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KART PROGRAM CONTINUES
TO GROW |
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JUPITER, FL. - The skyrocketing cost of equipment and the absence of first
class facilities have put auto racing beyond the reach of a growing number
of Americans seeking an economic way to feed their need for speed. In fact, over the last 16 months, Moroso Motorsports Park, more widely known for its drag racing and road racing operations, has seen a steady increase in the number of participants in the Jon Smith Subs Series, the cornerstone of its neophyte kart racing program. Open for little more than a year, Moroso's 9/10-mile kart track has become a destination of choice for auto racing enthusiasts ranging in age from five to 75. "Karting has something for everyone," said track owner Sue Moroso Strecker. "Some people think karting, and they visualize go-karts, but karting today is much more sophisticated than that." Because of the widespread interest in karting, the Moroso track has undergone several upgrades and recently hired Polly Rowland as manager of the karting venue. Also new to the track is Advanced Karting, the parts, service and sales company located on site. Headed by service manager Fernanda Verissimo, Advanced Karting not only can deal with maintenance and service issues. It also can help the newcomer choose the right kart for his or her particular requirements. On-site storage also is available which makes karts easily accessible, especially for business professionals with time constraints. Karting actually begins with a new Kid Kart class originated by the World Karting Association which not only teaches basic driving skills but also emphasizes driving safety to kindergarten-age youngsters (5-7). Moroso also conducts Arrive and Drive Intro schools three or more nights each week, which guarantee a minimum of 15 minutes of actual on-track time for each student. Open practice is available 4 times a week for the experienced racers. For advanced drivers and those looking to move up in classification, there are several options including Graham Gaiger's GEI Racing School, which provides one-on-one instruction, closed practice sessions and access to a large number of hybrid karts including shifter-karts, Rotax and Cadet Karts. The popularity of the sport even prompted Moroso officials to add a nighttime version of the Jon Smith Subs Series, which continues Oct. 1, with a race originally postponed by Hurricane Katrina. |
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Among those participating in the Jon Smith Subs Night series is
Argentina's Ariel Castro, a three-time winner of the Argentine national
championships in the 125 shifter class as well as the winner of both the
2004 Florida Rotax Max Challenge and the 2005 Florida Winter Tour Rotax
Max Championship. He is the 27-year-old son of Jose Castro, an engine
builder at Fittipaldi Racing, located on the grounds of Moroso Motorsports
Park. Also on the grid will be Shane Lewis, a multiple event winner in Grand-Am, the IMSA Supercar Series and SCCA Pro Series. A Rotax winner at Moroso, |
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Lewis' competitive resume includes 21 24-hour endurance races including
those at LeMans, Nelson Ledges, Conn., and the Nurburgring in Germany. He
also has served as coach and instructor for pro drivers like Formula 1
contender, Scott Sharp who, between international events, is among those
who refines his skills on the Moroso kart track. In addition to the Jon Smith Subs Series, Moroso officials are trying to secure dates on the 2006 Rotax Florida Winter Tour as well on the STARS tour. The track also is planning to create its own Corporate Kart League. The latest race results and calendar are accessible at the official Moroso website at www.MorosoMotorsportsPark.com under the heading Kart Track. |
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