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FYI
12-28-03

DATE AND VENUE FOR 2004 RMAX CHALLENGE GRAND NATIONALS

We are happy to announce the 2004 RMax Challenge Grand Nationals will be held on October 14-17, 2004 at Xplex Las Vegas. Following the very successful 2003 event in Denton, Texas we received numerous invitations from tracks to host the 2004 event. Originally scheduled for the end of September plans had been in the final stages to announce a location in Colorado. Due to a last minute date change, however, the location became a question because of Colorado’s October weather. Looking forward to 2005 we are confident of being able to move the event date back into the September calendar, opening up more possibilities for locations to host future events, including northern locations.

The 2004 event will follow the outline of the 2003 format with setup on Wednesday and official practice starting on Thursday. Open practice will be a track option thru the Tuesday preceding the event, with possible restrictions on Junior and Mini-Max drivers to prevent excessive time out of school. This has been a suggestion from the RMax community and will be discussed at the annual dealer meeting held in St Charles, IL during the KMI show February 20-22, 2004.

For more info, contact: Marshall Martin, National Race Director (nrd@rmaxchallenge.com)
Scott Evans, Technical Director (tech@rmaxchallenge.com), Adrienne Sanz, Administrator (asanz@rmaxchallenge.com). See the Rotax Max website at www.rmaxchallenge.com.

NEW WORLD STANDARD FOR AMUSEMENT RIDES
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania—From the ASTM Newsletter: We all know how much ASTM International’s standards touch our everyday lives—from the water we drink to the cars we drive, to the homes we live in. But did you know that the safety of the amusement ride you enjoyed this past summer, and many summers before, is impacted by ASTM standards?

That’s because for the past 25 years, ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices has been the preeminent source of international standards for amusement rides (including concession karts). Formed in 1978, F24 celebrated its 25th year of standards development for the amusement industry.

F24’s silver anniversary coincides with the publication of a new world standard for amusement ride design. F2291, Standard Practice for Design of Amusement Rides and Devices, was approved earlier this year and is the most comprehensive standard developed to date. Taking its place on an imposing list of F24 standards for amusement rides, this standard too five years to develop and is the result of the collaborative effort of amusement ride experts from around the world.

F24 does not refer to F2991 as “the world standard” as hyperbole. It uses the appellation because one of its overall goals was to encompass the common elements of existing and in-development standards around the world. Mission accomplished!

For more information see www.astm.org/SNEWS/AUGUST_2003/hudson_aug03.html.

STARS FEATURED ON SPEED CHANNEL
Hilliard, Ohio — Wheel-to-wheel racing action that rivals any motor racing series this year was featured on Sunday Dec. 28, when the Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER karting tour was highlighted in a three-hour segment of the top 2003 events.

“We are pleased to show some of the exciting Snap-on Stars of Tomorrow racing to the viewers of the SPEED CHANNEL,” said Bobby Rahal, a principal in the Stars program. “We believe the fans who watch(ed) the SPEED CHANNEL Sunday (were) very entertained by this spectacular competition.”

The first televised hour Sunday was the competitive ICA (100cc direct drive) division from the Stars’ Western Division at the Bridgestone Grand Prix at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Canada’s Kevin Glover, a 22-year-old veteran, takes on California teenagers Joel Miller, Joshua Harris and Andrew Alfonso as well as Ecuador’s Sebastian Andrade and New Jersey’s Chris Giumarra.

The second hour featured the ICC (125cc shifter) category in the Bridgestone Grand Prix from July on the popular Northern California track. Hard-charging ICC veteran drivers such as Jason Bowles of Ontario, Calif., Brett Buckwalter of Novato, Calif., Jordy Vorrath of S. Surrey, B.C., Canada and Tom Dyer of San Rafael, Calif., were challenged by a contingent of teenagers led by Alan Sciuto (age 15) of Orange, Calif., Lorenzo Mandarino (16) of Burnaby, B.C., Canada, Nick Halen (17) of Carson City, Nev., Jake Thompson (17) of Calgary, Alta., Canada and 14-year-old Graham Rahal of New Albany, Ohio, son of three-time Champ Car champion Rahal.

