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CSOT: Road America Kart track race notes

ELKHART LAKE, Wis (June 22, 2003) -- Wisconsin karting star Bobby Wilson scored his first national ICC win of the season and young phenom Robbie Pecorari collected another ICA main event Sunday in the second day of the Snap-on Champ Car Stars of ...

ELKHART LAKE, Wis (June 22, 2003) -- Wisconsin karting star Bobby Wilson scored his first national ICC win of the season and young phenom Robbie Pecorari collected another ICA main event Sunday in the second day of the Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER Eastern Division karting competition on the Briggs & Stratton MOTORPLEX at Road America.

Wilson, the 21-year-old driver from Dousman, Wis., held off a determined Graham Rahal at the start of the 22-lap ICC (125cc Shifter) and scored an impressive victory over the son of the three-time Champ Car champion and former Indy 500 winner. Wilson, a former national champion, started on the pole and led all 22 laps Sunday after placing fifth in Saturday's ICC feature.

Rahal, the 14-year-old third generation racer from New Albany, Ohio, started second again Sunday but didn't get the jump on Wilson at the green light as he did on Saturday in his first national main event win. He finished three seconds behind Wilson at the checkered flag followed by Phillipe Gelinas of Grande-Mere, Que., Can., who made his USA karting debut this year. Fourth and fifth went to Jan Velez-Walter and Cale Mead with Pecorari sixth.

"I got a good start over Graham this time," said Wilson, who placed second and third in the 2003 opening races. "He got me Saturday and I got him back today. I kept pushing hard and I think we ran the fastest lap at the end of the race. We came into this season with a different strategy. Last year, I crashed out of a lot of races. This year I wanted to be more consistent and this weekend was good for us. Plus winning near home is always special."

Rahal's 1-2 finish on the Stars weekend was his best performance in his young racing career after he jumped from the Junior division last year to the ICC category in 2003.

"This was a great weekend for me and our team," said Rahal, who had his dad (Bobby) and grandfather (Mike) in attendance Sunday as the Rahal family celebrated 46 years of racing at Road America. "Being a rookie and losing to an outstanding driver like Bobby Wilson isn't bad for me. And my cousin Kyle won again too this weekend."

Kyle Rahal, the 16-year-old cousin of Graham, dominated the 80cc Junior division for the second straight day as the Glen Ellyn, Ill., racer defeated Patrick Winninger and Nelson Mason Sunday in the 15-lap main event. Kyle has won three Eastern Division races in four 2003 starts.

In the ICA (100cc direct drive) feature, it was Pecorari racing wheel-to-wheel with Michael Giessen in the early portion of the 22-lap finale before cruising to his third Stars win this year. Giessen had to settle for second Sunday after a great drive early with Troy Hintzsche taking third. Saturday's winner Josh Hunt of Gold Coast, Australia, came from 23rd starting position to place fifth Sunday, finishing behind Jason Matuszewski.

In the Junior Superbox class, Chris Keller bested Saturday's winner Matthew Lee to the checkered flag in the 15- lap feature with third going to Casey Neal. Susan McIlroy again was victorious in the Rotax division Sunday over Tim Hannen and Matt Grant.

In the Grand Products Cadet main, Robert Thorne won the main event Sunday over Saturday's winner Sergio Pena with a late race pass in the 12-lap finale. Third went to Andres Lopez.

The Stars of Tomorrow series moves on to one of the largest attended karting events in North America next week (June 27-29) with the Dodge Freedom Grand Prix of Windsor in the streets of Windsor, Ont., Can., as part of the Bell International Freedom Festival. Over 80,000 spectators are scheduled to watch the three days of competition in the Canadian border city where Wilson, Rahal, Pecorari and others are expected to run for a $15,000 purse.

The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presented 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.

-csot- # # #

SATURDAY (June 21) RESULTS SUNDAY (June 22) RESULTS

ICC (125cc shifter) ICC (125cc shifter) 1. Graham Rahal 1. Bobby Wilson 2. Cale Mead 2. Graham Rahal 3. Robbie Pecorari 3. Phillipe Gelinas

ICA (100cc direct drive) ICA (100cc direct drive) 1. Josh Hunt 1. Robbie Pecorari 2. Robbie Pecorari 2. Michael Giessen 3. Michael Giessen 3. Troy Hintzsche

ROTAX ROTAX 1. Susan McIlroy 1. Susan McIlory 2. Tim Hannen 2. Tim Hannen 3. Sam Kimberly-Bryant 3. Matt Grant

JR. SUPERBOX JR. SUPERBOX 1. Matthew Lee 1. Chris Keller 2. Ben Roberts 2. Matthew Lee 3. Joey King 3. Casey Neal

80cc JUNIOR 80cc JUNIOR 1. Kyle Rahal 1. Kyle Rahal 2. Kevin LaCroix 2. Patrick Winninger 3. Patrick Winninger 3. Nelson Mason

GRAND PRODUCTS CADET (ages 8-12) GRAND PRODUCTS CADET (ages 8-12) 1. Sergio Pena 1. Robert Thorne 2. Andres Lopez 2. Sergio Pena 3. Crispin Beaver 3. Andres Lopez

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http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email/filehost/LV909.pdf&id=BC909LV66B123
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<pre>The Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER

www.cartstars.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Glenn Holland, (909) 208-0155; Tom Blattler, (909) 225-6287, info@cartstars.com

WILSON, PECORARI TAKE SUNDAY WINS, RAHALS IMPRESSIVE WITH 1-2 FINISHES SUNDAY IN STARS OF TOMORROW EASTERN KARTING ACTION AT BRIGGS & STRATTON MOTORPLEX

ELKHART LAKE, Wis (June 22, 2003) -- Wisconsin karting star Bobby Wilson scored his first national ICC win of the season and young phenom Robbie Pecorari collected another ICA main event Sunday in the second day of the Snap-on Champ Car Stars of Tomorrow presented by RACER Eastern Division karting competition on the Briggs & Stratton MOTORPLEX at Road America.

