Topic: July 19-20, STA-BIL Great Lakes Summer Nationals, Sparta, MI

[mrmowitall]

Subj: [USLMRA] Sparta MI Double Header Update 
Date: 5/19/2008 9:44:54 PM Central Daylight Time
From: chevy41panel@yahoo.com
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To: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
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I would like to give everyone an update on the progress of things for
the Sparta MI double header to benifit Huntington's Disease.

First of all, there is a change with the start time for the July 19th
Saturady show. In order to make things mesh with the Town & Country
Days Fair happening the same week as the race, we will start the heat
races at 5:00pm on Saturday evening. This helps us make things work
with the sound system and spectators. It will also give us the
opportunity to have a few mowers participate in the parade in town.
See me for details on the parade. For those with a thirst to skoal,
there will also be a beer tent in town Fri and Saturday nights. You
can see more information on the schedule of events at
www.spartafair.com

July 20th Sunday's schedule remains unchanged, with heat races
beginning at 1:00pm.

The dinner we normally provide will be moved to a lunch meal for
everyone before Saturday's race at the track. We have been told we
will have a hog from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Special
thanks to them. There will be food for participants on Sunday as
well.

We will also be running another special benifit auction much like
last year. A very unique piece of Mower Memoriabilia is being
offered up this year. I have been informed that our Main Mad Mower
M.C. Doc Kuhfeldt will be offering up his Iconic Green MowerHawk
Helmet! Not only was this auction his brain child, he now comes up
with A, if not THE cool item up for bid. We will also have a Jim
Mikula BP hood. If anyone else has anything suitable for this part
of our FUNd raiser, please let me or Doc K. know.

I know this is getting long, so I'll make this brief. I speak for
the entire Mikula family when I say we continue to be blown away by
the continued and increasing support given to us and our cause by the
USLMRA community. Thank you all in advance for everything! Please
make our double header one to make again this year!



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[mrmowitall]

Subj: [USLMRA] Sparta MI Race site 
Date: 5/29/2008 9:47:07 PM Central Daylight Time
From: chevy41panel@yahoo.com
Reply-to: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
To: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
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Here is a great site for more information on the Sparta MI race:

www.hdmowerraces.com

I believe this was put together by my sister Brandi and her husband.
What a great way to show people a small portion of the experience!

Jayson Mikula
2005 USLMRA Driver of the Year
2004 USLMRA Most Improved Driver of the Year
Four Seasons Yard and Sport
STA-BIL Series BP Class Champion

[Squidd]

I like this race venue, the Mikula group really puts on a spectacular show each year..

This is one I would reccomend putting on your schedual to make

Great racing, great cause, great people...

[Jeff Hosford]

Is the sparta race still in june if so can some one post date address and time. Me and my boy really want to go this year. thanks for all your help.

[jim russell]

THE GREAT LAKES SUMMER NATIONALS FOR THE USLMRA IS JULY 19-20 I THINK THE RACE ON SAT IS AT 5 AND ON SUN IT IS AT 1

[amcchevy1]

Sparta where?

[Jeff Hosford]

Sparta Michigan  and does some one have an address never been there.

[mrmowitall]

Article on STA-BIL Great Lakes Summer Nationals, Sparta, MI
 
 
http://blog.mlive.com/northwestadvance_impact/2008/06/lawnmower_races_to_benefit_hd/print.html
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lawnmower races to benefit HD research return for sixth year
Posted by Laurie Hekman June 30, 2008 14:41PM
Laurie HekmanThey aren't just cutting the grass. Father, in the #14 tractor, and son, #4, go head to head on the track during the 2007 National Lawnmower Racing Competition.
The roar of the engine doesn't sound like a lawnmower, the flames on the side don't look like they belong on a lawnmower and the mini-license plate that says "2Fast4U" certainly doesn't seem like it should be on a lawnmower.
But, it is.

On July 19 and 20, the Sparta Municipal Airport, 9100 Vinton Ave, will taxi in close to 100 lawnmowers for the annual Four Seasons Yard & Sport Equipment Inc. lawnmower race to benefit the research of Huntington's disease (HD).

The president of the company, Jim Mikula, has a reason for the race to support what it does. He lost his father, five siblings and a niece to the disease. Another sibling and nephew have been diagnosed with HD.

"We made a hobby into something good," Mikula said.

This is the sixth year the group, paired with Michigan Lawnmower Racing Association, and has sponsored the race. They were named the National Outstanding Fundraiser Event for Huntington's disease because of their success in June.

Last year, they raised close to $18,000 and this year they hope to raise "one dollar more than $18,000" said Donna Mikula, Jim's wife.

The disease is an inherited, degenerative brain disease for which there is no cure. Researchers have found the gene that causes the degeneration, but have not been able to alter its effects on the body.

