“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
Mario Andretti
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
Mario Andretti
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May 22, 2007 News
Race Report: Route 66 Series - Round 2
Article by Greg Gafton
The Route 66 Series presented by Margay/Bridgestone held round two at Midstate Kart Club in Springfield, IL on May
19-20. MyChron 4 was the event sponsor and even provided their representative for the area to assist racers for the weekend. The race was tabbed the Loren Niehaus Memorial Race and a special re-dedication of the tower at Midstate Kart Club took place on Saturday evening. Many members of the Niehaus family attended the ceremony and were glad to hear so many folks remembering Loren and Wanda in such a positive way. The winner of the set of YHC Bridgestone tires donated by Margay/Bridgestone was Rich Willms. The winner of the MyChron 4 raffle was Zachary Taylor and the winner of the MyChron Stopwatch raffle was Jake Cole. Kyle Erdmann was the Viper Racing Fast Time Award Winner. Some teams arrived for practice on Friday, which was held by the Midstate Kart Club. Official race practice took place on Saturday with temperatures in the mid 80s, followed by qualifying and then the money races. Entries totaled 150 for the weekend.
Robby McQuinn claimed the bonus final race ahead of Drake Ostrom and Jimmy Tapocik. Cole quickly took off in the final with Jordan 
Laukaitis in tow. Cole slowly but surely put a gap on Laukaitis who was putting a gap on the third place battle. The battle for third saw at least six karts dicing for this position. Meanwhile, Chance Holder had joined into this battle after starting at the back of the pack. Holder had a great run going and was going to make a run for the third spot when he spun in turn three and had to regroup. Kyle Tilley was another racer making his way through the battle for third, picking off one at a time, using the patience of a seasoned veteran. Evan Epperson had something to say about all of this, as he held the third spot through most of the race and would hang on to it in the end. Tilley climbed up to fourth, followed by Hunter Lay, Mike Dionne, Perry Needham, Josh Hotz, Holder and Jared Needham.
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club Pumpkin Race
Article by: Greg Grafton
The Midstate Kart Club hosted the annual Pumpkin Race on October 29, 2006. This race was run wi 
th heavy hearts as one of the founding members of the club passed away on the eve of the race. Loren Niehaus, whose contributions are too numerous to mention, passed away on Saturday evening before the race. The flag was flown at half staff and it was mentioned in the driver’s meeting that the race will be renamed for him next year. Loren was always there to help anyone, and he will always be remembered for that.
The Kid Karts kicked off the racing activity with a 15 minute race. All classes lined up in a LeMans style start, with Robby McQuinn quickly taking the lead and checking out on the field. Jimmy Tapocik took over the second spot from Bradly Campbell and never relinquished control. Tyler Grafton, Blake Bowen and Adriana Bowen completed this young group of racers.
October 05, 2006 News Race Report: Route 66 Series - Midstate Kart Club on September 30th. Marx Fireplaces and Lighting was the event sponsor and was gracious enough to donate ten MP3 players to be given away at night’s end. A raffle for multiple door prizes was held as well. On top of this, brats, hot dogs, potato salad, and much more were provided by the series and Midstate Kart club.
Article by Greg Gafton
The final round of the 2006 Route 66 Sprint Series (www.route66kartracing.com) presented by Margay/Bridgestone was hosted at Midstate
The racing was as good as ever, with some races coming down to deciding the point championships on the last lap. The first group out was the Joey Karter Kid Kart racers. Robby McQuinn and Braden Johnson were extremely close in qualifying, with McQuinn taking the top spot. McQuinn went on to win the prefinal, but Johnson was close behind him. McQuinn took off in the lead at the start being chased by Johnson, Jimmy Tapocik and Bradly Campbell. A collision midway through the race with Johnson and McQuinn left the two leaders sitting as Tapocik drove by. They got under way again with Johnson in pursuit of Tapocik. Johnson would go on to take the win by less than .2 of a second over McQuinn, followed by Tapocik and Campbell.
