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SODI KART PRESENTS: KART EXPO 2006 |
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As old man winter lays down a blanket of
snow over the tracks Northern America much of the karting industry
turns their attention to the E-KMI Kart Expo. Held at the
Pheasant Run Convention Center in St Charles Illinois February
25-26. So what is this annual Expo all about? Karting
of course. Its a chance for Importers, retailers,
manufacturers and distributors to all come together to unveil the
latest and hottest new karting products for the year. The Kart
Expo is more then just a retail show as it features some of the
media, key management of competition organizations and much more. |
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And what would an International Expo be without celebrities?
Well in celebration of Karting's 50th year, a special guest star
will be in the house on Sunday; Jerry Mathers who starred as
Beaver in the hit show Leave it to Beaver. The biggest star of
the day, James Dean passed away a few years ago, so EKMI chose the
second biggest star of the era. A few of the attending kart
celebrities include: Alex Tagliani, Memo Gidley, Rob Howden, Jim
Murley, Paul Zalud, Bobby Wilson, Charlie Tackett, Bonnier Moulton,
Joe Ramos Jr, Marshall Martin, Sean Burr and many others. |
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Seminars, general meetings and power meeting all take place that the
Kart Expo every year. Seminars include topics for those in the
business and topics that karters can benefit from. A complete
list of schedules, seminars, and exhibitors provided by
EKMI. It's more then just a show. This is the
place where power meetings between the movers and shakers of the
sport take place and often set the stage for things coming through
the year. As a new product introduction stage, many retailers
come to look at what they will put into inventory for the year -
that could be anything from a new line of chassis to a display case
of sunglasses.
Of course its not all work & no play. After most of the
exhibitors have finished putting up their displays and getting
things laid out for the show on Friday, the congregation in the
Saloon Hall begins to form about 5:00 and the social hour(s) begin.
Fuel is open for this event, most burn alcohol, although the fuel
supplier is known to have a few wicked brews of nitro too.
This is a double day format with round 2 on Saturday.
Lots of news is released at the show as well. Roger
Ruthhart of the Rock Island Grand Prix will be announcing the class
line-up at the Rock for 2006. Paul Zalud of Stars, Randy
Kugler of WKA, Joe Ramos of Rotax, and Dave Larson of TAG
International are all expected to make some major announcements.
Some of the hottest new products to be on display include
several of the Rotax DD2 packages, the new Shockwave chassis,
Shockwave's revolutionary new pivoting Moto Mounts, the
lastest from Mychon and Alfano, a new book from Memo, and much
more.
This is a one of a kind show and if you're within a 4 hour
drive it's well worth attending to see the new products and meet the
people that have made karting their career. |
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