"MG Tires Championship Enduro Series season finale at GingerMan"

story and photos by Joe Brittin
South Haven, MI - The final race of the 2001 season for the MG Tires Championship Enduro Series was held on an unseasonably cool first weekend of October at the GingerMan Raceway near South Haven Michigan. Temperatures were 20 degrees cooler than normal all weekend causing everyone scramble for warmth. Snow even fell briefly on Saturday, delaying one race, which was ultimately run for rain points. Friday practice started out rainy, but the track was dry by noon and the rain held off until 5:00. Practice sessions were split into two groups instead of the usual four. This allowed about seven rounds of practice to be held on the rain-shortened day.

Some cold weather racing observations from GingerMan:
driving suits make good snow suits
helmets make good snow hats
driving gloves stay on drivers all day long
dish soap makes a good anti-fog coating for helmet visors
cooler ice lasts all weekend without replenishing
one small bottle of Gator Aide lasts all weekend
charcoal grille makes good hand and foot warmer
rain shelters can be made into warming huts with extra tarps
race trailers make good warming huts if you have electric heater
rain points = snow points = sleet points
winter coats do not fit very well under driving suits
no need to worry about sweating off fluids and weighing in light
takes up to three laps to warm up tires
5 karts off the course in turn three does not deter more from sliding off during the first round of practice early Sunday
tire warmers would sure come in handy
hose at restroom building makes good kart wash after going into sand traps
flexible air hoses are no longer flexible
shifter kart radiators need lots of duct tape
never can get motors up to normal operating temperatures
heated restrooms and snack shop greatly appreciated!

GingerMan Raceway is unique in that a local church requires quiet hours on Sunday from 10:30 to 12:00. This also provided a chance for CES Chaplain Ken Dressler to hold his service at a more user-friendly time. The break also allows for a more leisurely lunch break and bench racing time.

There were some good point battles on the line this weekend and a rather thorough post-technical inspection was done to the top three in each class. For those who did not pick up their trophies due to the long tech procedures, they will be available at the awards banquet and at the CES booth at the Mid-West Racing Expo. The awards banquet will held at the Carol Stream Holiday Inn on January 26. Banquet information and the final class points are posted on the series web site at www.championshipenduro.com.

Robert VanAcker picked up wins and wrapped up the point championship in the Sat. Controlled 99 and Sun. Controlled Ltd. enduro classes, bringing his total number of wins this year to ten. Other drivers picking up multiple wins were Clayton Prater, Kris McCarty, Braedon Maurer, Wil Bruner, Regan Vehring, John Larue, Eric Larue, Leo Pastore, Tim Barnard, Lamont Critchett, Mike Sinnett, Brian Kay, Rich Voss, and Brian Wester.

Clayton Prater who was able to run away from the field captured the SSC Racing Shifter Kart Pro Series race. Prater also wrapped up the point championship for this class. He and Marc Miller did some celebration doughnuts on the pit lane after the race. Marc Miller and Tim Koutny rounded out the top three.

Some more news about the 2002 CES schedule is that the series will be returning to Road America on the traditional June date with the Badger Kart Club. The Gateway dates will once again be held on Memorial and Labor Day weekends. Other notable stops will be at Grattan, GingerMan, and possibly Putnam Park. Look for more announcements on the 2002 CES schedule to be released soon!

Saturday Results:
Novice (Zaagman Decorating): Jessica Brannam, Jason Gour, Matthew Gilbert, Patrick McCarty, Nicholas Weiss, Thomas Steinbach, Ryan Premo, Geoffrey Premo

Yamaha Sportsman Lite Sprint (MAC Tools Motorsports): 1.) Lamont Critchett, 2.) Brian Zirves, 3.) Jerry Revely, 4.) Bob Zirves

Tecumseh Star (Tecumseh Motorsports): no entries

Yamaha Jr Sportsman Sprint (KG Racing): 1.) Tim Barnard, 2.) Josh Lane

Yamaha Sr Sportsman Sprint (Streeter SuperStands): 1.) Gerald Revely, 2.) David Hamel, 3.) Rich Haas, 4.) Mark Davis

