Season opens for MKK By Lisa White South Bend, IN (April 13, 2003) A brisk cool morning gave way to 70-degree weather for MKKís opening day. South Bend Raceway Park was buzzing with last minute kart changes as Rotax Masters and Rotax Internationals were signing in, some to a track they had never run before. There were high expectations as each of the 22 classes were called out for practice runs. Each got two practices before qualifying started at 11:30 am. One heat and a 10-lap feature followed as the temperature raised through the day. Spec 100 Jr./HPV Jr. ran together with a close finish leaving Darren Lane #9 and Joey Hahaj #8 following Mikie Breiner #13 in first place. Derrick Griffin #95 placed first in Spec 100 Jr. Sportsman feature by half a kart length, with Josh Menting #41 in second and Dustin Lane #25 in third. HPV 4 Heavy started out with lots of rubbing in the first turn as Matt Wilkey #94 found his spot in the lead. Ron Dials #38 in second while Dave Skinner #89 battled for third place with a close Marshall Martin #99. Wilkey had a 3-second lead by the half way mark, as Dials, Skinner and Martin battled for second place. Martin passed Skinner in the second half of the race, nipping at Dials for second. Martin passed in the white flag lap following Wilkey across the finish line with Dials taking third. In 4 Cycle Jr. Sportsman, Justin Jarrett #17 took the lead only to give it up to JJ Schafer #6 in the first lap. Jarrett was determined however, to regain his first place spot, passing Schafer later in lapped traffic for a triple play day ñ fast time in qualifying, first in the heat, and first in the feature. Other triple plays for Sunday were: 4-Cycle Sr. Lite: AJ Cooley #14 Spec 100 Jr.: Mikie Breiner #13 HPV Sr. 3Med: Chris Leason #01 Spec. 100 Jr. Sportsman: Derrick Griffin #95 4-Cycle Jr.: Kenny White #8 Intek Jr.: Eric Schumacher #10 HPV100/2 Junior: Michael Ferrara #02 125cc Shifter: Peter Kielar #98 Sprint 125cc Tag: Brian Bryniarski #3 80 cc Jr.: Tim Megenbier #17 4-Cycle Jr. Sportsman: Justin Jarrett #17 HPV Jr. Sportsman: Josh Menting #41 Animal Sr.: Joe Janiga #7 First place points for Sunday also go to: Spec 100 Med: Jonathon Koch #6 4-Cycle Sr. Heavy: Tim Kirts #50 HPV 4 Heavy: Matt Wilkey #94 Spec 100 Sr. SSX: Ben McCallum #5 Rotax feature winner was Ben Wilkey #95 for Masters and Rotax International feature winner was Jim Emerson #77. The RMax Challenge will be running three of their races at SBRP, one of which will be run with MWSS in July. The winners of the five regional races will qualify for Rotax Grand Nationals held in Denton, TX at the end of September. From there, the Rotax Internationals will race the Rotax World finals held in Egypt, in January 2004. MKKís very own Marshall Martin will be traveling with the circuit as Rotax Max Challenge National Race Director for 2003. For race schedules, engine specs and info on Rotax Max Challenge, check out http://rmaxchallenge.com. New this season to Michiana Kart Klub is the Pro Class Series featuring 2 cycle Yamaha Pipe, HPV 3 and HPV 4, Yamaha SSX and SBX, and 4 Cycle Briggs Animal. The first Pro Class race will be held May 4 with at least 75% pay back to at least 5 places. Open to everyone with WKA legal equipment and entrance to a regular MKK class for the day, this race promises to be exciting and fast. For weights, regulations and information on Pro Class, MKK's schedule and membership, go to www.mkk1.org or visit /www.sbrp.com for South Bend's entire 2003 schedule.