WKA: Stars of Karting unveils 2009 schedule

STARS OF KARTING UNVEILS 2009 SCHEDULE

The Snap-on Stars of Karting Series is pleased to announce the 2009 schedule. With exciting racing in previous years that have seen championship chases come down to the final laps, '09 is set to be just as exciting as competitors will do battle on six permanent racing courses throughout North America. The Snap-on Stars of Karting Series will look to make the upcoming season economically feasible for all teams, competitors and facilities that are part of the Stars of Karting family.

2009 Series Schedule:

March 6 - 8 - Ocala Gran Prix -- Ocala, Florida

April 24 - 26 - Jim Russell Infineon Raceway Karting Center -- Sonoma, California

May 29 - 31 - New Castle Motorsports Park -- New Castle, Indiana

June 26 - 28 - F1 New Jersey -- Millville, New Jersey

August 7 - 9 - Pacific Grand Prix Raceways -- Seattle, Washington

October 9 - 11 - Oklahoma Motorsports Complex -- Norman, Oklahoma

December 10, 2009 - PRI All-Stars Karting Classic -- Orlando, Florida

"As a member of the Snap-on Stars of Karting Advisory Panel, I am excited to see the direction of the series and the confirmed 2009 schedule," stated Jeff Swoboda. "With the addition of the world class F1 New Jersey Karting Center at the incredible New Jersey Motorsports Park facility and the return of New Castle Motorsports Park to host the Race of the Americas, '09 is shaping up to be a great season. All of this will lead to the much anticipated fourth annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) All-Stars Karting Classic to round out the 2009 racing season."

Along with the above mentioned schedule, the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series will allow teams and competitors to begin practices sessions on Thursday in the hopes of discouraging prior weekend testing by several teams and competitors. The Thursday test sessions will be run by the facility/promoter for each and every 2009 Stars of Karting event. Event move-in for teams wishing to compete on Thursday will take place on Wednesday while smaller team trailers will still be allowed to move-in Thursday to take advantage of Friday's practice sessions.

Ocala Gran Prix -- Ocala, FL -- March 6 -- 8, 2009

Returning to the schedule for the second straight season is central Florida's Ocala Gran Prix facility (OGP). Kicking off the East coast championship race as well as the overall national championship, OGP will again open its doors for the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series. Located only an hour from Orlando, teams and competitors will have the ease of travel to a large airport as well as great racing weather in March of '09.

The eight corner facility produces very high speeds and close competition as drivers look to garner any advantage possible as they look to start the season off right. With an on-site kart shop and key personal, OGP will do whatever possible to ensure series entrants are accommodated to the fullest.

Jim Russell Infineon Raceway Karting Center -- Sonoma, CA -- April 24 -- 26, 2009

Located just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the 1600 acre facility serves as a gateway to the beautiful Sonoma Wine Country and will host the opening round of the Snap-on Stars of Karting Western division championship. The series will make a return to the Jim Russell Infineon Raceway Karting Center as drivers will once again look to conquer the challenging 16 turn circuit as they begin their chase towards the national championship. Located on the grounds of the famed Infineon Raceway, the .76 mile layout will be back on the schedule after a one year hiatus as the Stars of Karting Series will join the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NHRA Powerade Championship, AMA Superbike Series and the IndyCar Series as major events scheduled on the 2009 track calendar.

New Castle Motorsports Park -- New Castle, IN -- May 29 -- 31, 2009

The New Castle Motorsports Park facility, owned by Mark Dismore and family, is a staple circuit to the Stars of Karting schedule as the series has visited the track on several occasions in previous seasons. Starting off as an East coast only event, NCMP quickly graduated to hold the second largest race on the series calendar with the "East meets West" Race of the Americas traditionally held the weekend before or after the famous Indianapolis 500. Located only 45 minutes from the Indianapolis International Airport and an hour from the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, several series competitors have visited the Speedway in the days leading up to the event.

The New Castle Motorsports Park is a look at the 21st century of karting. The 1 mile road course features a 950 foot back straight, multiple layouts, AMB scoring system, 28' wide track width, CIK regulation curbing, paved pit roads and grid area, over 60 rental garages, 2000 square foot onsite kart parts shop, trackside restaurant, The Racer's Grill, and the newly opened second floor Champions Club observation deck.

F1 New Jersey -- Millville, NJ -- June 26 -- 28, 2009

The New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) is a multi-phase motorsports lifestyle complex located on 700 acres of land adjacent to the historical Millville Airport in southern New Jersey. Opening in 2008, the NJMP hosted multiple high profile events throughout the year and in 2009, the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series will join their schedule of events.

Connected to the 1.9 mile Lightning Raceway track, the 1.1 mile F1 Karting facility features eight different configurations to challenge even the world's best drivers. Located on the grounds of New Jersey Motorsports Park, the 22 corner facility is a short hour drive to Atlantic City.

Pacific Grand Prix -- Kent, WA -- August 7 -- 9, 2009

Making its much anticipated debut to the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series is the new Pacific Grand Prix (PGP) at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. Located around a host of high quality hotels and only 30 minutes from Sea-Tac International Airport, PGP is nestled in Pacific Raceways which has a vast history of providing superb motorsports events. With its mission to become the premiere motorsports facility in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Raceways continues to host prestigious events including drag races, sports car races, motorcycle races, club races, vintage car events and now the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series.

The Pacific Grand Prix kart facility has been constructed in a valley providing a velodrome feel and allowing spectators with unprecedented views. With a challenging track design, drivers and tuners will be put to the test as they look to maintain the momentum to continue on to the National Finals.

Oklahoma Motorsports Complex -- Norman, OK -- October 9 -- 11, 2009

The Oklahoma Motorsports Complex (OMC) will make a return to the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series schedule, but unlike previous seasons, OMC will host the National Finals in October rather than the opening event as it did in 2007. With a technical infield section and high speed straight-aways, chassis setup and driver ability are two necessary ingredients for success at this track. Located only 30 minutes from Oklahoma City, the 13 corner 7/10 of mile race track is 30 feet wide and an approved world class CIK facility.

Owned and operated by Champion Racing's Rodney Berryhill, OMC provides for exciting wheel-to-wheel racing action. A full service kart shop on site is open and available for your karting needs while two large grandstands allow spectators to take in all the racing action as 2009 national champions are crowned.

PRI All-Stars Karting Classic -- Orlando, FL - December 10, 2009

The fourth annual Performance Racing Industry All-Stars Karting Classic will cap off the 2009 racing season as North America's top karters battle each other on a tight and twisty designed circuit. All racing for victory, the top five competitors will transfer to the back of the Masters grid as they look to compete against today's motorsports stars.

Located just outside the Orange County Convention Center and the largest industry trade show in the world, the All-Stars Karting Classic is quickly becoming one of the most prestigious events on the season's calendar. With the who's who of the motorsports industry in attendance and grandstands that remain jam packed for the evening, drivers will again look to score the victory and the chance to become the 2009 PRI All-Stars Karting Classic Champion.

The Snap-on Stars of Karting Series is pleased to have the 2009 schedule set and in place. A host of other exciting series announcements will be forthcoming including class structures, race day formats and parc ferme procedures. Please stay tuned to www.StarsofKarting.com for more exciting information on the 2009 racing season.

-credit: starsofkarting