2007illini

2007illini.htm

www.illiniracingseries.com
Tom Arthur, PR Director
Illini Racing Series (IRS)
(815)730-1960 days (815)485-4959 evenings
[email protected]
photos courtesy of IRS Photos....click on picture to enlarge

Critchetts Crowned Illini Champions

Morris, IL (11/17/07) The Jennifer’s Garden, Chicagoland’s premier banquet facility, was the setting for the 16th Annual Illini Racing Series Awards Banquet, which saw the Critchett brothers collect the lion’s share of the post season awards for the Illini Midget Division.

Loran Critchett, Jr., the 2001 driving champion, was honored as the championship car owner and for his 8th place finish as a driver of the Dave Gass owned #17. Lamont Critchett was crowned the 2007 driving champion, beating Doug Orseske by just 28 points. Lamont also picked up the “Quinn McCabe Full Throttle Award” for his hard charging driving style and dedication to the club. The entire Critchett team was presented the “Bob Lockard Mechanic Excellence Award” for their work keeping the #44 car at the front all season, on pavement and dirt.

Wisconsin driver Dan George was named the “Bob Higman Rookie of the Year”, took home the 4th place hardware, and his 82nd Airborne tribute car was honored as “Best Appearing Car”.

Jason Dull received the “Determination Award” for his efforts running the same car in two classes, at two tracks, winning a heat and a feature at Angell Park.

The “Bob Meyers Perseverance Award” would have been presented to late model stock car driver Scott Koerner, but he had to leave after collecting his 5th place open wheel awards, so he could attend the stock car banquet down the road.

The “Most Improved Driver Award” was presented to 7th place driver and car owner Mark Morey, who just finished his second season in a midget.

Doug and Diana Orseske were awarded the “Brett Lovellette Sportsmanship Award” for their many contributions to the club.

Nearly $6000 in cash and prizes was distributed at the banquet, bringing the total for the year to over $30,000.

Anderson, Knippel, Findley, Schneider, Brown & Trusky All Win

Morris, IL (9/16/07) The Fifth Annual Bob Corson Memorial was destined to be a great night of racing with all the work the Corson family put into the effort. What it ended up being was one of those exceptional nights of great racing, mixed with a fund raiser for an injured driver, a salute to an 82nd Airborne trooper home on leave, many drivers doing double duty, a serious thrash on an out of town driver’s car to get him back on the track, and some of the best racing of the year.

Jim Anderson qualified the #36 Guess/Anderson national midget car 5th quick behind Reid Ceponis, Tom Schnabel, Brandon Hartsell, and fast qualifier David Bryne. When the feature rolled around, nobody had anything for him from the drop of the green. Anderson led all 30 laps for his third win of the season. Reid Ceponis won the trophy dash and a heat, with Tom Schnabel winning the other heat.

The Illini Sportsman Midget 25 lap feature went to Joe Knippel, with fast qualifier Freddie Teer challenging hard in the final circuits. Knippel also won the trophy dash with the heats going to Billy Hulbert and newly crowned champ Lamont Critchett.

Mark Findley set fast time on his way to the feature win in the Rascal Outlaw mini-sprints. Jim Theil won the heat after qualifying 2nd, and finished 2nd in the feature.

Luke Schneider won his first BIDCA Classic Modified feature, after playing second fiddle to Mike Anderson in qualifying and their heat race. Darren Ihrke won the other heat and finished 3rd in the feature behind Tom Schnabel.

Vern Brown swept the Formula Indy Racing Association competition, setting fast time, winning the heat and feature. Wally Reitz set 2nd quickest time and was second in the main, and Tim Roach was 2nd in the heat and 3rd in the feature.

Nick Petska was the fast timer in the Luisa’s Mini-Mods and looked to be on his way to continue his winning streak that had gone back to the last two races of last season. Bill Trusky had other ideas though and won the heat an feature, bring the streak to an end.

