Admin – Vintage Karting Association

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October 28. 2022

14th Annual New Castle Super Nationals

By Jeff & Sherri Brown
Photos by Rolf Hill

The 14th Annual Super Nationals were held June 16 -18 at New Castle Motorsports complex. A record crowd of 181 entries packed the pits with VKA members from Oregon and California to New York, Canada and Florida. Thursday was open practice from 10-5 with plenty of sunshine, warm temps with a strong breeze. The evening welcome party included a special spaghetti dinner provided by Bill Jackson in the air-conditioned restaurant.

The VKA Junior program is thriving. A record 10 entries put on a great show. The smiles say it all!

Friday arrived with more sunshine and warm temperatures. America’s Karting World Champion Lake Speed kicked off the drivers meeting with a strong message of safety and a prayer that set the mood for a great day of karting. The 1st round of 11 heat races were run and the competition was strong with many new drivers. and the, they were The two largest classes were Yamaha Limited with 27 entries and Yamaha Piston Port had 18 entries. The Juniors had a record number of 10 entries.

Following the heats, Romero Llamas and his team of judges conducted the kart show. There was a wide range of karts on display. Awards were given out followed by the Banquet inside. Mark Dismore’s daughter Estina and her team of pros cooked up some fried chicken and all the “fixens” for 150 people. Several members received special recognition including Tom Kelly, Jim Donavan, Romero Llamas. The hall of fame members Sonny Gerber, Lynn Haddock, Bill McCornack, Mark Dismore , Bill Jackson and I gathered at the podium to induct the 2022 members . The new inductees were Dean Kossaras , Paul Booth, Steve Welte and Louie Figone.

Saturday the second and third heats were run in 70-degree near perfect weather. Awards were passed out and folks were on the road home at 4pm. Thanks to all that attended, I hope to see all of you next year!

God bless you all and God bless the USA! Jeff and Sherri

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Fall Classic Brings Vintage Karters to Whiteland

October 20. 2022

by Adminin Events

Fall Classic Brings Vintage Karters to Whiteland

By John Copeland
Photos by Gerald Conrad & Denny Scott

Whiteland Raceway Park, just south of Indianapolis, proudly proclaims that it is the oldest continuously operating kart track in the United States. Since 1958 it has grown and evolved to meet the changing karting scene. And, in 2023, it is poised for another major expansion – more on that later.

But for three bright, sunny days in late September VKA members enjoyed what has become one of the “must–attend” events on the VKA calendar. Thursday was a busy day of moving in, unloading, and practice. Whiteland owners Sarah Fisher and Andy O’Gara generously furnished pizza for everyone for lunch on Thursday.

Friday’s schedule included more practice, 2 heats of racing, the Kart Show, and a delicious BBQ dinner prepared by Jim Donovan of Max-Torq Clutches. Participation in the Kart Show was lighter than last year, but the quality of the entries was outstanding. John Stults won the People’s Choice with his restored 1961 Hornet powered by a Poulan S-85. Again this year Whiteland hosted the biggest 50/50 payout of the year with TWO separate $500 payouts.

A new feature this year was a silent auction featuring some outstanding items of vintage significance. In addition to two T-Shirts autographed by Lake Speed and Lynn Haddock, there was a McCulloch engine table lamp made by Hall-of-Famer Bobby Lee, and a straw hat worn by the Godfather of karting, Duffy Livingston. The winners of the silent auction were all happy with their treasures and all the proceeds will go to support the VKA Junior Class support initiative.

Friday’s racing saw several large classes with plenty of close racing. The Yamaha Limited class and the Yamaha/Piston Port class each boasted 11 entries with plenty of good battles throughout both fields.

Saturday was another beautiful fall day and, after a short practice session, the 3^rd and final set of heats got underway.

Low-speed fun – Billy Dalton leads Mac 49

After trophies were awarded it was time for everyone to pack up and head for home. It was a perfect way to wrap up the Midwest Vintage season and everyone is excited to start getting ready for next year.

