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FYI
10-10-04

SKUSA SUPERNATS VIII GEARING UP!

Las Vegas, Nevada — “Entries are rolling in and are ahead of last year’s,” says SKUSA CEO, Joe Janowski. We are very excited about our upcoming race. SuperNationals VIII is shaping up to be epic, thanks to the continued support of our racers, and sponsors.”

Ron White, defending SuperNationals champion, has already pre-entered along with JAF Racing’s Patrick Long, Matt Jaskol, John Zartarian, and a growing list of the sports top dogs. RBI is in full force with their top shoes AJ Noud and Alan Rudolph. Bobby Wilson will be back in action, and back in a shifter kart, looking for his first ever Super Nationals win.

“We really want to extend a big Superkarts! USA thank you to some of our sponsors that have jumped on board for the SuperNationals VIII,” continued Janowski. “Grand Products/Pavesi, Comer, Bridgestone, VP Fuels, Decal Works, and First Kart North America are just a few that are going to help make the 8th annual SuperNats better than ever, with more signing up everyday.” For sponsorship information, please call 317-774-7025

After last year’s success, including the TAG classes in to their program, Superkarts! USA has added Junior 1 Comer to the event list for this year. “Grand Products is very pleased to see the addition of Junior 1 to the 2004 SuperNationals,” said Grand Product’s Mike Tetreault. “it is a fabulous opportunity for the Junior 1 drivers to be a part of this great show.”

Beginning next week, and running through the SuperNats, Superkarts! USA will be airing a 30-second spot on the Sam Boyd Stadium marquise advertising the SuperNationals VIII. In conjunction with the giant screen in front of the Super Nat’s race location, Sam Boyd Stadium, the advertisement will also be airing just off the strip, on the on the marquis outside of their sister stadium, the Thomas & Mack arena, maximizing visibility throughout Las Vegas.

Superkarts! USA is dedicating Super Nationals VIII to the men and women in our Armed Forces. “Nellis Air Force Base is just up the road” commented Janowski, “and we felt it only right to invite them all down for a weekend of racing at the SuperNats. All military personnel stationed at Nellis, and their families, will be admitted to the SuperNats free of charge, so when you see them in the pits make sure to say hi, and thank them for the job they do for us.”

As a friendly reminder Superkarts! USA would like to prompt you to get your entries and tire vouchers in now. Pre entries for the event are due by October 22, as are the tire vouchers. No tires will be sold at the event, so you need to get the form sent in to Grand Products by October 22. Both the entry, and tire voucher forms can be found on the web site www.superkartsusa.com.

For all the up to date Super Nationals VIII information, class structure, rules, schedules, and sponsors visit our web site http://www.superkartsusa.com The site is filled with information, and has updates a couple times a week to keep you informed. Keep an eye out in the news section for all the latest information. Most everything you need to know about the SuperNats is available online.

Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) is the internationally recognized leader of the shifter kart and TAG (TAG SKUSA) racing community. For more information about SKUSA, its events, and its services, please contact the SKUSA National office at +1 (317) 774-7025 or online at www.superkartsusa.com.

WORLD KART RECORD ATTEMPT UPDATE
Laps for Kids, the organizers of the world record attempt, would like to take this time to bring you up to date on their world record attempt. As you may know, while in Oklahoma during the SKUSA World Finals organizers suffered a major set back when most of their race equipment was stolen. That is reason the world record attempt has been reschedule until the summer of 2005.

Goals of the groupThey are listed as follows:

Gary Kannegiesser:
“Jeff Metter has lent me a kart & Rotax motor so that I may compete in the final 2 races of the GLSKUA series. I’m presently the points leader for the season championship,” said Kannegiesser. “I will travel to the SKUSA Supernats October 28th-31st, 2004 to receive my National #3 plate in Tag Senior for 2004 ProMoto season. I’m entered in the SKUSA Super Nationals, but due to Insurance reimbursement may not be able to compete in time.”

Timmy Meginbier:
Timmy has received a Birel Kart & Rotax from MRP so that he may finish his season with the Rotax Max Challenge. He will be competing in the Rotax Max Challenge in Vegas, October 15th-17th 2004. Timmy will represent the Midwest Region were he is ranked #1. If he wins in Las Vegas, he will be going to the Canary Islands representing the United States in the Rotax World Finals.

Kannegiesser stated, “I will be accepting Timmy’s SKUSA #1 national plate for Pro Moto Tag Jr. along with his #3 national plate in 80cc Shifter in Las Vegas on October 28, 2004. Due to the scheduling of prior commitments, Timmy will not be competing in the Supernats this year.”

Laps for Kids has booth space at the SKUSA Supernats if you are interested in attending or would like to display materials please give me a call. If you should have any creative Ideas to help them get back up on our feet a little faster please call 440-670-2897.

“As part of our thanks for your support we would like to include you as part of our 2005 season. During the winter of 2005 we will be adding a number of auto and custom car shows to our tour. During the off-season we plan to bring more exposure to our program,” Kammegiesser concluded.

