05-02-05
BRAVE SOULS HIT THE TRACK — BURRIS MIDWEST “SUMMER” OPENING DAY
Rockford, Illinois — The summer Karting season in Chicagoland got into full swing under the lights at the Grundy County Fairground. Nearly 100 drivers braved the elements, facing a 40 mile and hour wind and temperatures in the 30's for the kick off event. New classes were introduced this season including a Kid Kart Champ Kart class and the Champ F200 Jr. 2 class. The event was a combined event for the Grundy County Karting & Motorsports Association and the Burris Circle Tour.
The drivers meeting ended abruptly as the snow flurries started so that crews could make the necessary adjustments in their snow (?) set up and add another layer of clothing.
3 drivers debuted the sharp looking Kid Kart Champ Karts. Logan Beatty won the heat race and Bryce Barbosa, showing off his Scooby Doo kart, won the feature. These karts are smaller versions of Champ Karts featuring a full roll cage, a 5 point harness and a power plant supplied by Robin Engines.
John Nuttall, promoter of the Burris Circle Tour said, "Over the past few years we have received a lot of interest in a Champ Kart class for younger drivers. With the help of Rage Karts, Robin Engines, GEM and P&H Racing, we got the package together and now have an alternative to traditional Kid Karts. This class supports the growing interest in Champ Karts, especially in oval racing."
Also this year, an F200 Jr. 2 Champ Kart class was introduced. This class appeals to drivers that are 8-12 and usually have 2-4 years of racing experience. With almost half of the karters now driving F200's, the Burris Circle Tour continues to expand the available F200 classes. Winners in F00 classes included: Dylan Barbosa - F200 Jr. 2 Champ, Corey Domenick - F200 Jr. 3 Champ, Ashley Hierononus - F200 Sr., Morgan Schissel - F200 Jr. 3 and Colton Beatty - F200 Jr. 1.
Mickey Plunge, promoter for the GCKMA, was thrilled with the turnout of dedicated karters. She thanked all of the new racers, hoped they all had a good time, and promised warmer weather in June.
Many Kid Karters graduated to the Junior Classes this year. Former Kid Kart standouts Jacob VanWazer, Elliott Prichett , Brent Edmunds and Cody Lipstreuer joined returning veterans Sean Clavey and Travis Mahoney in a tight race in Jr. Sportsman Champ. Frank James Slabenak won the Jr. Champ (Briggs) feature.
In other racing action, new faces and old friends started the run for class and Tour championship slots. Winners in the Briggs classes were: Heidi Goodman - Jr. 1, Gunnar Sterne - Jr. 2, Aaron Katzenberg - Jr. 3, Nick Chiapetta - Sr. Lite, J.J. Adams - Sr. Sportsman/Heavy. Micky Kudlicki won the Bandalero feature and Tyler Baran took home first place in the Legends class. Jojo Flores won his first feature race of the year in the Kid Kart class.
The Burris Midwest Summer Opening Day was a great start to the season and if you would like to be part of the action, both the Burris Circle Tour and the GCKMA have a full slate of speedway oval racing planned in 2005. Check out the websites at www.karts.net/burriscircle or www.gckmotorsports.com.
View Past "FYI" Articles
