Indy 500 winner/Rolex 24 winner Rice, IRL star Rahal among latest
additions to line-up for 4th Annual PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic
Unique event draws star drivers from IRL, Grand-Am, NASCAR and other
national racing series
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2009) -- A pair of history-making
drivers are the latest stars to be added to the line-up for the 4th
Annual PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic as Buddy Rice and Graham Rahal
will participate in this year's event to be being held in conjunction
with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Dec. 10-12.
Rice is one of just 12 drivers in history to win both the Indianapolis
500 and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He's joined by Rahal, the youngest
winner in major open-wheel history after winning in IRL competition at
just 19 years, 93 days in 2008. In addition to Rice and Rahal, former
Indy car star and current Grand-Am driver Memo Gidley also has been added
to the field.
"It's going to be a real show when all of these top drivers get
on the track and the visors go down," said CKI General Manager Kevin
Williams. "I can't wait to see the action! And I know the
spectators are going to get real enjoyment seeing the best in the
business race these fast and powerful karts on the tricky, purpose-built
track on Thursday night." JJOne of the most unique races on the annual U.S. motorsports calendar, the
PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic is the highlight of the December racing
schedule, featuring drivers from a variety of series including IRL,
NASCAR, Grand-Am, ALMS and NHRA. Among the drivers already announced is
NASCAR star Jamie McMurray. More than 20 drivers will be announced in
the All-Star division and past All-Star Karting Classic winners include
Rice, Grand-Am star Michael Valiante and Indy car driver Jay Howard.
Two karting divisions will actually be presented on the tight, fast
track. In addition to the All-Star division, the Karter division features
some of the best young, up-and-coming kart drivers from around the
country. Many of the competitors in the Karter Division are champions and
will soon be graduating up to cars.
"With most racing series finished for the season, it makes for a
terrific show to see so many stars from around the racing world come
together to go wheel-to-wheel in December. And with no admission charge
for the race, it's certainly the best bargain in racing. It's
like an early Christmas present for race fans," exclaimed, Steve
Lewis, producer of the PRI Trade Show. "And there's no place you
can see an event like this except at our PRI Trade Show."
The PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday,
December 10, on a track adjacent to the North/South Building of the
Orange County Convention Center, which houses the PRI Trade Show. There
is no charge for admission.
The event accompanies the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, the
world's largest hardcore racing trade show, featuring exhibits by
1,200 racing companies. Last year more than 40,000 buyers from 61
countries attended the show.
The PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic joins the Motor Sports Business
Forum North America, PRI's annual Industry Roundtable, the
accompanying Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, and the Grand
Opening Breakfast featuring Wind Tunnel's Dave Despain to make the
five-day series of events the biggest happening of racing's
off-season.
Companies wishing to exhibit or individuals and media members wishing to
attend the PRI Trade Show and the PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic can go
to www.performanceracing.com or call 949-499-5413. JJPRI Media contact:
-credit: pri
