The 2004 racing season for the I-5 Quarter Midget Club is complete.  The club was able to finish all but one race in the 9 race point series.  Try as we may, mother nature prevailed in the attempt to complete the final race. 

 

8 points races, 2 non-points fun days, the Mudslinger Shootout, and a club record car count Region event combined for nearly 5,000 green flag racing laps on the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway.  The 2004 racing season had many first time winners.  We had several of the kids make the transition into the upper classes and prove to be competitive from the get go.  While the veterans of the club proved to be the ones to beat, the competition was closer than ever this year.

 

The Novice drivers of 2004 will be back next year making the Jr class the one to watch.  Indications are we will have no less than a C-main with the expected car counts.  Whomever triumphs in this class for 2005 will have accomplished a great task.

 

The track facility itself raised the bar for other QMA clubs in the region and nationally.  Positive comments abound on the effort put forth by a group of volunteers and the many friends, families, and business’s that contributed to the cause.

 

The I-5 QMC would like to thank all those that helped in making this the most successful year in the history of the club.  We were exposed to a wonderful and supporting community in which we now reside.  We hope we gave all of you something equally as positive in return, and encourage you to set aside a day or two next season so that we may continue to show you what our organization is about – THE KIDS. 

 

Please recognize and congratulate the Class Champions of 2004.  You never know, someday you may just want their autograph!!!

 

JR HONDA: Nicki Hartman
                            In her third year of racing Nicki told her parents she was ready to win.  She did just that, winning 4 of the 8 races and making the A-main for the first time at the region race.  Always smiling, she proved once again that the girls are always a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack.  Nicki will be making the move to the lightning quick Lt 160 class next year.  Look for her to stir things up in one of the premier classes for 2005.

SR HONDA: Nikolas Larson
                            Nikolas moved into the Sr class this year and proved he was ready.  Winning 5 of the 8 events made him the driver to beat.  Always full of confidence, and never the one to back down, he set the pace in a very competitive class.  Nikolas looks to be moving to more asphalt racing for 2005, but will continue to be a force if the occasion arises to run on the dirt.

HVY HONDA: Serina McPeake
                                In her first season ever, Serina showed what QMA is about – children having fun and spending time with their families.  She won her first ever main event win in the last race of the season, but the smile was no bigger than her first time in the car.  Watching her older brother’s race for several years helped fuel her desire, and when she garnered the courage, she showed she has the talent as well.  Serina will be back in 2005 hoping to repeat.

LT 160: TJ Hartman
                 5 years running and since the age of 8, TJ once again proved he is the driver to beat in Lt 160.  No driver in I-5 history has won as many events as he has.  This season he won 4 of the 8 events, and also won the prestigious Mudslinger Shootout.  Always smiling off the track.  Always cool and collected on the track.  Look for him to show his talent again next season.

JR HALF: TJ Hartman
                        For the 2nd straight year, TJ is the Jr 1/2 Champion.  He won 3 main events this year, along with the Mudslinger Shootout.  2004 had him competing in his 7th season of racing ¼ midgets.  This season did have a first for TJ however. At the tender age of 12, he made all of the calls on setup, gearing, and motor tuning.  He was solely responsible for maintenance of his racecars.  TJ continues to set the standard on, and off the track.