Results from the 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial at Grundy County Speedway:

National Midgets:
Qualifying: 1. #20b, David Bryne, 14.82; 2. #11, Brandon Hartsell, 14.992; 3. #20s, Tom Schnabel, 15.005; 4. #79, Reid Ceponis, 15.115; 5. #36, Jim Anderson, 15.12; 6. #32, Rich Corson 15.285; 7. #0, Doug Dietsch, 15.372; 8. #97, Phil Rutledge, 15.592; 8. #56, Jason Dull 15.769; 9. #4t, Terry Ahern, 15.788; 10. #38, Billy Hulbert, 16.525; 11. #21, Dan VanderMolen, 16.801; 12. #69, Jon Ruff, 17.951

4 lap Trophy Dash

10 lap heat #1: 1. Tom Schnabel, 2. David Bryne, 3. Jim Anderson, 4. Doug Dietsch, 5. Jason Dull, 6. Dan VanderMolen, 7. Jon Ruff DNF

10 lap heat #2: 1. Reid Ceponis, 2. Rich Corson, 3. Terry Ahern, 4. Phil Rutledge, 5. Brandon Hartsell, 6. Billy Hulbert DNF

30 lap feature: 1. Jim Anderson, 2. Brandon Hartsell, 3. Tom Schnabel, 4. David Bryne, 5. Doug Dietsch, 6. Phil Rutledge, 7. Jason Dull, 8. Rich Corson, 9. Reid Ceponis, 10. Billy Hulbert DNF, 11. Jon Ruff DNF. 12. Dan VanderMolen DNF, 13. Terry Ahern DNS

Illini Sportsman Midgets:
Qualifying: 1. #54, Freddie Teer, 16.184; 2. #44C, Lamont Critchett, 16.244; 3. #33, Joe Knippel, 16.27; 4. #0, Doug Orseske, 16.39; 5. #82, Dan George, 16.449; 6. #O4, Eddie Griffith, 16.47; 7. #17, Loran Critchett,Jr, 16.486; 8. #33X, Sean Murphy, 16.558; 9. #56, Jason Dull, 16.742; 10. #4V, Scott Koerner, 16.821; 11. #74, Eddie Sauer, 16.936; 12. #88, Mike Smith, 16.986; 13. #4h, Billy Hulbert, 16.992; 14. #86, Scott Shilkuski, 17.038; 15. #3, Mark Morey, 17.129; 16. #81, Jon Ruff, 17.264; 17. #22, Basil Hicks, 17.437; 18. #21A, Mike Adams, Jr., 18.202; 19. #51, Frank Reiss, 18.457; 20. #91, Black Bart, 19.923

4 lap trophy dash: 1. Joe Knippel, 2. Freddie Teer, 3. Doug Orseske, 4. Lamont Critchett

10 lap heat #1: 1. Lamont Critchett, 2. Freddie Teer, 3. Doug Orseske, 4. Joe Knippel, 5. Sean Murphy, 6. Loran Critchett,Jr, 7. Scott Koerner, 8. Dan George, 9. Jason Dull, 10. Eddie Griffith DNF

10 lap heat #2: 1. Billy Hulbert, 2. Mike Adams, Jr., 3. Mark Morey, 4. Eddie Sauer, 5. Mike Smith, 6. Frank Reiss, 7. Black Bart, 8. Jon Ruff DNF, 9. Scott Shilkuski DNF, 10. Basil Hicks DNF

25 lap feature: 1. Joe Knippel, 2. Freddie Teer, 3. Loran Critchett, Jr., 4. Sean Murphy, 5. Doug Orseske, 6. Eddie Griffith, 7. Jason Dull, 8. Dan George, 9. Eddie Sauer, 10. Frank Reiss, 11. Scott Shilkuski DNF, 12. Mike Smith DNF, 13. Mark Morey DNF, 14. Billy Hulbert DNF, 15. Black Bart DNF,
16. Mike Adams, Jr. DNF, 17. Scott Koerner DNF, 18. Lamont Critchett DNF, 19. Basil Hicks DNS, 20. Jon Ruff DNS

