The upcoming TAG World Championships, which take place next weekend Oct 1-4 at Grand Junction Motor Speedway, have announced the sponsors each of the competing classes.
The 2009 TAG World Championships represent the fifth straight year that the event has crowned champions in 10 TAG Classes. This year to service the local racers they have added option classes to allow the local region to experience this prestigious event. The Championship will be held over 4 days and will host the top kart racers from North America. Established in 2004, The TAG Worlds have become the most significant championship for this growing category. Its importance is signified by the entitlement of the world championships by the famous NO FEAR brand.
"I want to thank all of our sponsors who have supported the growth of this big event over the years as well as those who have recently joined us this year", said TAG Director and Championship Organizer Dave Larson. The following is a list of TAG Class Sponsors with a brief company description.
TAG CADET - Ribtect is committed to providing the karting industry with the most effective, functional safety equipment possible. With 23 years experience in karting, our commitment to the sport and to the safety of its competitors is strong.
TAG Junior - Critical Zone Racing is located on the grounds of Grand Junction Motorspeedway and operates the kart school and proshop on the premises.
TAG Senior – G-Phactory is located in Huntington Beach, California and is operated by 2007 Indy 500 Rookie of The Year Phil Giebler and his father Everett. They provide full services for kart racers and also compete with their own successful team on behalf of Sodi Kart.
TAG Masters - RLV Racing Products are located in Santa Monica, California and is the leader in the kart racing industry for tuned exhaust products.
TAG 4 Stroke - Engines 4 Racing is located at IMI Motorsports Complex and is owned by Brad Linkus and Pete Sendroy. They are importers of 4-Stroke Engines and work closely with Biland. They have been instrumental in the growth of TAG.
TAG 125 Spec Moto - Rocky Mountain Kartworks is located in Loveland, Colorado and is owned by the Noud Family. They are the exclusive importer of GP Chassis and provide full parts and services for all karting need.
TAG 125 Spec Moto Heavy - Evolution Karting is located in Indianapolis. They are official dealers for CRG and Top-Kart and provide services such as maintenance, race preparation, axle straightening, chassis straightening and other services for most brands of karts.
TAG KF-3 - Tony Kart East is located in Indianapolis. They are the newly appointed distribution point for Tony Kart east of the Mississippi.
TAG KF-2 - Maxxis Tires. Maxxis International have provided high-quality tire products for cars and light trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, karts, and lawn and garden care. Maxxis distributes in approximately 160 countries, operations in Asia, Europe and North America, and more than 20,000 employees around the world.
TAG IAME Senior - Russell Karting is located in Raymore, Kansas and is the NW Importer of Mike Wilson Chassis, IAME products and SGM engines. Russell offers a free Email Catalogue.
TAG MiniMax – State Line Signs is located in Southern Wisconsin and is the official supplier of banners, art and design for the TAG World Championship.
TAG Rotax Junior - SSC Racing is an importer for CRG chassis and Rotax kart racing engines. SSC also owns and manufactures GearBox Race Wear and MoGo Performance Products.
TAG Junior-1 K080 - e-KMI.com is the premier website for kart industry and racing information. It will debut an entirely new and modern format in November.
TAG Rotax Senior - PSL Racing is located in Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada and are a full-service kart shop and is an importer for CRG, they also provides arrive-n-drive programs for TAG and Rotax. PSL Karting is one of the finest in the importation and distribution of karting products in North America.
TAG World Championship Facts:
Where: Grand Junction Motorspeedway
When: October 1 -4, 2009
About TAG Racing International:
Provides and maintains a uniform set of rules for the Touch and Go "TAG" engines for Karting on a world wide platform.
9.11.09 - NO FEAR IS TITLE SPONSOR OF UPCOMING TAG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
TAG International announced today that long-time motorsports sponsor No Fear will be the Title Sponsor for the upcoming TAG World Championships at Grand Junction Motorspeedway on October 1 - 4, 2009.
No Fear will also support the fifth edition of the TAG Worlds with a Display Unit as well as a full range of Contingency Awards for Class Winners.
"We are absolutely please to have the No Fear name associated with the fifth running of the TAG World Championships. No Fear is a huge supporter of motorsports and we look forward to helping the continued growth of this great championship", said Lonnie Green.
The race will beheld on the .9 mile, 32' wide asphalt sprint track offering fast straights, technical corners, and hairpin turns, and ideal track for the championship.
"Of course I'm thrilled to have No Fear join the championships", said TAG President Dave Larson, "they are not only a great supporter of racing but, in fact, are managed by racers so this is wonderful development for us."
