MCRA wraps up 2014 Season with Awards Banquet
A great time was had by all at the Midwest Café Racing Association banquet held on January 10th in St. Louis, MO.Over 100 MCRA members and their guests attended the annual event to celebrate the 2014 season and look forward to an even better 2015. A portion of the event was dedicated to thanking our season sponsors Big St. Charles Motorsports and Amish Racing for their tremendous support of Midwest racers.
MCRA President Amy Cox noted the impressive 2014 membership growth rate, number of dedicated riders, hard earned results, and first ever race at the challenging new National Corvette Museum track. Asked about reasons for the growth, Amy stated “we are turning our track day riders into licensed racers and this is allowing our grids to grow exponentially no matter where we go.”
AHRMA National Champion racer Charles Miller expanded upon his much appreciated gift for race announcing as Master of Ceremonies. The top 3 from each of the racing classes received their awards as follows:
The premier Expert GT class saw 4 riders battling for the title and only 32 points separating first through fourth place at season’s end. Perennial leader Jeff Selbert won the season title for the fifth year in a row. Newly minted expert and owner of trackside vendor Power Sports Stuff Andre Taylor took second, and Team Bully’s Ernie Miller placed third. Last Minute Racing’s Dave Lacavich just missed out of the top 3 with a strong late season charge.
Despite missing an entire weekend of the 7 event schedule, 2014 Rookie of the Year award winner Blake Holt won the Amateur GT class with a comfortable margin. Last Minute Racing’s Dominic Leard used a series of podium finishes to take second. His teammate Nick Square showed tremendous improvement in his riding to wrap up third. Amateur GT had over 40 riders competing in 2014 which shows not only the magnitude of these riders’ achievements but also bodes well for the future strength of MCRA grids.
Barry “Colonel” Thomas displayed considerable determination and skill in landing first place in the Amateur GTL division aboard his US Military tribute army green SV650. Ken Corse rode a beautiful and distinctive FZR400 to second with constant podium threat Grant Carruthers taking third on a limited schedule.
Last to be mentioned but first in terms of close racing and spectator interest was the exciting 250 class. With packed grids and tight racing no fewer than 6 racers won races where the difference between first and fifth place was often less than 5 bike lengths! Hats off to Ernie Miller of Team Bully for winning the class on the strength of most race wins. Andre Taylor overcame a slower start in developing a bike for the class to take second. Current MCRA Lead Tech Inspector and Race Clinic Instructor Drew Collins took a strong third.