MG Tires Championship Enduro Series invades Putnam Park

Story & photos by Joe Brittin
MT. MERIDIAN, IN - The fourth stop for the MG Tires Championship Enduro Series was held at Putnam Park on July 6 - 8. This 1.8-mile road course, built in 1992, has held up extremely well and is very smooth compared to most road courses. Used primarily as a test track due to its proximity to Indianapolis based race teams, the track is booked for testing over 200 days a year. The Indianapolis Kart Club (IKC) has hosted events at this track since it was built, and even has donated money to help pave the gravel pit roads. This traditional date for the IKC to host a road race is always a hot one. Luckily, the rains held off until the event was over on Sunday, when a deluge hit the track around 5:00 pm.

For many of the classes, the only braking required at this high-speed track is in turn 7. Drafting plays a significant role, with packs of karts battling like they are in a Talledega restrictor plate race. The sprint Sportsman Lite class on Sunday had the top five karts swapping the lead the entire 30 minutes with Chris Tomasik taking the win over the Zirves brothers, Lamont Critchet and Scott Tomasik.

The SSC Shifter Kart Pro Series race was exciting as well. Pole sitter Todd Jurs was able to jump out to the early lead until his engine began to overheat. The 7 kart pack behind him realed him in with Marc Miller and Clayton Prater going to the point. Patrick Burke got squeezed out and spun into the guardrail along the front straightaway. He was able to keep it on all four wheels and walked away from the incident. Miller would drop out with motor mount problems on lap 13. Clayton Prater battled his way to the win over Derrick Roderweiss, who started deep in the field of 14 karts. Point leader Tim Koutny had a rare DNF after dropping out on the first lap. With three different winners through the first four races, the point battle in the SK-Pro class is tightening up. The racing luck award goes to Jay McQuinn, who had his Yamaha TCI unit fail on the cool down lap after taking the checkered flag in Yamaha Medium on Sunday. Jay also dominated the Yamaha Heavy class on Saturday.

The only red flag came in the second enduro race on Sunday when Erick Mack spun and was hit in turn seven. He did not require an ambulance transport and the race was called since it was past the half-way mark. A red flag was thrown in Saturday practice to clear out spectators from the restricted hot pit area at the beginning of pit lane.

The warm weather would play havoc with the post-tech fuel meter, initially causing some questionable DQs on fuel. Sunday, it was decided not to even check fuel after the problems on Saturday. The IKC was a little short handed on help this weekend causing some delays at sign-in and in scoring. For the next IKC event at IRP, the club will get the word out to its members for more volunteer help. Club members can call any club officer to volunteer for duties such as pre-tech, scales, sign-in, grid help, and working the gate.

Picking up multiple wins this weekend were Jay McQuinn, Robert VanAcker, Greg Hayden, Tris Gour, Brandon Klos, Jordan Schriner, Andrew Bruner, Tim Barnard, Mike Gibbs, Jake Thielmann, Jason Knuteson, Lamont Critchett, Gerald Revely, and Robert Thompson.

The next stop for the series is at Gateway International Raceway on July 27 - 29.

Saturday Results:
Novice (Zaagman Decorating): Clay Sinnett, Jessica Brannam, Tony Nika, Matthew Gilbert, Patrick McCarty, Matt Bakke, Corey Marks, Eric Bakke, Brooke Wankel

Yamaha Sportsman Lite Sprint (MAC Tools Motorsports): 1.) Bob Zirves, 2.) Brian Zirves, 3.) Nick Ricketts, 4.) Chris Tomasik, 5.) Scott Tomasik, 6.) Paul Schunke, 7.) Lamont Critchett, 8.) Jerry Revely, 9.) Dustin Kessinger, DQ-Brian Delaney, DQ-James E. Hurst, DQ-Michael Raisley

Tecumseh Star (Tecumseh Motorsports): 1.) Mike Gibbs, 2.) Bart Bartusiewicz, 3.) Gerard Schrementi

Yamaha Jr Sportsman Sprint (KG Racing): 1.) Tim Barnard, 2.) Josh Lane, 3.) Deanna Van, DQ-James B. Hurst

Yamaha Sr Sportsman Sprint (Streeter SuperStands): 1.) Gerald Revely, 2.) John R. Engle, 3.) Mark Davis, 4.) Richard Hadley, 5.) David Hamel, 6.) Kevin M, DQ-David Koutny, DQ-Cliff Roll, DQ-Mark Kleumpers, DQ-John Jezirski, DQ-Chuck Butler

B-Limited (Oilman's of Wilmington): 1.) Brian Weiss, 2.) Scott Grant, 3.) John Ritchie, 4.) Michael Cousin, 5.) Carl Weakley

Unlimited (ATC Commercial Colections): 1.) Tim Gilbert, 2.) Leo Pastore, 3.) Eric Bogdon, 4.) Randy Spettle, 5.) Bob Reynolds, 6.) David DeClue, 7.) Robert Lapke, 8.) Dale Clark, DQ-Bill Riley, DQ-Thomas G Adams

