Thanks to all who helped make our Event a success!

   Exhilarating go-kart racing, mini motor bikes, music, friendship and heartwarming memorial activities highlighted the 2nd annual Memorial Go-Kart Event on September 13th. This event was a great community opportunity that supported youth through go-kart racing. Additionally, the Memorial Go-Kart Event supported families who have experienced the loss of a child. It brought community members together to share and enjoy a family-oriented evening.
     Over 800 spectators attended this year’s event at Slinger Super Speedway. More than 70 youth, ages 10-18, participated on 25 teams and competed for racing championships in 4 age divisions. Many members of our community united to make the event and racing season possible and to develop this unique opportunity.
     Memorial Go-Kart Inc. is the non-profit organization that planned and implemented the event. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the dedicated members of Memorial Go-Kart Inc. that helped throughout the year to create this great opportunity. These committee members dedicated their time and talents to ensure the quality of our event; Lisa Anderson, Juli Benedum, Mike Egan, Corey Funk, Carol Garcia, Barb Hermann, Mike Held, Ron Hefter, Sandy Jung, Ken and Betsy Klumb, Matt Kuehn, Jerry Neary, Tom Schley, Dale Schmidt, Jeff Schwitz, Mark and Mary Wudtke, Mike and Jackie Wiedmeyer, and Caroline Wilkes.
     The Slinger Super Speedway again donated the venue and was one of the sponsors for this year’s event. Additionally, they provided many avenues of support including marketing and racing connections. I would like to thank all the Speedway staff and especially Wayne Erickson and Todd Thelen who dedicated numerous hours to this project.
     The Allenton Area Advancement Association; Lee Jeans; Habush, Habush and Rottier; HRF Electric and Phillip Funeral Homes also sponsored this year’s event. Their continued support is deeply appreciated and has helped to establish a good foundation for this opportunity. I would like to thank them for having the faith in our organization and supporting our hope to unite communities. The Neenah community and especially Kids Kart Club collaborated with our organization. Together we were able to support the youth of many communities through this event. I want to thank Pete Kardong, Bob and the Kids Kart Club for joining us for our event. The announcers kept our attention throughout the evening. Thanks to Steve Krebs and John Byman for lending their voice.
     We have developed a website www.memorialgo-kart.org which allows us to reach out to numerous communities and individuals. I want to thank Technology USA for designing our website and providing the domain services. Through the website we are able to share the exciting elements and photos of this great experience.
     Each go-kart team had a sponsor that also provided financial support to the team. I want to thank Allenton Lions Club, Allenton Area Advancement Association, Dale Anderson Masonry, Bonafide Security Solutions, Crystal Lake Landscaping, Custom Fleet Maintenance, Damage Inc., Emily’s Restaurant, Engineered Metal Products, Grafton Transit, Ken and Betsy Klumb, Laserworks, Sonya’s Rose, Tom Schley Subcontractors, Paul Steinbach Construction, Syl's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Wiedmeyer Express, Weld-Fab, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, and Wilkes Plumbing for sponsoring go-kart teams. The team mentors and owners played a very active role in the construction and repair process of the go-karts throughout the summer. Additionally, they developed positive relationships, and mentored the youth on each team. Thank you, Steve Apel, Tom Behrens, Joe Destefano, Mike Egan, Tom Funk, Cory Funk, Randy Gindt, Craig Grudzinski, Chris Grudzinski, Art Hahn, Mike Held, Tommy Hromadka, Dan Jung, Brad Keith, Tom Kraus, Pat McIntee, John Mueller, Dennis Prunty, Dale Prunty, Jim Rueffner, Tom Schley, Scott Schultz, Steven Schultz, Pete Wiedmeyer, Jerry Wilkes and Brian Zimpelman for being great role models for the youth of our community. The start of each race was enhanced by a pace go-kart which ensured a safe commencement for the youth drivers in each race. I want to thank Chris Grudzinski for guiding the go-kart teams safely to the track.
     An event of this magnitude could not have come together without the financial support and contribution of services from members of our community. I want to thank the following individuals and businesses for their contribution and assistance to ensure that we had a great event: 92.5 FM WBWI / AM 1470 WBKV, Jack Bennett, Russ Darrow Group, Mike Egan, Dan Johnsen’s Mini Motor Bike Show, Ken and Betsy Klumb, Kruepke Printing, Lifestar Ambulance Service, Plaques Plus, Highland Construction, St. Lawrence Fire Department, Schumacher Heating and Air Conditioning, Sound Decision Entertainment, Paul Steinbach Construction, Slinger Fire Department, Gene and Dee Thurow, and West Bend Mutual Employees.
     Volunteers were an essential component of this event. We live in a community that is enhanced and strengthened through volunteerism. I want to thank the numerous volunteers that assisted in many ways to ensure that the Memorial Go-Kart Event was a fun, yet safe event. Thank you; Acute Care Service Team, Deb Dufour, Tricia Schutz, Shana Schloemer, Corey Abel, Jenny Anderson, American Legion Fohl-Martin #483 from Allenton, Jane and Jeff Becker, Jim Beine, Wendy Bremberger, Mitch Cain, Stacy Cain, Darryl Cain, Billy Culp, Lisa Deis, Bobby Deis, Tony Deis, Duane Farrand, Suzette Farrand, Sunni Fritz, Sue Funk, Brian Gehring, Lee Griffin, Julie Hamm, Karen Hau, Karen Hermann, Gary Karnitz, David Kedinger, Mark Kurziak, Jane Lindberg, Jeff Luengen, Christopher Mayer, Stu Mueller, Bill and Sandy Ostovich, Carol Ostovich, Bill Ostovich Jr., Brian Pitrof, Tom Plechety, Dave Retzlaff, Mike Retzlaff, Connie Roethle, St. Lawrence Fire Department, Dean Schmidt, Jill Schmidt, Jenny Schmidt, Terri Schueller, Marty Schulteis, Donna Scott, Dennis Simon, Lynn Simon, Biz Sterman, Scott Sterman, Kathy Stoll, Slinger Fire Department, Doug Solheim, Kathy Solheim, Lynn Wagner, Joey Wiedmeyer, Tanner Wiedmeyer, Robert Wilkes, Rebecca Wilkes, Dan and Cindy  Zielinski, Danny Zielinski, Melonie Zielinski, and Ashley Zielinski.
     Through the support of this great community we were able to provide youth and families with an educational, supportive and fun go-karting activity. Each day our lives are impacted by others. I believe that on September 13th, those that were involved in this event truly impacted our community and I thank everyone for that contribution.

Kathy Fies
Memorial Go-Kart Inc.
President and Event Director