I'm reaching out to my friends, supporters, associates
and sponsors to extend a helping hand to the Great Lakes Sprint Series....
Most of you know Jeff Jr. has raced in the GLSS across the Midwestern States
for the past several years and that I'm a board member trying to help when I can...
As with the rest of the country in a difficult economy, the GLSS has struggled
- not having a title sponsor in '08 was really tough. The title sponsor usually
helps out with the points championship trophies in return for contingencies, advertising,
etc. etc. We'd really like to get a series sponsor online for '09 so we don't
fall into this position again.... If you know of anyone who may be interested
in supporting the premier WKA Divisional series, please drop me a note.... I believe
it is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to obtain exposure from the
racing/karting community... The year-end banquet is in Toledo, Ohio which also
provides opportunities for businesses local to NW Ohio, SE Michigan. I'd really
like to make a formal announcement with press release at the banquet in November
to create excitement for '09... For those who know me, you know I write a good
press release - racing news is slow in Fall so announcements would get maximum
exposure! Any individual leads you may have would be welcome!
Note we
have an immediate need for assistance with the trophy fund for this year - possibly
a tie-in with '09 sponsorship. Many of the board members have already dug into
our empty pockets to pitch-in, but we are still short of goal. Any support would
be recognized at the series banquet in November, be on the trophies and be greatly
appreciated!
Thanks as always for supporting Jeff Jr. and his racing efforts
- we truly could not do any of this without help from our sponsors. We're looking
forward to beginning the '09 season at Daytona - less than 3 months away!!
Best Regards, Jeff Myers Sr.
IT'S
OFFICIAL
Bedford
Twp.'s Jeff Myers Jr. races to 3rd and 5th in National points standings.
It's
official! the World Karting Association released the Final Manufacturer's Cup
Point Standings October 29. Bedford Twp.'s own Jeff Myers Jr. made the top 5 in
2 classes finishing 3rd in Yamaha Jr. Sportsman and 5th in HPV Jr. Sportsman.
http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/series/mc/mc-standings.html Two top 5's are an
awesome accomplishment for the 10-yr.-old's first full year of National competition.
The series features the best young racers from all over the country.
Jeff
will receive trophies for his accomplishment at Daytona International Speedway,
December 28. The weekend also marks the beginning of the 2008 racing season. The
'08 National schedule includes races at Daytona, Florida and Lowes Motor Speedway
in Charlotte, North Carolina before coming back to the Midwest for races in Wisconsin,
Illinois, and Indiana.
Thanks to all our friends, family and sponsors
who have supported us over the past year. We're looking forward to doing it again
next season and there are a lot of exciting plans in the works!
2008
- J2 RACING in the news..CATCHING UP
First
off - belated Happy Holidays to all. December was busier than normal with preparations
for Daytona Kart Week which kicked off the 2008 kart racing season. Preparation
paid off and Jeff continues to show he belongs up front with the best in the country.
Last Friday night at Daytona International Speedway, Jeff attended his first
National Banquet where he picked up awards for 3rd place points in Yamaha Jr.
Sportsman and 5th place points in HPV Jr. Sportsman. But Saturday, it was back
to business on the track to start the 2008 season.
Saturday's race in
Yamaha, Jeff qualified 6th out of 44 entries (only 30 make the race). The pre-final
was eliminated due to time constraints leaving the 18 lap final race to determine
the national race winner. Jeff easily moved into the top 5 during the race and
settled into 4th. The last half of the race, Jeff was faster than the 2 karts
ahead of him, but could not find a way to pass on the tight 0.7 mile track. Despite
being held up and fighting off a fast 5th place kart, Jeff finished 4th place
to extend his podium streak to 5 races!
