into a final turn at 90 mph trying to out-brake her male competitors. Chiovitti is also a serious business manager, currently running the family’s newest kart shop expansion in Las Vegas and managing the race team that’s recently won the SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) national title with driver Alan Sciuto.

“I think it’s time,” Nunn said, “and I think there are now women out there who don’t just drive circles who can be competitive and be up front with the men.” St. James, who was 40 years old when she first qualified for the Indy 500, understands completely what Chiovitti and other women are going through to find acceptance and a place in motor sports. “I think when one of these women is in this victory circle,” she said, pointing behind TMS’ pit row, “then I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished something.

Although no stranger to the winner’s circle, Chiovitti’s aspirations continue reaching toward the highest level of podiums in racing.

MERSCOM BRINGS "MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S KART CHALLENGE 2005" TO NORTH AMERICA
Chapel Hill, North Carolina — Merscom LLC has announced a publishing and distribution agreement with 10tacle Studios for the developer’s racing game "Michael Schumacher’s Kart Challenge 2005". This ultimate 3D kart racing simulation for PC, endorsed by Michael "Schumi" Schumacher, winner of seven Formula 1 titles, lets you go head-to-head and bumper-to-bumper against "the world’s fastest driver". For a total karting rush, a bonus exclusive trailer from the upcoming extreme sports, kart racing film "Kart Attack Volume 1: Ignition" is also included with the game. "Michael Schumacher’s Kart Challenge 2005" is available now from www.kartchallenge2005.com for $19.99.

"Michael Schumacher actually began his legendary career as a kart racer," said Lloyd Melnick, Director of Merscom. "10tacle Studios painstakingly analyzed his wealth of historic kart racing data to develop this game so when, and if, you ultimately win, you’re actually beating Schumi, making the thrill of this game unbeatable."

Can you smoke Schumi? Grow your racing career as you burn rubber against different opponents throughout the world until you may finally smoke the fastest of them all. Test your reflexes, and your mettle, on 17 intensely realistic tracks spanning the globe, from the U.S. to Cuba to Japan to Europe. Design your own car and uniform, race against your friends over a LAN, and even upload your high scores to measure your competition from around the country and across the world.

A global phenomenon that has spawned a multi-billion dollar industry, karting is the primary recreational activity for hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. Featuring handling that reflects the tension and speed of actual karts, and gameplay modeled on the racing legend’s own instincts and abilities, "Michael Schumacher’s Kart Challenge 2005" brings the adrenaline and excitement of this phenomenon to your computer.

"With a product endorsed by a true racing champion, and in partnership with Merscom, we couldn't be more pleased to make this our first step into the North American market," said Michele Pes, CEO of 10tacle Studios. "Like Michael Schumacher, we believe this game is a winner."

For more information and to purchase the game, visit www.kartchallenge2005.com.

About 10tacle Studios
Celebrating its first anniversary, 10tacle Studios has rapidly made a name for itself as a leading German developer and publisher of innovative offline and online games for PC and all next-generation consoles. For more information visit www.10tacle.com.

About Merscom LLC
Merscom LLC is a publisher of PC and console games. Founded in 1999 by video game veterans with over a decade of experience working with the industry’s leading developers and publishers, Merscom has set its focus on producing fun, easy to pick up and play entertainment products for gamers of all ages. For more information visit www.merscom.com.

END

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