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club
Article by Greg Gafton
On September 23rd, the Midstate Kart Club hosted point race #12 for the 2006 season. With the season nearing an end, many of th
e class championships are still up for grabs. As usual, the volunteers and staff at the MSKC did a wonderful job of making everyone’s racing evening an enjoyable one. The Kid Karts started off the evening with six little racers taking to the track in this class. Robby McQuinn proved to be the class of the field again as he took the win in all three heats. Bradly
September 13, 2006 News
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club
Article by Greg Gafton
Midstate Kart Club hosted round number eleven of their club series races on Saturday, September 9, 2006. The weather in the
The first group to kick things off was the Kid Karters. Six of these little racers took to the track to hone their driving skills. Robby McQuinn swept the program as he picked up the checkered flag in all three heats. A fierce battle for second took place as Bradly Campbell, Jimmy Tapocik, Austen Blankenship, and Kevin Hunt all battled it out for the honor. Tyler Grafton rounded out the field.
august 16, 2006 News
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club
Article by Greg Gafton
On August 12th, the Midstate Kart Club (www.midstatekartclub.com) hosted point race #9 for the 2006 season. The weather was very comfortable and a large turnout of participants and spectators were on hand. As usual, the volunteers and staff at the Mskc did a wonderful job of making everyone’s racing evening an enjoyable one. The Kid Karts started off the evening with eight little racers taking to the track in this class. Robby McQuinn proved to be the class of the field again as he took the win in all three heats. Jimmy Tapocik kept his perfect attendance streak alive as he made his eighth consecutive club race. Austin Blankenship, Kevin Thompson, Bradly Campbell, Tyler Grafton, Blake Bowen, and Adriana Bowen also provided the excitement in this group.
July 16, 2006 News
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club
Article by Greg Gafton
The Mid State Kart Club hosted the Mid Season Championships of the club series on Saturday, July 8. The Mid State Kart Club did an 
excellent job running the races in a timely fashion, and presenting awards on the front straightaway afterwards. There were many battles throughout the packs in the various classes, which provided some excellent racing for all.
The first group to hit the track was the Kid karts that always provide excitement. Robby McQuinn continued his winning ways, but not without pressure from Austin Blankenship. Austin led the first heat for quite a while and it looked like he may have this one locked up, but Robby slid past in the famous “house corner” move perfected by his dad Jay. Robby would go on to win the second heat and the final. Blankenship, Jimmy Tapocik, Kevin Thompson, and Tyler Grafton trailed him to the stripe. Robby wanted to thank his Mom and Dad, Laukaitis Racing, and Bell Helmets for their support.
July 06, 2006 News
Race Report: Route 66 Sprint Series
Article by Greg Gafton
Robby McQuinn rolled into CHMS without ever turning a lap at the facility. By the time he left, he proved that he was a quick learner as he used the club event for track experience to best the Joey Karter Kid Kart Class. McQuinn won handily over Braden Johnson, Nick Dibernardo, Bradly Campbell, and Jimmy Tapocik.
Joey Karter Kid Karts:
Robby McQuinn
Braden Johnson
Nick Dibernardo
Bradly
Jimmy Tapocik
June 15, 2006 News
Race Report: Midstate Kart Club
Article by Greg Gafton
The Mid State Kart Club hosted round 4 of the club series on this past Saturday, which was also “Family Night”. With threatening weather and the huge Road 
most of the classes had real competitive races for the win. With the Midwest Sprint Series only one weekend removed from the facility, the racers were looking to use all of the grip from the previous weekend, however it was no where to be found. It became apparent real quick that the rain had washed most of the grip away during the one-week span. After the races, the Mid State Kart Club provided a cookout for all of the racers and their families.
The first group to hit the track was the Kid Karts that always provide exciting action. Robby McQuinn was the name to remember in this class, as he picked up the win over Jimmy Tapocik, Austen Blankenship, Kevin Thompson, Bradly Campbell and Tyler Grafton. The kids did an excellent job paying attention to each other and that provided for a safe and fun event.
may 25, 2006 News
Race Report: Route 66 Sprint Series - Round 2
Article by Greg Gafton
The second round of the Route 66 Sprint Series presented by Margay/Bridgestone was held on May 20-21 at Mid-State Raceway. With 
partly cloudy skies on Saturday, and the sun shining brightly on Sunday, the racers could’t have asked for better weather. This particular weekend proved to be a
The first group to hit the track was the Joey Karter Kid Kart class with seven youngsters participating. Brent Hibbits paced the field in qualifying, followed by local hot shoe Robby McQuinn. A rare mistake by Hibbits allowed McQuinn to take the Prefinal win uncontested. McQuinn assumed the lead from the start in the final over Hibbits, Braden Johnson, Brandon Dobereiner and Bradly Campbell. On lap two, Austin Blankenship took over the fifth spot from
