eKartingNews.com Happy Hour with Howden Presented by Bridgestone

National Guard SKUSA SuperNationals XII Date: November 22, 2008 Location: Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV Even with the busy schedule of the National Guard Superkarts! USA SuperNationals XII at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, eKartingNews.com was able to sit down with 2005 IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon. EKN’s sub-interviewer and former Super Kart Illustrated Editor Tim Blaney was able to sit down with the British-born driver to discuss his participation at his first SuperNationals, his karting past, what his current thoughts are on the sport as it is today, and his upcoming season returning to Panther Racing in the IndyCar Series.

Stars of Karting National Finals Date: October 10, 2008 Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV After a long break between shows, the EKN duo is back behind the mic for the third edition of the Happy Hour in 2008. More shows are on the horizon with big events set for the final months of the season. This show, EKN Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden and News Desk Manager David Cole sit down during the Formula BMW Happy Hour at the Snap-on Stars of Karting Division Banquet at the 2008 National Finals event. Topics such as Rotax Grand Nationals, RoboPong 200, Stars Organization Structure, and others are discussed.

Stars of Karting - Eastern Division - Ocala Date: April 4, 2008 Venue: Ocala Gran Prix - Ocala, FL Guests: Fritz Leesmann (PSL Karting), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting), Scott Paape (USA International Raceway) EKN Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden and News Desk Manager David Cole wrapped their first day at the opening round of the Stars of Karting series by sitting down with a trio of guests in the Ocala Grand Prix showroom. The duo takes a look at the new season that faces the Stars of Karting circuit, chatting with both ICC frontrunner Fritz Leesmann and Stars president Paul Zalud. Topics such as the potential national demise of the ICA category and the TaG engine controversy are by no means taboo in this discussion. The session is capped with a visit from Scott Paape, the man at USA International Raceway in Shawano, who detailed the track’s new $5000-to-win Iron Eagle 200 endurance event that is scheduled for June 20-22.

Sodi Kart Expo International Show Date: February 24, 2008 Venue: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center - Schaumburg, IL Guests: Dave Robison (Go Kart Racer), Marc Miller (MRP Motorsport), Buddy Long (World Karting Association) After a three month break, the Happy Hour with Howden presented by Bridgestone returned for the first show of the 2008 season. Working with RaceFanRadio.com, the 24-7 music and motorsports internet radio site hosted the first-ever live internet broadcast for the Happy Hour during Sunday’s show hours at the Sodi Kart Expo International Show at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL. The first guest was Dave Robison of Go Kart Racer indoor karting facility in San Francisco, CA to talk about the indoor racing industry. EKN’s sister site - IndoorKartingNews.com - is working with their facility to help promote what they are doing as well as other indoor racing tracks across North America. Up next was Marc Miller of MRP Motorsport as he gave us insight into the new avenues they are attacking, including the new Step 1 kart and MRP owner Garry Lobaugh’s seminar at the show. Lastly, World Karting Association’s Director of Operations Buddy Long discusses the current state of the organization.

SKUSA SuperNationals XI Date: November 17, 2007 Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tim Blaney, Jordy Vorrath (Champion Racing-Intrepid), Lorenzo Mandarino (Leading Edge Motorsports-Intrepid) Same city, same fighting duo. The Happy Hour was back in Vegas roughly a month later for the biggest karting event of the year, the SKUSA SuperNationals. For the 11th edition, former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney joined HHH host Rob Howden for a five day event that included some of the best karters in North America and around the world. The two discuss the events leading up to SuperSunday and talk with SuperPro drivers Lorenzo Mandarino and Jordy Vorrath.

SKUSA SuperNationals XI Date: November 16, 2007 Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tim Blaney Part 2 of the EKN Trackside Live RaceWrap at the SKUSA SuperNationals XI brings Rob Howden and Tim Blaney back to the mics to discuss Day 3 of the event.

SKUSA SuperNationals XI Date: November 15, 2007 Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tim Blaney A new edition to the Happy Hour program is the Trackside Live RaceWrap. With so much going on at big events and the evolution of the internet, the RaceWrap was introduced to the EKN arsenal at the SKUSA SuperNationals XI. EKN's Rob Howden is joined by former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney to go over the day's action.

Stars of Karting Desert MINI National Finals Date: October 20, 2007 Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tim Blaney, Sean Buur (Go Racing Magazine) It's been a few months since the Happy Hour took place, but the program made its return in an old school fashion this past weekend at the Stars of Karting Desert MINI National Finals. Joining HHH host Rob Howden was former Super Kart Illustrated Editor and Senior Writer Tim Blaney along with Sean Buur - the famous photog/writer from Go Racing Magazine. The three discussed the action up to Saturday night and previewed Sunday's action to decide the five national championships.

Stars of Karting East #2 Date: May 22, 2007 Venue: New Castle Motorsports Park - New Castle, IN Guests: Mark Dismore Sr. (NCMP), Robert Wickens (Champ Car Atlantic), Tim Musch & Kevin Williams (Stars of Karting) After a couple months off, the EKN duo is back with another Happy Hour show. This time, it was all about the Hot Seat as EKN Publisher Rob Howden sat down with four different guests at the New Castle Motorsports Park for round two of the Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar Racing. First, karting legend and track owner Mark Dismore discusses new improvements to the facility and karting in general. Next, Champ Car Atlantic driver and former karting star Robert Wickens talks about the last few years, going from karts to where he is now. Then, new Stars Race Director Tim Musch and Race Steward Kevin Williams sit down to discus their first weekend under their new positions.