Rascal Outlaw Mini-Sprints:
Qualifying: 1. #43, Mark Findley, 15.367; 2. #33, Jim Thiel, 15.403; 4. 3. #7, John DeMay, 15.565; 5. #30, Jason Mahoney, 15.584; 6. #15, John Benkert, 15.985; 7. #91, Jacques Terrault, 16.173; 8. #27, Rob Pollak, 16.194; 9. #12, Steve Kreft, 16.858; 10. #4, Kyle Lynn, 17.188; 11. #82, Dan Chapman, 18.877

Heat race: 1. Jim Thiel, 2. John DeMay, 3. Rob Pollak, 4. Jason Mahoney, 5. Mark Findley, 6. John Benkert, 7. Jacques Terrault, 8. Steve Kreft, 9. Kyle Lynn, 10. Dan Chapman

15 lap feature: 1. Mark Findley, 2. Jim Thiel, 3. Jason Mahoney, 4. John DeMay, 5. John Benkert, 6. Rob Pollak, 7. Kyle Lynn, 8. Dan Chapman, 9. Jacques Terrault DNF, 10. Steve Kreft DNF

BIDCA Classic Modifieds:
Qualifying: 1. # 51 Mike Anderson 16.814; 2. #21, Luke Schneider, 16.981; 3. #64, Freddie Teer, 17.202; 4. #32, Eric Pershey, 17.252; 5. #3, Charlie Holt, 17.411; 6. #20, Vicki Schnabel 17.516; 7. #38, Tom Schnabel, 17.538; 8. #25, Darren Ihrke, 17.823; 9. #9, Matt O'Hagan, 18.404; 10. #13, Scott Struthers, 19.269

Heat race 1: 1. Darren Ihrke, 2. Vicki Schnabel, 3. Scott Struthers, 4. Matt O'Hagan, 5. Freddie Teer

Heat race 2: 1. Mike Anderson, 2. Luke Schneider, 3. Eric Pershey, 4. Charlie Holt, 5. Tom Schnabel DNF

15 lap feature: 1. Luke Schneider, 2. Tom Schnabel, 3. Darren Ihrke, 4. Eric Pershey, 5. Vicki Schnabel, 6. Mike Anderson, 7. Scott Struthers, 8. Freddie Teer, 9. Charlie Holt DNF, 10. Matt O'Hagan DNF

F.I.R.A. Mini-Indy:
Qualifying: 1. Vern Brown, 16.257; 2. 8., Wally Reitz, 17.064; 3. 17, Tim Roach, 17.754; 4. 35, Lyle Philips, 17.619; 5. 43, Rich Breske, 19.303; 6. 44, Gary Cooper, 18.149; 7. 57, Rich Kossak, 17.225; 8. 58, Neal Gillentin, 15.305

Heat race: 1. Vern Brown, 2. Tim Roach, 3. Lyle Philips, 4. Rich Kossak, 5. Gary Cooper, 6. Rich Breske, 7. Wally Reitz DNF, 8. Neal Gillentine DNF

15 lap feature: 1. Vern Brown, 2. Wally Reitz, 3. Tim Roach, 4. Lyle Philips, 5. Gary Cooper, 6. Rich Breske, 7. Rich Kossak DNF, 8. Neal Gillentine DNF

Luisa’s Mini-Mods:
Qualifying: 1. #20, Nick Petska, 17.551; 2. #18, Rick Corso, 17.734; 3. #7, John DeMay, 18.206; 4. #72, Bill Trusky,18.533; 5. #97, Joe McGinnis, 18.535; 6. #57, Joe Marinello, 18.893

Heat race: 1. Bill Trusky, 2. Rick Corso, 3. Nick Petska, 4. Joe McGinnis, 5. John DeMay, 6. Joe Marinello

15 lap feature: 1. Bill Trusky, 2. Joe McGinnis, 3. Rick Corso, 4. Joe Marinello, 5. Nick Petska DNF, 6. John DeMay DNF

Press release: An interview with the Corson Family

Throughout the world of motorsports, families have always been a part of the fabric that holds us all together. Fathers and their children and grandchildren, uncles and aunts, cousins, husbands and wives, stepkids and in-laws. They have all played a part in our rich history of racing.