Sunday in HPV, Jeff improved
his qualifying by placing 5th of 37 entries. Racing consistently in the top 5,
Jeff was battling for 3rd when contact put him back to 8th. He fought back to
improve to 5th and was making the pass for 4th when again, he got tapped in the
rear and slipped back to 8th again. Jeff recovered to finish 7th - the 3rd thru
8th place karts all bunched together. Not a bad weekend, top 5 and a top 10. Jeff
had his sights set higher than 7th on Sunday, but looking back, he's come a long
way from 1 year ago when he finished 8th and 13th the first race weekend of the
season.
Kristy and Julie DID make the trip and had a great time. Off
track highlights include camping at Daytona, a ride on the high-banked big track
in a pace car, Jeff catching fish on Lake Lloyd, and a trip to the Kennedy Space
Center. Just having us all together for a big trip over the holidays is what it's
really all about. Overall - what a great experience.
Big THANKS to all
of our friends and supporters who are and have been helping us out, MRP-Birel
especially. Jeff would not have the opportunity to race at a national level without
support from friends and family. Jeff continues to run with the top guns on a
shoe-string budget which is very satisfying for both of us. (We ran used MG tires
on Sunday - STILL qualified top 5!!)
Next race, we're at another famous
race track in the NASCAR heartland - this time we'll be at Lowes Motor Speedway
in North Carolina Feb 29, March 1-2.
April
2008 Jeff Myers Jr. will participate in Michiana Raceway Park’s (MRP)
Rotax program in 2008. Jeff Jr. will run a limited 5-7 race schedule in the mini-max
class, at MRP-Birel America’s home track near South Bend, Indiana. MRP is
the American importer for the Birel kart chassis that Jeff Jr. raced in 2007.
The Rotax mini-max kart
is faster than Jeff has previously raced and is powered by a sealed, spec engine.
Only a few adjustments are permitted on the kart/chassis placing a stronger emphasis
on the driver. The faster kart/engine combination and will also make the transition
to the junior level easier in the upcoming years.
Jeff
Sr.: “We tested with MRP in 2007 to see how the kart felt and learn about
the Rotax series. Jeff Jr. liked it so much, I couldn't get him out of the kart!
For the first time, Jeff Jr. will also get the chance to work directly with the
MRP-Birel America team engineers. We're proud and honored to be able to work with
the national team in 2008.”
Jeff
Jr. is a 5th grade honor roll student at Monroe Rd. Elementary School in Lambertville,
Michigan and has been racing since age 5. After winning several club championships
across the state of Michigan, Jeff competed full-time last year on the National
level where he placed 3rd in the Yamaha Jr. Sportsman class. Jeff Jr. races with
the World Karting Association (WKA) and is currently ranked in the top 5 nationally
in 2 classes. For information about MRP, see www.mrpmotorsport.com
May 5, 2008
First of all, the National points are updated! After 2 races (Daytona and Charlotte),
Jeff's in the top 5 in the current National Standings in 2 classes:
Jeff keeps reminding me how much of an improvement this is over last year - historically,
we start the season slow (kinda like Dad in the mornings - HA!)..... No doubt,
Jeff's doing well early-on!
We had the chance to visit our friends at
East Lansing in April to test and run a club race.... Was really great to see
old friends! Kristy and Julie really enjoyed the weekend. Kristy even sang the
National Anthem solo - she got the biggest cheers of the day. Dad was REALLY proud!
(may have to get her on the American Idol circuit!) Jeff ran well winning the
feature event and coming back with valuable test data for Dad.
Last weekend,
was the season WKA divisional (Great Lakes Sprint Series) opener at Circleville,
Ohio just south of Columbus. We've really had a tough time at this track over
the years - pretty much a mid-pack kart.... But this time around, we were fast-fast-fast!
Jeff finished P2 in Yamaha on Saturday (19 karts) and P3 on Sunday (13 karts)
right on the leader's tail both days.... We'll take it! Congratulations to our
friends at Noonan Kart Racing who put it up front and kept it there!
