YNOT EUROPE – The first race in the YNOT Grand Prix’s 2012 season is a week away, but the trash talk has started already. Two of the series’ top-seeded drivers have come out snarling.

By all accounts, Raphael Berkien and Michael Sperber are the speed demons to beat when the YNOT Grand Prix gets underway Jan. 15 during Internext in Las Vegas. Both men work in the normally staid payment service provider segment of the industry, but there’s nothing staid about their competitive natures.

“To quote Steve McQueen, ‘Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting,’” said Berkien, business development manager for 2000Charge and winner of the YNOT Grand Prix’s 2011 Barcelona event. “Michael Sperber is overdue for a beating after he caused a ‘helmet incident’ on the track last year. We will not forget!”

Sperber, director of American operations for Euro Payment Group, put Berkien on notice, as well.

“I have this to say to Raphael: If you try and shunt me off the track by under-braking again, I’ll put you into the barrier at the next corner again — no hesitation,” Sperber warned. “Make sure you buckle your helmet this time so it doesn’t go flying into the stands.”

These guys are as serious about their kart racing as they are about their businesses. Both are determined to emerge victorious at the end of the year, but both will face new challengers during the third season.

Launched in 2010, the YNOT Grand Prix is the adult industry’s championship kart-racing series, awarding both team and individual titles. Component events in the U.S. and Europe provide participants with an opportunity to network amidst some obviously cutthroat competition. Cunning and good-natured trash talk play as big a role as skill, and the camaraderie is priceless.

When the checkered flag descends in Las Vegas, drivers in Honda 200cc-powered Sodi-Karts will run at least two heats — practice and qualifying — on a 20’ x 1,200’ indoor track designed by two International Kart Federation racers who currently rank among the fiercely competitive Rotax Max Masters. The best qualifying times will proceed to the final shoot-out.

The whole shebang is set to take place at the FastLap indoor racing facility, and all participants will be treated to sandwiches, sodas and beer catered by Famous Dave’s BBQ. Wannabe drivers, spectators and sponsors may email jay@ynot.com for details.

According to race honcho and YNOT Group LLC Vice President LAJ, racers and fans will be shuttled between Internext headquarters at the Hard Rock Hotel and the track (4288 S. Polaris, #109, Las Vegas, for do-it-yourselfers) beginning at 8:15 p.m. The last shuttle will leave the track when the event is over around midnight.

The first racing heat will begin at 8:45 p.m.

Sponsors of the Las Vegas event include Dating Factory, JuicyAds, RIVCash, Fleshlight’s FN Cash and Saboom’s PartnerCash.

Additional events in the series will take place later this year in Barcelona, Phoenix and Prague. For more information, visit YNOTgp.com, email LAJ or ping ICQ 92418228.