Seattle, WA – (December 1, 2006): Jensen MotorSport, who fields teams in the Formula BMW USA and Champ Car Atlantic series, will provide a one-day test in a Formula BMW race car for the Karting Division winner of the All-Stars Karting Classic in Orlando. Eric Jensen, owner of Jensen MotorSport, sees the prize as a great way to provide incentive and recognition to the young, talented karting pilots who will be aiming for victory at the PRI Show hosted event. "It's quite rewarding to see some of the talented young drivers that our team has helped progress to the highest levels in professional car racing. Obviously the winner of this karting shoot-out will be one of the best young drivers, so it's going to be quite rewarding for our team to have a chance to see how well they perform in one of our BMWs."
Series Marketing Director Jeff Swoboda is impressed with Jensen’s eagerness to participate in the event and give something back to promising young karting pilots, “I just met Eric last week, and immediately when I told him about the event we were hosting at the PRI Show he said he was excited about being involved and providing a deserving driver a shot in one of his race cars. He adds a great prize and well-deserved prize to the event,” said Swoboda. Jensen MotorSport fielded cars in both the Champ Car Atlantic Series and the Formula BMW USA series in 2006 for drivers Tim Bridgman and Frankie Muniz respectively.
The All-Stars Karting Classic, which will be televised on the Versus (OLN) Network in two one-hour segments thanks to advertising support from Snap-on Tools, now boasts a lineup that includes Marco Andretti (IRL), Bryan Herta (IRL), Buddy Rice (IRL) Tomas Scheckter (IRL), Ron Capps (NHRA), Doug Herbert (NHRA), Larry Dixon (NHRA), Wayne Taylor (Grand-Am), Memo Gidley (Grand-Am), and Alex Tagliani (ChampCar) as competitors in the Masters Division of the event. The race will be organized by the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL. The featured teams at the event will be the SSC East, First Kart North America, Trackmagic, Tony Kart USA, Sodi Racing USA, Grand Products-Top Kart, and BTK-Arrow teams from the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the IRL. The racers will utilize karts with the popular 125-cc electric start spec engines that have proliferated the marketplace in recent years. Series title sponsor Snap-on Tools has also stepped up to support the event on multiple levels as have Douglas Wheels and Alpinestars.
Racing action will start at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 14 on a temporary track constructed adjacent to the Convention Center. Show attendees will be able to progress straight from the PRI Trade Show’s Happy Hour directly out to the racing action. Admission will be free to anyone with a PRI Trade Show badge. Those with any interest or inquiries regarding the event should contact Jeff Swoboda at jeff@starsofkarting.com. Those looking to participate in the PRI Trade Show should contact Reed Morales at ReedM@performanceracing.com. To learn more about Jensen Motorsport go to www.jensenmotorsport.com.
The Performance Racing Industry Trade Show is the world’s largest racing trade show, and attracts approximately 42,000 racing industry members worldwide from over 40 countries. This annual trade show provides a professional atmosphere for racing industry buyers to meet with manufacturers of hardcore racing components and shop machinery to see the products up close. The 19th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show will be held December 14–16, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, at the OrangeCountyConvention Center www.performanceracing.com.
Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League 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 Tools Company, LLC is a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand and power tools, diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, diagnostics software and other solutions for the transportation service, industrial, government, education, agricultural, and other commercial applications, including construction and electrical. Products are sold through its franchised dealer van, company-direct sales and distributor channels, as well as over the Internet at snapon.com. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2 billion-plus, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wis., and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide.
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 Indy Pro 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. www.indycar.com |