May 3-4 Jeff will return to South Bend, Indiana to begin working with the MRP
staff in the Rotax series. What an outstanding opportunity for the 11-year-old
to work with a National Team!
May
20, 2008 It's the biggest racing month of the year and it's no exception
for Jeff Myers Jr. - the past few weeks have been fast and furious...
Our May home is Michiana Raceway Park (MRP) near South Bend, Indiana with one
of the top teams in the country. Jeff picked up an arrive and drive ride with
the National Team with a chance to work team engineers in the Rotax series at
MRP. Jeff's first race in the mini-max class began on a rough note as another
kart made contact causing damage while Jeff was leading in the pre-final knocking
him out of the race. Un-phased, Jeff came back and won the Yamaha class race in
fine style on year-old, scuffed tires while others raced on new tires. (TRUE story).
In the Mini-max final, there was contact again and Jeff had a DNF - just wasn't
our day! Special thanks to MRP and the Brubaker family for helping to get Jeff's
kart back together - I couldn't have done it without you.. And BIG congratulations
to Sarah Carmon for her win....
We returned to MRP last weekend to race and prepare for WKA Divisionals Memorial
Day Weekend. Yamaha class was a clean sweep, pole, pre-final win, final win....
Can only hope for similar results next weekend!
Mini-max: again, Jeff was fast and qualified up front in P2, pre-final
P3. The final, Jeff was right where he wanted to be with the leader in sight.
The top 3 karts were all nose to tail the entire 20 lap race. Jeff took advantage
and calmly worked his way into 2nd staying right on the leaders tail the entire
race. Jeff was waiting for the last few laps to make a move but both leaders had
to deal with lapped traffic with 2 to go and Jeff settled for a solid 2nd place
run. We're both happy to get that one under our belt after the first race results....
But perhaps the biggest news in May: we're proud to announce the addition
of a new sponsor! Precision Karting Technologies (PKT) http://pktaxles.com/
has come on board to support Jeff's 2008 program. Please take a minute to check
out the karting products PKT produces - quality second to none and we're very
excited to have their support. Oh yeah, be sure to check out Jeff's driver profile
on their website - great stuff there. Thanks PKT.
Also, special thanks
to Advanced Accounting for returning as a sponsor in 2008. Be sure to talk to
Advance Accounting for all your accounting needs where they "think outside
the block." (734-856-5698)
June
13-15, WKA
Nationals, Manufacturer's Cup Points Race #3
Thanks
to all who've been asking how Jeff Jr. did at the WKA Grand Nationals in Dousman,
Wisconsin last weekend - the calls and support are MUCH appreciated... We really
hoped we'd get that big win but it just wasn't meant to be - yet....
I think both Driver and Dad struggled with the track and kart set-up. After practice
on Friday, we made several changes to the set-up (thanks MRP) and felt good about
our chances. But Saturday, in Yamaha Jr. Sportsman, Jeff qualified poorly (20th)
and finished 13th in a rain shortened race (flagged just past halfway). I think
Jeff had a shot at the top 10 if the race had gone full distance - not sure we
had it for top 5...
Sunday in HPV Jr. Sportsman, we remained optimistic
and expected better, but Jeff again did not qualify well (22nd - yikes!) against
a VERY competitive field (12th - 22nd separated by just a few tenths of a second).
In the pre-final, Jeff gained 9 spots finishing 13th! A national podium in sight
for the Final. After a great start, Jeff was in 10th on the rear bumper of 9th
place when he spun trying to set-up for a pass putting him at the rear of the
finishing order.
The weekend really made us appreciate our success at
divisionals Memorial Day weekend (a 1st, 2nd, pole, pre-final win) as Jeff returns
to Divisional racing in Camden, Ohio next weekend. Thanks to Adam Lawrence who
made the trip with us to Dousman to help crew. Jeff Jr. is disappointed he didn't
do better but hey, Mario Andretti didn't win EVERY weekend.....
