SEPTEMBER 2014
Vol. 5 Issue 9
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OWNER PRESIDENT – Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612-730-3719
OFFICE STAFF AR/AP – Stacy Robinson 763-421-4400 SALES SUPPORT – Vince Griffith vince@wheelsofthunder.net 651-280-8658 JUNIOR BOSS – Zack Robinson 763-421-4400
EDITORIAL STAFF
Special Features
Mystik Terracross....................................4
EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR editor@wheelsofthunder.net 763-421-4400
Photographers/Writers
BIR - Cool Weather means HOT Racing! .12
Princeton Speedway .............................26
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History Cruzers ....................................30
MYLIE LAVOLD TOM EDWARDS
Next Generation - Ally Giese ................38
BILLY BOYLE JENNA OSTERLUND CEAJA PHILP
STEVE CASPER
Rally’s & Shows
Lucky’s 13 Car Show ............................16
ADVERTISING STAFF
Ogilvie Raceway ..................................20
SALES – Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612-730-3719
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Outlaw Grass Drags .............................22
BRRP....................................................36
Ramsey Raceway..................................42
SUBSCRIPTIONS $34.99 - PHONE: 763-421-4400 www.wheelsofthunder.net
Departments
Garage Built ..........................................8 Boiling Point .........................................10
All content published herein is owned exclusively by Midwest Wheels of Thunder Magazine. Reproduction or further dissemination of the content herein is strictly prohibited without the express written authorization of Midwest Wheels of Thunder Magazine.
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ABATE of MN ......................................35
Game On! ...........................................46
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Car Owner/Enthusiast:
Rat Rod – 31 Ford
Zach Kurth
Challenge Accepted!
Stock Original This is where it all started!
Sound Familiar? Do you have a story of your custom ride? E-mail editor@wheelsofthunder.net and you could be featured with your ride in the next issue!
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One night at Broadway Bar & Pizza, I made a joke to a buddy and said, “Wonder if I can make a hot rod in 17 weeks for under 3 grand?” (That’s how long it was till back to the 50's.) So with about 50 hours of planning, and 250 shop hours... this is what we came up with. At the time, rat rods were just starting to become more main stream. Not everyone can blow $ 100.000 on a street rod. We wanted to make a point that with a lil shop time and ‘out-of- the-box’ thinking, anyone can have a hot rod. Most homes have TV sets that cost more then this car! This car is far from just tossed together; it’s on a CAD designed frame, 2x4 box, with a triangulated 4 link rear suspension with air bags. This car has 14k on it, with 6 states of driving, even 1900 miles in 3 day for the Hot Rod Power Tour! INFO: Body-1931 Ford Tudor - The body was chopped 3 inches, and channeled 4.
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Frame-A frame, horns and 2x4 box steel, 4 inch z, 18 inch kick. Motor was a 1972 small block. Now it is a crate 350, 300hp. Tranny is a 200r4 overdrive out of a 87 Caprice. Wheels are steel with Ford caps, 470 14s and 560 15s wide, white walls. Seats are old shop chairs, reframed to fit the car with sliders so a 6'10” guy can drive the car. The grill is a 1947 M Farmall tractor grill, with a 65 Mustang radiator. The coil is covered by a Schlitz can, the overflow is a Beefeater Gin bottle, and the air cleaner is a motorcycle tank. It has full windows, tilt wheel, CD, and a bottle opener too! With one hand on the wheel and the other out the window at 80mph.... Nothing makes a bigger smile. Love it or hate it... everyone has something to say about this car.
