WKA: SpeedNews 2003-10-16

WKA & SO-CAL KARTERS INTRODUCE NEW SERIES BASED IN CALIFORNIA FOR 2004 SEASON

The World Karting Association and So-Cal Karters have partnered to create WKA Gold Cup West. Gold Cup West will consist of four events beginning February 1st and concluding October 31st, 2004. The series will offer twelve classes divided among nine race groups, consisting of both 2- and 4-Cycle engines. Participating tracks include: Perris Kart Track, Willow Springs Kart Track, Moran Raceway, and Grange Motorcircuit.

The following classes will be offered within the nine groups in WKA Gold Cup West:

Group 1:  Cadet Sportsman Comer K-80 (ages 8-11)

Group 2:  Jr. Superbox KT100s SSX-V Can and HPV Jr. HPV 2 with WB3A Carb, Scored Separate (ages 12-15)

Group 3:  Jr. 1 4-Cycle Briggs Flathead & Animal Restricted (ages 8-11)

Group 4:  Jr. 2 4-Cycle Briggs Flathead & Animal Unrestricted (ages 12-15)

Group 5:  Sr. Superbox KT100 SSX-V can wet 3 disc clutch (ages 15+)

Group 6:  Novice Sportsman KT100 YBX can (ages 15+)

Group 7:  World Formula Motor spec clutch & rev limiter (ages 15+) and Jr. World Formula Motor spec clutch & rev limiter (ages 12-15), Scored Separate

Group 8:  Sr. 4-Cycle Heavy Briggs Animal & Tecumseh H-50 (ages 15+)

Gorup 9:  Masters 80cc Shifter and Masters 125cc Shifter, Scored Separate (ages 35+)

Using the WKA Points System, racers will have one short practice session, one qualifying session, a pre-final, and main. A driver's best three finishes in the series will be counted for series awards that will be given at the So-Cal Banquet at the end of the season. In addition, a raffle will be held at each race for one 4-Cyle and one 2-Cycle engine. Extra points will be given for the last race.

All races will be run under WKA sanctioning and insurance making it the first series WKA has sanctioned on the west coast. Many thanks to the So-Cal Karters for all of their hard work in making this happen. Please see below for the WKA Gold Cup West Schedule:

February 1st - Perris Kart Track, Perris CA
June 13th - Willow Springs Kart Track, Rosemond CA
August 1st - Moran Raceway, Beaumont CA
October 31st - Grange Motorcircuit, Victorville CA

RLV / DOUGLAS WHEEL NORTH AMERICAN DIRT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS AT MARGARETTSVILLE SPEEDWAY

NADTC is gearing up to be one of the most prestigious dirt races in the country and is taking place October 24 - 26th, 2003 at Margarettsville Speedway in North Carolina. One of the big draws of the event is the chance to earn one of the three provisional starting sports in each class being offered at the 2003 Dirt World Championships at Daytona KartWeek 2003 this December in Daytona Beach, FL. First and second place finishers in each class will earn a provIsional starting spot and the third provisional will be decided by a blind draw including 3rd - 15th place finishers in each class at NADTC. If anyone knows about Daytona KartWeek, it's almost enough to have just made the Main so these provisionals are a welcomed opportunity for any driver.

Provisionals are also being offered for NADTC. Divisional Dirt Champions will each earn a provisional starting spot in that class for the NADTC. There will also be payoffs and awards for the top five in each class with first place earning as much as $1000 in Briggs Medium and Briggs Heavy and $500 in all remaining classes. For detailed information, please refer to the September issue of our magazine, WKA's Karting Scene, for a full-color, full page ad on page 29 or call WKA Headquarters at 704.455.1606.

THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL TO RECORD EVENTS AT THE NORTH AMERICAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

The Discovery Channel will return to the WKA National scene in full force at the North American Karting Championship. The event will be October 30 - November 2, 2003 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Steven Reverend, Producer of the Discovery Channel is very impressed with the sport of karting and has pushed to get full support of the Network to cover karting events in 2004. Steven and his group kicked off the karting experience during the Tomar Nationals at BeaveRun MotorSports Complex in August. Since then, they have traveled many miles covering various families and teams at select Divisional events. While no certainties have been placed in air time featuring kart racing, representatives of the Discovery Channel are promising that there are long-term plans to cover the sport.

THE HILTON - CHARLOTTE UNIVERSITY PLACE THE "OFFICIAL HOTEL" OF WKA'S NORTH AMERICAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WKA and The Hilton - Charlotte University Place have partnered to offer exclusive rates to those attending the North American Karting Championships (NAKC) this October at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. This special offer will be made available to other karting events taking place in Charlotte for a yet to be determined number of years.

As the "Official Hotel" of NAKC, The Hilton - Charlotte University Place will block off a number of their single and double occupancy rooms for NAKC attendees at $79 plus tax per night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the event weekend (Oct. 30th - Nov. 2nd). The Hilton - Charlotte University Place is conveniently located in NE Charlotte, 15 minutes from the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, and easily accessible from Interstates 77 and 85 via Exit 45. It is 5 miles down Route 29 from Lowe's Motor Speedway and WKA Headquarters.

The Hilton - Charlotte University Place offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options within walking distance. Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and a wide array of dining locations are all in the same block as the The Hilton. This will enable easy accessibility for those not familiar with the Charlotte area.

In an effort to reduce long lines at NAKC for those wishing to pick up their Gold Cup or Road Race pre-entries, WKA has opted to extend Pre-Entry Pickup / Pit Pass Sales at The Hilton - Charlotte University Place from 6-9 pm Thursday evening. There is still Pre-Entry Pickup / Pit Pass Sales at Lowe's Motor Speedway from 2-5 pm on Thursday, however, as always, lines will be long and aggravating for those just getting into town from a long drive.

By reserving your rooms at The Hilton - Charlotte University Place, you can come in off the road, get into your rooms, have dinner at The Hilton or a nearby restaurant and stop back at The Fountainview Room at the hotel sometime between 6-8 pm without the hassle of having to be at the Speedway by a certain time. This way, the next morning you can arrive at Lowe's Motor Speedway with pit passes already in hand, park, and be set to go racing!

Please be advised that we will ONLY be doing PRE-ENTRY PICKUP and PIT PASS SALES at The Hilton - Charlotte University Place on Thursday evening. No practice stickers or registration will be handled at this time. It needs to be taken care of inside Lowe's Motor Speedway beginning Friday morning at 7 am. Please refer to the official Pre-Entry / Event Information forms for more specific information or contact WKA Headquarters at 704.455.1606, ext. 10. Please call The Hilton - Charlotte University Place to reserve your rooms today! Call 704.547.7444 or 1.800.HILTONS and tell them you are with WKA to receive your special rate. If you have any questions, feel free to call WKA Headquarters at 704.455.1606, ext. 10. See you in October!

CHRISTMAS IN DAYTONA

Just like Christmas, go-karts come only once a year to Daytona International Speedway.

Beginning the day after Christmas, Daytona International Speedway will host the largest karting event in North America with five days of racing spread across three different WKA National series. This event is known across the Nation as Daytona KartWeek, held every year from December 26th - 30th. Almost 4,000 entries make up this prestigious event and it only gets bigger and better every year.

Briggs & Stratton Day opens Daytona KartWeek on Friday, December 26th. This is an opportunity for 4-Cycle racers to compete on the big track, under Gold Cup rules, otherwise known as the 2.5-mile oval famous for being fast and furious.

The 30th Annual Dunlop Tire National Road Racing Series World Championship presented by Elite Karting will be testing their talents on the big track as well. Incorporating the high banks of the oval and elevation changes of the road course creates many challenges for the drivers, but a treat for the spectator. With karts averaging speeds up to 135 mph on the back straightaway, this series, being the longest running of all WKA series, will open their 2004 season at the World Center of Racing - Daytona International Speedway.