Wilson, the 21-year-old driver from Dousman, Wis., held off a determined Graham Rahal at the start of the 22-lap ICC (125cc Shifter) and scored an impressive victory over the son of the three-time Champ Car champion and former Indy 500 winner. Wilson, a former national champion, started on the pole and led all 22 laps Sunday after placing fifth in Saturday's ICC feature.

Rahal, the 14-year-old third generation racer from New Albany, Ohio, started second again Sunday but didn't get the jump on Wilson at the green light as he did on Saturday in his first national main event win. He finished three seconds behind Wilson at the checkered flag followed by Phillipe Gelinas of Grande-Mere, Que., Can., who made his USA karting debut this year. Fourth and fifth went to Jan Velez-Walter and Cale Mead with Pecorari sixth.

"I got a good start over Graham this time," said Wilson, who placed second and third in the 2003 opening races. "He got me Saturday and I got him back today. I kept pushing hard and I think we ran the fastest lap at the end of the race. We came into this season with a different strategy. Last year, I crashed out of a lot of races. This year I wanted to be more consistent and this weekend was good for us. Plus winning near home is always special."

Rahal's 1-2 finish on the Stars weekend was his best performance in his young racing career after he jumped from the Junior division last year to the ICC category in 2003.

"This was a great weekend for me and our team," said Rahal, who had his dad (Bobby) and grandfather (Mike) in attendance Sunday as the Rahal family celebrated 46 years of racing at Road America. "Being a rookie and losing to an outstanding driver like Bobby Wilson isn't bad for me. And my cousin Kyle won again too this weekend."

Kyle Rahal, the 16-year-old cousin of Graham, dominated the 80cc Junior division for the second straight day as the Glen Ellyn, Ill., racer defeated Patrick Winninger and Nelson Mason Sunday in the 15-lap main event. Kyle has won three Eastern Division races in four 2003 starts.

In the ICA (100cc direct drive) feature, it was Pecorari racing wheel-to-wheel with Michael Giessen in the early portion of the 22-lap finale before cruising to his third Stars win this year. Giessen had to settle for second Sunday after a great drive early with Troy Hintzsche taking third. Saturday's winner Josh Hunt of Gold Coast, Australia, came from 23rd starting position to place fifth Sunday, finishing behind Jason Matuszewski.

In the Junior Superbox class, Chris Keller bested Saturday's winner Matthew Lee to the checkered flag in the 15- lap feature with third going to Casey Neal. Susan McIlroy again was victorious in the Rotax division Sunday over Tim Hannen and Matt Grant.

In the Grand Products Cadet main, Robert Thorne won the main event Sunday over Saturday's winner Sergio Pena with a late race pass in the 12-lap finale. Third went to Andres Lopez.

-more-

-2-

The Stars of Tomorrow series moves on to one of the largest attended karting events in North America next week (June 27-29) with the Dodge Freedom Grand Prix of Windsor in the streets of Windsor, Ont., Can., as part of the Bell International Freedom Festival. Over 80,000 spectators are scheduled to watch the three days of competition in the Canadian border city where Wilson, Rahal, Pecorari and others are expected to run for a $15,000 purse.

The Champ Car 'Stars of Tomorrow' presented 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.

# # #

SATURDAY (June 21) RESULTS SUNDAY (June 22) RESULTS

ICC (125cc shifter) ICC (125cc shifter) 1. Graham Rahal 1. Bobby Wilson 2. Cale Mead 2. Graham Rahal 3. Robbie Pecorari 3. Phillipe Gelinas

ICA (100cc direct drive) ICA (100cc direct drive) 1. Josh Hunt 1. Robbie Pecorari 2. Robbie Pecorari 2. Michael Giessen 3. Michael Giessen 3. Troy Hintzsche

ROTAX ROTAX 1. Susan McIlroy 1. Susan McIlory 2. Tim Hannen 2. Tim Hannen 3. Sam Kimberly-Bryant 3. Matt Grant

JR. SUPERBOX JR. SUPERBOX 1. Matthew Lee 1. Chris Keller 2. Ben Roberts 2. Matthew Lee 3. Joey King 3. Casey Neal

80cc JUNIOR 80cc JUNIOR 1. Kyle Rahal 1. Kyle Rahal 2. Kevin LaCroix 2. Patrick Winninger 3. Patrick Winninger 3. Nelson Mason

GRAND PRODUCTS CADET (ages 8-12) GRAND PRODUCTS CADET (ages 8-12) 1. Sergio Pena 1. Robert Thorne 2. Andres Lopez 2. Sergio Pena 3. Crispin Beaver 3. Andres Lopez </pre>

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