"Kart Expo International races into town" WHEATON, IL - Kart Expo International, the premier exposition for go-kart racing in North American will be held February 23-24, 2002 at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois (west suburban Chicago). The 10th annual public show will feature racing karts and accessories from around the world including those from Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Pakistan, Canada and the USA. Over 100 different companies in 200+ booths will be represented at the only show of its type in the USA. The show covers all aspects of the sport including the two latest phenomena; 125-MPH shifter karts and indoor kart racing. Kart Expo will also have on hand more than 20 vintage karts from the 1950s to the 1970s. An appearance by 2001 IRL Champion, Sam Hornish Jr. will highlight the show late Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Hornish, 22, is the youngest national auto racing champion in history and began his career in a go-kart! Free seminars will be held each day including those on indoor kart racing, clutches, physical fitness for racers and other interesting topics. Karting is the world's most popular motorsport with organized racing in over 100 countries. Kart racing, the grass roots of motorsports, produces over 90% of all NASCAR, CART, IRL and Formula drivers worldwide. In the USA, kids as young as 6-years can begin racing karts with the average age at about 30. Kart racing is also one of the few sports where men and women, boys and girls compete on the same level. This is done through a multi-class structure where engine and age are the main determination. Kart Expo will open to the public on Saturday, February 23 from Noon until 6:00 PM and on Sunday, February 24 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. General admission is $7, kids 12-3 $2 and kids three and under are free. Plenty of free parking, too. Pleasant Run is located at 4051 E Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois. Kart Expo International is sponsored by Shifter Kart Illustrated, Rock Island Grand Prix, Speedway USA, International Racing Association, The Inside Track, CLTV - Chicagoland Television, e-KMI.com and Press-Republican Newspapers. Complete info is available on the web at www.e-KMI.com or call 630-653-7368, or e-mail: karting@msn.com. Click here to visit e-KMI.com!