"Clay City Kart Speedway to thrive under new ownership" CLAY CITY, KY - The infamous Clay City Kartways in Clay City, Kentucky has recently been bought and renamed Clay City Kart Speedway (CCKS) by long-time Kentucky karting enthusiasts Brian Billings and Jason Back and 2002 is gearing up to be the best year ever for dirt kart racing in Kentucky. Brian and Jason's experience knowledge and love of the sport will bring a professionalism and enthusiasm to CCKS that has been missing for some time. And teaming up with the The Inside Track, CCKS is set to provide national coverage for all events held at this venerable speedway. Heavy equipment has already moved on to the track, reshaping the turns and straights. "Our goal," Billings said, "is to return the excitement that once filled the pits and track of the CCKS. Other upgrading plans, Billings said, would be a pit buggy corral and another area to be constructed for the fans to view the race from the pit area. New lights, speakers, electrical outlets to the premier pit slips, and additional gravel. The old fence around turns one and two, the grid, impound area, and scales have been replaced. "A bull-dozer has worked three days to reshape the track layout." Billings said. "The size hasn't changed but some of the old problems have. Gone, he added, is the 'ridge' along the front and rear straights, along with the narrow racing groove. An additional ten feet in width has been added, the corners reshaped to a 'bowl' design in place of the straight banking in pasts seasons. "This should encourage racers to race side-by-side without giving an advantage to the inside groove," Billings added. With all the changes occurring at CCKS, one thing that the new owners are retaining is the 'Burris Tire Rule'. "This (tire rule) has kept the expense of kart racing down tremendously in Kentucky over the past years," Billings said. There will be five major 'Big Cash' events on the CCKS 2002 schedule. Also, returning this season will be the Bluegrass Nationals! This will again be a two-day event in July. There is a potential that the Kentucky Karting Association series may hold an event at CCKS, as well as a new racing series that could be a reality for the 2002 season. All major events will be held on Saturdays with the Bluegrass Nationals continuing to be a weekend event. Each event will have at least one class paying a minimum of $1000.00 to win with all other classes shall having higher purse amounts. "One of our goals is to restore the Limited Modified and KT100 Yamaha classes back to prominence in Kentucky. There will be events where either of these classes will be featured with as a potential $1000 to win. Additional events will feature these classes as $500 to win, as well. Our Junior and Rookie Classes will be featured with additional moneys and prizes added to their purses." Billings said. CCKS will be adding additional excitement to their events by holding 'DQ Hot Dog Eating' contests, bicycle races (for kids only!), and other contests during breaks in the action. There are also plans to have sky divers drop in from time to time. As a bonus to the competitors, products give-a-ways that have been donated by CCKS sponsors will be handed out by drawings throughout the events. And coverage of each event in 2002 will be publicized in "The Inside Track", National Kart News, Speedway USA, Kentucky Racing News, and Kentucky Karting News and copies of each will be available for purchase at the CCKS concession stand throughout the season. With all of the plans for CCKS for next year it is sure to be an exciting 2002 season filled with plenty of competition and fast racing. The last of week of April is planned for the opening of the season, which would involve special events rather than a full schedule. For more information on Clay City Kart Speedway, visit them on the World Wide Web at www.ccks.net or by e-mail at: bbillings@setel.com. Click here to visit the new Clay City Kart Speedway website!