If researchers were able to find a cure for Huntington's disease, related neurological illnesses such as Lugarics and Parkinson's diseases would also be curable.
Every dollar raised at the race will be given to research for the cure.
"We could put it into our pocket," said Jim. "We chose not to do that from the start."

The weekend includes more than the six major races each day of the event. Face painting, a water balloon toss, a pedal tractor race and other games will be available for the whole family.

Daren "Doc" Kuhfeldt, a nationally known lawnmower racing announcer, will be auctioning off his infamous helmet. The Mikula family is working on an auction for signed NASCAR items.

But, undoubtedly, the races are the highlight of the event. An estimated 700 people attended the races last year.

Winners don't receive any financial reimbursement even though some racers travel as far as from Florida and South Dakota to compete.

All they receive are "bragging rights, a trophy and a pat on the back at the end of the race," Donna said.

They are there to have fun, and to support a cure for HD.

"How much have we made this year?" Donna said, quoting the drivers. "Next year, we're going to do it better."

But bragging rights and a trophy may be enough--especially if the competition is between father and son. Jim and Jayson Mikula have been racing each other for years, and the competition can become heated, according to their wives.

Jayson, Jim and Donna's son, just won the national lawnmower racing title. Jim came in third. But, in other races, Jim has beaten his son.

Jayson said he is going to try to go for a Triple Crown title this year on their home track. He has won the last two years.

"Wait," said Jim in response, 'You can't get that. I'm getting it."
But only time and a race on the track will reveal the truth.

The races begin at 1p.m. on Saturday, July 19.

© 2008 Michigan Live. All Rights Reserved.

[allen minaker]

that's good stuff , I cain't wait to see how much is raised this year .
for anyone that hasn't been to this race , your missin a heck of a race and a great fundraiser . The track is always great and really fast .

[mrmowitall]

Subj: [USLMRA] STA-BIL Great Lakes Summer Nationals, July 21 & 22 2008 
Date: 7/8/2008 12:50:58 PM Central Daylight Time
From: csm.torres@netzero.net
Reply-to: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
To: USLMRA@yahoogroups.com
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Racers

As we mow on it's time for our annual stop in the great state of
Michigan for the 6th annual STA-BIL Great Lakes Summer Nationals,
July 21 & 22 2008, where I can guarantee you that the entire Mikula
Family, Craig Pond, and the MILMRA, are ready to welcome you and
provide first class Hospitably that will hard to beat.

So with that said are you "Are you ready for the annual ultimate in
Lawn Mower Racing"?

As always it is indeed an Honor to be the Chief Steward for this
magnificent event. With this being where I started this journey as
Chief Steward, I can sincerely say that I have been looking forward
to this event all year long.

The Michigan Lawn Mower Racing Association has put together a weekend
of Mower Racing that may be hard to beat with a track that is large,
fast and smooth... We have been told we will have a hog from a donor
who wishes to remain anonymous. Special thanks to them. There will be
food for participants on Sunday as well.

They will also be running another special benefit auction much like
last year. A very unique piece of Mower Memorabilia is being offered
up this year. I have been informed that our Main Mad Mower M.C. Doc
Kuhfeldt will be offering up his Iconic Green MowerHawk Helmet! Not
only was this auction his brain child, he now comes up with A, if not
THE cool item up for bid. We will also have a Jim Mikula BP hood. If
anyone else has anything suitable for this part of our Fund raiser,
please let me or Doc K. know.

Once again they are awarding the "Weekend Event Champion" award,
counting heats and features as races (so 4 races per class, the best
overall points awarded the same way as 4 feature races). This year
this award will be an will engraved glass paperweight with the Sta-
Bil National Lawn Mower Racing Series logo and the class name.

On the hospitality side, you'll see that the folks from Michigan know
how to do it right with food for racers and families in the pits for
free both days, the dinner they normally provide will be moved to a
lunch meal for everyone before Saturday's race at the track as well.

Racer fees will be any and all donations to their cause. Please note,
they are looking to maximize their donation to the Huntington's
foundation of Michigan and they are turning over not only every
dollar they take in during the race, but all of their sponsorship
dollars they sold also.

Here is the link for their recent newspaper article:

http://blog.mlive.com/advancenewspapers_news/2008/06/lawnmower_races_t
o_
benefit_hd.html

There are camping facilities close to the track for anyone wishing to
camp, there are a couple of public camp grounds located about 10 min
from the track in Cedar Springs MI.