The final hour of Stars of Tomorrow competition on SPEED CHANNEL highlighted the Stars Karting Championships from the state-of-the-art, newly constructed Moran Raceway in Beaumont, Calif., recorded in November. Highlights from the ICA and ICC divisions at the national finale produced some of the most spirited racing seen in any form of motorsports this year in North America.

In the ICC division at Moran, veterans like Darren Elliott of Canyon Country, Calif., Bobby Wilson of Dousman, Wis., Ron White of San Jose, Calif., and Bowles took on the talented teenagers like Alex Speed of Monteca, Calif., Rahal, Sciuto, Mandarino and Halen in the fight for the national karting title. The ICA championship at Moran Raceway had the likes of Glover, Vorrath, Ben Horstman of Australia and teenage phenom Robbie Pecorari of Aston, Pa., competing for the coveted national crown.

Produced by Brian Lockwood Productions of Huntington Beach, Calif., the Stars telecast was hosted by Leigh Diffey and Tommy Kendall. David Stanfield reports from the pit area and winner’s circle.

The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presenting by RACER karting series is the official first level in CART's driver development system and an officially sanctioned series of WKA/SCCA Pro Racing. Founded by racing star Bryan Herta and now owned in conjunction with a group of racing veterans, including three-time CART champion and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, the Stars of Tomorrow serves as the first step for the CART driver development ladder. Stars focuses on recognizing the skills of the drivers rather than the technology development within the machines, using FIA/CIK International standards. More information can be found at www.cartstars.com.

CONFUSION ABOUNDS…
Last week, Jean Marchioni (JM Racing) announced an alliance with Enzo Chiovitti (3S Go Kart) which was reported on eKarting News. See item #1. After the report appeared, Birel SpA in Italy countered with an open letter to the media stating their position on the matter. See item #2.

JEAN MARCHIONI AND ENZO CHIOVITTI FORM ALLIANCE
Jean Marchioni of JM Racing is proud to announce that it has formed an alliance with long time Birel and TM importer, Enzo Chiovitti of Canada. Chiovitti and Marchioni are two of the most colorful and knowledgeable people in karting in North America and have over 50 years of experience between them. Chiovitti has hired Jean Marchioni as a consultant to help bring Birel to the next level in the United States and to help further Birel’s success and racing plans in 2004 - something Marchioni did for another European chassis (Tony Kart) in the mid 90’s to early2000’s.

Birel dominated the kart scene in 70’s with the likes of Riccardo Patrese, Stefano Modena and Lake Speed. They dominated the 80’s with the likes of Mike Wilson and Andrea Gilardi and the 90’s with Gianluca Beggio and Allessandro Piccini. This year Birel won the European ICC Championship, the World Cup in Super ICC and the Super Nationals among other high profile races and championships in the States.

REPLY FROM BIREL SPA, LISSONE, ITALY—
“We have read the news release on E-Karting News about the alliance between Jean Marchioni and Enzo Chiovitti, wanting to distribute our products on the American Market of which could disturb our current distribution network.

We inform you that for any agreement made in the USA and Canadian commercial market must be approved and authorized by Birel Management. This announcement is a complete surprise and not approved, therefore considered not valid.

Rest assured that we shall verify the truth of these contents to avoid any unbalance in the distribution of our products in the USA market and eventually take necessary measures to resolve this unpleasant situation. Birel Spa also confirms that the current Birel Dealer distribution continues to grow and remains solid.”

FORMER MYCHRON3 SERIES BREAKS COVER ON NEW NAME, SPONSORS
Sierra Madre, California — All good things must come to an end and the title sponsorship change for the popular MyChron3 Cup means the series will now be called the Golden State Karting Challenge.

Boosting momentum for the Golden State Karting Challenge is the addition of a group of strong sponsors helping guide the series into its third year of recreational karting competition in southern California.