Thanks
to all of our family and friends for the support - look for divisional news next
week from Camden... Last, special thanks to Jon Horgas from Ilmor Engineering
for the great engine mount - looking forward to next weekend!
July
2008
It's
been a few weeks since we've reported - as usual, a ton is happening....
all is well and the kids are great...
FIRST:
Thanks
to our sponsors, supporters and friends in the karting community who help make
it happen! We don't have a lot (1 engine for each class, 1 kart and a wood
trailer), but we do a lot with what we have and it's all thanks to you!
MRP
Driver
Coach: Brent Ebert
Precision
Karting Technologies www.pktaxles.comTru-Bore Motor Mounts / Ilmor
EngineeringSilver Bullet Yamaha EnginesViking Kart Products HPV Engineswww.Bedfordsports.comJ. Moses ConstructionThe
Mannik and Smith Group, Inc.Lawrence Design StudiosAdvanced AccountingG.B. Warnke
and AssociatesMG TiresNoonan Kart RacingGreat Lake Sprint SeriesBehrendt FamilyPawlicki
FamilyAdam Lawrence
Kathy
Mossing
When last we left, we struggled a bit at the WKA Grand Nationals in Wisconsin
racing just outside the top 10. Those struggles continued the following weeks
in WKA Divisional competition. Fast in practice, the speed disappeared on raceday
and Jeff was not as quick the following days - credit to the great competition
in the GLSS series which is pulling in the best kids in the country from as far
away as Texas and Kansas (almost a mini-national with over 20 karts in Jeff's
races). Jeff Jr. finished 6th on Saturday, 8th on Sunday. Not giving
up, we spent the next 2 weeks at MRP in South Bend working with the kart/engine/driver
at the home track to get Jeff Jr. back on top where he was 1 month ago...
The time paid off - we diagnosed a couple problems and Jeff responded right away
with a win in Yamaha Jr. Sportsman at MRP. Meanwhile, in the Rotax
class, Jeff FINALLY had some good luck in the last 2 mini-max races
(no contact - good clean starts by all competitors) and Jeff finished
strong over the 4th of July weekend. (3rd and 4th place finishes) Those were real
confidence boosters as Jeff continues to learn the Rotax Mini-max series with
equipment from MRP.
Looking
back, we've been on the road, racing every weekend for nearly 2 months straight.
I think Dad's not going to do that again! Too much for all concerned and we're
now struggling with our budget for the rest of '08. More on that later. BUT, had
we not run a couple "off weekends," we may not have uncovered potential problems.
To keep on top, I believe you still need to compete at the club level to test
and more importantly, learn. It's all about learning. Too many teams leave the
club series behind for the "bigger" races. To me, and all my 3 of my kids, we
still enjoy the club races from time to time and consider it refreshing. The atmosphere
is great and we enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new racers....
Now,
about that '08 budget! We've been blessed with great supporters - can't thank
them enough. However, Jeff Jr. is now on notice that if he wants to continue
racing at a national level in future years, he is going to have to start working
to pay his way. SO, if any of our friends out there know where a mature 11-yr.-old
can earn some $ to keep racing, please drop me a note.... Jeff's actually
been asking to find a job... A part-time job sweeping floors w/regular
hours would be very much welcomed! I think we'd be probably be able to find some
advertising room on the kart for Jeff's employer! The '08 season is winding
down. 2 Divisionals and 2 Nationals to go in the next month at tracks Jeff
has experience and has won before. He's still in the points hunt for
championships at both divisional and national levels. Jeff's leading in Yamaha
GLSS Divisional Points, Top 7 nationally in 2 classes. We'll be in Norway,
Illinois (SW of Chicago) for the next 2 weeks. Then on to New Castle, Indiana
for season finales in both Divisionals and National series. Surf to www.ekartingnews.com or www.mylaps.com for
complete results and boxscores.
