EKN One on One: Alan Rudolph

[Glen Mazzone]

Great interview with an interesting and talented driver.

I feel compelled to comment, however, regarding money, television and outside sponsorship in Karting.

Mr. Rudolph may recall competing (along with Mr. Buxman) in one of our $10,000 to win races.

I brought in several outside the Karting industry sponsors, offered a large purse, and secured a television package for several events.

Several people (largely in this forum) deemed it their "duty" to:

Launch unfounded, incorrect, and specious attacks against me, my company, and motivations.

Inaccurately, publicly and with a lack of knowledge denigrate the series Title sponsor's Product (PJ1 Oils), a product used succedssfully by thousands of motorcycle racers. (and by myself in karts, boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles and other 2 stroke engines with great results).

These attacks caused VHT/PJ1 Brands owner, PJ Harvey to withdraw his firms involvement in karting, and damaged a longstanding friendship and business relationship I had with Mr. Harvey.

Subsequent events were to be teleivised, and a broadcast package was secured. The loss of sponsors, and low entry count, largely a result of these brainless diatribes, caused the events, and television shows to be canceled.

While Mr. Rudolph, had technical problems at the event, niether he, (nor Mr. Buxman) engaged in this childish, crybaby behavior.

Mr. Rudolph is a class act and epitomizes what karting could (and should) become, if only more drivers of his ilk and acumen were involved.

Mr. Buxman...are we ever going to go snowmobiling?...I have a high altitude clutch and carb set up ready to go!
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Glen Mazzone
General Manager/Grand Vitesse Racing