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Written by Billy Boyle
DEPRESSION IS NO LAUGHING MATTER The world recently lost one of the most energetic, funny and down to earth comedians in Robin Williams. His untimely death was a shock to many as the media pasted the word “SUICIDE” alongside his picture. Who would have ever thought that a guy as popular as he was would decide to end it all? On the outside he was full of life, but deep down below the surface he was crying out for help. The how he died goes way beyond the idle chatter of drinking, drugging and suicide. The issues we tend to brush under the rug like a deep dark secret, mental depression has been a household topic for decades; however we tend to turn an eye to the illness. I like many was one of Robin Williams’s biggest fans. Robin was often out of control on stage but he could make anyone laugh by simply picking up an object and turning it into a five minute comedy act. Another one my comedic idols Jonathon Winters was a master at improving with props. Robin Williams got much of his talent for improving with props from Jonathon Winters. Ironically they both suffered from years of dealing with alcoholism, pill popping and mental depression. A CLASS ACT
Robin Williams came to Boston to scout out locations to film a Hollywood production “Good Will Hunting”. He stumbled upon a quaint neighborhood bar called the L Street Tavern. He immediately fell in love with the bar and the people. The established comic and rising film star literally made the L Street Tavern and the close knit Irish neighborhood the place for the actors and film crew to spend their time and money. The screenplay was written by two unknowns, writer and actors named Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Both which quickly became household names after the release of the film. The Boston boys won the academy award for the Best Screen Play Page 10
warriors that suffer from depression every day. How do they deal with it? How do they get help? And do our medical professionals treat it, deal with it or blow them off? THEY DON’T DESERVE IT
and Robin Williams took the home the best supporting actor for his Oscar winning performance as Dr. Sean Maguire a Behavioral Therapist. Little did he know he could have a learned lot about himself in the role of the Dr. Sean Maguire? Robin became a big supporter of my neighborhood "Southie" and Southie adopted him as one of their own. During his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards he specifically thanked the people of South Boston. Something you don’t hear every day from a star. But other things we don’t hear every day is the topic of depression. Why is that? It is a tragedy he is gone, but it also is a tragedy that we have to wait until an icon, a celebrity, or an athlete dies from the agony of depression to broadcast it on national news and print media. How many of you readers are dealing with depression whether it be you, a family member or a friend. Makes you think about our
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Twenty two (22) of our American Military personnel succumb to suicide every single day. Think about what 22 represents, to put that in football perspective, that’s the entire starting offense and defensive team dying every single day. Could you imagine the headlines the next day? The media would have a field day; the highest level of Government would put the hammer down. Well my friends it does happen every day, it happens to our heroes and we do little or nothing about it. The recent headlines regarding the Veterans Hospitals in the United States have 42 VA hospitals under investigation for Patient Wait Times, Scheduling Practices and Alleged Patient Deaths. Imagine that the places where our heroes need to get a variety of medical attention might be the ones that are responsible for their death. THEY DON’T HAVE TO DIE IN A SAFE HAVEN
My Korean War veteran brother Charlie was under the care of the medical staff at the VA Hospital in Buffalo, New York and was being treated for Pneumonia. As he was having a tube removed from his breathing passageway he started to choke and then went into cardiac arrest. The hospital staff did nothing, but there was good reason. His chart had a big DNR scribbled across the top. DNR is an acronym for DO NOT RESISITATE. My brother’s wife and son had stepped out of the room to the cafeteria while they tended the simple procedure to remove his breathing tube. When they returned a somber Dr. and Nurse met my sister in-law with the bad news. When she heard the term DNR she was shocked September 2014
as my brother was very big into living a long life. The VA staff showed her his chart and she about fell to the floor. The chart they held was the patient in the next room. The tragedy should have never happened, but it happens at the VA far too often. TREAT THEM WITH DIGNITY
The guys and ladies that put their life on the line for our freedom deserve better treatment than being handed a bunch of pills and an assurance from the docs at the VA that everything will be OK. Too many of our returning veterans to civilization get the misdiagnosis for their condition or illness or totally blown off they cannot handle the volume. I guess that kind of tells us a story that if we have that many returning vets that are suffering from depression maybe we need to get to them sooner than a hospital visit several months later. I WILL NEVER FORGET JOHNNY
An acquaintance of mine a very proud US Marine “Johnny” was having issues when he returned from Iraq. Johnny would often sit and talk about the horrible things he observed and did. But Johnny was a Marine
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through and through; he knew that is the cost of war. I noticed as the months went on Johnny would get almost catatonic like, stare off into space for several minutes and then in the blink of eye he was back in Burnsville like he never left. Johnny knew he was dealing some demons, but these are the deep dark ones we have been talking about. He wasn’t a drinker or a pill popper but he wanted to get some help and treat his condition. I can remember like yesterday the conversation on how many times he was turned away from seeking help at the Minneapolis VA. His next plan was to travel to St Cloud Veterans Hospital because he had heard they would treat him differently. The answers at the St Cloud VA Hospital were not any different from the medical facility in his own backyard. Shortly after being told that he would have to wait three weeks for a bed to open up, he left the St Cloud VA. Johnny was found dead several hours later, the cause of death suicide. THEY NEED OUR HELP
The focus on depression needs to be given a much higher priority. The out pouring
that Robin Williams has received from his admirers is admirable; the topic was front page news for a week. We cannot let the illness end up on the forgotten list. Giving the treatment circumstances and the 42 Veterans Hospitals under investigation our elected leaders in charge need to step up to the plate and get things in order. The Johnny’s of the world are many, we pay tribute to these warriors that die on the battlefields, however many of the twenty two that die each day from suicide are often forgotten. I believe even Robin Williams in the right frame of mind would be standing up for the proper treatment and care of our warriors young and old. Sadly Robin Williams is gone, but there are 22 Veterans we can save tomorrow. Speak up and speak loudly for our Vets! They should never be forgotten. I welcome any feedback or insight regarding this topic. I challenge any organization that can help our veterans return to civilization and help them cope with day to day challenges to be part of the movement! DON’T FORGET THE VETS
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SUMMER’S OVER AND THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL, BUT THERE’S STILL SOME GREAT RACING COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. eptember’s schedule kicks off with the second installment of the Modern Automotive Performance Proving Grounds, a turbo-charged event for imports, sport compacts and bikes. The Proving Grounds continues to grow in popularity and now is on BIR’s schedule twice each summer, including Sept. 5-7.