We're
always looking ahead and plans are already being made for 2009. We hope to
have some announcements in August/Sept. after the WKA season is over and as the
'09 Schedules are releases.
Jeff
with a big win at MRP...very special!
THANK
YOU to our wonderful sponsors
J2
Racing is proud to announce that J. Moses Construction Ltd. has
come on board as an associate sponsor for the J2 Racing Kart Team. Moses Construction
is well known in the Toledo area for constructing quality homes at an affordable
price.
J2
Racing would like to welcome Advanced Accounting, LLC as a sponsor
for our team. We are very happy to have made this connection and hope to develop
a wonderful and long standing relationship with Advanced Accounting, LLC.
Please contact Sarah for any accounting needs you may have.
J2
Racing is proud to announce the addition of G.B. Warnke & Associates, Inc.
as an associate sponsor. Located in Temperance, G.B. Warnke is well known for
providing professional land surveying services in Bedford Twp. and throughout
the NW Ohio/SE Michigan area for over 30 years.
Just
in time, The Mannik and Smith Group, Inc. has come aboard to support J2 Racing
with sponsorship when it was needed the most!.This is a REAL boost to help finish
the '06 season! Mannik and Smith is well known throughout Ohio and Michigan for
providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental consulting expertise
for private, commercial and municipal development. For more information, visit
www.manniksmithgroup.com Thanks
to everyone at Mannik and Smith for all their well wishes, help and support as
Jeff Jr. hopes to bring the 2007 racing season to a successful conclusion next
month!
J2
Racing sponsors, Cathy and Jim Moses (J. Moses Construction) with Jeff Myers Jr.
after Jeff placed 8th in the Nationals in Jacksonville, Florida.
The
2008 season...
J2
Racing 2008 Schedule
Date
Location
Event
Dec
28-30, 2007 Feb 29-Mar 2 Apr 25-27 May 4 May 18 May 23-25
Jun 8 Jun 13-15 Jun 20-22 Jul 4-6 Jul 18-20 Jul 25-27
Aug 8-10 Aug 15-17 Sept 7 * Sept 21 *
Daytona
Beach, Fla. Concord, NC Circleville, Ohio South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana South Bend, Indiana South Bend, Indiana Dousman,
Wisc. Camden, Ohio South Bend, Indiana Norway, Ilinois Norway,
Ilinois New Castle, Indiana New Castle, Indiana South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Michiana
Raceway Park Great Lakes Sprint Series World Karting Association
Tentative
WKA Regional Series National Karting Series
2008
RACE RESULTS
J2 Racing Spring
Update
Nationals at Daytona &
Lowes Motor Speedway - 2008
Jeff
Myers Jr. - Championships / Karting Highlights
2002
Track Champion 2003 Track Champion 2004 Numerous Wins 2005 Track
Champion 2005 Track Champion 2005 Points - 4th place 2006 Track
Champion 2006 Track Champion 2006 Points 3rd place 2006 Points 3rd
place 2006 Driver of the Year 2007 Points 3rd place 2007 Points 5th
place 2007 Points 5th place 2007 Points 2nd place 2007 Wins
Kid
Karts Kid Kart Kid Karts, Briggs Jr. Sportsman Briggs Jr. Sportsman
Yamaha Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman HPV
Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman HPV Jr. Sportsman Yamaha and HPV
Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman HPV Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman
HPV Jr. Sportsman Yamaha Jr. Sportsman
Palmyra
Speedway Palmyra Speedway Palmyra, East Lansing Palmyra Speedway
Palmyra Speedway East Lansing Kart Track East Lansing Kart Track
East Lansing Kart Track WKA Great Lakes Sprint Series WKA Great Lakes
Sprint Series East Lansing Kart Track WKA Manufacturer's Cup (Nationals)
WKA Manufacturer's Cup (Nationals) WKA Great Lakes Sprint Series
WKA Great Lakes Sprint Series East Lansing, South Bend
.jpg)
.jpg)
