May - 2003

• Burris Circle Tour gears up for the 2003 season
  Kart Racing is gearing up for the 2003 season as the Burris Circle Tour prepares for its opening day on April 27th. This highly regarded series has scheduled thirteen Sunday races at speedway tracks in the Chicago area. Lake Geneva Raceway, Rockford Speedway and Illiana Motor Speedway offer venues that are fast, action packed and challenging.
• Burris Circle Tour kicks off 2003 season
  Over 120 enthusiastic karters enjoyed opening day of the Burris Circle Tour at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 2003 marks the 8th season of competitive kart racing on the speedway tracks in Chicagoland. Novices and veterans alike joined in for a day of racing thrills in the 15 classes for kids and adults. The young drivers in the Jr. Sportsman Champ class were the stars of the show.
• "Big Splash" for Mother's Day celebrations at Lake Geneva Raceway
  Billed as "Bring Mom to Lake Geneva Raceway for a Mother's Day to remember" AND IT WAS A DAY TO FORGET!!! Mother Nature said "No kart racing today!" She sent cold winds and torrential rain to make sure we all listened. But we didn't ...until She got really mad. Race two is officially a rain out, not sure what to call the ice and wind.
• Some surprises, some not at Badger
  Cooler temperatures greeted racers on Sunday May 4th as yet another low-pressure system hit Wisconsin. Even those who practiced on Saturday had to make plenty of adjustments in order to cope with the new cooler weather. These types of radical weather changes tend to favor the veterans who knew enough to adjust for it. This proved to be true as quite a number of veteran drivers won their features continuing their no-loss streak in 2003.
• Bach & B-K impressive in 2003 Star Mazda Series opener with front row qualifying spot
  Jamie Bach and the B-K Motorsports team had only raced at Sebring International Raceway on the full 12-Hour course one time before coming to the 2003 STAR MAZDA SERIES NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP season opener this past weekend. Those who witnessed any of the on-track sessions, however, might not have known the difference.
• Bach comes from tenth on the grid and is inches away from victory
  When Jamie Bach and B-K Motorsports arrived at Nazareth Speedway for this weekend's STAR MAZDA SERIES North American Championship event, they hoped to start up front, run up front earlier, and challenge for the victory at the end. When the checkered flag fell, Bach and his team had done all of those things...ultimately, coming inches from grabbing the win.
• Top helmet painter relocates to Gasoline Alley
  One of the top motorsports helmet painting operations, Corby Concepts has relocated to a new 2,000 square foot shop in Gasoline Alley, one of the world's largest auto racing industrial parks. Corby Concepts not only paints helmets, but you can also purchase a wide variety of helmet brands and accessories including; AGV, Arai, Bell, Bieffe, Motor Quality, OMP, Simpson, Stand 21.
• Flatout Kart Decals announces 2003 Sponsorship Program
  Flatout Decals a Division of Flatout Group is proud to announce their Kart Sponsorship Program available to all kart racers for 2003. Flatout Decals is the leading graphics source in Karting. In addition to our exciting line of custom graphics, we always provide the highest level of customer service by our knowledgeable and experienced staff.
• 2003 FL RMax State Championship to be broadcast on Fox Sports Net Florida
  Formula Kart Productions announced today that they have signed contracts to provide television coverage for the 2003 FL RMax State Championships. The event, scheduled for August 30-31, will be seen in over 22 million homes nationwide. This year's event will be broadcast to over 22 million households nationwide on the Fox Sports Net Florida network, and will award prizes to the participants with a retail value in excess of $12,500.
• Tri- Regional SKUSA event kicks off three regions 2003 season
  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.
• Winning Hospice 24 team to receive $10,000 prize package
  The winning team of the inaugural HOSPICE 24 on July 19-20 will receive a prize package worth over $10,000 - including VIP hospitality at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michigan International Speedway - race organizers have announced.
• Swiggart named Executive Director for International Kart Federation
  The International Kart Federation announces the appointment of Brad Swiggart of Lincoln, Nebraska to the position of Executive Director of the IKF, effective March 31, 2003. As Executive Director for the IKF, Swiggart will be empowered to operate the company daily, and is the point person for the IKF on all issues. Goals have been defined and areas of responsibility include working closely with the Board of Directors on company operations and long term plans.
