The first annual Memorial Go-Kart Event took place on September 20th and was a great community opportunity that supported youth through positive activity. It brought community members together to share and enjoy a family-oriented event. The inspiration for this community building project came from the unfortunate accident that involved Parker Klumb. To fulfill Parker’s dream of building and racing a go-kart with his friends was one purpose for the event. Additionally, the event supported others within the community that were affected by the loss of a loved one. Our community truly came together to make this opportunity possible. Individuals volunteered their time and talents to form the non-profit organization Memorial Go-Kart Inc. This organization planned and implemented the event. I would like to express my deep appreciation first of all to those dedicated individuals that helped to create Memorial Go-Kart Inc. 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, Ron Hefter, Ken and Betsy Klumb, Matt Kuehn, Jerry Neary, Tom Schley, Dale Schmidt, Mark and Mary Wudtke, Mike and Jackie Wiedmeyer, Jeff Schwitz.
     The Slinger Super Speedway donated their venue for this event and provided many avenues of support including marketing, racing knowledge and the development and excavation of the go-kart track. I would like to thank all the Speedway staff, but especially Todd Thelen and owner, Wayne Erickson, who dedicated numerous hours to this project. Individuals from the community contributed services and financial support to ensure that we had a safe racing surface. Thank you to All Pro Asphalt Paving, DeAngelis Construction and NR Asphalt Maintenance who donated construction services for the development of the go-kart track. Their dedicated crews spent endless hours making sure that the surface was just right. Additionally, numerous individuals from the community came forward to financially support the development of the go-kart track. Thank you to; Wiedmeyer Express, DDP Motorsports, Mark and Mary Wudtke, HFR Electric, Woodlands Senior Park, Slinger Community Group, and an anonymous contributor for the support you provided. We all think that the new track is pretty “slick.”
     The Allenton Area Advancement Association and Lee Jeans sponsored this event and provided financial support 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 both areas through this event. I want to thank Pete Kardong, Bob and the Kids Kart Club for joining us and assisting us with the kart design and race.
     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 of this great experience.
     Each go-kart team had a sponsor that also provided financial support to the team. I want to thank Ken and Betsy Klumb, Allenton Lions Club, Allenton Area Advancement Association, Bonafide Security Solutions, Weld-Fab, SJJ Wholesale and Salvage, Syl's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, Dale Anderson Masonry, Paul Steinbach Construction, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, Tom Schley Subcontractors, Grafton Transit, and Custom Fleet Maintenance for sponsoring go-kart teams. The team mentors played a very active role in the construction process of the go-karts and additionally in the positive relationships that were developed within the teams. Thank you, Tom Behrens, Mike Egan, Cory Funk, Randy Gindt, Art Hahn, Tommy Hromadka, Dan Jung, Brad Keith, Pat McIntee, John Mueller, Dennis Prunty, Tom Schley, Nick Schumacher, Pete Wiedmeyer and Brian Zimpelman for being great role models for the youth of our community. Prior to assembly each go-kart was powder coated by Empire Powder Coating. Their creative use of color and technique established an everlasting, yet attractive finish to each go-kart.
     The start of each race was enhanced by a pace go-kart which ensured a safe commencement to each race. I want to thank Tom Wagar and Dan Jung for donating these great vehicles to Memorial Go-Kart Inc. and driving them for our event.
     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: Habush, Habush and Rottier, 92.5 FM WBWI / AM 1470 WBKV, Roto-Graphic Printing, Blaze Marketing Services, Sue and Sam Hendrickson, Woodlands Senior Park, Smiley's BP in Slinger, Behling's Racing Equipment, Karen Lindemann, Howard and Janice Gundrum, Allenton Fireman's Picnic, Russ Darrow Group, Dave Sukawaty, Paul Steinbach Construction, Steven French, The Cory Passineau Family, Jody Weiss, Lifestar Ambulance Service, Robert Cory, Diane Bentfield Photography, Plaques Plus, Mike's Motorsports, Goeller Family Farms, Elaine Maurer, Phyllis Goertz, Hobby Lobby, Hartford Super 8 Hotel - employees and guests, Offshore Surf Shop, Lotus Studio, Nicholas and Jessica Schmidt, Gene and Dee Thurow, Highland Construction, Wayne Sovinski Family, Toby and Mary Becker, Slinger Fire Department, West Bend Mutual Insurance - Responder unit, West Bend Savings Bank in Slinger and Allenton, Allenton Service Station, Romies BP Service Inc. in Allenton, David Leiberg.
     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, Gregg Bernhardt, Hope Demler, Duane Farrand, Gary Karnitz, Jesse Korth, Dean Schmidt, Dan Weber, Mary Woerner, Danny Zielinski, Jacob Fletcher, Aaron Muesch, Dylan Merten, Mitchell Billeb, Corey Bremberger, Kassie Starr, Keaton Galezio, Peter Bitante, American Legion Fohl-Martin #483 from Allenton, Corey Abel, Jenny Anderson, Anita Anderson, Dennis Anderson, Ethen and Lisa Andrews, Jeff and Jane Becker, Stephanie Behling, Jim Beine, Diane Bentfield, Wendy Bremberger, Mitch and Stacy Cain, Jordan and Lindsey Deiss, Sunni Fritz, Sue Funk, Jeremy Greisbach, Glenn Grothman, Karen Hermann, Tim Johnson, Dave Kedninger, Colleen Kellen, Greg Koehler, Jane Lindberg, Jeff Luengen, Christopher Mayer, Beth and Stu Mueller, Ron Naab, Carol Nauman, Dale Norenberg, Tracy Oestreich, Mike Phelps, Brian Pitroff, Tom Plechety, Dave and Mike Retzlaff, Dan Ritger, Lance Roell, Connie Roethle, St. Lawrence Fire Department, Slinger Fire Department, Jill Schmidt, Dean Schmidt, Sarah Schmidt. Terri Schueller, Marty Schulteis, Bonnie Schwitz, John Schwitz, Donna Scott, Dennis and Lynn Simon, Doug and Kathy Solheim, Chris and Steve Steinbach, Scott and Biz Sterman, Kathy Stoll, Kayla Waldschmidt and Horizon Grief Counseling, Paul Walter, Joey and Tanner Wiedmeyer.
     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 20th, 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