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Drivers can register to compete in any number of events, including drag racing, drifting, autocross and Time Attack, which is a timed event on the road course. They can also compete in the Triple Track Showdown, which combines results from drag racing, autocross and Time Attack. The drifting competition, where cars are in controlled skids around a course marked by cones, is a fan favorite, especially during the Tandem Drift Competition for advanced drivers.
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Written by Geoff Gorvin
SNOWMOBILES & SUPERBIKES Two weeks later, Sept. 19-21, fans will be treated to the Wet & Wild Weekend Part II. Again, it’s the second time around this season for this crazy event, which features a combination of snowmobile racing on open water and high-flying, high-intensity Superbike racing. The International Watercross Association (IWA) is bringing its incredibly entertaining brand of racing to BIR. If you’re unfamiliar with watercross racing, you’ll want to check this out. Snowmobile riders seem to defy gravity by racing across open water during drag racing and oval racing. They
start a few yards from the lake and then hit the water at full throttle, either racing to the other shore during drag racing or in heats of three to five sleds while doing several laps around floating markers before returning to the same shoreline that they started on. Do they sink? You bet they do. But then a pontoon winches them out of the water and takes the sled and driver back to shore, where they get ready for their next heat. Few modifications are required to the sleds other than adding a special gas tank to keep gas from leaking into the lake if the sled sinks. While the snowmobiles are on BIR’s campground lake, the Central Roadracing Association will be on BIR’s 2.5-mile Competition Road Course for Superbike racing, which comes to BIR five weekends each year. These are some of the most skilled amateur motorcycle racers in the Upper Midwest who test the limits of themselves and their bikes by flying around the track on two wheels and a knee. Friday and Saturday’s schedules include practice sessions and some six-lap races for the Supersport, Grand Prix and Superbike classes. On Sunday, the featured event is a five-hour endurance race. BRACKET DRAG RACING SERIES
Photograph provided by SDE September 2014
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Drag Racing Series. This is the sixth and final weekend for the series, where 250plus dragsters, cars, trucks, bikes, snowmobiles and Junior Dragsters compete for series championships in 10 classes. Every weekend includes two races, where time trials, qualifying and eliminations are both Saturday and Sunday, giving drivers twice as many chances to earn series points and win prize money. The intensity this weekend will be extremely high with series championships on the line, so the action should be nothing short of thrilling. BIR PERFORMANCE DRIVING SCHOOL In addition to showcasing a great variety of racing action this month, BIR also has three school dates left for the BIR Performance Driving School. These are single-day school sessions where drivers learn the finer points of driving in a high-performance situation – namely, on a race track. The school combines classroom instruction with 25-minute driving sessions on the track. Students can use their own cars
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or use the school’s Spec Racer Fords, which are single-seat, five-speed race cars that top out around 130 mph. The final dates are Sept. 8 and 22, and Oct. 6.
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Summer’s over but BIR still has a lot of racing left. Check us out.
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August 22nd – 24th, 2014
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Another month has come and gone, and the Princeton Speedway had many nights of great race action. Written by Tami Jo Kuehn Photography by Bailey Sens
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he middle of July was the annual Meet the Drivers Kid’s Night. Drivers lined the tracks front stretch and kids flooded onto the surface. Kids of all ages were able to talk to drivers and collect fun items like candy, photo’s, juice boxes along with other things. After the festivities wrapped up, the racing was on.
