By Katherine Adams

SAVANNAH, GA -November 14, 2005- Oglethorpe Speedway Park charges into the winter months with the 5th Annual Go Kart Winter Shoot-Out Series “season opener” this Saturday, November 19. Competition will once again be top notch as area go kart drivers chase after the nearly $45,000 in purse, point fund and prizes to be awarded during the series. Drivers from age four to sixty-four are expected to compete during the series which concludes the last weekend in February 2006.

“This is where many of the future stars of auto racing cut their teeth,” said track promoter Ted Austad. “Just about every professional driver, stock cars, open wheel, dirt and asphalt, started their racing careers behind the wheel of a go kart.” This Saturday will mark the fifth year that the historic NASCAR sanctioned speedway hosts the series for go karts. Once again the track will run by World Karting Association rules and weights. Each of the Stock Light, Stock Medium, Stock Heavy, Senior Stock, Rookie I, Rookie II, Junior Unrestricted and Animals will compete in heats and feature races on the infield fifth mile oval track. The Kiddie Karts for drivers under age five will also compete at this year’s shoot-out.

Saturday’s “season opener” will be the first points races for the new series. It will also work as a warm-up to the first ever Thanksgiving weekend “Turkey Trot 300” for the go kart racers. The newly planned event will give racers the opportunity to run for greater purses including $300 to win in the Stock Light, Stock Medium and Stock Heavy. The Senior Stock and Junior Unrestricted will compete for a $200 top prize while the Rookie I, Rookie II and Animals will be paid $150 to win.

“There is a great interest in the series this season,” added Austad. “Racers are anxious to get some track time to prepare for the Turkey Trot 300. Plus, there were subtle changes to the infield track that makes the entrance and exit from turns three and four a little different than in years past.” Fans and drivers are invited to the first race of the season this Saturday, November 19. The pit gates open at 11:00am with practice rounds scheduled for noon. Heat races begin at 2:00pm with features following. All racing should be completed by 4:30pm.

Pit admission is $12 for go kart series members and $15 for non-members. Entry into a trophy class is $10 while purse classes costs $20 per division. Grandstand admission is free for spectators. Full concessions are available at the speedway.

For more information, contact the Oglethorpe Speedway Park at 912-964-8200 or visit their website at www.ospracing.net.


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