SKUSA: ProMoto Tour opens 2003 in Jacksonville

SKUSA ProMoto Tour kicks off 2003 season with return to Jacksonville.
Florida racers gearing up for a ProMoto Tour event back in their region after a one-year hiatus.

Dublin, OH -- After a 2002 season that saw no ProMoto Tour events in the Florida region, the SKUSA ProMoto Tour will make their return to one of the most popular venues in Florida in Round #1 at the 103rd St. Sports Complex in Jacksonville, FL on March 28-30.

The Northern Florida venue has been a favorite among many participants in the past, especially the Florida region competitors. SKUSA CEO, Jim Murley, thinks that a return to the Southeast will be a great kick-off for the 2003 ProMoto Tour season.

"Historically we have had great success in Jacksonville," said Murley. "The local participants are top notch and with an opening date in March, Florida is the place to be. It is an especially great event for those of us from the Northern part of the U.S. and Canada."

This first ProMoto event of 2003 will certainly see some of the top shifterkart pilots from the Florida region battling for home-turf bragging rights. A number of drivers such as Mauricio Berrero, 2002 Columbian Championship, Chino Vidal, 2002 Florida Region FMX champion and Jonathan Branam, current FL Winter Tour points leader in S1. 2001 Formula S1 National Champion and 2002 National #7 plate in SuperPro, Kyle Wharff, is just one of the racers who is looking forward to the opening round in Jacksonville.

"Jacksonville is one of my favorite tracks that I been on since the Pro Tour started," said Wharff. "Florida plays a big part in racing but it is hard to travel so far sometimes. Coming back to Florida is great. Maybe they will add a Miami venue in the future. That would be a good market for racing as well."

It is not just racers that are excited about the ProMoto Tour's first round event in Florida. Many top karting teams are also happy about the new schedule.

"We have a lot of local, club and regional racers here," said Andre Martins, owner of Miami-based Advanced Karting and Team Fittipaldi Kart. "This gives the chance for these racers to see the pro racers in action firsthand and that really stimulates the shifterkart industry in Florida."

You can be sure that many top Florida region racers will be in attendance for the first round of the SKUSA ProMoto Tour. Log onto www.skusaonline.com for all the latest news and event information regarding the 2003 SKUSA ProMoto Tour and SKUSA Regional Tours. Or contact the SKUSA office at (614) 760-9540.

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