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The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds had a fun feature as Josh Paulson grabbed first. Brandon Mehrwerth kept close to him as the pair of 7's pulled away from others. Denis Czech moved into third and Mehrwerth pulled into the lead as the yellow waved. Mehrwerth was alone on the restart with Czech in second. Bud Martini drove to his side and took the point. Martini caught and passed Mehrwerth but Mehrwerth kept on his bumper. Another caution flew and Martini was slowed. Martini led through a couple more cautions and took the win. Mehrwerth, Czech, Jason Hall and Kyle Matuska were top finishers The following week, the WISSOTA Street Stocks began their close race with Alex Gunderson and Amanda Milbrandt on the front row. Gunderson grabbed the lead, but drifted high and Milbrandt charged into the lead. Ryan Kostreba pulled into second
and worked Milbrandt, but she kept him back. Kurt Becken moved to Kostreba’s side while Justin Pogones closed in. Milbrandt continued to hold back her competitors until Kostreba moved to her side. Kostreba pulled into the lead and Pogones took second. Pogones kept close to Kostreba and soon the checkers were raised. Side by side they crossed the line and the winner was determined by .01 seconds. Kostreba rolled his yellow #17 into victory lane. That same night, Jess Geesey grabbed the lead when the green dropped for the WISSOTA Mod Fours. Ross Mead took second but as other drivers closed in, Mead got loose and cars collided. After sorting the cars out, the race resumed with Geesey in first. Kyle Thell went wide off turn two and snatched the lead. Geesey held second but felt the heat of Keith Thell behind him. Geesey held Keith Thell back as another caution occurred. Kyle Thell sped away on the restart and Keith Thell grabbed second. Geesey held third as the Thell brothers pulled away. Kyle led the remaining laps and took the checkers. August began with a first at the Princeton Speedway. 14 Mini Mods took the track with Jim Rich and Nate Kiwine on the front row. They battled as the green flew and Buzz Pool moved into third. Kiwine moved into the lead with Rich in a close second. The first of a series of yellow’s flew and slowed the drivers down. Four cautions kept the Mini Mods at bay with Kiwine in the lead. As the green waved, Rich moved aside Pool for second and took the point. Scott Johnson then moved to Pool’s side for third. Pool kept Johnson back as
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the checkers were raised. Nate Kiwine took the win in his #15 Mini Mod followed by Rich, Pool, Johnson and Dylan Kromschroeder. A pair of #13’s led the Hornets to the green and Jake Bayerl put his #13 in first. Eric Pfundt’s #13f took second but Dannie Burkholder closed in. Pfundt held onto second with Lexy Kastner and Burkholder at it for third. Burkholder pulled away and took second while Matt Dibb moved aside Kastner. Dibb and Kastner battled for fourth on the bumper of Pfundt. Dibb nosed ahead and to Pfundt’s side as Burkholder reeled in Bayerl. With the white flag raised, Burkholder caught Bayerl, but Bayerl held his line and put his HyTech Automotive sponsored hornet in victory lane. The track had the next week off, but on the 15th, we were back in action with both the Traditional and Winged UMSS Sprint Cars. The Traditional Sprints rolled out for their feature and Schafer took the lead with Kevin Bradwell in second. Bradwell then took the lead as Joseph Kouba moved into third. Kouba then passed Schafer for second but Schafer kept close. Schafer reclaimed second and pulled away while Mike Mueller moved into top points. Mueller moved past Kouba and Schafer for second as the yellow waved. On the restart Bradwell was first but he spun in turn two and drivers scattered. Mueller assumed the lead as the green waved and Kouba took second. Schafer kept close and soon moved aside Kouba. Schafer drove ahead to secure the second point and chased after Mueller. Schafer drove the high groove and went over the tracks edge along with another driver. The yellow flew one final time but Mueller ran strong and held the lead until
the checkers flew. Mueller drove his JDI Signs and Graphics #87 in victory lane. The Winged UMSS Sprint Cars then hit the clay with Gunner Cummings and Ryan Bowers on the front row. Cummings shot into the lead as the green flew but soon the red light appeared as Nick Lusk rolled on the front stretch. Lusk was ok and drivers were realigned. Cummings was first on the restart and Bowers took second. Chris Graf then took second, Brooke Tatnell took third and Bowers held onto fourth. Graf moved next to Cummings and pulled away while Tatnell claimed second. Tatnell caught and passed Graf and soon was lapping slower drivers. Tatnell kept passing drivers and lapped everyone up to the sixth point as the checkers flew. Tatnell put his #14 in victory lane with Graf, Heskin, Bowers and Cummings in the top five points. The WISSOTA Super Stocks ended the
night’s action and brought a lot of energy to the track. Matthew Dibb took the lead, Kyle Robideau took second and Chris Wark, Josh Anderson, Dave Mass and Tim Johnson battled four wide for third. They rounded turn four and contact was made amongst them causing the yellow to wave. Dibb was first on the restart but Johnson grabbed the middle groove and took second. Johnson moved to Dibb’s door and claimed first. Dibb and Anderson battled side by side for second until Anderson broke away. Wark then moved to Dibb’s door for third with Shane Sabraski on their rears. Sabraski moved up and they were three wide for third. With two laps to go, they were still three wide, but then Sabraski took the point. As the checkers were raised, Sabraski gave it one final charge and took second from Anderson by a margin of .04 seconds. Tim Johnson took the win by a straight away and rolled his Wollak Construction sponsored #1Jr. into victory lane. The regular season will be done the end of August, but you still have a chance to catch some dirt flying action on September 19 and 20 for the 2nd Annual P-Town showdown. The special will be two complete race shows with lots of door to door combats by the best racers in the upper Midwest. Keep updated with all your local race action by visiting princetonspeedway.com or by liking us on Facebook. Don’t miss out on seeing a Friday Night Car Fight this season!
