Karting at Irwindale Speedway update

Irwindale, Calif. - - (July 26, 2000) A new schedule has been issued by Irwindale Speedway's contracted Karting operators SSC/Karbz Inc. of Palm Springs, California for a series of "Kart Summer Nights" at the Speedway which will feature open practice on selected Wednesday evenings and racing for six very popular Karting classes on the following Thursday evening. The series will begin tonight, with practice from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. followed by racing tomorrow evening.

Thursday's inaugural competition event will be the first Kart racing event ever staged at Irwindale Speedway and will mark another milestone in the plan to make Irwindale a complete "motorsports park". The practice and racing will take place on a specially laid out infield course that will incorporate part of both the ½-mile and 1/3-mile ovals at Irwindale. A multitude of interesting and challenging courses can be designed within the stadium and its great lighting system will provide good illumination for any of the potential configurations.

The racing classes at Irwindale will include Kids Karts, Junior 1 Cadet, Junior Superbox, Senior Superbox, 80cc Shifter Karts, and 125cc Shifter Karts. With those six classes the promoters will offer racing opportunities for the very newest tyros to the top pros of the sport. "We are very pleased with the program that SSC/Karbz's Joe Ramos and Race Director Doug Fleming have laid out for Irwindale, their program combined with our location and the intense interest in Karting that's out there, will have a strong positive impact on the sport, bringing new people to it and giving the participants increased visibility and validity," said Bob DeFazio, the track's VP/COO and himself the father of a Karting Champion, young Nick DeFazio.

The initial SSC/Karbz Karting events at Irwindale are scheduled for the following: July 26/27, August 16/17, August 30/31, September 13/14, and September 27/28. Additional dates are under discussion at this point and will be announced as finalized. Good turnouts are anticipated for both practice and racing at the Speedway. Something that the area has needed for a long time, at present the closest Kart racing facilities are located in Saugus and Riverside. The world's first purpose-built Kart racing track (Go-Kart Raceway 1958 - 1978) was located in Irwindale on Irwindale Avenue just south of where the 210 freeway runs today.

Karting, which began right here in the LA/San Gabriel Valley, is a international racing sport and the first step on many a World Champion, NASCAR Champ, and Indy/IRL Winner's way into the record books. One need only reel off a list of names of Karting champions to make the point. Ayrton Senna, Mark Dismore, Eddie Cheever Jr., Al Unser Jr., Juan Montoya, Alex Barron, Jenson Button, Nelson Piquet, Ricky Rudd, Michael Andretti, Lake Speed, Dario Franchitti, Roberto Moreno, Paul Tracy, Scott Goodyear, Scott Pruett, and Michael Shumacher are but a few of the great drivers who began their illustrious careers in the seat of a Kart.

Gates will open for both practice and racing at 4:00 p.m. Practice nights will run until 9 p.m. Race nights will have practice at 5:00 p.m. with racing starting at 6. There will be a $30 entry fee for practice and a $40 entry fee for racing. The track's main grandstands will not be in use during these events, but the 1000-seat pit grandstands will be open for the use of crews and spectators.

All people entering the pit area (to work on the Karts or to watch) will need to sign a waiver purchase a pit pass ($10). The pit area snack bar will be open on both practice and racing nights serving their regular racing menu of tasty track food and refreshments.