Gary Carlton, British Invasion head all-star line-up of 200 drivers

Palm Beach, Florida (February 17, 2010)

As it has in seasons past, Formula Kart Productions, Inc. has joined with Canadian Rotax distributor SRA Karting, U.S. Rotax distributor MRP Motorsport and BRP/Rotax to provide direct transfer spots to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF), for the 2010 FWT points champions in the Senior, Junior, and DD2 categories, and now the recently announced RMCGF Masters class. Further enhancing the support that the FWT receives from Bombardier Recreational Products, Darrell Smith from Rotax/BRP Austria will be at PBIR to provide support, conduct a technical seminar, and take in all the racing action.

Other FWT RMC awards have been provided by Ferrari North America, On Track Promotions, and Skip Barber Racing Schools. Steve Welch from Skip Barber will be on hand this weekend, undoubtedly taking early notes on which Rotax driver might be chosen to receive a free Skip Barber Three Day Racing School and guaranteed entry into the Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out. The total value of all Florida Winter Tour cash awards and prizes exceeds $160,000.

Adding to the weekend's headlines is the news that CRG/SSC East driver Gary Carlton will compete under the Play Things Racing tent in the Rotax Senior category, the multi-time shifter kart champion making his 2010 FWT debut. And there's even bigger news coming out of the junior ranks: a pair of British Formula Kart Stars champions, Matthew Parry and Jack Barlow, will make their first appearances in the United States by competing in the Rotax Junior category at PBIR. Parry was the 2009 Formula Kart Stars junior champion and finished a sterling second at the 2009 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Egypt last December. Barlow is the reigning Mini Max Formula Kart Stars champion and will make his U.S. Rotax Junior debut at the FWT this weekend. Both drivers will pit with the Fusion America/Maranello USA outfit.

The headlines just keep coming in RDD Motorsport Rotax Junior. 53 drivers. Neri, Madrigal, Fittipaldi, Ferrucci, Self, Lazare, Chaponick, Palmer, Rios Jr., Sharkey, Myers, Nunez, West, joined by Parry and Barlow. It's likely the greatest collection of junior talent in North America. Currently, OGP/Tony Kart pilot Nick Neri holds down the championship lead, as his first and second place finishes from Rounds 1 and 2 give him a solid 105 point lead over Alessandra Madrigal. Behind them, Sebastian Ordonez, AJ Meyers and Shawn Sharkey will attempt to gain ground at this double main event. At stake: a fully-funded direct transfer spot to the RMC Grand Finals (RMCGF) that goes to the FWT Rotax Junior points champion.

The Goodwood Karting/Intrepid Rotax Senior field of drivers won't be rolling out the welcome mat for Gary Carlton. Defending champion Fabio Orsolon (Max Papis Racing/Birel), the BTK Motorsports/Arrow duo of Kenneth Hildebrand and former IRL champion Dan Wheldon, Goodwood Karting/Intrepid's Marco Di Leo, PSL Karting.com/CRG's Pier-Luc Ouellette, Steven Szigeti and Danny Formal are among the many aces in this class. A full field will take to the track, each of them dreaming of the fully-funded RMCGF direct transfer spot awarded to the Rotax Senior champion.

More than 40 drivers are entered in the PSL Karting.com-sponsored Mini Max division. Points leader Dalton Sargeant, fresh off his Orlando victory, currently holds a mere ten point edge over Jordan Perry. Patricio O'Ward sits third in the title chase, while Orlando winner Kyle Kirkwood will hope to capitalize on his fine performances thus far this year. Meanwhile, in the GoRotax.com/MRP Motorsport Micro Max category, Mauricio Baiz and Anthony Gangi Jr. are one and two in the points chase, respectively, with Baiz holding onto a slim 20 point advantage. Juan David Buitrago sits close behind in third, just 50 points in arrears.

In yet another class offering a direct transfer spot to the RMCGF, the Ferrari North America Rotax Masters class served up some of the most exciting racing at last month's Orlando rounds. Coming out on top in both finals was the Pacific Northwest driver Scott Holmboe, the Oregonian holding a 15 point lead over Eduardo Martins. Sitting close behind is Californian Robby Mott, his pair of third place finishes earning him third in the championship standings. Rotax Masters drivers participating in all six rounds are eligible to win a seat in the Ferrari Driving Experience, a two-day thrill ride to drive the new Ferrari 458 Italia, 430 Scuderia, and the 599 GTB Fiorano on the magnificent Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

Sitting comfortably atop the SH Karting DD2 points standings are the Canadian aces, Daniel Morad and Michael Vincec. It's a familiar position for Vincec, who's a former Canadian National Champion. Third in the points is Cody Hodgson, the American driver, continuing to create a name for himself as one of the most talented and versatile karters in North America. Veterans Kyle Herder, Zachary Meyer and Eric Gerrits will hope to improve upon their Orlando weekends and get in the thick of the points chase; to the champion goes a fully funded direct transfer spot to the RMCGF.

In its second season of record-breaking numbers, FWT Live! powered by Supertune USA and De Francesco Racing continues to set the benchmark in karting media coverage. Live streaming video, live timing and scoring, and an interactive blog will broadcast both Saturday and Sunday, starting each morning at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time. As always, FWT Live! is free of charge and distributed to a global audience.