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| December 09, 2007 News |
| EKN Trackside: PRI Trade Show |
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Photos from the show can be seen in the Gallery, click HERE
For more information on the show, including the All-Stars Karting Classic, visit the Official Event Page
Karting was a major focus during this year’s Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The show’s opening day featured the Snap-on All-Stars Karting Classic event, which brought nearly 3000 non-karting spectators to the forefront of the sport on Thursday night. Riding off the tremendous momentum developed from the exciting race, the remaining two days of the show were filled with a great deal of interest around the numerous karting booths in the show.
Some of the top players in the karting industry were on hand in Florida to promote their products, as well as the sport of karting in general. The ‘big three’ were well-represented with SSC East displaying the CRG line, MRP Motorsport marketing their Birel products, and Tony Kart Florida promoting the Tony Kart chassis. SSC East also had the Zanardi chassis, Rotax engines and the hand-drive wheel for paraplegic drivers. MRP displayed their newest kart line, the ‘My First Kart’ package that is focused at beginners with no karting experience. They will be releasing more information about the new line in the near future. Along with the different Tony Kart frames and Vortex engines, the Tonykart Florida crew also had one of the limited-run (200 units) Ayrton Senna chassis on display.
New products were being displayed at the Russell Karting, Champion Racing, Grand Products, and First Kart booths. Russell Karting, the North American importer for IAME engines, had the KF engine on display, as did Champion Racing, who also had the ’08 models of the Intrepid line. Grand Products had a new backdrop for their space to promote the Top Kart chassis, Bridgestone tires, MIR safety gear, and Comer engines, including their new KF engine. First Kart also had their 2008 models with a slick new graphics kit on their new-style bodywork.
Many attendees were seen at the Italian Motors USA booth, checking out the Italkart/Parilla winning package of the All-Stars race from Thursday, driven by Michael Valiante. Along with their popular TaG package, the TaG ICC kart that is now being used by Bob Bondurant Superkart School was on display. Screaming Talent, the PDB Gillard importer, had a couple karts along with the new look suits for the 2008 season. Franklin Motorsports had DD2 and Rotax Senior rides on the Merlin chassis for attendees to check out. Easykart America was also on hand, promoting their simple and affordable Easykart packages for those looking to get into the sport.
A popular spot was the Stars of Karting booth where the Wagner Race Products simulators were on hand, giving the attendees free rides to drive the Intercontinental A mod on the rFactor program. The World Karting Association and International Karting Federation were also present to provide more information on how and where to get started in karting around the country.
Overall, karting has built a strong presence at the show over the past two years, exposing the sport to fans and people inside the motorsports industry that have not heard or seen karting in person. With the All-Stars race as part of the show, it will continue to grow and expand karting’s presence in the United States as a legitimate form of motorsports. |
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