Media Release from VIR

August 3, 2007 - Kart Enduro Challange a Highlight of AMA Superbike Weekend at VIR 

DANVILLE, VA - The annual Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro is always one of the most popular events that accompany the AMA Superbike weekend at VIRginia International Raceway.

Staged Thursday evening before the AMA Superbike Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals, the Enduro features teams consisting of a fan, an AMA star, a media representative and a staff member of either VIR, AMA, M1 Entertainment or a sponsor. The Enduro challenges teams to record best aggregate times on the Plantation Valley Kart Track’s brand new 270cc Stratus karts.

Racing in heats, each team member has only seven laps to set an individual best time. At the end of the competition, the team members’ best times are added together, with the quickest total time winning the competition.

The winning team receives a trophy, a group photo of all the participants and a free three-day pass to the 2008 Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals. Of course, the Challenge would not be complete unless the winning team has a chance to defend their trophy, so the entire winning team receives an assured entry in the next year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge.

“It was great racing with those guys,” said fan winner Derek Martin after last year’s race. Martin’s team of Honda Racing’s Jake Zemke, M1’s Lindsay West and Honda Racing’s Scott Russell to set a best time of 3:21.09. The team easily beat the 3:23.45 total registered by Aaron Yates, rider for Yoshimura Suzuki; Mark Mitchell, from speedtv.com; VIR’s Tammy Journigan and fan Joshua Powell, from Lynchburg, Virginia. “Most fans don’t ever get to do anything like that,” enthused Martin. “I’ve walked around the track and watched them race, but to actually get to race with them was great. All the guys were really nice and I’ll definitely be back next year.”

“With the new karts, this year’s event will be even more exciting for the participants,” says M1 Entertainment promoter Cameron Gray. “Now we’ll all have to learn a new kart, which should level out the playing field even more.”