• JM Racing announces 4-Kart campaign in ICA for 2003 CART Stars of Tomorrow
  JM racing will be fielding 4 Avanti-Parilla-Vega packages in ICA in the West Coast CART Stars of Tomorrow series. The JM Racing team has been busy testing at Grange and Buttonwillow in preparation for an all-out assault on the National Championship.
• Kart Expo expands, adds hours and more
  Due to the overwhelming demand for booth space at the 2003 Kart Expo International held this past February (18 companies were on the waiting list), Kart Expo management has contracted space for an additional 70 booths at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois. This is a huge 33% increase in space, an additional 12,320 square feet, for the event, which will be held February 21-22, 2004.
• KLS Racing confident for 2003 West Coast national racing openers
  After rigorous months of testing in the off season, KLS Racing, with factory drivers Alex Speed and Gary Carlton, are set to contest both the opening rounds of the 2003 west coast national racing scene. Pulling double duty in both the CART Stars of Tomorrow and SKUSA ProMoto Tour, KLS Racing is poised to continue their reputation as one of the sport's leading race teams.
• Season opens for MKK
  A brisk cool morning gave way to 70-degree weather for MKKís opening day. South Bend Raceway Park was buzzing with last minute kart changes as Rotax Masters and Rotax Internationals were signing in, some to a track they had never run before. There were high expectations as each of the 22 classes were called out for practice runs.
• Kessinger dominates Mid-State Raceway's Supercan Class
  Dustin Kessinger dominated the Yamaha Supercan class as he swept all three heats for the first time in his kart racing career, leading every lap of every heat. He won the feature event by over three seconds to runner-up Sara Hyslop. He used this race to prepare his Laukaitis powered Corsa kart for the upcoming Mid-West Sprint Series which will hold its opening round at Mid-State raceway on May 15 - 18. Kessinger plans on competing in the Mid-West Sprint Series along with running for a point championship at Mid-State Raceway.
• NTK out in force
  North Texas Kartway held its Spring Series, Race 4 on Sunday, April 6. There was plenty of great racing on hand. The North Texas Karters/Kids Kart put on a heck of a show, considering they range in age from 5 to 8 years and can barely see over their steering wheels. The fact that these youngster know do standing starts is just amazing. They are competitive and put on a clean race every time. On Sunday, the race was heavily competitive between all 5 competitors.
• Allen Johnston Memorial Race at NTK
  North Texas Kartway held its Allen Johnston Memorial Race on Sunday, April 13, 2003. The event is in memory of Allen Johnston who was the 2002 President of North Texas Kartway, and also served as a board member. Mr. Johnston passed away on January 20, 2002 at the age of 38. Proceeds benefit the NTK club karters throughout the season. The race brought out over 60 karters who exhibited some great racing.
• PDKA green flags State Championship Series May 3
  Lots of seat time for lots of new and returning riders will be one goal May 3 and 4 as the Pennsylvania Dirt Karters Association kicks off the 2003 series of six state championship series races at the Path Valley Speedway Park. PDKA racing this season is under the dual sanction of the World Karting Association and the Burris National Speedway Series and PDKA President Butch Diller expects that the option of racing in the WKA nationals is a major asset for the series.
• PDKA State Championship Series races first of six events
  In a day of close finishes the closest was in the senior champ caged karts as Cale Reigle of Newport beat Andrew Tate of Carlisle by .015 seconds in a side-by-side and wheel-to-wheel race finish determined by the electronic transponders each kart carried. Nineteen classes of karts competed in time trials Saturday and features Sunday at the Path Valley Speedway Park in the Burris Racing State Championship Series of the Pennsylvania Dirt Karters Association.
• PG Racing offers St. Louis and Midwest great service and trackside support
  A new full-service kart shop, PG Racing, recently opened their doors in the St. Louis, MO area, providing karters an outlet for karts, parts, service and everything in between. PG Racing specializes in shifterkarts, TaG and 2-cycle racing but other services include arrive and drive and driver training.
• PG Racing sponsors "Driver Search"
  PG Racing, a new full-service kart shop in the St. Louis, Missouri area, is sponsoring a "Driver Search" to put a lucky participant in a complete turn-key Intrepid KT100 race package in the St. Louis Karting Association (SLKA) series.