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The Twin Cities History Cruze Car Show has turned 21
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amilies show up every Friday from June through mid September for the classic cars, food, music and fun. The North St Paul History Cruzers, are an open group of volunteers with one purpose, to bring families back in time and show young ones how us older folks lived. Being one of the best kept secrets of family friendly events where you can go and enjoy being with friends and the only costs you have is if you stop and have some great food. Page 30
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This sleepy little city comes alive for 16 consecutive Friday nights with about 1,500 1975 and earlier cars and trucks along with thousands of spectators. The Friday Night History Cruzers have been putting this show on for 21 years. Meet up with friends and family and enjoy this rolling museum of Detroit and imported iron. We have everything from stock and unrestored cars and trucks to beautiful custom classics, listen to live ‘50’s and ‘60s bands and all the State Fair Foods you can eat. It is great to see multi generation groups all walking through the show, all enjoying what they see and hear rolling by is such a
great feeling. A young family can put their young ones in wagons or strollers, grab the leash and the dog and stroll the show, from 6 PM – 10 PM and unless you by food from one of the many vendors or purchase something from a business or vendor, it will not cost the family anything. Unless we bring the young generations into the “MotorHead” world, these works of art will not be here for anyone to enjoy. We really enjoy seeing senior citizens walking through the show, stopping by a ’64 Pontiac Station wagon and hearing them say they remember owning one of them. Watching their eyes sparkle remembering their past cars. Seeing a 1941 Ford parked next to a 1969 Road Runner and seeing a 1929 Model T parked across the street is something that just does not happen unless you are here in North St Paul. Something many people don’t think about is that there will never be another jeepster or DelRay built again. If we want to have the next generation see any of these cars, we need to spark interest in the youth of today. The History Cruzers are a non-profit group of volunteers, no one in the past 21 years have ever been paid for work performed. The board meets with the City of North St Paul, schedules all meetings and shows for the year, promotes the show, designs flyers, builds web sites all on their own time and money. The show is funded by the business owners, sponsors and the vendors on the street. The Car Show is not funded by the
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City, we pay the city for use of it’s streets, it is the non-profit that pays for the barricades, insurance, toilets, trash pickup and police protection. If you want to let your mind wander back to a time when things were simple and really enjoy a Family Friendly event that you will not soon forget, go to www.historycruzer.com , like us on facebook, or better yet, grab your family, come to downtown North St Paul, Minnesota. We guarantee you will love it or double your entrance fee back, oh ya, it is free…
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ABATE OF MINNESOTA In August I took a ride through Gettysburg. No not that one - Gettysburg, South Dakota. I love riding in rural South Dakota. There is something about those wide open spaces and the freedom based mindset of the locals that makes motorcycling there very pleasurable for me. Even though this was the beginning of Sturgis Week, there was very little traffic and few motorcycles on these back roads. At the next town I saw some familiar looking people parked at the gas station so I pulled in. Sure enough it was ABATE of Minnesota’s Northwest District Director, Mike Jeppesen, and his Freedom First Riders Chapter posse. Seeing freedom fighters enjoying themselves is also very pleasurable. I met a lot of new
people the next couple of days and renewed many old friendships. The bond that motorcycle riders share can not be put into words. Monday it was up early for breakfast and the ride down to Hill City for ABATE of South Dakota’s Lake Chapter annual fundraiser run. They were very happy when a bunch of Minnesotans showed up to support them. I heard it was a scenic ride, but a few us stayed behind to help a friend with a flat tire. Luckily, a Texas biker had an available trailer and brought the bike to a repair shop. Helping stranded bikers is part of the bond that holds us together.