About NoFear:
No Fear was founded in 1989 in Carlsbad, California by twin brothers Mark and Brian Simo. The company grew rapidly and is cited by many as “the original action sports company,” as right from the onset, No Fear worked with athletes from radically different sporting backgrounds. Initially, No Fear focused its efforts on motocross racers, surfers, auto racers, snowboarders and BMX racers. No Fear then ultimately began working with major league stick and ball athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA. In recent years, No Fear has positioned the brand to more of a “core” youth audience. This target of 12-to-24 year-old males is made up of opinion leaders who flock to and embrace alternative sports and music as part of their everyday lifestyle.
About TAG Racing International:
Provides and maintains a uniform set of rules for the Touch and Go "TAG" engines for Karting on a world wide platform.
9.8.09 - Antioch, IL - Russell Karting announces TAG Championships award program
Russell Karting Specialties announced today that it will award an all-expenses paid spot on team USA to The IAME International Challenge. This year’s event will take place in Alcaniz Spain on November 6th – 8th 2009. This spot will be awarded to the winner of the TAG IAME Senior Class at the upcoming TAG World Championships at Grand Junction Motorspeedway.
Jim Russell, Jr., President of Russell Karting Specialties said, "We are very proud to be able to bring a US driver to this prestigious invitational event as part of the TAG Worlds and even happier that we can present such an award to the winner of the IAME Senior Class. This is a very exciting award."
2009 marks the fifth year for the TAG World Championships and is organized by karting veteran Dave Larson, President of TAG Racing International. Larson said, "I'm honored that Russell has stepped up with such an outstanding award. I'm tempted to get into a kart!"
About Russell Karting Specialties:
Russell Karting is one of the oldest and largest kart shops in the United States. Russell is a highly specialized, volume merchandiser. Their product line consists of over 7,000 items from over 200 manufacturers.
www.russellkarting.com
About TAG Racing International:
Provides and maintains a uniform set of rules for the Touch and Go "TAG" engines for Karting on a world wide platform.
3.20.09 - TAG™ Racing International / TAG™USA is proud to announce that
"State Line Signs" will be their Official Graphics and T-Shirt supplyer.
State Line sign is a top quality supplier of Kart Graphics, Banners, Stickers,T-Shirts and Yard Signs.
9.2.08 -TAG WORLD CHAMPIONS GOING TO IAME CHALLENGE
Vancouver, British Columbia; Raymore, Missouri – Two complete IAME Leopard and two entries to Spain to compete in the IAME International Challenge will be awarded at this years TaG World Championship in Grand Junction, Colorado.
IAME in partnership with their North American distributors Italian Motors and Russell Karting will be sponsoring the winning driver from the IAME Challenge class as well as the highest finishing Leopard in TaG Senior to a trip to Europe to compete for their country in the IAME International Challenge.
The 2008 IAME International Challenge will take place in Spain on November 8th and 9th at the Circuit of Alcaniz. The winners will be provided with a FA Kart (one per team), tires, fuel, and entry fees along with an IAME X30 motor package. IAME also provides each team with a mechanic for technical and mechanical assistance. The endurance race is run over the course of six hours. Three hours Saturday and the final three concluded on Sunday. The winning team will be the one that has completed the most laps over the course of the two race sessions. The winning driver will be responsible for flights, international licensing, food and accommodations.
In 2007, it was David Jurca and David Zippie filling the two spots. Both drivers travelled to Spain where they had the opportunity to meet Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso. Jurca would go on to win the prestigious IAME International Challenge along with team mate Michael Hogg.
This years TaG World Championship is taking place at Grand Junction Speedway in Colorado on September 18, 19, 20 & 21. For more information on the IAME International Challenge please visit: www.iameinternationalchallenge.com. For entry information in the TaG World championships please visit: www.tagracing.net.
9.2.08 - From TAG Racing International and TAG USA
Effective Immediately
TAG Racing International and TAG USA have Suspended the use of the Dunlop DDM compound until further notice.The Dunlop DDM compound will NOT be allowed to compete at the 2008 TAG World Championships at Grand Junction motor speedway Sept 18th thru 21st 2008. Due to variances with in the Durometer readings.
Dave Larson -
President
Marty Casey -
Technical Director
TAG Racing International / TAG USA
8.26.08 - 2008 TAG USA World Championships Contingency Program. Hoosier Racing Tire is proud to offer a contingency program for the 2008 TAG USA World Championships at Grand Junction Motor Speedway in Grand Junction, CO on September 18-21, 2008.
The contingency program will be available to any driver competing in one or more of the classes offered at the 2008 TaG World Championships. These classes are listed below.
Drivers that are eligible for the contingency must finish within the top three of their respective class final while using Hoosier R60’s on all four corners of their kart and must have a minimum of 10 karts in their class final race. The drivers that meet these criteria will be awarded with the following:
1st Place: 8 Hoosier R60 kart tires (TaG USA approved sizes only)
2nd Place: 4 Hoosier R60 kart tires (TaG USA approved sizes only)
3rd Place: 2 Hoosier R60 kart tires (TaG USA approved sizes only)
The contingency program will not be available for qualifying, heats or pre-finals.