In the Chicago area, one of those families is still going strong, the Corson Clan. As we the approach of the Discount Tire 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race on September 16th, the Illini Racing Series (IRS) thought it might be nice to sit down with the extended Corson family for a few questions about the Corson/Savage racing team and their memories. At this gathering we had Bob’s son, Rich Corson and his wife June and their kids Nicole and R.J., also Bob’s daughter Colleen (nee Corson)and her husband Steve Savage with Colleen's daughter Amanda.

IRS: Bob Corson’s name has been associated with midget racing in our area for a long, long time. When and where did Bob begin racing?

answer: Actually Dad started racing stock cars at Illiana, Peotone back in the 1950’s. His stock car career didn’t last very long as he told us about how he flipped it several times down the straightaway at Illiana. He got the racing bug again in 1962 when a guy in Posen up the road from us had a midget for sale. It literally was a basket case project except for the frame. Dad and a neighbor put it together and started with UARA in 1962 at Joliet. In 1965 he bought another car and from there it was history.

IRS: Rich, how old were you when you went to your first race?

answer: Rich – I remember around 9 years old at Joliet Stadium.
RJ- Before I was born at Morris

IRS: Colleen, how about you?

answer: I’m a little bit older than Rich so I was 6. That was a terrible question now you can figure out how old I am. I remember a lot more when I was 9 or 10.

IRS: What are your earliest memories of being at a track, and which track? Colleen?

answer: Probably Joliet. During the ‘60’s though my Dad raced all over with USAC, BADGET, IMCA, SLARA, really anywhere there was a race because there were always drivers looking to race for him anywhere. Terre Haute, The Prairie, Kokomo, Minnesota State Fair, too many to name.

IRS: Same question to you, Rich

answer: Joliet Stadium in 1967 when Roger West drove our car.

Nicole – When I was little, I remember meeting Rich Vogler at Joliet.

IRS: Besides his family supporting him, what do you think Bob Corson was the most proud of in his racing career? His driving, his time as a car owner, or as an innovator?

answer:

Colleen – That’s a tough question. I’m not sure, he had fun driving especially after he quit and then got back in after a long time. He won the trophy dash at Boswell and having John Lode give him the trophy. He remembered that one pretty well. But overall, I think it was the respect he got

from other drivers and owners whether it was from owning a car or having invented something that was widely used. He enjoyed racing and had fun.

Steve – I think it was as a owner and innovator. A form of the Dial-A-Jet had been used on Indy cars until last year.

Rich – Car Owner and innovator, he loved seeing his cars race and he was always on top of things.

Nicole – he was proud to watch Rich race and to see everyone helping out.

Rj- as a car owner

IRS: Rich, when did you first get the opportunity to drive the family racer?

answer: 1979, Joliet Stadium I was co-rookie of the year

IRS: Did you ever want to give driving a try Colleen?

answer: No, I was happy cheering in the grandstands that was until Rich started racing and then I was in pits trying to help out.

IRS: Let’s hear from the in-laws. June, how did you get dragged into being a part of this racing family?

answer: by dating Rich, I met Colleen first at Sears 27 years ago.

IRS: Steve, your were already involved in racing before you became a part of the team, right?

answer: I started watching midgets at the Stadium in the early 60’s. In 1983 I went to watch them again and decided I needed one of these. So I bought my first car and had no clue as to what I was doing. I wrecked, tore up some equipment and got smarter with help from my father-in-law, Rich Vogler and Klaus Wever.

IRS: How about Bob’s grandkids? Nicole, you were the first of your generation to become a true pit crew member, meaning old enough to get a pit pass. Was it different to see everyone in the heat of competition? Especially your grandfather, Bob, who always seemed so easy going. Was he that way in the pits too?

answer:
Nicole – It was neat seeing the joys and frustrations of our team. To see everyone work together. Pat always told Rich to go fast and be upfront.

