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Street racers
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| Smurfit Stone driver Ron Wallace holds off ABC Supply’s Kevin Hendricks as they fought for first place during Sunday’s Grand Prix in downtown Beloit. Staff photos by Kyle R. Morris |
By Ashley Rhodebeck
Daily News staff writer
Grand Prix roars through the downtown
As go-carts whipped around the curvy track outlined by tire stacks and gray barricades in downtown Beloit Sunday, one family's five kids tried to predict the winner.
“That's my guy,” the Burke children would say. Or, “Mine's in second.”
Tom Burke, of Beloit, brought his children to the Mini Grand Prix because they enjoy watching the vehicles and because it was free entertainment.
Originally sponsored by the Rotary Club, the Beloit Noon Lions have organized the annual event since 2000 and donate the proceeds to local charities.
Although the crowd appeared smaller than in years past, event chairman Roger Babcock said the event went well overall.
Planning the Mini Grand Prix began in the winter months, and organizers spent about six hours Saturday setting up the fencing and course, which occupied portions of Broad and Pleasant streets.
Because many Lions members are in their 60s, Babcock said the club has to rely on younger people with stronger bodies to set up the course. He recognized people from Rock County's Community Education and Criminal Addictions Program contributed to much of the setup.
After chairing the event for the past four years, this was Babcock's last because he will move to Florida later this year. Ron Wallace, a returning racer, wished Babcock well and said he hopes the Noon Lions keep the event going.
By 2 p.m., Wallace's team, Smurfit-Stone, had won two races that were sandwiched between mishaps: a chain broke in the second race, and a cracked frame needed repair after the third.
“It's been crazy,” Wallace said.
Wallace said the course was tough on drivers because the several curves forced many to continually brake and turn.
“My arms just ache,” he said.
As Wallace's team worked to repair the cracked frame before the last race, the team from Do-It Tool & Die - which raced three cars - spoke about how Smurfit-Stone was the team to beat.
In the past eight years, Do-It Tool & Die has won the featured race six times and has placed second, twice.
Despite thoughts of not driving a car this year, veteran racer Ray Vince decided he would participate in Sunday's featured run to see if he could reach win No. 7.
He hoped for a good starting position because the narrow track made it difficult for the person in the last position to place first.
“You almost have to hope someone messes up in front of you to get by,” Vince said.
As some teams prepared for the last race with placing first in mind, others were done for the day and seemed content with not coming home with a trophy.
“We finished both races, but we won't be residing on the podium,” said Rhett Merriman of Fairbanks Morse Engine.
Race results
Lions Grand Prix
First - ABC Supply No. 4
Second - ABC Supply
No. 1
Third - ABC Supply
No. 2
Fourth - CCI No. 3
Sugar River Briggs
First - Chris Johnson
Second - Tyler Deschean
Third - Pat Hiliker
Yamaha can
First - Quentin Johnson
Second - Dave Rimstidt
As go-carts whipped around the curvy track outlined by tire stacks and gray barricades in downtown Beloit Sunday, one family's five kids tried to predict the winner.
“That's my guy,” the Burke children would say. Or, “Mine's in second.”
Tom Burke, of Beloit, brought his children to the Mini Grand Prix because they enjoy watching the vehicles and because it was free entertainment.
Originally sponsored by the Rotary Club, the Beloit Noon Lions have organized the annual event since 2000 and donate the proceeds to local charities.
Although the crowd appeared smaller than in years past, event chairman Roger Babcock said the event went well overall.
Planning the Mini Grand Prix began in the winter months, and organizers spent about six hours Saturday setting up the fencing and course, which occupied portions of Broad and Pleasant streets.
Because many Lions members are in their 60s, Babcock said the club has to rely on younger people with stronger bodies to set up the course. He recognized people from Rock County's Community Education and Criminal Addictions Program contributed to much of the setup.
After chairing the event for the past four years, this was Babcock's last because he will move to Florida later this year. Ron Wallace, a returning racer, wished Babcock well and said he hopes the Noon Lions keep the event going.
By 2 p.m., Wallace's team, Smurfit-Stone, had won two races that were sandwiched between mishaps: a chain broke in the second race, and a cracked frame needed repair after the third.
“It's been crazy,” Wallace said.
Wallace said the course was tough on drivers because the several curves forced many to continually brake and turn.
“My arms just ache,” he said.
As Wallace's team worked to repair the cracked frame before the last race, the team from Do-It Tool & Die - which raced three cars - spoke about how Smurfit-Stone was the team to beat.
In the past eight years, Do-It Tool & Die has won the featured race six times and has placed second, twice.
Despite thoughts of not driving a car this year, veteran racer Ray Vince decided he would participate in Sunday's featured run to see if he could reach win No. 7.
He hoped for a good starting position because the narrow track made it difficult for the person in the last position to place first.
“You almost have to hope someone messes up in front of you to get by,” Vince said.
As some teams prepared for the last race with placing first in mind, others were done for the day and seemed content with not coming home with a trophy.
“We finished both races, but we won't be residing on the podium,” said Rhett Merriman of Fairbanks Morse Engine.
Race results
Lions Grand Prix
No. 1
No. 2
Sugar River Briggs
Yamaha can
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