The staff at Whiteland Raceway Park is looking forward to welcoming the VKA back next season and to showing off their new and improved facility. They recently acquired an additional 35 acres immediately north of the existing track and have already begun preparations for a significant expansion of the racing surface. The existing track will be ground and resurfaced, nine new buildings will be constructed, including more garages, restrooms and showers. The pit/parking areas will be dramatically expanded to include several full hook-up motorhome areas. Racers will have expanded options for multiple track configurations. The track expansion will easily accommodate the fastest classes and Vintage C-Opens will find plenty of room to flex their muscles.

Chris Taylor puts an inside move on John Wall in Mac 49

Once the pit layout is finalized, we will reach out to every Vintage participant to offer reserved pit spots. Whiteland is committed to becoming the premier karting facility in the country and the VKA is fortunate to be a welcome part of their schedule. Don’t miss out n the opportunity to join us next fall for the 2023 Fall Classic. Mark your calendars!

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October 15. 2022

by Adminin Events

VKA Delmar at Route 61 Kartway

September 15 -17, 2022

By James Kammueller
Event Photos by Christy Miller
Show Photos by James Kammueller

We had beautiful weather for this event on Thursday and Friday with blue skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s. The weather became somewhat dicey on Saturday with intermittent light rainfall that caused some delay in completing the third heat event. There were 67 entries, and we also had a great turnout for the kart show that featured many beautiful karts, and two beautifully restored mini bikes.In all, 14 demonstration event classes were represented. We had some great food as well for lunch on Friday and Saturday with Jim Donovan grilling food provided by Jack and Sheree of Hi-Jack Racing. The menu included brats, hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, potato salad, chips and condiments.

Tom Brabant # 49 leads Steve Welte # 8 and Junior Class driver Chelsea Kraman # 13 in one of the combined Junior and Class 49 (4A) Modified heats.

Thursday was a practice day. Friday included morning practice, lunch, the driver’s meeting and the first two heat events beginning at 2 PM. Saturday featured the 8 AM kart show that ended around 9:30 AM as light rain began. This rain ended about 30 minutes later followed by a practice session featuring the braver drivers helping to dry off the track. The first two feature events were then run before more light rain delayed the remainder of the feature for about an hour. More light rain began within minutes after the feature was completed. Lunch was served and the awards were then presented around 1:30 PM inside the track office as light rain continued.

As always, a big thank you to promoter Scott Klingler, and the Nielson family, for their work in promoting and making this fine facility available to the VKA for what is always a fun event. Scott has been a big promoter of the 49 classes -especially stock Group B. At this event Scott divided Group B into light and heavy groups with the winners each receiving5 gallons of VP M 1 Methanol. Dean Didion won the heavy group and Rick Magnuson won in the light. As has been past practice, Scott also raffled off a Max Torque clutch to the Drivers in Class 12 -Sportsman Sidewinder. This year’s winner was Vico Prelogar.

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September 22. 2022

by Adminin Events

Avon 13th Annual Vintage Kart Reunion

By Scott Kneisel
Photos by Natalie Bogerman

This year was our 13^th annual vintage kart reunion and was another great event. We had 45 registered drivers, their pit crew (s) and many spectators. In the demonstration heats we had 54 entries in 11 individual classes.

Thursday July 28^th was move in and practice day and like usual it rained pretty hard in the morning but as a group effort, when the sun came back out we had the track dried and populated with karts by 1:30 PM and a full afternoon of practice.

Friday July 29^th was a full day and the weather was great with practice all morning and heat number 1 in the afternoon and finished by 3:00PM. Following a short break we had a fantastic kart show put on by Kurt and Natalie Bogerman that featured 50 entries. The breakdown was 16 Historic Rear (pre-1964), 22 Rear (1965 and newer), 10 Sidewinders and 2 Minibikes. The show was judged by Paul Hunter, John Phippen and Kurt Bogerman.

