pms
09-01-2006, 09:20 PM
DIRT MotorSports Aligns with WKA to Present Dirt Kart World Championships Dec. 27-Jan. 1 at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park
by Kevin Kovac
BARBERVILLE, Fla. -- Beginning Dec. 27 and running through Jan. 1, racers from across the nation will be able to enjoy the dirt karting event of the year.
DIRT MotorSports and the World Karting Association (WKA) have aligned to present the Outlaw Dirt Kart and WKA Dirt World Championships, encompassing six consecutive days of competition at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., just 20 minutes west of Daytona Beach.
The centerpiece of the week-long karting spectacular is the famed Briggs & Stratton Speedway WKA Dirt World Championships, which have been a winter-time staple in Daytona Beach for 26 years. For all but one year of the event’s existence the WKA Dirt World Championships have been contested on a quarter-mile limerock-surface track inside Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, but negotiations with DIRT MotorSports led WKA officials to move the event to Volusia Speedway Park’s national-caliber karting facility.
The site change will only help the WKA Dirt World Championships remain the most prestigious event in the country for dirt karters. Volusia Speedway Park is well known for being the “mecca” for dirt track auto racing every February, and its hosting of the Dirt Kartweek activities enhances the possibility of this year’s WKA Dirt Nationals being one of the largest -- if not the largest -- in history.
"Most importantly, our customers need to know that this event is alive and well,” said WKA President Randy Kugler. “Although there have been some changes, Florida will continue to be the focal point of karting the last week of December.
“WKA and DIRT MotorSports -- specifically Mike Hunter (VSP’s karting director) -- are prepared to make the Dirt World Championships a happening."
The Dirt Kartweek action for 22 divisions will kick off on Wed., Dec. 27, with an Outlaw Dirt Kart event. The WKA Dirt World Championships will then take center stage from Thurs., Dec. 28 through Sat., Dec. 30 (event and entry information forthcoming), and then Outlaw Dirt Kart competition will close out the week with events on Sun., Dec. 31, and Mon., Jan. 1.
The marriage of DIRT MotorSports and the WKA for this event was a natural fit.
“It only makes good business sense given DIRT MotorSports’ acquisitions of the top-three dirt sanctioning bodies in America: the World of Outlaws Late Models and Sprints as well as the mighty DIRT Modifieds,” said Buddy Long, WKA Director of Operations. “Aligning itself with the top karting organization in America for its biggest event of the year is a testament to DIRT’s continued business plan to provide the best in motorsports entertainment, no matter what level.”
The Dirt Kart World Championships is a perfect event for the DIRT-owned Volusia Speedway Park, which now boasts a top-notch dirt kart track alongside its nationally-known high-banked, half-mile clay oval.
"With the acquisition of Volusia Speedway Park by DIRT MotorSports last summer, an emphasis has been focused on DIRT’s mission to promote and grow the sport of dirt track racing at all levels,” said Mike Hunter, who organizes the kart competition at Volusia. “Last winter the three-eighths-mile asphalt track that surrounded the kart track was torn out and a new state-of-the-art karting facility was built.
“The kart facility was designed to stage world-class events like the WKA Dirt World Championships in December. From the spacious pit area to the paved pits, staging and grid areas, the track brings the best features and is participant friendly."
Volusia has been hosting state races for various karting organizations for the last two years, and in December 2005 it presented a Dirt Kartweek Winternationals that drew over 400 entries and impressed the WKA’s Kugler. The well-constructed track offers two- and three-wide racing, which bodes well for the most competitive Daytona Dirt Kartweek series ever seen.
"I cannot think of a better combination than WKA and Volusia Speedway Park for this event,” said Harvey Fink, who this summer assumed the position of VSP General Manager. “Our wide-open space, free camping, a great facility and the professionalism WKA brings will make this a 'must attend' event."
Over 50 acres of pit area will be available at VSP, which will also offer 24-hour access to the property to race teams that camp in their trailers.
Many special touches are being planned to make the week unforgettable for karters, crews, family members and sponsors, including activity tents, a free cookout on Dec. 26 and discounted motel and restaurant prices for event participants.