The 22nd Annual George Kugler Manufacturer's Cup Series presented by Bridgestone Margay Sprint Championships opens their 2004 season at Daytona International Speedway as well. Inside NASCAR turns 3 and 4, you will find a sprint course that is not only one of the finest, but also one of the most challenging on the sprint track circuit. Participants from all over the world come to compete against the best proving this event to be one of the most competitive races of the year amongst all the series.

The 23rd Annual Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt Series World Championships presented by American Power Sports is the most competitive dirt karting event in the world. Over 2,000 competitors from all over the Nation come to race against the best in the 2004 series opener. At an event of this capacity, it's almost enough to just earn the bragging rights and the sticker, "I Made the Main at Daytona!"

Go-kart racing is one of the many avenues that are used to get a jumpstart into motorsports. Some current stars of NASCAR have participated in past karting events at Daytona International Speedway, including 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion, Tony Stewart, and Jamie McMurray, who is competing for Winston Cup Rookie of the Year honors in 2003 driving the No. 42 Havoline Dodge and has already won his first Winston Cup race.

"From 1987 to 1992, every year, that's where my family would spend Christmas," McMurray said. "Sometimes we would leave Christmas Day from Missouri to drive down and other times we would go down early and spend Christmas in our motor home in the Kmart parking lot in Daytona. It sounds funny, but that's what you did."

McMurray says there will probably be one or two future stars in racing that will be racing in the karting events at the Speedway.

"There were guys that I raced go-karts with that you didn't think would make it that did and there were other guys that you thought would be professionals and now they're an engineer," McMurray said. "They're not even into racing. Most certainly you will find a star somewhere in that field."

Daytona KartWeek is the most prestigious karting event held in the United States. Karters from all over the world come to Daytona International Speedway to race in what has become the most competitive venue for kart racing. We invite YOU to experience all the excitement yourself.

The infield will be open to spectators at the Speedway, while the North Grandstands will be open for the events at the Daytona Municipal Stadium. Spectator tickets for the Speedway and Stadium are $10 per person. For more information on WKA events or the upcoming SpeedWeeks 2004, log on at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at 386.253.7223.

For race entry and event information, call the WKA Headquarters at 704.455.1606 or log on to www.worldkarting.com.

Media Contact: Speedway PR - 386.947.6782.

BRANNAM FUND UPDATE

The Bob Brannam Family was involved in an accident with an uninsured drunk driver a few months back, killing Bob (age 40), his son Joe (age 10) and another son, Bob Jr (age 8). His wife Linda was also seriously injured in the accident and has since been released from the hospital and recovering. Her son Brian was not involved in the accident and has been staying with family. Since the accident, many people and organizations have joined forces to help raise funds for the Brannam Family. Bob Vehring has submitted the following press release to express his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the fund.

Bob Vehring wrote:

On Sunday, October 12th, Badger Kart Club presented a check to Phil Brannam, made out to The Linda Brannam Fund for $11,337.80. Phil will present the check to Linda and Brian at a Family Memorial gathering in a few weeks. Linda is now at home and recovering. With the help of everyone that participated, hopefully this period will be a little easier. I would like to thank a few people by name for some very special help.

Briggs & Stratton, for the 8 hour World Formula Enduro
Bob Evans & 4cycle.com for making EVERYTHING happen
Kevin Greer, for the many, many hours with the Raffle
UltraMax for the 03 Blaze Octane
Phantom, for a very nice contribution
WKA, Randy and Marie for helping me get this going
Badger Kart Club
All the magazine guys for helping me spread the word
Everyone that donated prizes to the Raffle @And of course, to everyone that bought tickets and sent in donations.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Bob Vehring

WKA wants to thank the karting community in this time of need. Thank you.

-wka-