EKN Excellence Awards Special Date: February 25, 2007 Venue: Sodi Kart Expo International – Schaumburg, IL Guests: Randy Kugler (WKA), Paul Zalud (Stars of Karting), Tom Kutscher (SKUSA) The EKN podcast show hit the road for the first time in 2007, visiting Chi-town for the 2007 Sodi Kart Expo International at the new Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL. The new show includes interviews with World Karting Association’s Randy Kugler, Stars of Karting’s Paul Zalud, and Tom Kutscher from Superkarts! USA. The man segment of the show included the announcement of the winners of the EKN Excellence Awards. Winners in the six categories were named, including the prestigious Driver of the Year and Team of the Year awards.

HMG World Headquarters Date: February 1, 2007 Venue: Howden Media Group - Cambridge, ON, Canada Guests: No Guests As the first month closes for the 2007 year, the EKN duo put in their first Happy Hour show of the season, with new presenting sponsor Bridgestone. Rob Howden and David Cole completed production on the final issue of Super Kart Illustrated and with the discs burning to go to the printers, the two sat down to record the first podcast of ’07. Beginning with the latest news over the EKN Newswire, the two discussed the State of the Sport, regarding the different levels of karting and the pros/cons of the state they are in. Following the debate, the two looked back at the eight years of SKI and the little insight into the future of EKN.

SKUSA SuperNationals X Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tom Kutscher and Jim Baltutis With the tenth annual Superkarts! USA SuperNationals now behind us, discussions centered on the future of the predominantly shifter kart organization became a hot topic on Sunday night in Las Vegas. This year’s SuperNats was a massive success on all counts, from the race day organization and marketing to the on-track action and huge purse. In the aftermath of the event, the future looks very bright for the re-birth efforts of the program. The statement ‘We’re Back!’ was heard uttered by many a SKUSA crew member or supporter. EKN’s Rob Howden had a chance to sit down with SKUSA president Tom Kutscher and Marketing VP Jim Baltutis to touch on the history of their relationship, the success of the Pro Kart Challenge and the future plans for the organization. After purchasing the organization and its assets earlier this year, this duo led a solid team of experts in taking the reins of the SuperNationals, working diligently for over four months to put together the best event possible. While many programs were forced to be left in the planning stages due to time and manpower restraints, the overall delivery of the event returned the race to its former glory. Certainly an over-used phrase, even by the staff here at EKN, the elusive ‘buzz’ was certainly back in Las Vegas. The introduction of the SuperPro drivers to the grid on SuperSunday was electric and while the race did not turn into an epic battle, it was definitely action-packed. Kutscher and Baltutis will use the momentum gained by this year’s SuperNationals to build on their program, one that will use their successful Pro Kart Challenge as the franchise model. The duo enjoyed the interview and detailed many facets of their plans for the future. All said, next year’s SuperNationals promises to be the best ever, but the rebirth of the SKUSA regional program is likely a more newsworthy development.

SKUSA SuperNationals X - Show 2 Date: November 11, 2006 Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Guests: Tom Kutscher and Jim Baltutis (Superkarts! USA) With an exciting weekend going on at the SKUSA SuperNationals X presented by BC Ethic outside Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, the EKN crew sat down again Saturday night for another Happy Hour. The EKN crew was joined by old school SKI correspondents Tim Blaney and Jeff Deskins, sat down with SKUSA President Tom Kutscher and SKUSA Marketing guru Jim Baltutis. The group discuss the event up to Saturday night, looking ahead to SuperSunday and beyond that, as the duo and the SKUSA staff moves forward toward a new age.

SKUSA SuperNationals X - Show 1 Date: November 9, 2006 Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV Superkarts! USA opened a new era at the SKUSA SuperNationals X presented by BC Ethic, outside Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, and EKN was there to provide its Trackside Live coverage throughout the four day event. With a busy schedule and plenty of things to do in Sin City, the EKN crew was still able to sit down start the weekend off with a Happy Hour. The Thursday night show gave viewers a preview of what would come for the tenth edition of the SuperNats.

Stars of Karting West #4 Date: August 18, 2006 Venue: Infineon Raceway Karting Center - Sonoma, CA Guest: Memo Gidley (Cytomax), Jeff Swoboda (Stars of Karting), Andrew Alfanso (Trackmagic) The Stars of Karting Western closed its 2006 schedule at the Infineon Raceway Karting Center in Sonoma, CA and the EKN crew was on hand to provide the full Trackside Coverage along with another addition of the Happy Hour. Set up after a full day of Friday practice in the Cytomax Lounge, Howden sat down with Cytomax driver Memo Gidley to talk about his career in karting and his advancement into the Grand Am Rolex Series as well as talking about the Secrets of Speed series that he publishes for new karters. Stars of Karting Marketing guru Jeff Swoboda sat down to discuss the upcoming Stars National Finals and the events schedule to included during the weekend. Lastly, Howden gets a one-on-one interview with the new owner of Trackmagic - Andrew Alfanso - to discuss the past and the future of the American kart racing chassis manufacturer.