For more information about the Hoosier R60 kart tires and to find your nearest distributor please visit www.hoosiertire.com.
If there are any questions, please contact Adam Batton.
7.21.08 - 4th annual TAG™ world championships - THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2008
“This is a date change from our original posted date due to a scheduling conflict”
We believe that because of its central location this venue will allow more of the TAG™ racers around the US and the world to attend this event. We are proud to be able to produce this event at this world class facility. The track itself is appoxamately one mile in length with elevation changes and excellent technical sections. This track should provide great racing. TAG™ USA is proud to announce IAME motor corporation as presenting sponsor of this event and excited that they will once again be awarding trips to the "IAME International Challenge". The "4th annual TAG™ world championships" will be open to all TAG™ Racing International and TAG™ USA members. The top ten TAG members of a qualifying series will recieve a reduced entry fee. Keep watching as we will continue providing more information about this event as it drwas closer.
7.9.08 - TAGUSA™ has addressed some major issues regarding the ever present noise concern within our sport, over the past 3-5 years the issue regarding noise has become a factor with new and old race tracks across the country and the concern seems to be getting worse.
We are in process of working within the karting industry to make some changes that will improve our relationships with areas that have noise concerns, RLV was contacted and agreed to make a muffler system that would fit all the present two stroke exhaust systems, the unit is very simple and works, when tested the noise issue was reduced, this new system is an approved addition that is available through RLV and it’s dealer network.
The spec’s will be addressed in PDF form and added to the TAGUSA™ web site, the system will be a tech item when used and may not be modified in any way other then the means of brackets to add to the existing as manufactured exhaust system. Contact RLV for purchase information.
Dave Larson President
Marty Casey National Technical Director
7.3.08 - The Dunlop DDM is now approved for competition. This change is a Designator change and the tires are still within the correct durometer specification The DCM is still an approved compound.
Dave Larson President TAG Racing International / TAG USA
Marty Casey Technical Director TAG USA / TAG International
6.28.08 - Southwest Regional Cup Series - The SWRC provides an affordable, premium quality and professionally run series for racers in Texas, Oklahoma and the surrounding states. The 2008 program includes five double event weekends at the five premier tracks in Texas and Oklahoma - MSR Houston Kart Track, Gulf Coast Kartway in Katy, Iron Rock Raceway in Austin, North Texas Kartway in Denton and Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman, OK.
The 5th and 6th rounds of the SWRC series will be held this weekend June 28th and 29th at OMC in Norman,OK.
Series points and more information on the SWRC series can be found on the SWRC website at www.southwestregionalcup.com
6.28.08 - Tag Qualifying series
(NTK, MSR Houston, Gulf Coast kart Club in Katy, TX, Oklahoma Motorsports Complex in Norman, OK & Iron Rock Raceway in Austin) www.southwestregionalcup.com
4.12.08 - Tragedy in the karting community,
Today during a practice session in the Pacific Northwest the karting community lost a great young child by the name KJ McKinster.
TAGUSA would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the McKinster family for the loss of KJ.
Dave Larson
President
Marty Casey
Technical Director TAGUSA / TAG International
4.5.08 - EFFECTIVE 04/05/08 - TAG™USA makes an official final stance regarding the Vortex TT engine
The membership and support that has helped build TAG™USA/TAG™ International has expressed their discontent and feel that the spirit and intent of TAG has gone in the wrong direction, members have been forced not just within the TAGUSA rules but within other organizations to purchase multiple engine packages to test on race day to see which engine package will best suit the needs to win, this comes at a major cost factor which questions the spirit and intent of TAG.
TAGUSA has placed the Vortex TT engine in the same category as the Comer, Sonik, engines regarding weights, this will support the heavier and larger driver with an engine package that will help them be competitive and have the same chance to enjoy the TAG concept. Major sponsors and supporters have also expressed their concerns towards the expense and cost that purchasing multiple engine packages and the associated parts that are required to compete go against the spirit and intent that they have come to support in TAG.
Therefore TAG™USA has changed effective immediately the weights regarding the Vortex TT engine and this has been adjusted in the rules section at www.tagracing.net
Dave Larson
President
Marty Casey
Technical director TAGUSA / TAG International
3.3.08 - TAG™ USA has just released the 2008 Vortex TT engine rules.
We have looked at the past results from major races around the country and along with the feed back from the competitors; membership and tech officials feel that in re-evaluating the engine we have addressed the performance issues.
The control engine that TAG™ USA received for homologation was compared and re-inspected to other engines along with track testing, dyno testing and in looking at every aspect we have implemented changes that we feel are necessary to gain parity.
TAG™ USA will share this information with the other organizations and work together as a team to make sure the competitor has an even playing field as much as possible.
Thank you
Marty Casey National Technical Director
Dave Larson President