There will be 6 portable facilities on site, 2 located in the pits
and 4 in the spectator area, and they will be cleaned Sun morning

Hotel information is as follows:

Motel 6
777 3 Mile Rd
Walker MI 49544
800-4-Motel 6 or 616-784-9375
Rooms start at 49.99 weekend rate 2 adults

Swan Inn Motel
5182 Alpine Ave NW
Comstock Park MI 49321
800-875-SWAN or 616-784-1224
Rooms start at 54.24 for 2 adults 1 bed

Hampton Inn Grand Rapids
500 Center Drive
Grand Rapids MI 49544
616-647-1000 or grandrapidshamptoninn@...
Rooms start at 89.99

Quality Inn Grand Rapids North
2171 Holton Court NW
Walker MI 49544
800-4CHOICE or 616-791-8630
Rooms start at 94.99 weekend rate 2 adults

Comfort Suites
350 Dodge Street
616-785-7899
Rooms start at 99.99 weekend rate 2 adults
Continental Breakfast

Spring Hill Suites
450 Center Drive
Grand Rapids MI 49544
616-785-1600
Rooms start at 109.99

Holiday Inn Express
358 River Ridge DR NW
Walker, MI
616-647-4100

Schedule for Saturday July 19 th will be as follows:
Registration 12- 3 pm
Tech 12-3 pm
Driver Meeting 3:15 pm
Practice (mandatory) 4:45 pm
Racing begins 5 pm

Schedule for Sunday 20 July will be as follows:
Registration 9-11:30
Tech 9 -11:30
Drivers Meeting 11:45 pm
Hot laps (mandatory) 12:15 pm
Racing begins at 1 pm

Race order will be JP, IMOW, AP, SP, CP, BP. FX

Have a safe trip and See everyone there!

Manny Torres
The USLMRA "Mow To Guy";
USLMRA National Chief Steward
And President of Delmarva-LMRA
Cell 410-808-5641; Work 410-278-2054 (6:30-3pm

[Jeff Hosford]

Me and my boy are coming this year i would not miss it.  Been looking forward to it all year. I told some of my friends and there coming to sounds like a lot of fun. Might half to make this a yearly tradition. Hope to see all of you there and get to talk to some of you to .  See you guys there.

[mrmowitall]

Race Fans;

What a great weekend of racing in beautiful Sparta, Michigan
where the Mikula Family and the Michigan-LMRA hosted 2 fabulous days
of racing to raise money for the Huntington Disease Foundation. The
weather was great and the track on Saturday was challenging, on
Sunday it was fast, and the crowd was great on both days.

The weekend started with an excellent media day at Four Seasons John
Deere complex on Friday morning with an ABC affiliate news team
interviewing the Mikula Family and conducting their annual celebrity
challenge against a local Radio DJ. What a great race and some
exciting driving and doughnuts.

On Saturday an excellent crowd was on hand to see some of the finest
racing we have see this year. Jayson excited the crowd by pulling off
a double victory in BP and FX which fired up the crowds for which
were hoping to see the local home town hero's drive to victory lane.
Also the CP race provided some excitement with defending CP National
Champion Don Ginger from North Dakota having his hand full with John
Vinka from Delaware Ohio holding him off for the victory. Other
notable victors on Saturday were Dale Becker in AP of Michigan
defeating Pat Sullivan, and Defending National Champion Rich Webb
holding off Bill Vinka in SP for the Victory.

On Sunday it was a different story, Dale Becker in AP, Jayson Mikula
in BP, and Johnny Vinka in CP were the only repeat winners,

On Both days drivers were treated to meals and refreshments.
Entertainment was provided by the world renowned Lawn Monkey and Doc
Kuhfeldt as always did a magnificent job in calling the race, keeping
the crowd involved and conducting the auction to help in the cause.

Both the Mikula Family and the Michigan-LMRA provided very beautiful
awards and mementos.

As I have mentioned in the past this is where I began my duty as
Chief Steward and as in years past it has been one of my favorite
places to work. I thank all racers for making this weekend a great,
safe, and exciting weekend. It was truly a great weekend from my
point.

I would like to make one final request pertaining to this weekend;,
We as racers have shown in the past how everyone just steps up to
help fellow racers with their mowers when mechanical issues arise,
but with special request I as for your help, regardless of whether
you attended this event or not. In years past we have helped the
Mikula family raise money for the fight against the Huntington
Disease and we have collectively been successful. And this year is no
different. However the target goal was a little short. I ask that all
members of USLMRA weather you attended or not, please show support to
a great Family that has been affect by this unforgiving disease and
make a contribution to the Mikula family for the fight to defeat this
disease. This way they can continue to be the leading contributor in
the country.

Contribution can be sent to:
Jim and Donna Mikula
4 Seasons Yard and Sport
5426 Alpine Ave. N.W.
Comstock Park, MI 49321
With my tour of duty as Chief Steward winding down with only 2 major
races left (Illinois and Nationals) I sincerely hope that these to
events run as smoothly as this weekend did. You are all a great bunch
of true Americans And I m privileged and humbled to be associated
with all of you.

See everyone in Illinois!

Manny



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