"2001 Endurance Karting Year-in-Review" By Johann Schwartz BEVERLY, MA - We at endurance karting hope you are doing well and having a great time during this holiday season. Our thanks to all who attended the 2001 season of Endurance Karting at the races in Charlotte, North Carolina, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida. A good time was had by all at Charlotte. Saturday's race was exciting at the Lowes Motor Speedway, which is truly an impressive track. The kart track is in the infield between turns 3 and 4 of the oval. A class for stock cars was taking place on the oval, which provided a nice backdrop to our race. 27 teams competed for the top positions. There were drivers from all over the Southwest and Northwest. There were many spectators since many teams brought along family and friends. The track has 15 turns and many drivers found themselves looking for more padding to protect their sides and back because of being banged up from the lateral G's. Many drivers commented that the turns made the track more enjoyable and created some interesting passing points. Sunday was a competitive day. There were over 10 karts within a lap of each other for more than half the race. We had several professional drivers, including Team Planet Earth from GrandAm, a couple of drivers from Trans-Am, a few drivers from motor-cross, and Ernie Irvine and Boris Said. We would like to thank Boris Said and Ernie Irvine for coming out to the races. West Palm Beach The weather in West Palm Beach was beautiful, we could not have asked for nicer days. The temporary street course was difficult and bumpy, but created very competitive racing. The short laps soon created the need for good pit strategy or the race could have been lost with one slow pit stop. The drivers were worn out, but pleased at the good racing. Because the course was rough the drivers appreciated the massage booth set up in the paddock area. The top three teams in each class did very well and everyone went home tired and happy. And that was just Saturday's race. Sunday's race was divided up into three or four mini-endurance races and a point system was used for the final awards. The race was started with a LeMans start and everyone agreed it was great way to start the race. We would like to thank Shane Lewis, John Paul, Jr. and the drivers from Justin Bell Motorsports for coming out and racing with us. Jacksonville Once again the folks at Jacksonville welcomed us with open arms. The LeMans start was used again in Jacksonville. The qualifying session was very close, there was only a seventh of a second between first and last position. The race was just as close. The top three cars remained on the same lap throughout the race. Drivers did have some difficulty with the hairpin turn, but eventually they were able to take the turn well. The teams were able to make the decisions on when to come in for the fuel stops, so everyone had to strategize. The race finished after six hours of close wheel to wheel racing. We would like to thank Tommy Byrns and Calvin Fish for coming out to play. Endurance Karting would like to announce the inaugural school and six-hour race in Homestead. The temporary road course set up at Homestead is wide with big sweeping turns and tight hairpins. The length of the track is close to a half a mile, so there is plenty of time to pass your opponent. We would like everyone to come out and help us show Homestead what endurance drivers are all about. Also, think of the warm weather and suntan in the middle of the winter. The school is on February 22, 2002 and the race is February 23, 2002. On February 3rd we will hold a 4hr. Endurance Race in Jacksonville, Fl. Starting at Dusk and ending under the lights. This race will have corporate teams from area dealerships, but non-dealership teams are welcome. This will be a great way to start the new year, with a race that will give you the feeling of a 24hr race since we will go from day to night. The cost per team will be $980.00 per team and $250.00 per individual. There will be of four drivers per team. We have dates set for the Kids Kamp and we are talking to many professional drivers who are interested in being guest speakers for the banquet. We have found that many youths are interested in driving, but need a safe way to practice and learn. The Kids Race Kamp is just the school for them. For any more information visit Endurance Karting online at www.endurancekarting.com or call 978-969-1911. Race Dates 2002: Homestead, Florida Feb. 21-Race School Feb. 22-6hr. Endurance Race Jacksonville, Florida February 3-4hr Endurance Race, Under the lights March 1-Race School March 2-6hr Endurance Race March 29-Race School March 30-6hr Endurance Race Atlanta, Georgia April 5- Race School April 6- 6hr Endurance Race April 7- 4hr Endurance Race Charlotte, North Carolina April 19-Race School April 20-6hr Endurance Race April 21-4hr Endurance Race For more information contact Endurance Karting at 978-969-1911 or by E-mail at endurancekarting@mediaone.net 0r visit the Endurance Karting website at www.EnduranceKarting.com!