"We would like to thank Michael Jaynes and AIM Sports for their strong support over the last two years," said eRacingOutlet president Brian Stiver. "AIM has to react to the current karting environment and we understand that. We are pleased that MyChron3 will remain on as sponsor of the Rotax RM1 class in the GSKC.

"We are also very happy to have Karting Ventures, Dave's Performance, Apex Racing, VP Fuels, and Grand Products added as sponsor partners for the series," continued Stiver. "Strong, lasting racing series have strong, solid marketing partners and we have that with this group of fine companies," continued Stiver.

Grand Products, who offers a full line of karting products including TopKart chasses, Bridgestone tires and Comer motors that will be used in the Cadet class, joins the series as sponsor of that class. Mike Tetreault of Grand Products is pleased to have Grand Products participating the in the series.

"I've had great experiences working with the people at eRacingOutlet like Brian and Grand Products is very happy to be a part of a stable series such as the Golden State Karting Challenge," said Tetreault. "Recreational karting represents the biggest base of new customers for any karting business so this program fits very well into our marketing efforts."

The GSKC is also the only official Rotax Max Challenge in southern California to offer all Rotax classes. Southern California racers who wish to qualify to run in the Rotax Grand Nationals should participate in the GSKC.

"Brian Stiver and eRacingOutlet have run one of the most successful Rotax Challenges the last two years and SSC Racing and Rotax looks forward to more great Rotax competition," said Joe Ramos, head of SSC Racing in Palm Springs.

The series kicks off with participation in the So-Cal Road Racing Festival at California Speedway in January for the adult classes and then begins its normal schedule with all classes February 21 at Buttonwillow Raceway.

The Golden State Karting Challenge is a regional series based in southern California that caters to the recreational racer, offering limited classes and unparalleled track time. Utilizing the turnkey Rotax packages as well as other electric start karts, the GSKC is the perfect place for those that wish to race for fun and camaraderie while keeping track time high and costs low.

More information on the GSKC can be found at www.eracingoutlet.com. Follow the link at the right side of the home page. You can also call (626) 355-0053.

AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE…
NASCAR-AUTOGRAPHED HELMET RAFFLE AT KART EXPO
Karting guru Tom Argy Jr., in one of his last acts of kindness and generosity for the karting industry prior to his sudden and tragic death last week, obtained the autographs of nearly all of the 2003 NASCAR drivers on an auto racing helmet. The helmet was to be raffled at the 2004 Kart Expo with all proceeds going to a local Chicago-area charity. However, upon learning that Tom left little insurance to care for his wife and children, it was decided by Darrell Sitarz, the Expo director, to change the program to benefit the Argy family.

“Tom was an integral part of the show and a very good friend. This is probably the most unique and spectacular raffle we’ve held in the 12-year history of the show and it’s fitting that we honor Tom’s memory this way,” said Sitarz. “With all the autographs, this helmet will be an enviable item in anyone’s racing collection while helping Tom’s family with a donation.”

There will be a total of 2,000 tickets available at $5 each for the raffle. Tickets will go on sale beginning November 21. Kart Expo International hopes to raise $10,000 from the drawing with the proceeds going to wife Sarah, Alyssa and Tommy Argy.

To purchase tickets by mail, send a check or money order in US$ to: Kart Marketing Group, Attn: Argy Raffle, PO Box 101, Wheaton, Illinois 60189 USA and specify the number of raffle tickets and the name(s) on the tickets. Tickets will be immediately mailed to the purchaser.

Tickets will also be available at various banquets and shows prior to and including Kart Expo. The drawing will be held on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 PM at Kart Expo in St. Charles, Illinois. The winner need not be present.

Kart Expo International is North America’s Premiere Kart Racing Show, and will be held February 21-22, 2004 at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois (Suburban Chicago). The show will feature nearly 300 booths of kart racing equipment from around the world. See ‘Kart Expo Update’ on this site for more information.

For more info, contact Kart Marketing Group at 630-653-7368 or karting@msn.com.

END

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Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

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