WKA: IRL Stars of Karting adds key personnel

Snap-on Stars of Karting Adds Key Personnel

Looking to keep pace with the changing motorsports industry, the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series is pleased to announce key additions in series personnel. Looking to take the series to the next level and put qualified people in strategic positions, four people have been added to the Stars of Karting staff while one receives a new title and role within the series.

Current Snap-on Stars of Karting employee Kirk Rider has been promoted to the Director of Operations position. Overseeing all weekend activities, Rider will be in charge of all pre-event organization as well as being a key player within the Stars of Karting family. When the weekend is finally upon us, Rider takes the necessary steps to ensure a well run event with as few headaches as possible. If an on-track incident takes place, Rider is one of the first officials to spring into action to ensure everyone's safety and maintain the Stars of Karting time-specific schedule.

A new series position in Director of Event Coordination has been created and Mike Tetreault will occupy this spot. With his primary purpose to serve as the liaison between the racers, crew, importers, dealers and the Stars of Karting organization, he will also be the key contact at each and every event. Mike Tetreault will also work with the new Director of Public Relations to provide event information and pre event promotion. As a member of the karting industry, Tetreault will provide advice and information for future series decisions and directions.

Mike Maurini has been appointed to the position of Director of Public Relations. With a background in marketing and promotion, Maurini will be in charge of all news, stories and information regarding the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series. With pre-event news to post-event stories, Mike will communicate with all Stars of Karting officials in regards to information that should properly be announced to series members and participants. Working with website designer Tony Johns, Maurini will be in charge of all series news, releases and announcements with the respect of writing, distribution and posting to the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series website.

Current Stars of Karting Director of Marketing Jeff Swoboda will be taking a step back from the series and will be replaced by Shane Mahoney. The Californian marketing guru currently works with former karting champion Patrick Long and will join the Stars of Karting Series as he looks to strengthen relationships with current sponsors and supporters while bringing a new mix of flavor into the equation. While joining forces with Paul Zalud, Mike Tetreault and Mike Maurini, Mahoney will be able to fit right in with the team and will hit the ground running with his first official event being the Performance Racing Industry All-stars Karting Classic. Looking to continue a working relationship with the series, Jeff Swoboda will continue to make himself available in whatever areas he can help with.

The Snap-on Stars of Karting Series is also pleased to have Sara Barros join the team as the Director of Timing and Scoring. With more than six years of experience in several different karting series, Barros has the knowledge of several different scoring systems and is able to take control when the first official timed sessions of the weekend begin. Though Sara is not seen much throughout the weekend, she is always hard at work ensuring transponders are working and complete qualifying, heat race and feature results are posted in a timely manner. Barros is always keen to help when calculating heat race points and championship standings as she looks to work with the rest of the Stars of Karting team throughout the 2009 racing season.

Along with the new members of the Snap-on Stars of Karting family, an advisory panel of four permanent and one rotating member has also been setup. With no official role in the series, the panel will be formed from a group of professionals with quality traits. These people will be relied on when the series is forced to make difficult decision or put in a position to weight the options for the future. The Stars of Karting Series will be able to bounce ideas off the advisory panel members and listen to what they have to say.

The four members that have been appointed to the advisory panel are American Le Mans Series driver Bryan Herta, former Formula 1 driver and current motorsports commentator Derek Daly, successful business man Chris Ritter and series consultant Jeff Swoboda. The fifth and final position on the advisory panel will be reserved for one invite guest per discussion. These invited individuals will be key people within the motorsports industry and thoughts and opinions will be used in future series decisions.

The Snap-on Stars of Karting Series will continue with its schedule with the National Finals taking place October 10 -- 12, 2008 on a temporary circuit inside the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After crowning divisional champions at the series banquet on the Friday evening, National Champions in all five classes will be determined after events conclude Sunday afternoon. Those wishing to learn more about the series can go to www.starsofkarting.com and all promotional inquiries can be directed to jeff@starsofkarting.com

Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series is based out of Seattle, Washington, sanctioned by the World Karting Association (WKA) and owned and operated by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion and IRL IndyCar Series team owner Bobby Rahal, IndyCar Series driver Bryan Herta and veteran karting promoter Paul Zalud. www.starsofkarting.com, www.worldkarting.com.

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics and equipment solutions for professional users. Product lines include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle manufacturers, dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture and construction. Products are sold through its franchisees, company-direct sales and distributor channels, as well as over the Internet. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.5 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. For additional information on Snap-on, visit www.snapon.com.

The Indy Racing League was formed in 1994 to preserve the heritage and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 in U.S. open-wheel racing. The Indy Racing League is the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and the Firestone Indy Lights Series, which serves as an essential stepping stone for drivers striving to reach the IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League events are available to a worldwide audience through a variety of multimedia platforms, highlighted by a long-term and broad-reaching partnership with ABC Sports/ESPN. The Indy Racing League is continually at the forefront of motorsports innovation with drivers, teams and tracks benefiting from major safety and technological improvements such as the SAFER Barrier, SWEMS wheel tethers, chassis enhancements, ethanol fuel and Delphi IRL Safety Team. ww! w.indycar.com

-credit: stars of karting