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The Fifth Annual Brodhead Historics
by Bill and Mary Jo McCornack
The sweet smell of 2-cycle engine fumes filled the air. The roar of Clintons, Power Products and West Bends delighted our ears. Steaks were sizzling. It all meant that we were enjoying the Fifth Annual Brodhead Historics Vintage Karting Event.
This year's event was even more special because we were also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sugar River Raceway. George Sellon presented Shirley, Marshall and Tim Fairman with a plaque honoring their family's contribution to karting. We can't thank them enough for continuing the dream Donald Fairman began in 1960.
This year we had 47 entries for the demo-races along with three practice-only passes. The event was attended by a number of "first-time-back" karters who said they really enjoyed themselves. Also in attendance from the VKA board were Carl Weakley, Jeff Campbell and me (Bill McCornack). We kicked off the event with "God Bless America," sung this year by Ryan Eldred.
Three generations of Moralls - Mike, Mike Jr. and Skylar - competed in demo-races this year. We'd like to recognize all the Junior Sportsmen in attendance - Skylar Morall, Ryan Carroll and Brandon Lacey. These young men will carry on the sport of vintage karting when we are old and gray, OH! We're already old and gray.
The new Mac 49 class was a hit!
There were some very close, competitive demo-race heats that were watched with great excitement. This year there were also a few "demo-collisions." No one was seriously injured.
We raised $490.00 for VKA with our 50/50 raffle. Our attendees were rewarded with cash and non-cash prizes including the "piston of your choice" supplied by Terry Ives Industries. This year's grand prize was a McCulloch MC93 engine. Gary Doemelt displayed the King Kart that will be raffled off by VKA later this year. Thanks Gary.
Thursday afternoon's hot dog lunch was supplied by Jim Donovan. On Friday we were treated to the beer, wine and cheese tasting during the Kart Show. The judges were Carl Weakley, Terry Ives and Mike Purcell. The winners were:
Mike Karels of Minesota won Original Restored Sidewinder with his 1975 Blackhawk Poison Arrow. Mike Lotz from Ohio took Restored Modified Sidewinder with his 1973 Lancer. Chris Marchand of Ohio won Original Restored Rear Engine with a 1960 Rathman Exterminator. And Dick Teal of Wisconsin won Restored Modified Rear Engine with a 1964 Fox model 2320.
On Friday, after a hot day of practice and catching up with old friends, we enjoyed the annual steak fry that Sugar River Raceway is becoming so famous for. Then The Kristy Larson Trio treated us to some good old country music.
After Saturday's heats, we handed out race awards created by Rudy Francek. Other special awards were:
Oldest Driver - Dick Teal (we'll stay mum on just how old he is.); Outstanding Vintage Karter - Jim Donovan; Greatest Distance Traveled - Terry Ives (This was close, Mark D'Elia came from New York.); Most Horsepower - Jeff Campbell and Least Horsepower - Ryan Carroll.
This story wouldn't be complete without a big thank you to our sponsors - Max-Torque, Kart Marketing, Terry Ives Industries and Bill McCornack - THANK YOU!
Lets not forget a "Good Job!" to the people who work hard all year to make these three days memorable:
Marshall Fairman and the Sugar River Raceway staff, George and Pat Sellon, Mike and Joann Morall, Steve Bedford, Stan Milan and Bill and Mary Jo McCornack.
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