Kart Enduro Challenge 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.” VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. Reopened in 2000, VIR hosts a wide range professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing and track events, and is well established as “America’s Motorsport Resort.” In addition to its historic 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park and Motorsports Technology Park, which includes the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (“VIPER”); the Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved natural terrain karting circuit; an expanding variety of on-site lodging (including 45 hotel rooms and the trackside Villas which are for sale); Camp Motorsport for enthusiasts of all ages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR’s next major event is the August 17-19 Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals AMA Superbike races. The racing is only a small part of the weekend’s planned festivities, so make arrangements now to attend. Tickets are available online at the promoter’s web site, www.moto1usa.com ~http://www.virclub.com/~ , or by calling the promoter’s ticket sales at 770-965-4565 or 770-965-4566. For information on the track and other event schedules, call 434-822-7700 or check our web site at www.virclub.com.