Yamaha Heavy (Fov Valley Kart Shop): 1.) Jay McQuinn, 2.) Mark Horne, 3.) Jerry Culp, 4.) John Goodman, 5.) Jon Bruner, 6.) Charlie Hackenthal, 7.) Ronald Thompson, 8.) John Brinkman, DQ-Don Roll

100cc Controlled Ltd. (Kart Expo Int'l): 1.) John Lamper, 2.) John D. Stockbridge

Yamaha SSX Enduro (Martin Custom Products): 1.) Greg Hayden, 2.) Rick Morris, 3.) Scott Berkowitz, 4.) DeAnne Dressler, 5.) Ana Koehler, 6.) Rick Shiedlak

4-Cycle Sr (Competition Karting): 1.) Brandon Klos, 2.) Scott Tomasik, 3.) Chris Bennett, 4.) Dave Kinney, 5.) A.J. Smith, 6.) Steven Evans, 7.) Kris McCarth, 8.) Tiffany Wester, 9.) Sean Shannon, 10.) Scott Evans

4-Cycle Jr (Briggs & Stratton Motorsports): 1.) Jordan Schriner, 2.) Colin Bamke, 3.) Jon Evans, 4.) Anthony Stiffler, DQ-Brandon Maurer

Kohler Box Stock (Kohler Engines): 1.) Andrew Bruner, 2.) Wil Bruner

F200-OHV (Kohler Engines): 1.) Regan Vehring, 2.) Dan Bakke, 3.) Glenn Branstad

100cc Sprint/HPV (G-Man Kartworks, Inc): 1.) Amy Rowe

Jr. 80cc Shifter (sscracing.com): 1.) Jake Thielmann, 2.) Tyler Thielmann

Yamaha Sprint (Funkhouser Racing Engines): 1.) Jason Knuteson, 2.) Richard Jones, 3.) Chris Tomasik, 4.) Paul Schunke, 5.) Wesley Hiser, 6.) David Hamel, 7.) John Jezierski, 8.) Travis Jacobson, 9.) Andrew Chase, 10.) John R. Barnard, 11.) Lisa Maurer, 12.) David Bird, 13.) Dan Schrementi, 14.) Nick Ricketts, 15.) Samantha Weakley, 16.) Bill Stiffler, 17.) Greg Haussin, DQ-Jeremy R., DQ-Tim Butler, DQ-Bill Cook, DQ-Ron Boxer, DQ-Zach Ulverto

Yamaha Sportsman Heavy (G.E.M. Products): 1.) Lamont Critchett, 2.) Gerald Revely, 3.) Jerry Revely, 4.) Brian Delaney, 5.) Doug G. Koin, 6.) Michael Raisley, DQ-Jarrett Corcoran, DQ-Herbert Eckhart

Yamaha 80cc Sportsman (Kartech): 1.) Jon Miles, 2.) Anthony Pisano

Yamaha Lite (Red Line Oil): 1.) Brock Schneiderman, 2.) Paul Corcoran, 3.) Todd Green, 4.) David De Clue, DQ-Garrie Schneiderman, DQ-Eric France

Yamaha Sportsman Enduro (RLV Tuned Exhaust): 1.) Joe Brittin, 2.) John Plessinger, 3.) Tim Lang, 4.) Kenneth Dressler, 5.) Eric LaRue, DQ-Jessica Salyer

Controlled 99 (RA Adams Enterprises): 1.) Robert Van Acker, 2.) Doug Evans, 3.) William F. Huck, 4.) Paul Evans, DQ-Kyle Schreiber

SK-125 S1 (GEM Promotions): 1.) Marc Miller, 2.) Chris Wright, 3.) Clayton Prater, 4.) Patrick Burke, 5.) Lance Lane, 6.) Tony Presnell, 7.) Ross Kasner, 8.) Tim Pritchard, 9.) Rob Bult, 10.) Derrick ?, 11.) Todd A. Jurs, 12.) Erik Winberg, 13.) Dan Bales, DQ-Tim Koutny, DQ-Jon Kettlewell

SK-125 S2 (WD-40 Company): 1.) Steven Bernasek, 2.) Blake Hansen, 3.) Ed Phelps, 4.) Dave Engle, 5.) Chad Sinnett, 6.) Samantha Weakley, DQ-Deep Pandian, DQ-Eric Voight

G-125 Over 35 (eKMI.com): 1.) Tris Gour, 2.) Harold Diehl III, 3.) Oscar Navarro, 4.) Chuck Fritz, 5.) Marty Vershaw, 6.) William F. Huck, DQ-Dale Nickos, DQ-Gary Jeffries

K-1 Sr. 80cc Shifter (Flatout Group Graphics): 1.) Angela Hoffman, 2.) Ray Smith, 3.) Mike Jacobs, 4.) Rich Voss

Charity Team Sportsman (Kartshop.com): 1.) Jerry Revely & Gerald Revely, 2.) Dave Engle & John Engle