Tuesday was Minnesota Day in Central City. Wy’s Casino rolls out the red carpet and offers everyone free food and great hospitality. The crowd was down a little bit due to a huge rainstorm that started just after noon, but the folks who attended had a great time. It is always enjoyable being around friends who share a common passion. Thursday was another great day. Attending the ABATE of South Dakota Social in Whitewood is something I never miss. They have a nice quiet park away from the crowds where all motorcycle rights organization members can gather and discuss biker’s rights, custom motorcycles, great roads and anything else on their minds. The food is awesome and the setting is relaxing. What a wonderful experience it is to be around so many people who do not take their riding freedom for granted. Folks, this is what it’s all about. Motorcycling is a passion and motorcyclists share an uncommon bond. Riding free and safe on the open road. Travelling the country unrestricted. Associating with who you want, when you want, where you want. This is why we work so hard on legislative issues. This is why we promote motorcycle awareness to the general public. This is why we have an organization. This is why we work so hard to preserve motorcycling liberty, not just for us, but for all future generations. This is ABATE of Minnesota’s mission. Ask your friends and family members who ride to join and support ABATE of Minnesota. Yours in freedom, Mack
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2014 RACING SCHEDULE BRRP Series includes: IMCA Modifieds & Northern Sportsmods, Legends, Pure Stocks, Hornets, Wissota Mod 4 Sunday May 11th Season Opener - Regular Classes Sunday May 18th Regular Classes Sunday May 25th NOSA Sprint Cars & Regular classes (no Mod class) Sunday June 1st Regular Classes Sunday June 8th Regular Classes Saturday June 14th Tuff Trucks, Train Races, Roll Over Contest Sunday June 15th NLRA Late Models & Regular classes (no Mod class) Saturday June 21st Regular Classes - Fan Appreciation Night Sunday June 22nd Regular Classes Sunday June 29th Regular Classes Sunday July 6th Regular Classes Sunday July 13th Regular Classes Sunday July 20th Regular Classes Saturday July 26th NOSA Sprint & Regular classes (no Mods or Mod-4 class) Sunday July 27th Regular Classes Sunday Aug. 3rd Regular Classes but no Mod-4's Sunday Aug. 10th Regular Classes Saturday Aug 16th Tuff Trucks, Train Races, Roll Over Contest Sunday Aug. 17th Regular Classes Thursday Aug. 21st Rally America Sunday Aug. 24th Regular Classes Sunday Aug. 31st Season Championship - Regular Classes Saturday Sept. 6th Corn Cob National Sunday Sept. 7th Corn Cob National Saturday Sept. 13th IMCA Special Sunday Sept. 14th IMCA Special Friday Dec. 12th ISOC National Snocross Saturday Dec. 13th ISOC National Snocross Sunday Dec 14th ISOC Regional Snocross Regular Classes include: Modifieds, Northern Sport Mods, Mod-4's, Legends, Pure Stocks, Hornets
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Written by Mylie LaVold
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unior Drag Racer Ally Giese may be pint-sized and pretty, but she packs a punch in her Pretty Pigments dragster. At only 9 years old, this little lady is already making a name for herself as one heck of a driver.
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ALLY GIESE Jr. Drag Racer
Jr. Drag Racer Ally Giese may be pint-sized and pretty, but she packs a punch in her Pretty Pigments dragster. At only 9 years old, this little lady is already making a name for herself as one heck of a driver.
dance. Although she is all of those things, racing is where her heart is. “I like every part of racing. I like how fast I get to go. I like my car. I like my friends. I like everything!”
