Official PRI All-Stars Karting Classic Discussion

Paul Malach · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

Sorry...I thought it was just another parking lot race with no run-off.

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2771

Rick Blood · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:

I just got home and am way too exhausted to go into detail but this event (not just a race) was a shot in the arm for karting that you couldn't buy for any amount of money.
The picture is great but come darkness and race time the whole scene was transformed into what looked like a movie set.
On the wall that say's "north concourse" they projected a huge logo that lit up like a neon sign. The track lighting and all the cameras were impressive. The grand stands were packed.
You could see all the teams in the tent thrashing away from the stands. People were pumped.
I hung around the tent during the day and begged Mike Speed to let me hold wrenches for him. I asked Zalud if I could help. I just wanted to be involved. I did get to guard the fuel for about 5 minutes.
When the show ended for the day that big door in the center of the building was a constant flood of people heading for the track.
This was big.
The sad part is that I was called away for a meeting and never saw a lap turned. Damn, damn, damn.
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Paul Malach · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

Thank you very much for the clarification on the kart trade show/race.

Since it is so far away for most of us to visit ,it is very nice to get info/pictures from the people that went. Especially from the drivers.

Was their any kart/engine manufacturers at the trade show?
or just brokers?

Was their any affordable 4 stroke races? so mom might say "yes" to junior?

Any pc video of this event?

Thank you for your reply.

Tim Pappas · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 795 Location: Burkina Faso,

Brian G. Wilson · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:55 am Post subject:

If you read my earlier post, you know I was at the PRI race. I'm not in the karting business, but I can tell you first hand that the STARS event was a sucess. From a kart racers point of view, it may have been just another parking lot race. But I really don't think STARS cared to impress kart racers, they put it on to impress NON - KARTERS and they did it in a HUGE way!! For the pre finals, I had to stand by the fence because I went to the pit area after qualifying and couldn't find a single empty seat in the stands when I came back. Mr Howden did an incredible job of announcing to keep the "non-karters" informed and interested.
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brett thompson · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 8

the pri show was my first stars race and apart from feeling like a bobble head doll due to neck fatigue i thought it was a fantastic event. thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate in such a world class event. bt
p.s. next year i think i will run some sort of nascar head restraint.

Jeff Grist · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 74

Back in my office from the PRI Show. I watched the racing from the roof of the STARS motorhome at the start/finish line. It was an amazing event. TV towers, Howden on the PA, several camera crews including Speed, huge Red Bull hospitality area, big name karters and big name racers. All that 100 feet away from over 50,000 gear heads. Yeah let's try that out at a kart track in the middle of now where.
This race is not about the drivers, it's about the sport and it was perfect. Last night on Speed Report there was tons of coverage of the event. Interviews of Jamie McMurray, Scott Speed, AJ, Michael V and GFC where amazing. Speaking of GFC he was incredible.
The track is just fine. It's a short little bull ring that everyone can see and there is loads of action. Both grand stands where packed and the entire fence was lined. They had to cut down banners on the fence so more people could see. In some places they where three and four deep along the fence. Lights, cameras, action, I almost thought I was at supercross event.
Good showing by the major chassis players in karting, but overall a pretty weak performance by the industry. The PRI show as a whole does not flow well and the karting area needs much more merchandising. Next year will be even better.

Jeff Grist
Secrets of Speed Publications

Chris Livengood · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

It seems like taking the karting to the people is working out.

Why couldn't we have more events like this in conjunction with NOPI events or other shows?
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Mark Ouimet · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

I don't know if you could keep the karters away from the NOPI Chicks long enough for a kart race Laughing

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Carl Cottrell · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

I have to say I liked the small track because it made for some great races. The short track kept the karts close the whole race.

The track looked to be physically demanding as well. Watching Carlton towards the end of the Masters race - it looked like he couldn't hold his head up. I really think he could have won the race if hadn't got stuck behind Phillipe for so long. Awesome show!

Paul Malach · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

Decent rental karts would have given the public a good taste at this show and also some free lap tickets to your local go-kart tracks.

As said by Mr. Grist "Next year will be even better".

Mark Ouimet · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject:

This past PRI was terrific, we have displayed there for 3 years now and the traffic through karting area was phenominal

Paul, this was a trade show. The people attending the show work in the racing industry, they want speed and excitement. The people attending this show build 1000 hp engines, they drive some of the fastest cars in racing. They are not going to get all fired up over a 6.5 honda on a rental kart. The amusement industry show was held in Florida a couple of months ago and that would be a good idea for those attendee's

This race was perfect, it was exactly what the sport needed. The goal of having the race and the participation at the show is to bring karting more into mainstream motor sports. Heck compared to other froms of racing we are down right cheap!

Paul, if you have the opportunity to attend you will see what I mean.
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