• PG Racing becomes newest Margay dealer
  PG Racing has recently become the newest dealer for Margay Products. For PG Racing, a new kart shop located minutes from the Margay factory in St. Louis, MO, this is a great opportunity to work with a company responsible for manufacturing championship winning karts and products since 1964.
• Rock Island to host Biland Challenge Finals
  Team Biland USA and the Rock Island Grand Prix, Rock Island, Illinois, have announced that the finals of the Biland National Challenge for the United States will be held at "The Rock" on Labor Day Weekend, August 30-31. The Rock Island Grand Prix is the largest karting street race in the world. The top two winners of the Biland Challenge in the United States will compete against the top 102 Biland drivers from over 50 other nations in the Biland Challenge World Finals to be held in Marrakech, Morocco. All travel expenses, accommodations and karts for the qualifying drivers will be paid for by Biland Switzerland.
• Rock Island Grand Prix announces caps on classes
  The Rock Island Grand Prix has announced it will cap class entries in 2003 to maintain the quality of one of the world's premier kart races. The Rock Island Grand Prix is the largest professional karting street race in the world. SBC Communications and Bi-State Home Improvement remain the Presenting Sponsors of the Rock Island Grand Prix. Casino Rock Island returns as sponsor of the more than $25,000 purse. The event, which features 15 separate races held on Labor Day Weekend through the streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois, has registered significant increases in entries the past several years.
• Superkarts! USA announces ProMoto Tour title sponsor
  Klein Tools, Inc. has been announced as Title Sponsor of the SKUSA North American ProMoto Tour, Round Two, to be held at the Texas Motor Speedway on June 6,7 & 8, 2003. This event will be held in conjunction with the Craftsman Truck Series and the IRL event at this Texas size facility in Fort Worth, Texas. With 80,000 spectators expected for the IRL event, this early June weekend will be ìwall to wallî motor sports excitement.
• Colorful SuperPro fan favorite eyes return to ProMoto Tour
  Two years after SuperPro standout, Trevor McAlister was banned from SKUSA competition, the controversial racer is now looking to make a return to the SKUSA ProMoto Tour. The Dallas, TX native, known by racers in the paddock as T-Mac, has spent the last two years focusing his attention on his engine prep service, T-Mac Power, but figures now is the time to make his return to the forefront of shifterkart competition.
• Stars of Tomorrow amends age provisions for competitors
  The Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow karting series has, with the authorization of the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), amended the provisions concerning age of competitors in various classes. This step was taken to address the emergent issues of new opportunities to move into cars at an earlier age and the size of some junior competitors affecting performance.
• Alfonso, Speed take victories in Stars of Tomorrow competition
  Californian Andrew Alfonso came out on top after a thrilling five-way battle in the ICA race at the Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER event Sunday at Buttonwillow Raceway. The JM Racing/Avanti driver made a late race pass on TNR Kartsport's Chris Giumarra for the lead on lap 27 of the 30 lap affair. The race saw no fewer than five lead changes among four drivers.
• "Stars Karting Championships" To Run with Champ Car Finale on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 on Infield Course
  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.
• Stars of Tomorrow to compete in Dodge Freedom Grand Prix of Windsor in Canada
  The Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow announced that the karting series will be a part of the 45th annual Bell International Freedom Festival, a 14-day event attended by more than 1.5 million people, in a Thursday media conference on the Canadian border city. The Dodge Freedom Grand Prix of Windsor, featuring all of the Stars karting classes on June 27-29 in the Windsor streets, will be billed as a specialty event on the Stars calendar, not paying points towards the season championship.
• Stars of Tomorrow ICC Saturday results upheld; Martin fined
  The appeal submitted by Trackmagic Racing Karts after Kyle Martin's disqualification from Saturday's Stars of Tomorrow ICC main event was denied and the results are now official. Martin's exhaust silencer became dislodged as a result of another competitor contacting his kart from behind. The resulting condition was deemed as being outside of Stars regulations. The appeal was reviewed by a three person board of experienced kart racing individuals not directly connected with the fundamental issues surrounding the incident.
