Ten Lucky Fans Set to Race Karts with Superbike Stars at VIR’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Alton, Va. Ten lucky fans will enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime at VIRginia International Raceway on Thursday, August 25, as they will be competing with and against some of the world’s top motorcycle racers in karts. As part of this weekend’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR, new race promoters Race Promotion Management (RPM) created a promotion in which fans who purchased advance tickets by August 12 were entered into a lottery from which 10 names would be drawn to compete in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge, a karting enduro to be held at VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track. The event will feature 10 teams with four drivers per team. Each team will be comprised of one Superbike racer, one media celebrity, one staff member from VIR, AMA, RPM or a sponsor, 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 team with the lowest 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. The Superbike stars committed to compete include Miguel Duhamel, Eric Bostrom, Roger Lee Hayden, Aaron Yates, Neil Hodgson, Ben Spies, Aaron Gobert, Kevin Schwantz and Larry Pegram. Jamie Hacking was originally scheduled to race, but had to withdraw for medical reasons. A replacement will be named on Thursday. Media celebrities competing include Greg White, Speed Channel pit-lane reporter and host of the popular “2 Wheel Tuesday” program; television producer Chet Burks, whose company will produce the weekend’s races for Speed Channel; David Swarts, associate editor of Roadracing World magazine; Paul Carruthers, editor of Cycle News; Chris Jonnum, editor of Road Racer X; Mark Mitchell, editor of speedtv.com; Rebecca Bowling, of WAKG-FM radio in Danville, Va.; and David Jones, of WBRG-AM radio in Lynchburg, Va.. The lucky fans who will get to compete are: Lincoln Hurd, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Mike Hummel, of Greensboro, N.C.; Dale McFaddin, of Callands, Va.; Tom Krysiak, of Madison, N.C.; Tom Wynn, of Pearisburg, Va.; Paul Guiomor, of Long Branch, N.J.; Cathy Lardieri, of Wayne, N.J.; Jason Pelcman, of Brick, N.J.; Matt Boike, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Paul Thorpe, of Sicklerville, N.J. “We’re really excited about the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge,” said RPM vice president Cameron Gray. “This is the best possible kind of promotion, when you can offer a race fan something that is unobtainable at any price. In this case, 10 average race fans are going to not only be able to meet and hang out with some of their Superbike heroes, they’re actually going to be able to race with and against them. We think this is unprecedented, and look forward to making it an annual event.” The deadline for advance ticket sales has passed, but there are still tickets available at designated ticket outlets throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. Tickets available through the ticket outlets will be limited to three-day passes priced at $55 and single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday priced at $45 each. For a list of ticket outlets, visit www.virclub.com, click on the “Ticket Info” button, scroll down to the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals section and then click on the link that says “Ticket Outlets.” 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. 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.