Following the show awards we did the 50-50 raffle and as an additional bonus, we also raffled off 10ea $50 gift certificates kindly donated by Red Line Oil who helped sponsor the event and provided us with the gift certificates as well as a couple “trick” banners and medallion lanyards.

After all that we finished the day with a pizza feast compliments GVKC.

Even great karts look better on the Start/Finish Line.

Saturday we practiced in the morning, fantastic weather again and ran heats 2 and 3 after lunch. We only had one minor “mix-up” with no injuries and a very safe event. By 3:30PM we had a trophy call and people started packing up to leave. Another one in the books!!!

We would like to thank the VKA for re-imbursing us for the costs of the EMT as well as the entry fees for the junior racers.

Thanks to all who participated in the event as well as the track workers who did such a great job.

The Avon Team.

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TNT Kartways Vintage Olympics – Quincy, MO

September 11. 2022

by Adminin Events

TNT Kartways Vintage Olympics – Quincy, MO

By James Kammueller
Photos by Lori Biehl, Christy Miller, Don Roll and James Kammueller

Combined Class 8 – Groups A & B and Classic Class 19 – Groups A & B. #5 Bill McCornack (8 B) and #75 Amy Scoggins (Classic A) put on quite a show in heat 3. Both took 1st in their respective classes by winning all 3 heats. Other drivers pictured include #13, Michael Day, and #71 Reg Rowsey.

It does get hot and humid in the Midwest and that was the case at the West Quincy TNT Kartway during the August 4 through 6, 2022 VKA Event with highs in the upper 80’s to low 90’s, few clouds and no rain during the entire 3-day event. There were 67 karts in attendance, and we also had a great turnout for the kart show that featured many beautiful karts. In all, 22 demonstration event classes were represented. Promoter Jeff Miles and crew, that included family members, did a great job of keeping the event on schedule and handling the numerous duties required both on scene, and behind the scene, at VKA events.

Thursday was a practice day. Friday featured morning practice, the driver’s meeting, tributes to two well-known former drivers who have left us, one heat event, the kart show and some great food including barbecued chicken wings, fried catfish and sunfish, baked beans, coleslaw and watermelon.

Combined classes West Bend Sidewinder, Sportsman Rear and Over 60 Masters. R to L are Trevor Brookman, Nick Kammueller, Kirk Gustafson, Tom Day, Dr. J.and Randy Duncaff.

The first tribute was made by Guy Roberts. Guy and many of his family members were in attendance to pay tribute to Guy’s father-in-law Bill Bickers who was the first of four generations of kart racers in the family. The family shared a display of trophies and memorabilia from Bill’s career. In 1957 Bill got into karting while living near Chicago. By 1959 Bill had relocated to near Urbana, Illinois and had become a Go Kart 800 dealer and McCulloch engine builder. Bill was an accomplished driver who competed in a number of national championship race events. He took great pride in his engine building as his engines had, at times, beaten more notable builders at major race events. He was one of four people who brought karting to central Illinois by starting a small track called Bolling Green near Urbana. Bill took great pride in watching his grandsons and great grandson also enjoy success in karting before his passing in June of this year.

Combined classes of Dual Yamaha, Dual Sidewinder and Dual Rear. #11,Cody Brookman, #4, Pete Vetter, #51, Matt Morgeson and #00, Rodney Fish.

Next, TNT owner Terry Traeder paid tribute to race driver Rick Gifford who drove not only karts but also competed in various types of auto racing including late model stock cars, sprint cars and road racing. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s Rick won thirteen U.S Go Kart National Championships and in 1979 won the coveted Professional Karting Association Race in Medford, Oregon. After that Rick shifted to auto racing. He was ranked as the 32nd best all time driver in karting.

VKA driver Matt Morgeson showed his vocal talents by singing our National Anthem. Matt Krechel then drove a final tribute lap to Mr. Gifford, to the Garth Brooks song “The Dance”.

Saturday activities stayed on schedule with morning practice until 10:30 AM followed by heats 2 and 3 and the awards.