• Big ICC, ICA fields highlight wild racing at Stars of Tomorrow western openers
  Thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing and large fields in the international classes made for a spectacular debut at the Snap-On Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER national karting series opener last weekend (April 26-27) at the new Buttonwillow Raceway. The double race weekend saw some of the nation's top teams and drivers competing on the smooth seven-tenth's of mile karting road circuit near Bakersfield and the future auto racing stars proved that they can put on quite a show.
• Snap-On/Champ Car "Stars of Tomorrow" karting series opens 2003 trail this weekend
  Many of the nation's future auto racing stars begin their trek to possible stardom this weekend (April 25-27) when the 2003 Snap-on.com Champ Car "Stars of Tomorrow" presented by RACER national karting series opens at the new Buttonwillow Raceway karting track near Bakersfield. Led by a host of top national karting drivers, the season opener for the Western Division of Stars of Tomorrow will feature young racers in six separate classes including the new international categories ICC (125cc Shifters) and ICA (100cc direct drive).
• Stars pays out over $25,000 in first two events of season
  The Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER summarized the karting series' payouts for their first two events in Buttonwillow, California and BeaveRun, Pennsylvania. The payout to drivers and teams totals $26,500 for the first West division and East division races of the 2003 season.
• Racer magazine to be Presenting Sponsor of Stars of Tomorrow
  RACER magazine, America's premier motorsports publication, announced today their commitment as Presenting Sponsor for the Snap-on.com Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow karting series. This new relationship further establishes RACER's predominance in covering all aspects of major-league motorsports by supporting the only U.S. kart racing series with a direct step to auto racing.
• World Formula to be regional class, Rotax in as national class
  Stars of Tomorrow formally announced today a change in class structure affecting the national series. The World Formula class, previously included in the national series, will be run at the regional level only for 2003. The popular Rotax FR125 class will now join ICC, ICA, 80cc Junior, Yamaha Junior, and Cadet in the national class lineup for Stars this year.
• Karting is "Alive and Growing" at Thunder Hill
  Kart racers from throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota made the trek to Thunder Hill Speedway Saturday May 3rd to compete in the 2003 season opener. Trophies for the event were presented by Red Cedar Speedway of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Showing that the sport of kart racing is alive and growing, 13 young competitors took the green flag in the Novice division Feature Event.
• TIM SILENCE - Driver Feature
  To race a 125cc shifter kart competitively requires agility, physical endurance, quick reaction, patience, stamina, and a focused mindset. Action in the cockpit includes constant up and down shifting, working the throttle and brakes, controlling power slides, maneuvering hair pin turns, and winding through the chicanes. But, for one Texas karter, there's a lot more to it.
• Clardy Kart Speedway set for outstanding 2003
  Clardy Kart Speedway is beginning its second year of racing after a great finish to our first year. We can only hope this year will be as spectacular as last year. The kart count started out low last year, but by the end of the season Clardy Kart Speedway was averaging 30 to 35 karts per weekend. The track and the fierce competition has attracted numerous karts and drivers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and all around Texas to the weekly races.
• I-55 Sprint Series kicks off at Mid-State Raceway
  The inaugural race for the I-55 Sprint Series was held at Mid-State Raceway on April 13 with a great turn out of over 90 entries on hand. The four race series is being contested at Mid-State Raceway in Springfield, IL and I-55 Raceway Park at Pevely, MO.
• Intercomp introduces Tire Drying / Tire Purging System
  High performance tire system will vacuum and fill four (4) tires simultaneously through a desiccant monitor. Easy to use toggle lever can set cycle for purging and filling. This system is compact and mounted on a transportable hand cart. System can be removed from the supplied hand cart by removing four bolts and installed in a pit cart or race trailer.
• T.J. Koutny to drive Birel in 2003
  Once again high expectations are setting in for the 2003 racing season. T.J. Koutny driving for the last several years for Rocket Racing tuner Dave Talbot, has extended their relationship for another year. Last year, Koutny took six out of nine poles in the IRA's Shifter Kart Pro Series.
• David Green back on top in NASCAR
  After running only a limited schedule in 2002, and a return to his karting roots in the WKA Manufacturer's Cup Series, David Green has moved to the top of the point standings in the NASCAR Busch Grand National Division.
