SCCA, WKA join forces CHICAGO, IL - SCCA Pro Racing LTD and the World Karting Association (WKA) announced at Kart Expo 2002 in St. Charles, Illinois the formation of the WKA/SCCA Pro Racing Constructors Championship. A distinct new ladder for karters to move into a variety of race cars through the Sports Car Club of America and Pro Racing programs. The 2002 WKA/SCCA Pro Racing Constructors Championship will be a four-race Championship at premier venues, beginning July 28 at Road America for the 100cc Cadet, World Formula Jr., Formula Yamaha Jr., ICC, ICA, Formula 125. Other event on the 2002 schedule include Norway, Illinois on September 15, Marshalltown, Iowa on October 13 and Lowe's Motor Speedway on November 1-3. The 2003 season will feature approximately 16 races in four divisions, with a final National Championship event to close out the season. "The marriage between SCCA Pro Racing and WKA is not creating an additional player in an already fragmented (US) karting industry, but providing a marketing and promotional boost to an existing product," said Mitch Wright, SCCA Pro Racing VP/GM. "Partnering with the SCCA will not only help the growth of our organization but will bring the promotion of karting to a new level," said Randy Kugler, WKA President. "Resurrecting the Constructor's Cup with the help of SCCA Pro Racing will present some tremendous opportunities to the kart racers of North America. In speaking with Yvon Leon of the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), he is very excited about this newfound energy that will bring the international level of racing back to the United States." Both the WKA and SCCA Pro Racing will share responsibilities in the event operations, with WKA providing the Race Director, Flag Chief and technical personnel and SCCA Pro Racing providing day-to-day administration, event operations and media personnel. Participants will hold a dual SCCA/WKA membership and will be licensed through WKA. Additionally, the events will utilize regional SCCA expertise - the backbone of the 63,000+ member organization. Race events will be held on Sunday, with a test day on Saturday. While karts have been popular in SCCA SoloII autocross events, this new relationship will be the organization's first foray into kart racing. "SCCA has been talking about getting into kart racing for over five years, and, through a lot of hard work on both sides, we're now able to not only expose our SCCA members to a new and popular form of racing but also welcome an already strong contingent of karters to the SCCA family," said Steve Johnson, SCCA Inc. president and CEO. "This is a win-win for everyone, and now we have a great base model to work off of for years to come." The winner of the 2002 Constructor's Championship will earn a fully-funded ride with Primus Racing in eight SCCA Club Racing National Events in a Van Diemen Formula Ford race car, including the 2003 Valvoline Runoff National Championship event. Primus Racing will select a second driver for the program from a seven-driver shoot-out at the end of the 2002 season. Should either driver win the Valvoline Runoffs, he or she will be awarded a fully-funded ride with Formula Ford Zetec Championship stalwart Cape Motorsports for 2004. For more info visit www.sccapro.com or www.worldkarting.com for details.