"Stars Karting Championships" To Run with Champ Car Finale on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 on Infield Course HILLIARD, OH - The Snapon.com "Stars of Tomorrow" national karting series will come to an exciting conclusion on Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 when the newest link of Champ Car Ladder System completes its 2003 racing season in the "Stars Karting Championships" at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. In association with the Champ Car finale the same weekend, the "Stars Karting Championships" will be contested on the infield portion of the massive two-mile oval track and will be televised by the SPEED Channel. All of the Stars of Tomorrow classes will compete on a specially prepared circuit designed on the infield tarmac of the Fontana racing facility. While the Champ Cars conclude their 2003 season on the oval track, the karters will be wrapping up their nine event national trail with the three-day extravaganza that will produce some of North America's future auto racing stars. The Stars classes - ICC, ICA, Rotex, 80cc Jr. Shifter, Yamaha Jr. Superbox and Cadet (ages 8-12) - will be in action each of the three days with practice, qualifications and races. With the addition of the Stars Karting Championships at California Speedway, the 2003 Stars of Tomorrow national schedule is complete with four Eastern Division races, four Western Division races and the finale on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. "We welcome the Stars of Tomorrow to California Speedway for our Champ Car weekend," said Bill Miller, California Speedway president. "Many of the stars competing in the Champ Car series got their start in karting and this will be a great opportunity to highlight some of the young talent as they develop the skills necessary to advance to the next level. Our guests will enjoy the talent showcased in the high energy and very exciting world of karting." With the Stars course constructed on the California Speedway infield, the majority of the spectators in the grandstands, suite areas and infield will be able to witness the karting action in addition to the oval track competition. The infield spectators will be able to watch the Stars Karting Championships close-up in a very unique setting. "Bringing the Stars Karting Championships to California Speedway is a tremendous boast for the series and karting in general," said Bobby Rahal, one of Stars series directors. "To have our series conclude on one of the premier motor racing facilities in the world shows that karting has become recognized as a top racing attraction. We want to thank Bill Miller and his staff at California Speedway for allowing us to showcase our drivers, teams and sponsors on such a big racing weekend for Champ Car." The Stars of Tomorrow karting series is the beginning level on the road to the ultimate open-wheel series, Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered By Ford. Following the Stars series, drivers can advance to the Barber Dodge Pro Series, then the Toyota Atlantic Championship and finally to the Champ Cars. "Clearly, the Stars of Tomorrow program is essential to the success of the Champ Car Ladder System," said Champ Car President and CEO Christopher R. Pook. "I am delighted that the fans in attendance at the Champ Car season finale in Fontana will now have the opportunity to see the future stars of our sport in person. Likewise, I am pleased that the talented competitors in the karting ranks will be able to showcase their abilities at such a great facility. I am confident that this will be the first of many successful weekends that Champ Car will share with Stars of Tomorrow." The 2003 CART Stars of Tomorrow in association with WKA/SCCA National Event Schedule: East Division: May 2-4 BeaveRun, Wampum, PA June 20-22 Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI (with SCCA National) August 1-3 Trane Motor Speedway, Sheridan, IL (formerly Norway Motorsports Complex) Sept. 19-21 103rd Street Complex, Jacksonville, FL West Division: April 25-27 Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA (with SCCA National) June 6-8 CRE Motorsports Park, Calhan, CO July 11-13 Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA (with SCCA National) Sept. 12-14 CARTBC, Chilliwack, BC, Canada Stars Karting Championships: Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 California Speedway, Fontana, CA (With Champ Car Finale) Special Event: June 27-29 International Freedom Festival, Winsdor, Ont., Canada The Snapon.com 'Stars of Tomorrow' karting series is the official first level in Champ Car's driver development system and an officially sanctioned series of WKA/SCCA Pro Racing. Founded by racing star Bryan Herta and now owned in conjunction with a group of racing veterans, including three-time CART champion and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, the Stars of Tomorrow serves as the first step for the Champ Car driver development ladder. Stars focuses on recognizing the skills of the drivers rather than the technology development within the machines, using FIA/CIK International standards. More information can be found at www.cartstars.com. Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand tools, power tools, automotive diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, automotive diagnostics software and other solutions for the transportation service, industrial, government, education, agricultural, and other commercial applications, including construction and electrical. 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