"SSC Racing returns as title sponsor of I.R.A.'s Shifter Kart Pro Series" ANTIOCH, IL - The International Racing Association (IRA) is proud to announce the return of SSC Racing of Palm Springs, California as the title sponsor of its very successful and action-packed Shifter Kart Pro Series. Teaming with the IRA in 2001 to bring about the inaugural Shifter Kart Pro Series, SSC Racing is happy to be a part of one of the most competitive shifter kart series in the nation. As 2001's action-packed season concluded with six different winners out of eight races and a points battle that went to the wire, 2002 looks to be even better with greater kart counts, more prize monies and the addition of an ICC 125cc Pro class to its anchor SK 125cc Pro and Roadrace Max Challenge classes. The 2002 Shifter Kart Pro Series will consist of 6 races at five different tracks beginning with the season opener at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois on May 24, 2002. After that the series will make a stop at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin during the Dunlop Tire Super Nationals on June 14, 2002 thanks to event hosts Badger Kart Club and then on to the venerable Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan on July 20, 2002. Next, the series travels out to the new Mid-America Motorplex in Grand Junction, Iowa on August 3, 2002 and then back to Gateway Int'l Raceway less than a month later on August 31, 2002 before winding up the year at GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan on September 21, 2002. Returning again as sponsor of the SK 125cc Pro class is Shifter Kart Illustrated and The Inside Track as sponsor of the Roadrace Max Challenge class. Answering the calls of ever-growing demand, the IRA and SSC Racing are proud to add a new ICC 125cc Pro class sponsored by National Kart News to the schedule in 2002. With more racers joining this class, the Shifter Kart Pro Series is responding this year to offer a safe, fair and competitive place to race these fun and exciting machines. The International Racing Association's karting program is growing steadily going into its third year as a sanctioning body and insurance provider. The IRA provides clubs, series and tracks with a complete rulebook, media exposure and/or insurance for weekly or special events designed to be simple yet comprehensive. In addition to the Shifter Kart Pro Series (cash-payout), the IRA is proud to include the MG Tires Championship Enduro Series (trophy awards), the Burris Circle Tour (trophy awards), the Burris National Speedway Series (varies at track), the Great Lakes Invitational Freestyle Jet Ski competition (trophy/cash awards) and many more series and groups across the country. SSC Racing is a complete karting company supplying a full range of CRG chassis along with top brand karting accessories and components through their Gearbox and MoGo divisions. These include Gearbox race gear, Vega tires, Bieffe helmets, Douglas Wheels, Torco and MoGo lubricants, MoGo seats and much more. Moreover, SSC Racing assembles and distributes the most extensive line of complete race-ready karts in the U.S. with twelve different models including 60cc, 80cc and 125cc shifters. For more information on the Shifter Kart Pro Series sponsored by SSC Racing or the International Racing Association call toll-free at 1-866-689-RACE or visit the website at www.internationalracingassociation.com. For more information on SSC Racing call toll-free at 1-888-SSC-KART or visit them online at www.sscracing.com. Click here to see more of the IRA and the SSC Pro Shifter Series!