More detailed event and entry information will be announced in the near future
by Kevin Kovac
BARBERVILLE, Fla. -- Beginning Dec. 27 and running through Jan. 1, racers from across the nation will be able to enjoy the dirt karting event of the year.
DIRT MotorSports and the World Karting Association (WKA) have aligned to present the Outlaw Dirt Kart and WKA Dirt World Championships, encompassing six consecutive days of competition at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., just 20 minutes west of Daytona Beach.
The centerpiece of the week-long karting spectacular is the famed Briggs & Stratton Speedway WKA Dirt World Championships, which have been a winter-time staple in Daytona Beach for 26 years. For all but one year of the event’s existence the WKA Dirt World Championships have been contested on a quarter-mile limerock-surface track inside Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium, but negotiations with DIRT MotorSports led WKA officials to move the event to Volusia Speedway Park’s national-caliber karting facility.
The site change will only help the WKA Dirt World Championships remain the most prestigious event in the country for dirt karters. Volusia Speedway Park is well known for being the “mecca” for dirt track auto racing every February, and its hosting of the Dirt Kartweek activities enhances the possibility of this year’s WKA Dirt Nationals being one of the largest -- if not the largest -- in history.
"Most importantly, our customers need to know that this event is alive and well,” said WKA President Randy Kugler. “Although there have been some changes, Florida will continue to be the focal point of karting the last week of December.
“WKA and DIRT MotorSports -- specifically Mike Hunter (VSP’s karting director) -- are prepared to make the Dirt World Championships a happening."
The Dirt Kartweek action for 22 divisions will kick off on Wed., Dec. 27, with an Outlaw Dirt Kart event. The WKA Dirt World Championships will then take center stage from Thurs., Dec. 28 through Sat., Dec. 30 (event and entry information forthcoming), and then Outlaw Dirt Kart competition will close out the week with events on Sun., Dec. 31, and Mon., Jan. 1.
The marriage of DIRT MotorSports and the WKA for this event was a natural fit.
“It only makes good business sense given DIRT MotorSports’ acquisitions of the top-three dirt sanctioning bodies in America: the World of Outlaws Late Models and Sprints as well as the mighty DIRT Modifieds,” said Buddy Long, WKA Director of Operations. “Aligning itself with the top karting organization in America for its biggest event of the year is a testament to DIRT’s continued business plan to provide the best in motorsports entertainment, no matter what level.”
The Dirt Kart World Championships is a perfect event for the DIRT-owned Volusia Speedway Park, which now boasts a top-notch dirt kart track alongside its nationally-known high-banked, half-mile clay oval.
"With the acquisition of Volusia Speedway Park by DIRT MotorSports last summer, an emphasis has been focused on DIRT’s mission to promote and grow the sport of dirt track racing at all levels,” said Mike Hunter, who organizes the kart competition at Volusia. “Last winter the three-eighths-mile asphalt track that surrounded the kart track was torn out and a new state-of-the-art karting facility was built.
“The kart facility was designed to stage world-class events like the WKA Dirt World Championships in December. From the spacious pit area to the paved pits, staging and grid areas, the track brings the best features and is participant friendly."
Volusia has been hosting state races for various karting organizations for the last two years, and in December 2005 it presented a Dirt Kartweek Winternationals that drew over 400 entries and impressed the WKA’s Kugler. The well-constructed track offers two- and three-wide racing, which bodes well for the most competitive Daytona Dirt Kartweek series ever seen.
"I cannot think of a better combination than WKA and Volusia Speedway Park for this event,” said Harvey Fink, who this summer assumed the position of VSP General Manager. “Our wide-open space, free camping, a great facility and the professionalism WKA brings will make this a 'must attend' event."
Over 50 acres of pit area will be available at VSP, which will also offer 24-hour access to the property to race teams that camp in their trailers.
Many special touches are being planned to make the week unforgettable for karters, crews, family members and sponsors, including activity tents, a free cookout on Dec. 26 and discounted motel and restaurant prices for event participants.
More detailed event and entry information will be announced in the near future