|
National Racers Invade Badger
July 20, 2003
By Mike Weaver
Dousman, WI
The threat of rain loomed over Badger Raceway then entire race day with
showers in the forecast. The rains held off, but the humidity was extremely
high which meant for a tricky carburetor day and slick race track.
Past national champion Jamie Sieracki, who also lives only 2 miles from the
track, paid the local boys a visit. Sieracki is campaigning his BRM 125cc
Shifter and with the nationals coming to Badger Raceway in one week, he
jumped at the opportunity to get some valuable track time. In doing so, he
had his way with the local field, finally claiming the feature race by more
than 4 seconds over other hometown hot-shoe Tommy Mayr. “I was really
pleased as this was actually my backup kart and motor” said Sieracki.
Besides Mayr and Sieracki, there were about a dozen more national-level
racers that visited Badger.
Probably the best race of the day was the Sr. Sportsman Heavy race. Bob
Ropke started on the pole and jumped out to a great lead in the feature.
Shawn Campbell was second with Steve Mente in third. Mente got around
Campbell quick enough and set his sights on Ropke. On lap 3, the two began
swapping the lead over and over as Mente couldn’t seem to stop his kart from
sliding when he would take the lead. On lap 6, Mente dive-bombed Ropke in
turn 4, the right-hand hairpin. Coming out of the corner though, Mente
bobbled and Ropke got into him, hooking the two together. Mente seemed to
save it and just as he began untangling, was popped from behind by Shawn
Campbell. As the three sat there in the track trying to get under power
again, Howie Hanisch came flying through to take the lead. Hanisch really
hadn’t been a factor all day, but in racing, that doesn’t always matter!
Campbell was the first of the crash back under power and he took over
second. Although he ran down Hanisch, there just wasn’t enough time and
Howie Hanisch grabbed his second feature win of the year!
Other action saw Grant Hoffmeister besting Nic Johnsrud by only .004 seconds
at the line! There were quite a few runaways with Danny Corcoran winning
Briggs Jr. Animal by over 10 seconds, Tylor Wolfert tromping the Briggs Lite
field by over 9 seconds, Mike Fuchs once again dominating Yamaha Heavy and
Joey Brenner taking the checkers 8 seconds ahead of Cassidy Bigsby.
Next weekend, Badger Kart Club will host the prestigious World Karting
Association’s Manufacturer’s Cup Grand Nationals. Sponsored by Target
Distributing, this bonus-points race is the 4th in a series of 5 national
races that will determine the top manufacturer in karting in 2003. Karting
stars from across North America will compete right here in Wisconsin.
Spectators are always welcome, however, insurance passes must be purchased
in order to gain access to anywhere on the grounds (this weekend only).
125cc Shifter 80cc Shifter
1. Jamie Sieracki 1. Ronny Graham
2. Tommy Mayr 2. Nick Gillette
3. Jesse Schwabe
Sr. Sportsman Heavy HPV Sr.
1. Howie Hanisch 1. Jesse Schwabe
2. Shawn Campbell 2. Jon Ellingham
3. Ted Goad 3. Nicole Baier
Briggs Jr. Sportsman HPV Jr.
1. Tommy Anderson 1. Zack Emmons
2. Steven Wirtz 2. Josh Nevels
3. Vince Heywood 3. TJ Nevels
Jr. SSX Can Yamaha Heavy
1. Joe Brenner 1. Mike Fuchs
2. Cassidy Bigsby 2. Matt Sriver
3. Spencer Polacek 3. Mark Baier
Sr. Sportsman Lite Jr. Briggs
1. Mark Jung 1. Derek Crane
2. Nick Orth 2. Garret Wescott
3. Jill Rubenzer 3. Jason Foley
Briggs Lite Expert
1. Tylor Wolfert 1. Tommy Hartensveld
2. Ryan Wolfert 2. Brian Skaggs
3. Steve Ross 3.
Yamaha Lite Briggs Heavy
1. Matt Cota 1. Mike Landeck
2. Joel Steffen 2. Joe Schaffer
3. Mark Heinert 3. Jeff Carter
2-cycle Jr. Sportsman Jr. Can
1. Ryan Schwister 1. Grant Hoffmeister
2. Travis Kosik 2. Nic Johnsrud
3. Eric Sutcliffe 3. Jesse Wirtz
Briggs Animal Jr. Briggs Animal Sr.
1. Danny Corcoran 1. bye week
2. Chris Faestel
3. Kelsey Bauer
|
|