Talking to Ally and hearing about her passion for racing, it’s hard to picture her as a normal fourth grader who likes science and reading and participates in softball and
Like many young racers, Ally got her love of the sport from her dad, Toby, who is racer himself (she also has grandparents on both sides who raced). “She has been going to the track with her dad since she was really, really little,” explains Ally’s mom Chelley. “She knew early on that she wanted to race Jr. Drags, but she became obsessed with the idea when she was about 5 years old. That’s when she started going to races all the time. She really watched the how the kids raced and started getting to know all their names.” Obsessed as she was, the minimum age to race was 8 so Ally had to wait to compete. She used the time to watch and learn and with her dad as her teacher, she was in good hands…most of the time anyway. “There was one time at Grove Creek that my dad let me drive around the pit and there is a creek behind the pit,” recalls Ally. “I didn’t know then that you have to turn really, really wide and I almost ran into the creek!” Luckily, all turned out well thanks to Toby’s quick reflexes. She also honed her
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until then.” Toby says it is great as it is to see Ally taking first place and doing well in points, but feels it is important to try to keep the pressure of winning and chasing points off of kids. His advice, which Ally had taken to heart is, “It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, if we blow-up motors or whatever happens, we are out there to have fun and do it as a family.”
early driving skills driving the golf cart which came with a few close calls and valuable lessons in braking and turning. Even with close calls and the elements of risk and danger that come with the sport, Toby says he has always been supportive of Ally’s choice to race. “They didn’t have this back when I was a kid. Ever since they introduced Jr. Drag Racing, I have wanted her to do it. But no matter what I wanted, I never pushed her into it. I put the offer out there and she jumped at it. It was totally her decision either way.” Ally currently races in the Novice category for youth ages 8 and 9. NHRA rules for this class state “dial-in restricted to 11.90 seconds or slower based on either an e.t. dialyour-own or heads-up basis; breakout rules apply. In qualified events, no racer can qualify quicker than 11.900.” Chelley explains this means they are reaching speeds of about 55-60 mph, which is pretty fast considering the age of the kids. “That’s what I like about it,” says Ally. “It’s fun!”
quicker than 8.900.”) Ally is one of the few girl racers out there. In fact, she is the only girl in her age group at Grove Creek, her home track in Grove City, MN or at B.I.R (Brainerd International Raceway). Chelley notes there are older girls but none Ally’s age this year. This doesn’t faze this young lady one bit. In fact, Ally likes racing (and beating) the boys, especially her cousin Alex who she says is her rival. I asked Ally how it felt going from her home track to B.I.R. “It was a little scary at first,” she recalls. “But once I made my first pass I got used to it.” And get used to it she did. Ally is currently second in points and even took first place at B.I.R in July in what she says is her favorite race. “She had been getting quite a few seconds,” explains Chelley. “But that first place had eluded her
Along with focusing on fun and family, Toby believes racing (or any other sport or activity) is a great chance to teach kids about priorities, responsibilities and earning opportunities to do the things you want to do. “We tell both Ally and her brother Cameron, you have to do well in school, pay attention, follow directions and do your chores around the house and then you can do a little drag racing.” Part-two of the lesson has to do with consequences. “If you don’t do those things, Dad will park that thing in a second and it can just sit the garage.” Family is a word we hear often when talking to all racers and it goes beyond immediate family and relatives. “Everyone is really nice,” says Ally. And Chelley agrees. “It really is a wonderful group of people. We call them our drag racing family. And even though there is competition, everyone gets along. The kids help each other and want to see their fellow racers out there with them. The parents are very supportive of each other and the kids.” Chelley tells a story that illustrates that ‘track family’ attitude. “Back in June, Ally had an engine failure. Her grandmother
Ally drives a 124-inch wheelbase Jegster fabricated by Matt Steen. She runs on Mickey Thompson tires with everything powered by a 5-horse Clements motor prepared by Beaulieu Racing with a Polar clutch. Next year, she will move up to the Intermediate category for ages 10 to 12, which means she can go even faster and of course makes Ally very happy. (NHRA rules state “dial-in restricted to 8.90 seconds or slower based on either an e.t. dial-your-own or heads-up basis; breakout rules apply. In qualified events, no competitor can qualify Page 40
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saying, “Mom, it’s my motor and I broke it so I am going to pay for a new one.” Call it what you like, stubbornness or determination, Chelley says that’s just how Ally is. Toby adds that Ally is also very thorough and analytical which are good qualities to have, especially in racing. He adds that she can be hard on herself but it’s just because she wants to do things right and she strives really hard to best the best at what she does. “That’s not something you can teach. It is either something you have or don’t.”
