In case you are not aware yet, Tom Argy lost his life last week in an automobile accident.

Tom's funeral was held today and I can't help but to feeling sad.  On the way to Las Vegas last week, I was informed of his passing.  Kind of dampened the thrill of the SuperNationals.

Tom's contributions to the sport have been enormous.  This is a sport that takes significant amounts of sweat equity to excel.  It is the people like Tom, or even Hollis Brown who we recently lost, that helped to make karting a much more rewarding and safe sport for us to enjoy.

Over the last year, I have had the pleasure of working with Tom in stimulating the new TAG class.  We both saw TAG as the next generation of recreational level karting.  Tom was interested in developing more then just a new class as a new league.  He brought us the concept of endurance racing such as the Rotax 24 and TAG Endurance racing.  Tom helped to mold the Rock Island Grand Prix into one of the premier events worldwide.

We will miss him.

The 10 Hour Enduro originally planned for November 22 in Denton Texas will go on.  It has been re-named the Thomas Argy memorial race with all proceeds going to the Argy family.

kmg | Kart Marketing Group, Inc.

Publishers of e-KMI.com, KartFax.com, Int’l Karting Industry Buyer’s Guide, and Producers of Kart Expo International

PRESS RELEASE

November 18, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Darrell Sitarz

                630-653-7368 or karting@msn.com

ARGY FAMILY TO BENEFIT

FROM NASCAR-AUTOGRAPHED

HELMET RAFFLE AT KART EXPO

Karting guru Tom Argy Jr., in one of his last acts of kindness and generosity for the karting industry prior to his sudden and tragic death last week, obtained the autographs of nearly all of the 2003 NASCAR drivers on an auto racing helmet. The helmet was to be raffled at the 2004 Kart Expo with all proceeds going to a local Chicago-area charity.  However, upon learning that Tom left little insurance to care for his wife and children, it was decided by Darrell Sitarz, the Expo director, to change the program to benefit the Argy family.

“Tom was an integral part of the show and a very good friend. This is probably the most unique and spectacular raffle we’ve held in the 12-year history of the show and it’s fitting that we honor Tom’s memory this way,” said Sitarz. “With all the autographs, this helmet will be an enviable item in anyone’s racing collection while helping Tom’s family with a donation.”

There will be a total of 2,000 tickets available at $5 each for the raffle. Tickets will go on sale beginning November 21.  Kart Expo International hopes to raise $10,000 from the drawing with the proceeds going to wife Sarah, Alyssa and Tommy Argy.

To purchase tickets by mail, send a check or money order in US$ to: Kart Marketing Group, Attn: Argy Raffle, PO Box 101, Wheaton, Illinois  60189 USA and specify the number of raffle tickets and the name(s) on the tickets. Tickets will be immediately mailed to the purchaser. Tickets will also be available at various banquets and shows prior to and including Kart Expo. The drawing will be held on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 PM at Kart Expo in St. Charles, Illinois.  The winner need not be present.

Kart Expo International is North America’s Premiere Kart Racing Show, and will be held February 21-22, 2004 at Pheasant Run Resort and Convention Center in St. Charles, Illinois (Suburban Chicago). The show will feature nearly 300 booths of kart racing equipment from around the world.

For more info, contact Kart Marketing Group at 630-653-7368 or karting@msn.com.