Wilson seeks to continue ICC winning streak in 'Stars' Eastern Division karting finale JACKSONVILLE, FL - Karting star Bobby Wilson has been on a roll lately in the 2003 Snap-on.com Champ Car "Stars of Tomorrow" presented by RACER Magazine national karting campaign. The Dousman, Wis., veteran racer hasn't lost an ICC (125cc shifter) main event since June at Road America and he is still upset about that main event. But since losing to Graham Rahal in the ICC feature on June 21, the 21-year-old Wilson has captured four consecutive main events including the Grand Prix of Windsor before some 20,000 spectators. Now Wilson looks to continue to his winning streak in the Eastern Division point finale this weekend at the 103rd Street Complex karting facility for the two-day Stars of Tomorrow national event. "I still think about that last loss to Graham at Road America," said Wilson, the dominant point leader in the ICC Eastern standings with his 1st Kart Racing machine. "We missed on the kart setup and we burned the front tires off in the main. I had to settle for fifth. Luckily we improved the kart for Sunday's main and we won." Winning is a regular occurrence for Wilson, a former national champion, who now sets his sights on the Jacksonville event this weekend and Stars Karting Championships on Nov. 1-2 at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Wilson believes the California Speedway event will be one of the most competitive kart races in years. "That race will be intense," said Wilson, who plans to move into car racing in 2004. "You'll have all of the top ICC racers in that one and there will be championships, money and possible sponsorships on the line. Plus it will be on television. I can't wait for that race in California too." But first Wilson must concentrate on the Jacksonville event and his ICC competitors like Rahal, the 14-year-old son of three-time Champ Car Bobby Rahal, Remy Maltais, the BeaveRun winner, Robbie Pecorari, who'll do double duty in ICC and ICA, and Canadians Philppe Gelinas, Cale Mead and Juliana Chiovitti. All of the Eastern Division point championships will be on the line in the two-race weekend. The Jacksonville competition marks the fourth and final Stars of Tomorrow karting event for the Eastern Division this year with the seventh and eighth main events of the region definitely securing the coveted point titles. The top point finishers also gain positions for the Stars of Tomorrow championships on Nov. 1-2. This weekend's action will have six separate classes including the international categories ICC (125cc Shifters) and ICA (100cc direct drive). In addition, the other categories include the Senior Class of Rotax (125cc Clutch), 80cc Junior Shifter, Junior Super Can (100cc Clutch) and the Grand Products Cadet class (for youngsters 8-12 years of age). Pecorari, the 16-year-old phenom from Aston, Pa., is the favorite in the ICA (100cc direct drive) division this weekend as he seeks his fifth Stars feature win of the season. Like Wilson, Robbie holds a large margin in the point standings entering Jacksonville but the competition won't be easy in ICA. Two-time winner Josh Hunt of Australia leads a strong contingent including another fast youngster Michael Giessen and veteran Troy Hinzscke. Graham Rahal's cousin, Kyle, 16, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., leads the contenders in the 80cc Junior category at Jacksonville along with Kevin LaCroix, Patrick Wininger and Nelson Mason. Rahal has three wins this year in his six Stars starts. Chris Keller of Green Brook, N.J., comes to Jacksonville leading the Junior Superbox division in points and wins (four) this year. But Keller will be battling 2003 feature winners Matthew Lee and Joey King this weekend. In Rotax, Susan McIroy already has five features victories but must fight off the challengers of Tim Hannen this weekend while Robert Thorne, a two-time winner, and Sergio Pena battle for the Grand Products Cadet point championship at Jacksonville. The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presenting by RACER karting series is the official first level in CART'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 CART 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. Products are sold through its franchise dealer van, company direct sales and distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2+ billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin and employs approximately 14,000 worldwide. More information can be found at www.snap-on.com.