B-Limited (Oilman's of Wilmington): 1.) Brian Weiss

Unlimited (ATC Commercial Colections): 1.) Leo Pastore, 2.) Tim Gilbert, 3.) Jerry Leonard, 4.) Bob Reynolds, 5.) Dale Clark

Yamaha Heavy (Fov Valley Kart Shop): 1.) John LaRue, 2.) Ron Thompson, 3.) Dave Meigel, 4.) Jon Bruner, 5.) Jerry Culp

100cc Controlled Ltd. (Kart Expo Int'l): no entries

Yamaha SSX Enduro (Martin Custom Products): 1.) Greg Hayden, 2.) Scott Berkowitz, 3.) Douglas Morrison, 4.) Ana Koehler

4-Cycle Sr (Competition Karting): 1.) Kris McCarty, 2.) David Wester Jr., 3.) Tiffany Wester, 4.) Mike Lynch

4-Cycle Jr (Briggs & Stratton Motorsports): 1.) Brandon Maurer, 2.) Michael Lynch

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

F200-OHV (Kohler Engines): 1.) Regan Vehring, 2.) Barry Schleicher, 3.) John Clements, 4.) Dan Bakke, 5.) Glenn Branstad, 6.) Immanuel Soelgeit, 7.) Jeff Clements

100cc Sprint/HPV (G-Man Kartworks, Inc.): no entries

Jr. 80cc Shifter (sscracing.com): 1.) Tim Barnard

Yamaha Sprint (Funkhouser Racing Engines): 1.) David Bird, 2.) Wesley Hiser, 3.) Andrew Chase, 4.) John Scott Miksula

Yamaha Sportsman Heavy (G.E.M. Products): 1.) Lamontt Crittchett, 2.) Jerry Revely, 3.) Gerald Revely, 4.) Rich Haas, 5.) Herb Eckhart, 6.) Bryan Swartz, DQ-Wes Tyler

Yamaha 80cc Sportsman (Kartech): 1.) Mike Sinnett, 2.) Mike Wos, DQ-Anthony Pisano

Jr Enduro (Pfeifer Industries): 1.) Brian Wester

Yamaha Lite (Red Line Oil): no entries

Yamaha Sportsman Enduro (RLV Tuned Exhaust): 1.) John LaRue, 2.) Kenneth Dressler, 3.) Jim Steinbach, 4.) Eric LaRue, 5.) Bob Broehm, 6.) Joe Brittin, 7.) Jon Bruner

Controlled 99 (RA Adams Enterprises): 1.) Bob VanAcker, 2.) Doug Evans, 3.) Brian Weiss 4.) Carl Weakley, 5.) Ken Reader

SK-125 S1 (GEM Promotions): 1.) Clayton Prater, 2.) Tim Koutny, 3.) Lance Lane, 4.) Chris Wright, 5.) Ross Kasner, 6.) Corey Clayton, 7.) Marc Miller, 8.) Brian Reimer, DQ-Frank Clayton, DQ-Kevin Heater

SK-125 S2 (WD-40 Company): 1.) Chad Sinnett, 2.) Blake Hansen, 3.) Steve Bernasek, 4.) Bryan Blair, DQ-Joe Paolicchi, DQ-Tom Johnson

G-125 Over 35 (eKMI.com): 1.) Tris Gour, 2.) Oscar Navarro, 3.) Doug Van Sweden, 4.) Scott Berkowitz

K-1 Sr. 80cc Shifter (Flatout Group Graphics): 1.) Rich Voss

125 ROTAX Max (Omega Karts): 1.) Brian Kay, 2.) Mike Cousin

Charity Team Sportsman (Kartshop.com): 1.) Jerry Revely

Charity Team Enduro (BK Racing): 1.) Matt Premo, 2.) Jim Steinbach

Sunday Results:
Novice (Zaagman Decorating): Patrick McCarty, Nicholas Weiss, Jessica Brannam, Matt Gilbert

