World-class Performance Kart Racing Returns to Las Vegas Next Week

Las Vegas, November 13, 2010: For the fourteenth year, the SuperKarts USA Super National performance go kart race event returns to the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino parking lot to provide five days of high speed action with the largest competitor turnout in the event’s history. More than 485 competitors traveling from North, Central and South America, Europe and as far away as New Zealand will be taking to the FIA sanctioned temporary sprint course that offers a 14 turn layout mixed with 1000 ft. long straightaways. With more than 95% of the world’s professional race car drivers getting their start behind the wheel of a go kart, this grassroots motorsport has proven to be the most cost effective learning tool for all forms of open wheel racing.

Last year, the SKUSA event drew in some amazing names from the professional ranks such as 7-time world Formula 1 Championship Michael Schumacher, formula driver Nelson Pique Jr, Indy winner Dan Weldon and a host of champions from around the nation. This year, adding to the international flavor, the Brazilian brand will be represented by national champion and Indy driver Raphael Matos already confirmed along with 24 hour Daytona Grand Am prototype driver Ozwaldo Negri Jr. They will be joined by a number of recognized professional motorsports winners as they take to the track in the eleven different classes of competition. This collection of regional and national amateur competitors range in age from their mid-teens to seniors and are divided up into balanced groups by engine performance, age and weight. The drivers will be competing for the largest prize purse in the history of the series with more than $70,000 in cash and prizes to be handed out.

Often assumed to be recreational vehicles driven around in a parking lot, these high performance karts are actually precision race machines that deliver blistering performance with speeds at close to 100 mph just one inch off the ground. The high output, water-cooled 2-cycle motors can deliver more than 30 horsepower direct to the racing tires with tremendous grip. Costing upwards of $10,000.00 each, these vehicles are mechanical marvels that both hardcore and novice enthusiasts can view close-up within the pits.

Performance Karting offer spectators a unique chance to view a majority of the track from many different vantage points and like last year the SKUSA organization will provide ample bleacher seating where everyone can follow the action all week long. The competitor pit area will be filled with large custom haulers and hospitality areas representing the major karting chassis, engine and equipment vendors from around the country. In addition, sponsors such as Mothers Polish, Oakley, Bondurant Performance Driving Schools, Honda Motorsports, Bridgestone, Mazda, Skip Barber, Red Bull and many others will add to the color and spectacle typically associated with international motorsport events.

As the leading trade association for the performance Karting Industry, Kart Industry Council will have a member showcase and hospitality pavilion set along vendor row with a viewing patio of the track. As part of the association’s extreme makeover campaign, we will be talking to manufacturers, distributors, importers, dealers and track owners about the association’s new educational direction and consumer marketing campaign. According to reports, competitors have budgeted on average between $4000 and $6000 for this event which while small by comparison to major exhibitions will bring much needed revenue to the local Las Vegas economy.

The SKUSA Super National will start on Wednesday, November 17th with daily practice and heat elimination running through Friday. The finals for all of the classes will take place on both Saturday and Sunday. Spectator tickets can be purchased at the gate.

For more information on the event, visit www.superkartusa.com or contact:

Kart Industry Council New association management office address:

9360 W FLAMINGO RD, STE 110
LAS VEGAS, NV 89147

New association management office number:

+1-702-577-2452
Twitter Account: KartIndCouncil