was in town visiting from AZ that weekend and for some unknown reason brought a bunch of jewelry she made with her to the track. When I explained to her that this was going to be very expensive to fix and that we had no idea how we would afford a new motor she said, ‘well, now we know why I brought the jewelry!’ She gave Ally the box of jewelry and told her if she sold it she could keep all the money she made. So Ally laid everything out on her dragster and had them announce to the entire crowd what had happened and what she was doing. Ally stood out there all day selling jewelry. People kept coming and some didn’t even buy anything, they just made donations.” It is great story but here’s the real kicker; Ally didn’t earn quite enough money for a new motor but she refused the offer of help from her parents to make up the difference
Confidence, charisma and a sense of humor can also be added to the list. Toby says Ally can sit with the guys in the pit and fit right in, chatting about racing (and correctly using the lingo), she can market and sell herself to sponsors, and she makes people laugh with her witty humor. A perfect example of confidence and humor is when I asked her if her dad was her favorite racer. Ally replied, “No. I’m my favorite racer, then my dad!” With all so many endearing qualities, it’s no wonder people love her. That includes her sponsors (many of who she secured herself), Pretty Pigments, Telcom Construction, Bishops Performance, Pro Tech Machining, Sunset Beach Resort, G&S Race Cars and RPM Graphics. “Ally is a great junior drag racer! She is so determined to go every round and so proud of her car. She holds her head up high if she loses a round is ready to try again for the next,” says Kelli Patrick of Bishop Performance Motorsports. “We are so proud to sponsor her. She is the future of this sport and she will be one to watch on the track for many years to come!” Sponsor Diane Harris, owner of Pretty Pigments, LLC agrees with Patrick. “Ally is a dynamic young racer with big dreams and an even bigger heart. I jumped at the chance to sponsor her and couldn't be more proud,” says Harris, adding, “Her drive to get out there every weekend and compete is impressive. Just as impressive is her sportsmanship. Both are just in her blood. She represents the future of drag racing and as with many others I look forward to seeing where her dreams take her." As her sponsors, fans, family, and Ally herself, look forward to an exciting future in racing; Ally encourages other kids interested in racing to not be afraid. “Just go for
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it! If that’s what you really want to do, just try it and go for it!” Sounds like good advice in any situation, Ally! NHRA CHANGES MINIMUM AGE TO 5 “Effective June 15th, the minimum age for kids eligible to participate in the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League will be 5 years old. …In the 5year-old classification, the Trainee category, participants can begin running a Jr. Dragster with a crate engine from Briggs & Stratton with a slide valve limiting the power output of the engine. Trainee participants will make single passes down the dragstrip to get familiar with the car and track surroundings in a non-pressure environment. Another separate classification for 6and-7-year-olds also has been created, the Youth category, which will allow participants to begin competing head to head on the track at the 13.90-second index with a crate engine and slightly increased power output from the Trainee category engine. ‘It is important to provide competition opportunities for children in these age groups so they can become exposed much earlier to the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League and the sport of NHRA Championship Drag Racing,’ said Josh Peterson, NHRA vice president of racing administration. ‘With similar introductory programs available in stick and ball sports for ‘pee-wee’ competitors, we wanted to put an NHRA Drag Racing option into that mix for families to consider.’ ” ~ NHRA.com, May 31, 2014 www.WheelsofThunder.net
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H
ello Wheels of Thunder Fans! These are good days! GameON! TV just learned we earned four Emmy nominations surrounding our work @ GameON! And it's hard to believe that summer is soon to be a memory and we'll be doing outdoor sports with a touch of winter white! GameON! hopes your summer was exciting and filled with fun and GameON! TV is ready for a fantastic fall season. This issue of Wheels of Thunder is once again great, and as always, featuring unique stories, pictures and sponsor information that underscores the excitement around motorsports! Just like Wheels of Thunder, GameON! TV continues to grow & reach so many of you with our sports programming. We broadcast in the Twin Cities on FOX's MY29 and in the Dakota's and western Minnesota via MidCo Sports Network. GameON! loves sports, from the variety of professional, college & high school sports to all the outdoor events that dot our regional landscape. GameON's partnership with Wheels of Thunder is strong and just like you, we also enjoy the most comprehensive race magazine and website to be found! Wheels of Thunder magazine gets it and gets you the latest information, amazing pictures and all those terrific stories to the most passionate motorsports fans in the country! GameON! does what no other TV sports interview show does. We offer the region a diverse and entertaining half hour of TV as we bring you the most visible and popular Minnesota sports figures. From the NFL Vikings, to the MLB Twins, the NBA Timberwolves to the NHL Wild, we also visit with the Lacrosse Swarm and Soccer United FC. There's NASCAR and we're on top of your favorite drivers too. Each and every week GameON! comes to you in crystal clear full High Definition and our first APP (it's free to for Apple & Android phones) is available for your use! GameON! TV is now offering a weekly PODCAST available @ our show website www.GameOnTvMN.com. It's full of bits and pieces of sports from the region and what's ahead on our weekly TV show.
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