• Carlson claims first at Grundy
  Adam Carlson won both heat races and the feature race at Grundy County Speedway Sunday in Morris, IL on Sunday May 18th. With the warmer weather finally reaching the Midwest after several race weekends dealing with cold temperatures, wind and rain Adam's kart was working well right out of the trailer.
• Colorado Sprint Championships series off to great 2003 start
  The Shockwave Karting Colorado Sprint Championships just keeps getting bigger. The first race held at the new Grand Junction Motor Speedway was a very successful event. Attended by 88 entries, most classes enjoyed quality fields with intense but clean racing.
• White wins three at DE Dirt Divisionals
  Kart racer Brandon White, of Lewes, was a triple winner Saturday May 3 during round two of the World Karting Association/Delaware Dirt Divisional Series at US 13 Kartway in Delmar where racers from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia competed for Divisional points that are added to their national rankings. White won all three from their poles, two wire-to-wire.
• Extreme Karting emerges successful on both sides of the country
  The 2003 racing season got underway in dramatic fashion for Extreme Karting, with its factory drivers finding their way on to the podium no less than four times in both regions of the country. Extreme Karting's newest team member, Jason Bowles, made the long trek east to attend the hotly contested SKUSA ProMoto Eastern division race.
• Extreme Karting has phenomenal weekend at SKUSA opener
  After a fantastic start to the 2003 season, with factory drivers Alan Sciuto and Jason Bowles on a hot streak; Extreme Karting ventured north to picturesque Sonoma, California for the opening round of the SKUSA ProMoto Championship.
• Festa Narrowly Misses Podium in Opening Round of the FF2000 Zetec Western Championship
  17-year-old driver for PR1 Motorsports, Chris Festa, narrowly missed earning the final spot on the podium in the opening round of the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Western Championship this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. In only his second FF2000 Zetec event since moving up from kart racing,
• Champagne looks to create another vintage year
  Canada's top ranking shifter kart pilot Matt Champagne the '02 Superkarts! USA SuperPro Rookie of the Year - will begin the 2003 campaign with new testing duties and a secured drive in open wheel racing. The upcoming season will be a major step forward in Matt's young racing career.
• Petty post pair at Pavement National
  After being forced to sit out most of last season due to a work injury, 'The Peoples Champion' Jason Petty, of Creedmore, NC, proved he was back in the hunt for a Triple Crown in the WKA/Ultramax Racing Chassis Speedway Pavement Series where he kicked of the season with a pair of wins during the NC Chassis Nationals at Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL March 28-30.
• MSSS opens 2003 at Gateway
  The first event of the Russell Karting / Dunlop Tire Mid-States Super Series and the K.A.R.T. Mid-America Road Race Series happened at Gateway International Raceway, April 4, 5, and 6th. Friday saw great weather until about 3pm and rain came down to stop practice for the day.
• The 2003 National Speedway Directory soon to be available
  The 2003 edition of the National Speedway Directory will soon be available. The popular pocket-sized 592 page book is presently at the printers, It will list over 1,420 auto racing facilities located in the U.S. and Canada.
• U.S. karting standout scores an impressive 6th in Porsche Carrera Cup
  American Patrick Long is proving to be a quick learner in the German Porsche Carrera Cup series. Last weekend at Adria Raceway in Italy, the 21-year-old Californian scored a strong sixth place finish for the UPS Porsche Junior team, despite it being only his second Carrera Cup start and again having to learn a new circuit.
• Roc Timing Systems announces opening of U.S. office
  Roc Timing Systems is pleased to announce the opening of our US office. The office is located in Indianapolis, the motor sport capital of America and Roc's US operation will be headed up by David Benge. David is formerly of Fastimes Karting facility in Indianapolis and brings the perfect blend of karting and IT experience to ROC US.
• TrackMagic Team ready to debut new chassis in opening Stars of Tomorrow race
  As the 2003 Snap-on.com Champ Car "Stars of Tomorrow" presented by RACER national karting series prepares to open on April 25-27, many of the nation's top karting operations have gone on an all-out assault for the coveted national championships.
• US 24 ROTAX Team Endurance Championship
  The second annual US 24 Hour Rotax Team Endurance Championships officially got underway today May 9th at Kartways of Arkansas beautiful 7/10th-mile raceway in Warren Arkansas. The weather has been exceptionally sunny and warm for two days of practice and now for today's "Run for the Pole."