MKC NewsLetter Special Summer 2008 Edition
President’s message
In case you missed it, MKC hosted the Grosse Ile Grand Prix May 30, 31, June 1, 2008. The weather was great all weekend. We enjoyed perfect temperatures, good breeze, mostly sunny skies.
The event all started when the track layout was assembled on Wednesday May 30, by 12 dedicated club volunteers who unloaded, deployed, and banded together the 1145 tires and close to 1000 pylons which gave the 5/8 mile track its definition. The weather was sunny and warm all day and yours truly, got all the sunshine he needed for the summer. It was dress to cover up bare skin for the rest of the weekend after that.
Friday practice day found everyone getting in sync for the 9 am to 5 pm practice session. Tech stickers recognized the dedication of our recently passed member, Kelly Grant. Kelly, a Grosse Ile resident and road racer with us since 2002, ran the grid for the 2007 Grand Prix event.
Practice lasted all day, interrupted by a few delays due to air traffic. Ace Wheelie was test driver for the celebrity race karts and came close to logging the most practice laps all day. Max Pasteiner logged practice laps in every session and my have may have eclipsed Ace’ record!
Volunteer work groups from Lake Township Fire Dept. and our Lady of the Woods Church supported the effort by working track pickup, turn marshal, gate, scales, and grid lineup positions. Many thanks for their dedicated efforts for the three day event. They were true professionals.
Friday evening it was time for the Celebrity Races. The Lake Township guys competed in Race 1 against the lone OLOW entrant Zak Cavins. Zak ran hard but was edged out to finish second to Mike Sanders from the Lake Twp. group. In Race 2, the Grosse Ile Business and Civic leaders’ race, Dan Spangler finished 5 seconds ahead of Dale Reaume to claim first place. You can view all the race finish details on www.mylaps.com. Look under Karting. Search for keywords Grosse Ile.
Saturday was a day divided into two portions: Morning practice and evening Pro Qualifying and Pro Race. The TAG’s and 125cc classes were featured. Bill Wolters turned in some really fast laps but not until he replaced spark plugs on lap two. Not a way to win a race. Unfortunately 15 laps is not enough distance to recover from a spark plug pit stop. Next year Bill, try again next year.
Sunday was the main event. Track was open all day. 9 am to 5 pm. Morning practice, afternoon heats, three 10 lappers for each of 6 race groups. I’ll let you review those results on line. Day’s end was capped off by a trophy award ceremony and the dismantling of the track layout. The support crews and club members disassembled the track, loading the tires and pylons into two 40 foot trailers in 2 ˝ hours. Outstanding! By 7:30 pm the place looked like an airport again. The crew was tired but happy that everyone had fun, got to meet new people, make friends, and learn new skills from each other.
Next year? Well, stay “Tooned” as they say. Watch our website www.michigankartclub.com. Ace Wheelie will endeavor to keep it up to date with photos from this year as well as news on upcoming races.
Once again, thanks to all the work crews and racers who joined us at Grosse Ile! Tell you friends and fellow racers that they missed a really good time. We only do this once a year, so mark your calendar for next year, first weekend in June. Join Us! Be there!
Bill
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