Attention, Fans: Here’s Your Chance to ‘Race the Racers’ at VIR! Alton, Va. (July 26) Think you’ve got what it takes to go wheel-to-wheel with the big guys? Think you’re fast enough to take on the superstars of Superbike? Here’s your chance to find out: As part of the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIRginia International Raceway featuring the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, scheduled for the weekend of August 26-28, race promoters Race Promotion Management (RPM) are announcing a Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge for Thursday, August 25. Here’s the concept: There will be 10 single-engine, 200cc Zip karts ready to race at VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track on Thursday, August 25, at 5:00 pm. Each kart will have four drivers: one Superbike racer, one media celebrity, one staff member from either AMA, VIR, RPM or event sponsor Suzuki and one fan. Each driver will get 10 laps of the 5/8-mile, 24-foot-wide road racing kart circuit, and then pit for a driver change to one of their teammates. At the end of 40 laps, the kart with the fastest cumulative time is declared the winner. Following the race there will be a reception for all the participants, where trophies will be presented and fan participants will receive a CD of photographs taken during the race. Here’s the deal for fans: All fans who purchase an advance ticket to the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals by the end of the day on August 12, 2005, will have their name entered in the eligibility drawing. Nine names will be drawn, and those picked will be invited to compete in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge. In the event that any of those picked will not be able to attend on August 25 (which is a private test day for the teams, with the general public not allowed), we will continue to pick names until we have one fan driver for each of the nine teams. Racers who will be participating in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro include the following superstars of the sport: Eric Bostrom, Roger Lee Hayden, Aaron Yates, Neil Hodgson, Ben Spies, Jamie Hacking, Aaron Gobert, Kevin Schwantz and a rider to be named later. An additional, 10th team will be fielded by Triangle Cycles of Danville, with pro racer Larry Pegram anchoring the driver line-up. “VIR is a unique, multi-faceted facility,” said RPM vice-president Cameron Gray, “and we wanted to do something special for the fans that would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and also showcase what a great place VIR is. We are determined to make the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals ‘the race of the year’ for fans, and the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro is just another of the ways in which we going to do that. VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track is a fantastic and challenging karting circuit, and we’re going to have a lot of fun with this event. The bragging rights alone are going to be priceless! We’re really looking forward to it.” There are a number of advance ticket packages available for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR. Advance packages include the Flag Room (three-day admission, paddock access, car parking pass, official event program and hospitality on Saturday and Sunday), for $140; Youth Flag Room (5-12 years of age) for $50; the Big Kahuna Super Ticket (three-day admission, paddock and pit walk pass, lap of track, car parking pass and official 2005 Big Kahuna t-shirt) for $99; three-day general admission with paddock access for $55; and pit walk passes (limited availability, good for all practice and qualifying sessions, requires closed-toe shoes) for $30. At the gate, ticket availability will be limited to three-day passes for $60, single-day tickets (Friday only) for $10 and pit walk passes for $40. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.virclub.com or www.rpmcolorado.com. The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will include three days of racing action, including two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. 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 (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.