PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic Returns to PRI Trade Show

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

PAPIS, BELL, HEYLEN, SPEED, HERTA and MORE TO RUN in 4th ANNUAL PRI CKI 

ALL-STAR KARTING CLASSIC AT PRI TRADE SHOW, DECEMBER 10, 2009

 

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – Pro drivers Max Papis, Townsend Bell, Jan Heylen, Scott
Speed, Bryan Herta and Matt Smith have made plans to participate in the 4th
Annual PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic, to be held Thursday night, December
10, at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, in Orlando, FL.  Papis,
Bell and Herta also competed in last year’s event.

 

In one of the most unique races anywhere, the PRI CKI All-Star Karting
Classic features great drivers from a diverse array of professional racing
series, including NASCAR, NHRA, IRL, ALMS, Grand-Am and ARCA. A second
feature race offers the best of the next generation of drivers, the future
stars of motorsports, competing in the new Championship Karting
International (CKI) series.

 

The race starts at 7 p.m., on a tight 6-turn track adjacent to the Orange
County Convention Center which will house the 22nd Annual PRI Trade Show.
Show attendees and exhibitors will be able to enjoy the PRI Happy Hour
Sponsored by Budweiser in the South Lobby of the Convention Center starting
at 6 p.m., and then head over with industry friends to the big kart race.
There is no admission charge for Thursday night’s karting thunder, and food
and beverage stands will be available around the kart track.  The general
public will be encouraged to attend as well.

 

Last yearıs race was won by open wheel standout Jay Howard, driving for the
Screaming Talent team. Taking second in the All-Star Division race was
Grand-Am driver Joey Hand (Kartel Motorsports) and former F1 driver and
current NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor Scott Speed, of Tony Kart, finished
third.

 

Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice, Marco Andretti, Ron Capps, Jamie McMurray, Ryan
Hunter-Reay, Will Power, Anton Brown, Cristiano Da Matta, AJ Allmendinger,
Vitor Meira, Michael Valiante and Ed Carpenter were among the All-Star
competitors in 2008.  Many are expected to return for this year’s exciting
race.

 

Over 2,500 spectators filled the grandstands and lined the entire track last
year.  The race was taped and later televised in two 30-minute episodes
airing on the Fox Sports Network.  Production was handled by Masters
Entertainment, a long-time exhibitor at the PRI Trade Show, while Fox
indicated more than 700,000 race fans watched the race on TV.

 

Championship Karting International, organizer of the race, in conjunction
with PRI, is a new, national kart series launched earlier this year by a
group of motorsports professionals and businessmen led by Richard Valentine
and Phil DeLao. To learn more about CKI, go to
www.championshipkartracing.com.

 

The PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic also places a huge spotlight on the
growing number of karting chassis and racing products on display inside the
worldıs largest racing trade show, as well as showcases the tremendous
amount of new talent working up the racing ladder.

 

“PRI does a super job with the show and the kart race,” said Valentine.
“Itıs always one of the best events of the week  Weıre looking forward to
working with Steve Lewis and his team to make this year another big hit, and
also putting the CKI stamp on the event with some fresh ideas.”

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The PRI Trade Show has been recognized as the 45th largest U.S. trade show,
according to Tradeshow Week magazine, in its annual analysis of the top 200
trade shows in America.

 

Media can continue to preregister and receive PRI Trade Show credentials in
the mail prior to the start of the show.  Please go to
www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow, or call 949-499-5413.

 

Everything happens here first!

 

Reaching more than 40,000 show attendees from all 50 states, and 60
countries, the PRI Trade Show features 1,200 exhibitors in 3,500 booths, and
is timed so that racing retailers, engine and car builders,
wholesaler/distributors, professional race teams and other industry
participants can shop the latest new product introductions and have them in
inventory for the next racing season.  Additional events include Dave
Despain’s Wind Tunnel at the Opening Breakfast, Industry Roundtable, plus
the Motor Sports Business Forum and AETC Conference (the latter two
preceding the PRI Trade Show).

 

for more information, contact:

Pete Evanow

pevanow@performanceracing.com

714.305.8083