2004 EASYKART GRANDS
Jacksonville, Florida— October 2-3, Sixty-eight drivers, hailing from seven countries traveled to central Florida for the 2004 Easykart Grand Nationals, presented by Phone One. Drivers in the four spec Easykart classes funneled into the Jacksonville Motorsport Park for a very exciting weekend of racing. On the line this weekend were four round trip, all expense paid trips to Rome, Italy for the Easykart World Finals October 16-17, 2004. "Our winners this weekend in the four Easykart spec classes will all be going to Italy for the Easykart World Championships," said Salomon Bendayan COO of Easykart America.

Easykart CEO, Pablo Montoya, was on hand offering guidance, and support to the drivers and crews competing this weekend. "The Easykart series gives racers a chance to showcase their talents, in identically equipment karts," says Montoya. "This allows the best drivers to win, and not just the best funded drivers. When our four winners get to Italy for the Easykart World Championships, the drivers will receive equipment and support from Birel Motorsport, so they are going to be in good hands.

Race announcer Bobby Waltrip kept everyone informed all weekend long, providing the spectators with exciting play-by-play coverage of the event. Bobby, the most famous of the Waltrip brothers is a seasoned announcer from the WKA National Dirt Oval series, and is an asset to any race program. Waltrip earned his money this weekend, running his mouth overtime, to keep up with all the action on track.

WKA official, Glen Firing was the race director, and if Waltrip kept them informed, Firing keeping them in line. "It's no easy task being race director at an event filled with spec classes," said Firing. "The fact that they all run the same package keeps things close from the first lap to the last lap. I was impressed with the drivers, and the closeness of racing displayed by the all the classes."

The Easykart 60 class was the closest race of the day. Spencer Pigot of Miami, Fl. crossed the finish line just .125 seconds ahead of Eric Filgueiras, winning the chance to be named Easykart World Champion. Daniel Formal finished a close 3rd.

Easykart 125 Light was the second class to take to the track. Kaitlin Mangham got it done at her home track, just beating out Stars Easykart West champion Corry Pollock by 2 seconds for the win. Pollock charged up through the field after contact in the heat dropped him well back in the pack. Colombian, Camilo Zurcher had a great drive ending his weekend in
third place.

Multiple WKA national champion, Paul Harraka, had his hands full in the Easykart 100 class. Dominic Scheer set a torrid pace in qualifying, putting it on pole, but at the end of the day, the WKA HPV National Champion Scheer had to settle for a third place finish. Harraka was able to achieve his first Easykart National win, scoring a trip to Italy in the process. Colombia's Martin Sala gave Harraka a run for his money, but finished just behind the New Jersey pilot in second place.

Easy 125 Heavy was the final class of the day, and saw Manuel Villalobos take the checker flag, and win the trip to Italy. Guillermo Freile, and Dario Echeverry followed Villalobos to the stripe.

AMUSEMENT PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS WORLDWIDE PLAN HALLOWEEN AND AUTUMN ACTIVITIES
Alexandria, Virginia — From costume contests to trick-or-treating, to decorated rides and haunted houses, Halloween 2004 will be bigger, scarier, and more fun than ever before at amusement parks and attractions worldwide.

Now, for the first time, the amusement industry is offering a comprehensive, free list of events and activities at amusement parks and attractions. The diverse cornucopia of Halloween and autumn activity listings is available at www.ticketforfun.com, the official consumer web site of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the amusement industry’s premier trade association.

Halloween and autumn activities listed on the www.ticketforfun.com include:
--Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada—Discover the “Secret of Ali Baba’s Tomb.” Features include pyramids, mummies, an Arabian Bazaar, fortune teller, witches, pirates, dragons and more. www.zoosociety.com

--Hansa Park, Sierksdorf, Germany--Light dreams at the sea parade, featuring costumed characters, fireworks, decorated rides, and more. www.hansapark.de

--Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida—Halloween-themed animal shows, decorated attractions, candy stations, two haunted houses, and more. Proceeds benefit charity. www.miamiseaquarium.com

--Ocean Park, Hong Kong—Halloween Bash 2004, including a Cursed Castle, Laser Music Madness, Samurai’s Revenge, and Arachnophobia events. www.oceanpark.com.hk

--Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia—Fearfest, including spine-tingling attractions, Dracula’s Haunted Castle, and a 3-D freakshow. www.kingsdominion.com.

Event and activity listings will be continually updated as the season progresses.
The www.ticketforfun.com web site also offers a comprehensive, official directory of amusement parks and attractions worldwide, travel tips, and fun facts about the amusement industry.

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 5,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 85 countries.

HINCHCLIFFE REUNITES WITH FIRST KART FOR SKUSA SUPERNATS
Toronto, Ontario, Canada — 17-year old James Hinchcliffe completed his rookie season in the Formula BMW USA (FBMW) championship and will reunite with the First Kart North America squad for the SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) SuperNationals. Hinchcliffe, who claimed the FBMW Rookie-of-the-Year honors and second in the series championship, finished the season with three wins and four pole positions.

