WKA: IRL SoK: Sparco Motorsports All Stars classic entry announced

Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Giebler to Pilot a Team Sparco USA entry at PRI

Irvine, CA (November 30, 2007): Sparco Motorsports is proud to announce its entry of Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Phil Giebler in a Team Sparco USA machine in the Masters category of the All Stars Karting Classic in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Show.

"Sparco is very excited to enter Phil into this great race," stated Sparco Motorsport Manager Chris Neuer. "We are looking to promote our presence at the PRI Show and hopefully having a presence in this high-profile event will help do that. Phil is a great talent and we hope to see him on top of the podium the evening of December 6. Phil has worn Sparco for more than 10 years and his commitment to the sport is second to none. He will be a force to be reckoned without a doubt. There will be great competition in both classes with several Sparco drivers participating."

Defending Masters Division Champion and 2004 Indianapolis 500 Winner Buddy Rice will be on hand at the Sparco booth Thursday to sign autographs before defending his title Thursday night. Other Sparco supported drivers Bryan Herta, and Joey Hand will also put on a great show for all the fans in attendance. Neuer added, "I attended last year's race in the pouring rain, and to be honest it just added to the awesome atmosphere. I can't wait for Thursday night!"

Giebler was the Cinderella story of this year's Indianapolis 500, qualifying his Playa Del Racing entry into the field on the final day of qualifying. He put in a solid performance on race day to be named the 2007 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Giebler has also represented the United States as a driver in the A1 GP Series for the past two seasons, as well as being a regular contender in the Indy Pro Series. After several seasons racing a variety of formula cars (Formula 3, Formula 3000, and Indy Pro Series) in both Europe and North America, Giebler returned to karting in 2005 to take the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series National title in the ICA category.

The PRI show takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from December 6 -- 8 th with the All-Stars Karting Classic taking place on the evening of December 6 th. The race will feature some of the top names in North American racing battling it out in the Masters Division, and the top drivers from the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series squaring off in the Karter Division. Drivers confirmed to be participating in the Masters Division of the event include Jamie McMurray (NASCAR), A.J. Allmendinger (NASCAR) John Andetti (NASCAR / IndyCar), Marco Andretti (IndyCar), Bryan Herta (ALMS), Joey Hand (Grand-Am), Buddy Rice (IndyCar), Eddie Lawson (MotoGP), Scott Speed (F-1 / Stock Car), Jan Heylen (ChampCar), Wayne Taylor (Grand-Am), Michael Valiante (Grand-Am), Steve Johnson (NHRA), Ron Capps (NHRA), Katherine Legge (ChampCar), Lake Speed (NASCAR), Phil Giebler (IndyCar) and others. Admission to the event is free. The event will be filmed for two separate television broadcasts on SPEED Channel's Lucas Oil on the Edge program thanks to support from Snap-on and Bri! dgestone.

-credit: sok