Mighty Midgets Make Tri-Valley Champions
By Elizabeth Dubie, for TVQMA
Quarter Midgets of America is a National organization with clubs in almost every state and in Canada. Our Region extends from Sacramento to San Jose and south to Madera. Many Tri-Valley drivers race in two ‘Series’ “” the Monza (races at different tracks with in our region) and at our own home track in Livermore.
Tri-Valley Quarter Midgets of Livermore, Ca recently wrapped up our season on Nov. 8, 2014 with an awards banquet. Our drivers were very busy training, practicing and racing most weekends March thru Mid-November. Some even extended their season by participating in a Turkey Trot race in Tucson, AZ followed by our yearly Winter Nationals race in Las Vegas, NV.
In addition, to the Monza Series and our local Club races, every summer drivers and their families are encouraged to race in a ‘Grand’s’ race. Typically, there are three Grand’s events each summer- one on both the West and East Coasts and a fianl on a dirt track. Most all of our Tri-Valley drivers this year participated in the Western Grand’s in Madera, in the Central Valley. Racing is alwasy very competitive and fun. The biggest challenge for some was enduring the 106 degree heat. Everyone made sure the drivers and their pit crews had plenty of water and large fans in the on-shoot. One of the highlights of each Grand’s event is the awards night. Honda is one of our largest sponsors and this year they designed a special “A Main” Trophy in memory of Dave King. (For many years Dave was the Honda Representative who was very supportive of Quarter Midget Racing before passing away in 2012.)
This season Tri-Valley Quarter Midgets held eight club races. On average, we had forty-five racers. Drivers start training as early as 4-1/2 years old! A typical race has nine different classes. Two things determine the class: age of the driver and type of engine/restrictor plate they’re running. The average age for a Junior driver is between 5 – 8 years. Senior drivers range in age from 9 to 16. The average ages for most drivers in our club this season was 8-10 years old.
Here are our Tri-Valley Champions for the 2014 Season.
Junior & Senior Novice Participants: Madison Tuttle, Andrew Smith, Robbie Kennealy, Peyton Whitehouse and Wade Loveless
Senior Animal: LiNai Shimabukuro
Junior Honda: Adian D’Arcy
Junior Rookie of the Year: Kory Self
Senior Honda: Colin Kirby
Senior Rookie of the year: Colin Kirby
Heavy Honda: Ethan Lesser
Light 160: Rylee Whitehouse
Heavy 160: Michael Dubie
Light World Formula: Ricky Klitzing
*******
Drivers: Sean D’Arcy, Robbie Kennealy, Alex Carter, Colten Haney, Harley Kennealy, Rebecca Dubie, Joaquin Stewart, Angie Cravotta, Dustin King, Dan Brava, Caden Gotelli, Jacob Mallet, Jacob Tuttle, Michaela Cravotta, Morgan Gillem, Anthony Guaimano, Collin Larson, Cory Carver and Christopher Lothrop.
We’re ooking forward to another great season in 2015! Check us out and come see us at the Track: 6978 Northfront Road Livermore, CA 94551 admission is free!