October 2, 2005
Jimmy Kouba Headed to New Zealand for Summer Tour

Former WISSOTA Sprint Car Champion Jimmy Kouba has been tapped by Coastline Imports for their GMC Racing Team to compete in the New Zealand Sprint Car Summer Tour. Kouba will team with IRA veteran Scott Young in the George and Mary Ann Cruse-owned team.

The two-car team will be sponsored by Coastline Imports & Exports, Ltd. and based in Tauranga, New Zealand. Coastline Imports & Exports specializes in importing new and used earthmoving equipment and trucks as well as Japanese and European cars.

Coastline is also the leading importer of top-of-the-line sprint car and racing components to serve the fast-growing sport of sprint car racing in New Zealand.

“We are very pleased to have Jimmy on our Summer Tour team,” said Coastline Imports and Exports Managing Director, George Cruse. “Jimmy has commanded tremendous respect from his fellow competitors and we are looking forward to having fun and winning races when we hit the tracks in New Zealand in a few weeks.”

Mary Ann Cruse also voiced her support for Kouba. “We think that Jimmy will be an excellent representative for Coastline Imports as well as our other team sponsors. With the solid media coverage sprint car racing enjoys in New Zealand, Jimmy will give everyone great exposure both on and off the track.”

Providing additional support for Kouba’s New Zealand effort with GMC Racing will be Bulk Bolts & Fasteners Ltd. (NZ); Pitstop, Tauranga, (NZ); Barberry Marine & Auto Painters, (NZ); Computastyle Signs (NZ); McEwen Engineering, Tauranga, (NZ). Kouba will also receive support from long-time USA sponsors K & N Filters; MSD Ignitions; Seals-It; Simpson Safety Equipment; Huggins Cams; Gillund Enterprises; Justice Brothers Products; Hoosier Tire; HRP; Frankland; DMI; Adair Electric; Designs by Jeff; Joie of Seating; Ostrich Racing Engines; Racing Optics and Selloxx.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to go to New Zealand with GMC Racing,” said Kouba. “I have had the opportunity to spend time with George and Mary Ann the past few weeks while they were in the States getting the equipment we will need for the racing season. They are great people and I know we are going to have a great time racing and winning.

“My wife Jamie, and my children Jacob and Kaitlyn are going to be able to join me sometime in November. This will be a great learning experience for the kids and an unforgettable adventure for all of us.

“I want to thank all of my sponsors for jumping on board for this project. It is a tremendous opportunity for me to help reward them with race wins as well as expand their market exposure in one of the world’s fastest growing areas for sprint car racing.”

Kouba captured the WISSOTA Sprint Car National Championship in 2001 and has claimed the titles in the WW Thompson Concrete Products Series in 2002 and Cedar Lake Speedway Sprint Car Title in 1997. He has over 300 career A-Main starts, finishing 75% of the time in the top-ten including over 30 wins.

George Cruse will be crew chief for the teams and will be assisted by Jamie Kouba, Mary Ann Cruse, and Sammy Dwyer. Besides getting the car prepped, Sammy will be studying sprint car driving and setups with Jimmy as his instructor. Roger Bertram will head the team’s engine program.

The New Zealand Summer Tour will run at five tracks: Baypark Speedway, Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand; Ruapuna Speedway, Christchurch, New Zealand; Palmerston North Speedway, New Zealand; Western Springs Speedway, Auckland, New Zealand and Ferndene Speedway, New Zealand. The series runs from mid-October 2005 to March 2006.