08-16-05

STARS OF KARTING HEADS FOR EAST DIVISION FINALE AT WOODBINE

Seattle, Washington — The East division racers in the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL will finish out their 2005 championship with the inaugural event at Woodbine Racetrack and Casino in Toronto this weekend. Excitement and atmosphere are! promised at this highly publicized temporary circuit event. The Woodbine Entertainment Group has promoted the event intensely in the Toronto market. Mountain Dew Energy Drink has come on board as an event sponsor and will provide sampling and grid girls on site.

On the track Kyle Wiegand looks to be in the cat bird’s seat in the ICC (shifter) class aboard his GP/Pavesi. Keith Spicer (Tony Kart) and Wesley Boswell (Birel) are sure to give chase but Wiegand comes into the round with a convincing 168 point lead.

In the co-headlining ICA (direct drive) class the battle for first is much closer. Chris Wehrheim (PCR) leads the way but Iowan Johnny Johnson is close on his heels in his Kosmic only 10 points back. Phil Giebler (Intrepid) and Caleb Loniewski (Margay) are tied for third just 29 points out of the lead with Steve Welk (Merlin) in striking distance in fifth.

The junior battle in the PCH Motorsports JICA class sees French-Canadian Xavier Coupal (Tony Kart) just holding the lead over Colombia’s Gustavo Yacaman (First Kart). Anthony Llopiz (Kosmic) and Sebastien S aavedra (Vanspeed) can definitely be considered contenders for the race win as always.

In what will be the final East Division race for the King Taco Junior Shifter class Dublin, Ohio’s Zach Schiff will look to continue the dominance he began in Shawano a few weeks ago by sweeping both wins for First Kart in the team’s home race. Michael Vincec, Garrett Boone, James Bayliss, Cody Jolly, and Kyle Marcelli are all part of a contingent of CRGs battling in the top six of the points standings and will aim to knock Schiff off the top step of the podium.

Guillermo Freile and Andre Villareal have only 5 points separating them atop the East Division Easykart standings. Paulie Harraka is still within striking distance only 29 points back. Andrew Withers and Dominic Scheer, fresh from his summer racing in the Italian Open series, round out the top five.

Nazareth, Pennsylvania’s Sage Karam holds a commanding lead heading into Woodbine in the Grand Products Cadet Class. Birel teammate Oscar Tunjo Sanchez lies in second with Nevoso teammates Sebastian Ordonez and Spencer Pigot within striking distance of the runner up spot.

The event kicks off with practice on Friday August 19, with races on Saturday and Sunday. For more about the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL visit www.starsofkarting.com.