Michiana Kart Klub Awards Banquet great end to a great season By Lisa White SOUTH BEND, IN - Michiana Kart Klub held their 2003 awards banquet Sunday at Christiana Creek in Elkhart, Indiana. The dinner started with a letter from South Bend Raceway Park's owner Mel McCallum thanking the club for nine years of racing and encouraging drivers to continue in MKK's tenth season in 2004. The season wrap-up was followed by a peek at 2004 with board consideration for a 14-race season instead of 12 and a possible teaching/mentoring program for the beginning karters of any age. The club president, Eric Lalone, thanked everyone from the board of directors to the ambulance crew for their help in running club races and other series races that were held at SBRP this season. A great prime rib dinner was followed by awards to the businesses sponsoring classes at MKK. Those businesses are as follows: Michiana Contracting - Spec 100 Jr. SSX Karters Pit Stop - 125 Shifter Profile Racing - Spec 100 Sr. SSX Stockberger Trucking - HPV 3 Sr. Med Fore/Smith Racing - Briggs Animal Sr. Green Law Offices - HPV 4 Sr. Heavy Bonnie Menting State Farm Insurance - HPV Jr. Sportsman Pace American Trailers - Yamaha Jr. Sportsman MRP Motor Sports - Web Site National Kart News - Web Site The Leslie Family - Darrin Jerome Memorial Race The trophy and plaque awards for MKK's points race were then given out to the eligible classes. A perfect season is 220 points, which for some classes, came down to the season championship. The top three in each class are: Spec 100 Med/Yamaha Pipe 1. Jody Emmons - 201 2. Jerry Lockrey - 172 4-Cycle Sr. Light 1. Matthew Deardurff - 216 2. Joshua Deardurff - 185 Spec 100 Jr. SSX 1. Mikie Breiner - 220 2. Carter Ammerman - 158 3. Sam Lee - 139 HPV 3 Sr. Medium 1. Ryan Padgett - 212 2. Matt Long - 188 3. Ben Wilkey - 179 Spec 100Jr. Sportsman 1. Derrick Griffin - 220 2. Josh Menting - 201 3. Alex Pike - 188 HPV 4 Sr. Heavy 1. Matt Wilkey - 200 2. Ron Dials, Jr. - 186 3. Chuck Yoder - 175 Intek Jr. 1. Eric Schumacher 214 2. Morgan Reynolds 205 3. Chasity Mottinger 195 4-Cycle Jr. 1. Kenny White 220 125cc Shifter 1. Steve Wilkey 208 2. Rob Slocum 157 3. Jared Slocum 117 4-Cycle Jr. Sportsman 1. Justin Jarrett 218 2. Tyler Brindley 196 3. Grant Lewis 195 HPV Jr. Sportsman 1. Jordan Pennington 212 2. Josh Menting 188 3. Brittany Griffin 188 Spec 100 SSX 1. Ben McCallum 212 2. Ryan Padgett 210 3. Tony Myers 187 Animal Sr. 1. Todd Kirts 208 2. Van Fore 200 3. Ben Wolgamott 180 Recognition was given to these classes that were run this season, but did not have enough entries for awards: 4-Cycle Sr. Heavy HPV Jr. 80cc Shifter Jr. Sprint 125 cc TAG ICA Most Improved Jr. Driver went to Eric Schumacher who was 4th place in 4-Cycle Jr. Sportsman in 2002 and 1st in Intek this year. Most Improved Sr. Driver went to Ron Dials, Jr. who was 7th place in Yamaha SSX Sr. last year and 2nd in HPV 4 this year. Jr. Rookie of the Year went to Jordan Pennington finishing first in HPV Jr. Sportsman. Sr. Rookie of the Year went to Keith Behr finishing fourth in HPV 3 Sr. Medium. The Marshall Martin Sr. Volunteer Award went to Ken and Lisa White for their time and efforts invested in the club. Sportsman of the Year went to Chuck Yoder for continually abiding by a code of fair play. Driver of the Year went to Ben Wilkey for finishing third in HPV 3 Sr. Medium, 6th in 125cc Shifter, 8th in HPV 4 Heavy and 10th at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals. Michiana Kart Klub is truly a family oriented organization with competitive, yet clean, racing in all twenty-two classes. Club membership offers reduced entry fees, participation in the club points race, a voice in the rulebook and a great end season awards banquet. If you're looking for a home track, look no further. Even if you like to race in a series, many MKK races are scheduled on non-conflicting weekends. The first two winter meetings for the club will be December 7 and January 11th. Look to www.mkk1.org for times and places. Also, check MKK for membership and new pictures. Congratulations to all winners, drivers and racing teams for a season well done! See you in 2004!