100cc Sprint/HPV (G.E.M. Products): no entries

Jr. 80cc Shifter (Hegar 4 Products): 1.) Tim Barnard

Yamaha Sprint (Nelson Mfg/Invader): 1.) Wesley Hiser, 2.) David Bird, 3.) Samantha Weakley, 4.) Don Tate, 5.) Nick Kasten, 6.) Andrew Chase

Yamaha Sportsman Heavy (Kartshop.com): 1.) Lamont Critchett, 2.) Gerald Revely, 3.) Rich Haas, 4.) Jerry Revely

Yamaha 80cc Sportsman (Kartech): 1.) Mike Sinnett, 2.) Anthony Pisano, 3.) Mike Wos, 4.) Drew Williams

Jr Enduro (American Power Sports): 1.) Brian Wester

Yamaha Medium (Laukaitis Racing Engines): no entries

Yamaha Sportsman (GEM Promotions): 1.) Eric LaRue, 2.) John LaRue

Controlled 99 (Alpha Karts): 1.) Mac Hubbard, 2.) Doug Evans, 3.) Ken Reader, 4.) Brian Weiss

SK-125 S-1 (Rocket Racing Engines): 1.) Tim Koutny, 2.) Ross Kasner

SK-125 S-2 (PMB Motorsports): 1.) Steven Bernasek, 2.) Joe Paolicchi, 3.) Anthony Santavy, 4.) Tom Johnson, 5.) Blake Hansen, 6.) Chad Sinnett, DQ-Deep Pandian

G-125 Over 35 (Gearbox): 1.) Oscar Navarro, 2.) Tris Gour, 3.) Scott Berkowitz

Yamaha Sporstman Lite Sprint (MAC Tools Motorsports): 1.) Brian Zirves, 2.) Lamont Critchett, 3.) Bob Zirves, 4.) Andrew Chase, 5.) Tory Kamerling, 6.) Jerry Revely

Tecumseh Star (Tecumseh Motorsports): Called due to rain.

Yamaha Jr. Sportsman (Fast Lane Kart Shop): 1.) Tim Barnard, 2.) Josh Lane

Yamaha Sr. Sportsman (New Concept Design): 1.) Mark Davis, 2.) Rich Haas, 3.) Gerald Revely, 4.) Scott Edwards, 5.) David Hamel

B-Limited (ATC Commercial Collections): no entries

Unlimited (United Home Inspections): 1.) Leo Pastore, 2.) Jerry Leonard, 3.) Dale Clark, 4.) Randy Spettle

Yamaha Over 35 (Lava Soap): 1.) Jerry Culp, 2.) John LaRue, 3.) Dave Meigel, 4.) Ron Thompson

100cc Controlled Ltd. (RLV Tuned Exhaust): 1.) Robert VanAcker, 2.) John D. Stockbridge, 3.) Paul Evans

Yamaha SSX Enduro (On Trac Sales): 1.) Eric LaRue, 2.) Bob Broehm, 3.) Joe Brittin, 4.) Matt Premo, 5.) Jim Steinbach, 6.) Scott Berkowitz, 7.) Doug Morrison, 8.) Ana Koehler, DQ-Greg Hayden, DQ-Jon Bruner

4-Cycle Sr. (Briggs & Stratton Motorsports): 1.) Kris McCarty, 2.) David Wester Jr., 3.) Mike Lynch, 4.) Nora Premo, 5.) Tiffany Wester

4-Cycle Jr. (RA Adams Enterprises): 1.) Brandon Maurer, 2.) Michael Lynch

Kohler Box Stock (Kohler Engines): 1.) Wil Bruner

F200-OHV (Tecumseh Motorsports): 1.) Regan Vehring, 2.) Dan Bakke, William Huck Jr., 3.) Glenn Branstad, 4.) Thomas J. Messman Jr.