PRI/CKI All-Star Karting Event add Rice, Rahal
Rice is one of just 12 drivers in history to win both the Indianapolis 500 and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He’s joined by Rahal, the youngest winner in major open-wheel history after winning in IRL competition at just 19 years, 93 days in 2008. In addition to Rice and Rahal, former Indy car star and current Grand-Am driver Memo Gidley also has been added to the field.
“It’s going to be a real show when all of these top drivers get on the track and the visors go down," said CKI General Manager Kevin Williams. “I can’t wait to see the action! And I know the spectators are going to get real enjoyment seeing the best in the business race these fast and powerful karts on the tricky, purpose-built track on Thursday night."
One of the most unique races on the annual U.S. motorsports calendar, the PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic is the highlight of the December racing schedule, featuring drivers from a variety of series including IRL, NASCAR, Grand-Am, ALMS and NHRA. Among the drivers already announced is NASCAR star Jamie McMurray. More than 20 drivers will be announced in the All-Star division and past All-Star Karting Classic winners include Rice, Grand-Am star Michael Valiante and Indy car driver Jay Howard.
Two karting divisions will actually be presented on the tight, fast track. In addition to the All-Star division, the Karter division features some of the best young, up-and-coming kart drivers from around the country. Many of the competitors in the Karter Division are champions and will soon be graduating up to cars.
“With most racing series finished for the season, it makes for a terrific show to see so many stars from around the racing world come together to go wheel-to-wheel in December. And with no admission charge for the race, it’s certainly the best bargain in racing. It’s like an early Christmas present for race fans," exclaimed, Steve Lewis, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “And there’s no place you can see an event like this except at our PRI Trade Show."
The PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, December 10, on a track adjacent to the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center, which houses the PRI Trade Show. There is no charge for admission.
The event accompanies the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, the world’s largest hardcore racing trade show, featuring exhibits by 1,200 racing companies. Last year more than 40,000 buyers from 61 countries attended the show.
The PRI CKI All-Star Karting Classic joins the Motor Sports Business Forum North America, PRI’s annual Industry Roundtable, the accompanying Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, and the Grand Opening Breakfast featuring Wind Tunnel’s Dave Despain to make the five-day series of events the biggest happening of racing’s off-season.