Alton, Va. One of the biggest hits among many big hits during last year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway was the inaugural Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge, in which 10 lucky fans got to compete with and against some of the biggest motorcycle racing superstars in the business at VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track. Event promoters M1 Entertainment have announced that the event will not only return in 2006, but will be bigger and better than ever. This year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge will take place on Thursday, August 17. The concept is this: There will be 12 teams of four drivers each. Each team will be comprised of one fan, one Superbike racer, one media member and one staff member from VIR, AMA, M1 Entertainment or a sponsor. Each driver will get seven laps of the 5/8-mile Plantation Valley Kart Track in one of 12 equally prepared 50cc Zip karts. Each driver’s fastest lap will be recorded, and the team with the lowest elapsed time (arrived at by compiling the team’s four fastest laps) will win the event. The winning fan will receive a trophy and a group photo with all the participants, plus a free three-day pass for the 2007 Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals, and the winning team will have a guaranteed entry in next year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge. Two of the fan seats are already spoken for. Last year’s fan winner, Matt Boike of Charlotte, N.C., will be back to defend his title, along with his teammates, Kawasaki Formula Xtreme competitor Jessica Zalusky, speedtv.com director Mark Mitchell and AMA Superbike Championship series manager Ron Barrick. Another fan seat will go to the winner of the recently-announced M1 Experience promotion, which will award one lucky ticket-buyer an unprecedented package of amenities and access that includes an entry in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge. With the addition of two teams this year to bring the total to 12, that still leaves as many chances for fans to win as before. In order to be eligible to win a seat in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge, a fan must purchase a ticket before August 7. Ten names will be drawn from all those who purchase tickets by that date and the chosen fans will be contacted by M1 Entertainment by August 10. “The Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge was a huge success last year,” said M1 Entertainment president Cameron Gray. “Not only was it popular with the fans and racers, it got a lot of coverage on Speed Channel and in the motorcycle media. The competition was fierce but fun, and we’ve been getting calls from a lot of the Superbike racers who want to be a part of the big race this year. We’ll be announcing the Superbike participants in the next few weeks, but you can be guaranteed that the field will include some of the biggest names in the business.” Last year’s Superbike contingent included Zalusky, Miguel Duhamel, Neil Hodgson, Eric Bostrom, Roger Hayden, Ben Spies, Steve Rapp, Kevin Schwantz, Josh Hayes and Aaron Yates. The Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals offers a variety of ticket packages designed to fit every budget, including standard general-admissions tickets, Big Kahuna Super Tickets, Big Dog Hospitality Passes, Little Dog Hospitality Passes, Pit Walk Passes, car parking passes and camping passes. All current military personnel will receive a 30-percent discount and free parking with a copy of a current military ID (advance) or by presenting their ID card at the gate. Similarly, college students will be eligible for a 15-percent discount with a copy of a current college ID (advance) or by presenting their ID card at the gate. Groups of 20 or more will also be eligible for a 15-percent discount, providing the order is paid for with one credit card. Discounts do not apply to Trackside VIP Suite and Big Kahuna Super Tickets, or to Big Dog Hospitality Passes or Pit Walk Passes. Children aged 12 and under will receive free admission, provided they are accompanied by a paid adult, but must have a Little Dog Hospitality Pass to enter the Big Dog Hospitality area. Advance ticket sales will end at 5:00 pm on August 14. Tickets ordered too late to mail will be able to be picked up at Will Call at the track. To purchase tickets, visit www.m1event.com or www.gettix.net. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 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; the VIR Gallery, a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8-mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.