Seattle , WA - (November 20, 2007) : Italian Motors has finalized their driver lineup for the 2nd Annual All-Stars Karting Classic in Orlando. Grand-Am Daytona Prototype standout Michael Valiante will represent the Vancouver, B.C. based team in the Masters Division of the event. He will be joined by Snap-on Stars of Karting Series regulars David Jurca and Hayden Duerson in the Karter Division of the event. All three drivers will be aboard an Italkart – Parilla Leopard package.
Michael Valiante spent 2007 racing for the Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates team in the Grand-Am Daytona Prototype Series. He also drove for the Ganassi operation in the NASCAR Busch Series in a one-off drive at the Montreal round. Michael has a strong background in karting ad established himself as one of the top North American karters in the late 1990's by winning numerous championships and scholarship shootouts. He then went on to success in the Skip Barber Regional, Barber Dodge Pro, and Toyota Atlantic Championships. Valiante made several starts in the ChampCar World Series in 2004 and 2005 before moving to Grand-Am full-time in 2006 with the Finlay Motorsports team. Michael Valiante quote" The Italian Motors team is owned by Michael's parents Claudio and Bev. Michael is active in the management of the team when his racing schedule allows. He is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a kart and returning to action, "I am really looking forward to the PRI show. I always look forward to having the opportunity to get back in to a kart and race.'
David Jurca and Hayden Duerson both competed in the full Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series in the elite ICC (shifter) category. Jurca has a strong karting resume' and has competed at the highest levels in both North American and European series. He has also competed and won in formula car racing, having won the Skip Barber Shootout in 2002 and being one of six finalists in the 2003 Red Bull Driver Search. Duerson is one of the young rising talents of the Snap-on Stars of Karting and was named the series' 2007 Rookie of the Year. Duerson is excited to be able to be a part of the event, "As a rookie, I feel honored to be invited to the PRI show to compete against some of the top karters in the nation."
The PRI show takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from December 6 – 8th with the All-Stars Karting Classic taking place on the evening of December 6th and will feature some of the top names in North American racing battling it out in the Masters Division, and the top drivers from the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series squaring off in the Karter Division. Drivers confirmed to be participating in the Masters Division of the event include Jamie McMurray (NASCAR), A.J. Allmendinger (NASCAR) John Andetti (NASCAR / IndyCar), Marco Andretti (IndyCar), Bryan Herta (ALMS), Joey Hand (Grand-Am), Buddy Rice (IndyCar), Eddie Lawson (MotoGP), Wayne Taylor (Grand-Am), Michael Valiante (Grand-Am), Steve Johnson (NHRA) and many others to be announced in the coming weeks. Admission to the event is free. The event will be filmed for two separate television broadcasts on SPEED Channel's Lucas Oil on the Edge program thanks to support from Snap-on and Bridgestone.
For more information about the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series and the PRI All-Stars Karting Classic please visit http://www.starsofkarting.com/ and all promotional inquiries can be directed to jeff@starsofkarting.com.
Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series is based out of Seattle, Washington, sanctioned by the World Karting Association (WKA) and owned and operated by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion and IRL IndyCar Series team owner Bobby Rahal, IndyCar Series driver Bryan Herta and veteran karting promoter Paul Zalud. http://www.starsofkarting.com/, http://www.worldkarting.com/.
Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics and equipment solutions for professional users. Product lines include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle manufacturers, dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture and construction. Products are sold through its franchisees, company-direct sales and distributor channels, as well as over the Internet. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.5 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. For additional information on Snap-on, visit http://www.snapon.com/.
The Indy Racing League was formed in 1994 to preserve the heritage and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 in U.S. open-wheel racing. The Indy Racing League is the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and the Indy Pro Series, which serves as an essential stepping stone for drivers striving to reach the IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League events are available to a worldwide audience through a variety of multimedia platforms, highlighted by a long-term and broad-reaching partnership with ABC Sports/ESPN. The Indy Racing League is continually at the forefront of motorsports innovation with drivers, teams and tracks benefiting from major safety and technological improvements such as the SAFER Barrier, SWEMS wheel tethers, chassis enhancements, ethanol fuel and Delphi IRL Safety Team. http://www.indycar.com/
Snap-on Stars of Karting Media Contact:
From Jeff Swoboda
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment