8/9/05
WKA CANCELS ‘05 “BRIGGS & STRATTON 300”
Concord, North Carolina — Following weeks of deliberation, World Karting Association officials have elected to cancel the 12th edition of the Briggs & Stratton 300 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Normally a part of the North American Karting Championships, held annually the first weekend in November, this year’s event will be confined mainly to the newly resurfaced sprint track for the Horstman Gold Cup Series finale.
In the past couple of years, the overall numbers for the 300 have decreased dramatically, as well as the Speedway Pavement Series, leading to major concern by WKA Officials to fall back and punt, so to speak, in an effort to hopefully regroup and solve the issues facing today’s pavement drivers. Combining this with the immense cost and time consuming efforts put forth to stage such an event, it was felt in the best interest to save the pavement competitors at least one weekends’ expenses by trimming the event this year.
“The pavement competitors have already saved a little time and money this year by virtue of the elimination of the Thursday optional practice session. However, we feel there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed to help breathe new life back into a program that is loaded with enormous talent,” said Randy Kugler, WKA President.
While the announcement may come as a disappointment to many competitors, the objective is to return the 300, as well as the speedway pavement series, back to the glory and success it was enjoying just a few short years ago.
For more information, see www.worldkarting.com or call 704-455-1606.
