Tri- Regional SKUSA event kicks off three regions 2003 season SHERIDAN, IL - Despite the Easter weekend scheduling, SUPERKARTS! USA KLEIN TOOLS, Inc Great Lakes Region, Ribtech's Mid-America Region, and Scan Communications Indianhead regions kicked off their opening event at the Trane Motor Speedway at the former Norway Speedway at Norway, Illinois. A total of 77 entries arrived by Sunday morning to make the best of the weekend SKUSA regions competition. Friday practice brought out several SKUSA region members, mixing it up with many locals preparing for their regular Saturday evening local show. Temperatures in the 60's along with moderate winds added to the challenge for all the drivers. Saturday morning's early SKUSA Rookie Orientation was well attended by many looking to learn more of the fundamental skills, including a mini-school of karts on-track techniques to the usual SKUSA starting procedures and actual on track starts with ProMoto flagman Chuck Bernsten. Following the orientation, 3 hours of SKUSA only class practice. Saturday evening during the local show intermission, Great Lakes Region hosted the Industrial Service Group sponsored "Austrailian Pursuit" Race. 6 participants were selected, and it was a winner take all purse of $200 for the sprint race "dash for cash" and a nice winners plaque to the eventual winner, Kenneth Gimpert of Birmingham, Michigan. SKUSA hotshoe, Kyle Weigand was leading and experienced engine problems turning over the lead to Gimpert. Sunday morning got off to a great start with 2 practice rounds, and then qualifying by class. The following is a listing of qualifying fast times, heat winner, and feature winner. Sponsor Class # of entries Fast Qual Time Heat Winner Feature Winner MRP Motorsport Formula IC 18 Kyle Weigand 44.305 Kyle Weigand Kyle Weigand Fast Lane Kart Shop FLATOUT Group 60 Novice 2 Cap Henry 53.723 Cap Henry Cap Henry Rapid Racing Formula S1 12 Ron Joynt 44.331 Ron Joynt Ron Joynt PG Racing Alden Engines Formula K1 3 Craig Templeton 48.041 Craig Templeton Craig Templeton North Star Motorsports Signature Design Formula RM 1 Brian Bryniarski 49.538 Brian Bryniarski Brian Bryniarski Jim McCollough Racing Formula G-1 17 AZZURRO Wheels Charles Kocan 46.246 Charles Kocan Charles Kocan DIGITRON, LLC Formula 80 Jr 14 Patrick Winninger 45.281 Patrick Winninger Patrick Winninger John's Kart Shop Formula MX 12 Tom Birchard 45.968 Tom Birchard Tom Birchard The rain held off and as skies remained cloudy for the day Sunday. After tech, awards and contingencies were given away. KLEIN TOOLS, Inc, was very generous to add to the event awards. Each fast time setter received 2 items from KLEIN TOOLS, as well as a K& N ball cap. Each Class winner received 5 items from KLEIN TOOLS, including a bright orange toolbox, and 4 tools. Each 2nd place winner received a couple of tools, and the 3rd place winner also received a KLEIN TOOLS. Also each 60cc participant received a special, as well as all G-1 participants received a professional beverage tool. This tool is especially suited to these drivers as they are the more "mature" driver. Instructions for using this tool was read to the drivers by Great Lakes Director and fellow G-1 Driver, Terry Riggins. In addition to the above awards, Each class winner and all junior classes received beautiful trophies prepared by Bush Trophy Case and Embroidery of Anderson, IN, the official Great Lakes Region awards supplier. Thanks again to Virginia Barnard of the Mid-America region and Scott Vielgut the Indianhead region for the support of this great event. For more information of each upcoming regions next event, visit www.skusaonline.com and go to the regions site.