After the final BMW event in California, First Kart team principal Tony Ventresca contacted Hinchcliffe to explore the option of running the event. “I sat down with James and his father and it didn’t take long” stated Ventresca. “We outlined the details of the event and looked into flights and before we knew it, everything was set-up and a test session was scheduled.”

Always looking to stay ahead of the competition, Hinchcliffe was on track this past weekend for some pre-event testing. “We had a good test and it was good to get back in a kart again,” explained the 17-year-old University student. “I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and teammates from a year ago. The SuperNats is one of the most competitive races in North America and I can’t wait to get to Vegas and start the weekend.”

While Hinchcliffe will reunite with First Kart, he will also come together with old time tuner Mike Maurini. Working together as they did back in 2002, the duo will utilize the First Kart chassis with the potent CRS power. Teamed with ’03 Stars of Karting Champion Bobby Wilson and ’02 Shifter Kart Illustrated Tuner-of-the-Year Terry Ventresca, the First Kart team will thrive on the knowledge, skills and abilities to make a run for the win.

Hinchcliffe will start his assault on the karting community on October 28th as the opening rounds of practice will take place for the SKUSA SuperNationals. Follow James and the rest of the First Kart team online with the latest up-to-date results at www.firstkart.com.

CHIAPETTA PUTS AN EXPLANATION POINT ON HIS BURRIS CIRCLE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Rockford, Illinois — The 2004 Burris Circle Tour came to a dramatic end at the Rockford Speedway when Nick Chiapetta sealed the Overall Championship Title while coming in second, just inches behind Jeff Everts. Everts, Chiapetta, Adam Carlson and Mike Terrafino had been drafting until the last corner when they sprinted, 4-wide for the line. Chiapetta also won the Sr. Lite Class Championship with Everts, Zach Axlen, Tyler Middleton and Jordon Thiel finishing in the top 5.

The rest of the day was just as exciting with many points battles yet undecided. The hair-raising Jr. 2 Class finished with a flurry as Cory Talaska, Alex Stumpf and Andy Jones bumped, spun and slid across the finish line. Stumpf won the day and Talaska earned the season Championship. Other members of the Top 5 in the class were Stumpf, Jones, Matthew Holzgrafe and Mike Flores.

Cory Domenick had the field covered in the Champ F200 Jr. 3’s as he took a commanding lead early in the race and held off the rest of the field in the 25-lap feature. Ryan Marshall ran second to capture the Season Championship in this brutally competitive class. Other top finishers in the season points were Max McNamara, George Clos, Jimmy Sivia and Ross Kenseth.

In other Champ Kart Action, Mackenzie Piller, Dylan Barbosa, Tom Colson and Brad Becker each won their feature events today. The leader board for the season included Piller, Jacob Zellmenr and Brett Woeckener in Champ F200 Jr. 1; Barbosa, Jamie Clos, Sean Clavey and Zach Saran in Jr. Sportsman Champ; Stephen Kammerer in Champ 4 cycle Jr. 3 and George Bobolos, Aaron Phillips and Nicole Phillips in Sr. Champ.

The competitive Sr. Sportsman class ended in a flurry with several members of the lead draft getting tangled up going into the white flag lap. Fortunately for Dave Terrafino, he had enough of a points cushion to make his unscheduled visit to the infield not quite so painful. The final results for the season showed Terrafino on top with J.J. Adams, Amy Ghislain, Tyler Traber and Rob Blake (and his all girl pit crew) in second through fifth.

Trevor Raisbeck continued his dominance of the 2-Cycle Sportsman class, today beating Brad Plunket and Eric Frisby. For the season Raisbeck and Plunket finished one-two with Destini Clark in third.

Damian Jenks had his hands (and bumper) full in a tough Jr. 3 class. Early in the year Jenks dominated the class, but as other young drivers improved, Jenks found it increasingly challenging to stay out front. Early in the race, the other leaders drafted by Jenks on the inside to leave him struggling at the rear of the field. Jenks gathered it up and methodically worked his way to the front one kart at a time. At the stripe, Jenks beat Tommy Jones by less than 1/3 of a second. For the season, the Jr. 3 podium was Jenks, Tyler Peterson, Tommy Jones, Aaron Katzenberg and Ben Stumpf.

Joel Adams won his first F200 Class Championship. Chris Lishamer, this week’s feature winner was second for the year and Amanda Lishamer was third. Tiffany Wester and Mikie Briener also finished in the Top 5. Morgan Schissel won the F200 Jr. 1 championship.

As the World Turns has nothing on the plot twists we saw this year in the Kid Kart class. The young drivers started the year very green and were lucky to all turn left at the end of the straight-a-way. By the end of the year, new faces were at the front, drafting was well understood and 3-wide battles at the stripe were common-place. This week, Brennan Frisby was the top dog. For the season, Elliott Pritchett, Cody Lipsturer and Joshua James were the best in class.

Race Promoter, John Nuttall finished the day saying, “It was a great 9th season for the Burris Circle Tour. Plans are already underway for our 10th anniversary, which will be memorable for all of the families, that race with the Burris Circle Tour. All of the news will be posted on the website at www.karts.net/burriscircle.”

END

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