Buddy Rice to compete in go-kart race
“This event is really starting to gain some momentum," said Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series President Paul Zalud. “These three drivers have an extensive karting background and should all be contenders in the Masters division. It’s great to see them return to their roots and take part in our event." More at SPEEDtv.com.
11/06/07 See related PRI article for additional drivers added to the lineup including Marco Andretti, Memo Gidley, Joey Hand, Bryan Herta, Steve Johnson, Patrick Long and Wayne Taylor.
11/06/07 The Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Series is pleased to announce the defending All-Stars Karting Classic champion, Buddy Rice and four-time World Road Racing Champion Eddie Lawson will compete with the Tony Kart USA Racing Team at this year’s Performance Racing Industry show to be held in Orlando, Florida.
Rice, who was the 2004 Indianapolis 500 Champion, will get back behind the wheel of a Tony Kart and look to defend the Master’s Division Crown he took at the 2006 event. The three-time IndyCar Series race winner will look to use his experience to once again take home the victory in the Masters class in Orlando. Once again, he will race with support from Tony Kart USA and the Racerworld Kartsports shop that he and his father Bud own in Phoenix, AZ.
Lawson, who will go down in history as one of the greatest motorcycle road racers of all time, will join Rice behind the wheel of a Tony Kart. Throughout his career Lawson has secured four 500cc World Road Racing Championships, 31 victories, 78 podium results, 18 pole positions and 21 Grand Prix fast lap awards. Lawson also has a strong pedigree on four wheels, having competed in the ChampCar World Series in the 1990’s.
Rice and Lawson are no strangers to the sport of karting as both are behind the wheel of karting machines on a regular basis. Rice continues to put down laps in the Arizona area to keep sharp and stay in shape for his IndyCar career while Lawson can be seen road racing his 250cc Yamaha twin-cylinder powered superkart at famed circuits throughout North America.
“It is great to have these two guys at the All-Stars Karting Classic," commented Stars of Karting Marketing Director Jeff Swoboda. “Buddy is the defending champion and will be looking to retain his title while Lawson will be sure to bring even more spectators to this spectacular event. I’d like to extend an extra thank-you to the Tony Kart crew who helped put this program together."
Rice and Lawson will be joined on the Tony Kart USA squad by 2006 Snap-on Stars of Karting National Champion (ICA) Joel Miller who will be competing in the Karter Division of the event. Joel is the current Skip Barber National Championship titlist, one of this year’s Team USA scholarship winners, and is preparing for a full season in the Star Mazda Series in 2008.