Amanda – I had no choice about racing; I was at the track from the time I was born. The first pit experiences I had were so adrenaline rushing that it inspired me to choose to pursue a career in racing. The people that I’ve grown up with in this racing community are like family to me. Had I not been born into this sport… well let’s just say I don’t dare to entertain that nonsense.

IRS: Amanda, how do you remember your grandfather?

Amanda – I remember when I was little he would take me in the garage with my uncle while they worked on the infamous blue and white 15. I also remember going to the track every weekend, him driving and that when we’d get to the track he was not only our crew chief but he was a caring family man. Well outside of the track I remember him best; he was the grandfather that took care of me when I was sick, stayed home from the races to take me to cheerleading, above all he was a loving man that would do anything for his family or friends.

answer:

IRS: O.K. R.J., here is the question everybody wants to know the answer to. Will they ever let you drive a #15 car, or are you just going to be a major league baseball player?

answer: When I get older I would like to try it and play major league baseball. But I do wear the #15 on my baseball jersey, Pa’s always with me!

IRS: For each of you, what is your favorite racing memory?

answers:

Colleen – Mine go back aways. I have a lot with both my dad and Rich. With my dad it was probably when he drove at Sun Prairie, he was qualifying and lost it coming out of 4 and almost wiped out Hot Dog the flagman after that he got Billy Wood out of retirement and he finished the night. With Rich there’s a lot there too. Maybe winning at Ft Wayne, or the Lockard Race there’s just too many for both of them. I’m very proud both my dad and my brother and also what they have accomplished racing.

Steve – The night Rich raced side x side through traffic with David Thompson with it being the closest race at Grundy County. That was the most exciting race I’d ever seen and we won!

Rich – When I won Ft Wayne for the 1st time after my dad passed away.

Nicole – When we beat Tony Stewart at Ft Wayne

June – When I was 8 months pregnant with RJ, we were at LaSalle running dirt, I was jumping up and down, Rich was winning his semi and the fireman asked me to stop, he didn’t want to deliver RJ there!

Rj – Being at Ft Wayne

Amanda – The 1st Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race. Our family was approached after my grandfather’s passing and we were told it would be an honor to host a race in his name. It was touching for people to recognize my grandfather for his contribution to racing. I was given the ability to promote and coordinate the race and all of its details; I embraced this race as it was very personal to me to have the racing community come together for remembering my grandfather. That night I was presented a trophy for my work for the race, I was deeply moved by this as I worked very hard to coordinate a race that was would honor my grandfather. Now, I have it at school alongside a picture of me and my grandfather when I was a baby. I miss him and it pushes me to strive harder every year to properly honor his name with this race.

IRS: With the change to the Illini Racing Series and Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series co-sanctioning this tribute to Bob Corson, although with familar rules and tires, will the race still draw some drivers from out of town?

answer: Rich – Yes, because a lot of people knew and respected my dad.

IRS: You guys have done a great job for the last four years with this memorial race. What surprises do you have for us this year?

answer: Nicole – you’ll have to wait and see.
Amanda – We have a lot of exciting surprises for both the fans and the drivers, the night will be nothing short of spectacular!!

IRS: Anything else any of you would like to add?

Steve – Bob helped me a lot when I first started and always told me what changes to do that would help me. He also convinced me to run as many different tracks as I could as that would help me both as a driver and car owner so I could learn different setups. I knew Bob long before I knew Rich and Colleen and only knew him as Corson. But if I needed help he was there to lend a hand.

Colleen – I want to Thank everyone involved for hosting this race.

IRS: Thank you all for your time and sharing your memories with us.

Thanks to everyone who has been inquiring about the Discount Tire 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race! There seems to be a little confusion about some of the details, apparently caused by folks getting their information second or third hand. We appreciate everyone who is helping to spread the word. To help clarify any questions anyone might have, here are the key points about this special event:

Who: The Illini Racing Series, Inc. and the Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series are the co-sanctioning entities. The race is open to ALL national midgets. Veteran flagman Danny Carter will serve as Cheif Starter.

What: Qualifying, heat races, B-Mains as needed, 30 lap A-Main for NATIONAL MIDGETS on HOOSIER TIRES. Additional events for regular Illini Racing Series classes as well.

When: Sunday, September 16, 2007. Pits open at 2 pm, mandatory drivers' meeting at 3:30, hot laps by 4pm, qualifying at 5 pm, 1st race at 6 pm.

Where: Grundy County Speedway, Morris, IL One mile north of I-80 of Rt. 47.

Why: To honor the memory of one of the pioneers of midget racing, Bob Corson.

How: By using the regional USAC rules, except no HANS device required and drivers must be 16 years of age. Hoosier tires will be available at the track. Minimum guaranteed payout is $1000 to win, $125 to start. Pit passes are $25, one day TP for non-members is $30. $50,000 excess medical insurance coverage will be available for just $70. Additional sponsorships are in place, with more being worked on. Expect much more information to follow.

Morris, IL (8/5/07) The Illini Racing Series (IRS) presented by D’Arcy GMC scheduled for August 5th was cancelled due to rain and very intense thunderstorms.

It might have been a great night of racing, if we could have finished it off 13 drivers set their fastest qualifying time of the season, including Rich Corson. Corson converted his car to comply fully with Illini specs, including the 1.25 inch restrictors, and yet still improved his qualifying lap time. Now he will have to return the #15 back to regional USAC rules and mount up some Hoosiers for the Bob Corson Memorial.

Doug Orseske overcame an earlier seat belt issue to lead the trophy dash until turn 4 of the final lap, when a fuel starvation issue caused his #0 to bog down and giving Corson the win.

The Illini Midgets will return to action Sunday, August 12th at Sun Prairie, WI.

The R.O.R.I. Rascal Outlaw mini-sprints will take to the the track at the Manitowoc Fairgrounds on August 11th, and back to back dates on September 1st and 2nd.

The F.I.R.A. Formula Indy cars have a tenative race date at the Milwaukke Mile road course on August 18th.

All three classes, plus the Luisa’s Mini-Mods and national midgets will return to Grundy County Speedway on September 16th for the Discount Tire 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race. The national midgets will be co-sanctioned by IRS and the Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series

WOMS TO CO-SANCTION CORSON MEMORIAL

Mokena, IL (7/30/07) The Illini Racing Series is proud to announce a co-sanctioning partner for the Discount Tire 5th Annual Bob Corson Memorial Race for national midgets September 16th at Grundy County Speedway. The Wolverine Outlaw Midget Series (WOMS) will partner with the IRS to bring back this tribute to one of the pioneers of midget racing.

Frankfort, IL (7/28/07) The Illini Racing Series, Inc. presented by D’Arcy GMC
of Joliet, and the family of the late Bob Corson are proud to announce a primary
sanctioning agreement for the return of the Bob Corson Memorial Race to Grundy
County Speedway on September 16th.

The 30 lap, 5th Annual Discount Tire Bob Corson Memorial Race for national
midgets will cap off a night of racing that already includes the Illini
Sportsman Midgets, the F.I.R.A. Mini-Indy cars, the R.O.R.I. Rascal Outlaw
Mini-Sprints, and the Luisa’s Mini-Mods.

The race celebrates the life and legacy of one of the pioneers of midget auto
racing. Corson was known throughout the sport as an innovator, a fierce
competitor, and a loyal friend.

Corson’s son, Rich Corson continues the family racing tradition, winning the
prestigious indoor racing series in 2003 - 2004, a car owner championship in 2004,
and a long string of feature, heat race and trophy dash wins,
including this season.

Pit passes will be $25, with the back gate opening at 2 pm. One day memberships
will be available for $30 for new drivers with the Illini Racing Series.
Mandatory drivers’ meeting will be at 3:00 pm.

The front gate will open at 3:30 pm for hot laps, with adult admission just
$10.00 and kids 15 and under free for this special event. Qualifying will take
place at 5 pm, and the trophy dashes will begin at 6 pm.
photos from UARA yearbooks....click on picture to enlarge