Charity Team Enduro (BK Racing): 1.) Bob & Ron Thompson

Sunday Results:
Novice (Zaagman Decorating): Clay Sinnett, Matt Bakke, Eric Bakke, Patrick McCarty, Corey Marks, Jessica Brannam, Tony Nika

SK-80 Pro-K1 (National Kart News): 1.) Rich Voss

Jr. 80cc Shifter (Hegar 4 Products): 1.) Jake Thielmann, 2.) Tyler Thielmann

Yamaha Sprint (Nelson Mfg/Invader): 1.) Jason Knuteson, 2.) Samantha Weakley, 3.) Wesley Hiser, 4.) Andrew Chase, 5.) John R. Barnard, 6.) Bill Stiffler, 7.) Dan Schrementi, 8.) David Bird, DQ-Chris Tomasik, DQ-Nick Ricketts, DQ-Ron Boyer, DQ-Bill Cook

Yamaha Sportsman Heavy (Kartshop.com): 1.) Lamont Critchett, 2.) Jerry Revely, 3.) Gerald Revely, 4.) Chad Landers, 5.) Brian Delaney, 6.) Quincy Smith, 7.) Cliff Roll,

Yamaha 80cc Sportsman (Kartech): 1.) Anthony Pisano

Yamaha Medium (Laukaitis Racing Engines): 1.) Jay McQuinn, 2.) Jerry Culp, 3.) Mark Horne, 4.) Paul Corcoran, 5.) Charlie Hackenthal, 6.) John Goodman, 7.) Don Roll, 8.) Eric France, 9.) David De Clue

Yamaha Sportsman (GEM Promotions): 1.) Michael Cousins, 2.) Eric LaRue, 3.) Jon Bruner, 4.) Bob Thompson

Controlled 99 (Alpha Karts): 1.) Kyle Schreiber, 2.) Paul Hubbard, 3.) William Huck, 4.) Paul Evans, 5.) Doug Evans, DQ-Brian Weiss

SK-125 S-1 (Rocket Racing Engines): 1.) Lance lane, 2.) Ross Kasner, 3.) Dan Bales, 4.) Rob Bult, 5.) Tim Prichard, 6.) Troy Pressnall, DQ-Derrick

Sk-125 S-2 (PMB Motorsports): 1.) Blake hansen, 2.) Steven Bernasek, 3.) Gene Burcham, 4.) Chad Sinnett, 5.) Ed Phelps, 6.) Dave Engle, DQ-Eric Voight, DQ-Kent Meunier

G-125 Over 35 (Gearbox): 1.) Tris Goor, 2.) Bob Reynolds, 3.) Gary Jeffries

Yamaha Sporstman Lite Sprint (MAC Tools Motorsports): 1.) Chris Tomasik, 2.) Brian Zirves, 3.) Lamont Critchett, 4.) Bob Zirves, 5.) Scott Tomasik, 6.) Nick Ricketts, 7.) Paul Schunke, 8.) James E. Hurst, 9.) Brian Delaney, DQ-Jerry Revely

Tecumseh Star (Tecumseh Motorsports): 1.) Mike Gibbs, 2.) Gerard Schrementi, 3.) Bart Bartusiewicz

Yamaha Jr. Sportsman (Fast Lane Kart Shop): 1.) Tim Barnard, 2.) Josh Lane, 3.) James B. Hurst, 4.) Rick Birch

Yamaha Sr. Sportsman (New Concept Design): 1.) Gerald Revely, 2.) David Koutny, 3.) John Engle, 4.) Mark Davis, 5.) Kevin M., 6.) Mark Kleumpers, 7.) Richard Hadley

B-Limited (ATC Commercial Collections): 1.) Scott Grant

Unlimited (United Home Inspections): 1.) Johnny West, 2.) Leo Pastore, 3.) Randy Spettle, 4.) Rob Bult, 5.) Dale Clark, 6.) Robert Lapke, DQ-Nevil Algie

Yamaha Over 35 (Lava Soap): 1.) Ronald Thompson

100cc Controlled Ltd. (RLV Tuned Exhaust): 1.) Robert VanAcker, 2.) John Stockbridge, 3.) Erik Mack

Yamaha SSX Enduro (On Trac Sales): 1.) Greg Hayden, 2.) Joe Brittin, 3.) Scott Berkowitz, 4.) Rick Morris, 5.) Ana Koehler

4-Cycle Sr. (Briggs & Stratton Motorsports): 1.) Brandon Klos, 2.) Chris Bennett, 3.) Scott Tomasik, 4.) Steve Evans, 5.) Kris McCarty, 6.) Tiffany Wester

4-Cycle Jr. (RA Adams Enterprises): 1.) Jordan Schriner, 2.) Anthony Stiffler, 3.) Jon Evans, 4.) Collin Bamke, 5.) Brandon Maurer

Kohler Box Stock (Kohler Engines): 1.) Andrew Bruner, 2.) Wil Bruner

F200-OHV (Tecumseh Motorsports): 1.) Glenn Branstad, 2.) Regan Vehring, 3.) David Yeoman