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KARTING: Local Family Shop Gears Up for WKA Kartfest 2001

13 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
HARRISBURG, N.C.-- Karting has been a weekend hobby and successful business for Sherry and Glenn Kenworthy for more than 17 years. The husband and wife team began racing karts in the 1980s with the World Karting Association (WKA) and in 1983 founded Piedmont Kart Shop in Conover, N.C. Every race weekend is a busy one for the Kenworthys, but few compare to the weekend that WKA's Kartfest is in town. Kartfest is one of the largest trade shows specifically for karting and has attracted more than 12,000 in the last two years. WKA will host Kartfest 2001, Jan. 26-28, at the Hickory (N.C.) Metro Trade Center, just eight miles from the Kenworthys' shop.

"Racers and exhibitors from all over the United States and Canada travel to Hickory just for Kartfest weekend," said Randy Kugler, president of WKA. "The latest products and newest technology for our sport are unveiled to help prepare karters for the upcoming racing year."

Approximately 100 kart shop owners, like the Kenworthys, are expected to display and sell their products to nearly 7,000 karting consumers this year. "We primarily sell karting products and provide information to the Friday and Saturday night racers to keep their costs down," Sherry Kenworthy said.

"It is such a joy to meet customers face-to-face at Kartfest who we've done business with over the phone."

The Kenworthys have not missed a WKA trade show in 15 years.

"Since we're right next door, it's great business for us," Glenn Kenworthy said. "You get to meet all types of consumers and new kart business owners who come up with innovative ideas every year."

The World Karting Association is a member-owned corporation founded in 1971 to regulate and promote the family sport of competitive kart racing and provide a safe and fair environment for the fulfillment of racing dreams. Learn more about the WKA at www.worldkarting.com.

Text Provided By Melanie Whitfield

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.