Ex Formula 1 al Winter Tour

[R Escalante]

Gary Carlton, Alex and Scott Speed Confirmed for Florida Winter Tour

Trio will race Rotax DD2 against reigning North American champions

Panama City, FL (December 25, 2007) - Formula Kart Productions, Inc. announced today that two-time and reigning ICC national champion Gary Carlton, along with three-time ICC national champion Alex Speed and two-time SuperNationals champion Scott Speed, have all been confirmed as entries in the 2008 Florida Winter Tour Rotax DD2 class.

Carlton and the Speed brothers will face a considerable challenge if they wish to knock off the current North American aces in the DD2 category. They’ll face the likes of SRA Karting’s Pier-Luc Ouelette, who recently captured the DD2 World Championship at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. Making the FWT competition all the fiercer will be the presence of United States DD2 champion Stuart Marsell and U.S. runner-up Brandon Marsell. This will also be the first time the Speed brothers have ever raced each other in official competition.

Pre-registration for the first event of 2008 has smashed all previous FWT records, as 197 drivers are already signed up for the January 11-13 Rotax Max weekend with opening practice still almost three weeks away. With an entire weekend dedicated to the six Rotax classes (DD2, Senior, Masters, Junior, Mini Max, Micro Max) and with such large entry lists, participants at the FWT can expect an unmatched level of competition.

“It’s completely surpassed our expectations,” commented Bill Wright, FWT promoter and President of Formula Kart Productions, Inc. “This Rotax weekend is already the largest race in the history of the FWT. The timing is perfect, given that parts of the Homestead track have just been repaved along with even more barriers being installed. Combined with our unparalleled awards program, this is the type of racing product that we’re eager to provide to the drivers and teams who support the FWT.”

FKP, Eastern U.S. Rotax distributor SSC East and Canadian Rotax Distributor SRA Karting, working together with BRP/Rotax, will provide fully funded rides to the 2008 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) to the points champions of the ‘08 FWT Rotax DD2, Rotax Senior and Rotax Junior classes. FWT RMC Champions in those three classes will be awarded air fare and hotel accommodations for the driver, chassis rental, engine rental, race tires, trolley rental, lead rental, fuel and oil, and two tickets to the official Welcome Party and Prize Giving ceremonies at the 2008 RMCGF.

In addition, SSC East will offer FWT RMC Masters and Mini Max class Points Champions paid entry packages to the United States or Mexican Grand Nationals. Series runner ups* in all FWT RMC classes will be given an allocation to the '08 US Grand Nationals (*must meet U.S. Grand National driver requirements).

And as if that weren't enough Skip Barber Racing Schools is returning with their Competition Course awards.

To see a complete list of the $100,000+ worth of awards for 2008, visit the awards section of this site.

Don’t miss the news story at speedtv.com http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/karting/42189/