The good news is Thunderhill will be racing in 2010. Prestige Yacht Coatings is on board as the title sponsor for another year. What Joe Hernandez, owner of PYC did for the track, along with all the ‘09 sponsors was tremendous. I fully expect to continue the great year we had, right into the 2010 season!

The areas I want to go over…2010 schedule, specials, rules in general, class reps, any input / thoughts that you as a driver may have.

We also will be going over 1st and 2nd row pit spots. To hold your previous spot you will need to have paid for it in full, before or on the date of the meeting, otherwise it will be put up for lottery. The prices for pit spots are the same, $100.00 for 1st row, and $50.00 for second row. Any other pit spot being reserved in all remaining rows will also be $50.00. The name on the pit spot is responsible for that spot.  Again this year I had parking issues in the second row, I need to get this resolved. I will make every effort to keep in order & everyone in the correct spots.

The classes that will be running for points are the IMCA Mods, Sport mods, Stock cars, Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, and 4-cylinders. 2010 rules for most classes and IMCA licenses will be available. We also may be looking for reps in the IMCA divisions. Anyone that is interested can come talk to me.

Any questions and concerns that you may have will be discussed at the meeting.

Sincerely,

Bryan Wodack
(920) 743-7052

Prestige Yacht Coatings came aboard prior to the start of last season, providing the track ample sponsorship to keep the doors open. The company also sponsored several local drivers during the 2009 campaign.

The awards banquet for the 2009 season has been set for Friday, November 13 at the Ladder House Sports Bar & Grill. The cash bar will open at 6pm with dinner at 7pm. All drivers and fans are welcome.

Also, the drivers meeting for 2010 has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm. The meeting will also be held at the Ladder House Sports Bar & Grill.

More information on both the awards banquet and drivers meeting will be available shortly.

For more information, visit www.racethunderhill.com or call promoter Bryan “Woody” Wodack at (920) 743-7052.

August 29, 2009; Sturgeon Bay, WI – Persistent rain showers put an end to the 2009 season at Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway.

It was a season of firsts in all divisions, as all the champions had never won a title in their respective divisions.

Two-time IMCA stock car champion Shawn Kilgore captured his 1st career IMCA modified title, beating out six-time and defending champion Todd Dart.

Former street stock track champion Mike Pierrard also picked up his 1st career title in the IMCA stock car division, winning out over Pat Davister and Troy Muench.

IMCA stock car veteran Cory Cochart beat out last year’s runner-up Brad Lautenbach for the crown in the IMCA northern sport mod division.  The title is Cochart’s 1st in any division.

Frank Paul captured his 1st career track title as well, a solid season for the veteran of the division.  He beat out hometown driver Brandon Peterson.

Veteran NEW super stock driver Jeremy Wiitala picked up his 1st career title in the division.  Wiitala was the track champion in the bomber division back in 2001.

Kipp Burlo edged Kasey Gross in the 4 cylinder division for his 1st career championship.

The rainout concludes the 2009 season at Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway.  Thank you to all the sponsors, drivers, fans and track personnel who made it a very exciting and successful season at the track.

by Chris Budzban

August 22, 2009; Sturgeon Bay, WI – Seeking his 7th modified track title, Todd Dart cut his deficit to a mere two points by winning the IMCA modified feature over Shawn Kilgore at Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway.

Ryan LeMieux and Chris Derenne fought for the early lead of the modified feature, with Brett Wenzel close behind. Kilgore rode the outside lane into the 4th spot, and motored past Wenzel and in between LeMieux and Derenne to take the lead. Kilgore built up a strong lead with Dart getting into the second spot. A caution flag flew with 4 laps remaining, taking away Kilgore’s advantage. Dart made his move with the white flag in the air, and was able to make the inside pass stick to get the win. Kilgore settled for second, Tim Czarneski third, Jeremy Jacobs fourth and Jay Matthias fifth.

In the special “King of the Hill” IMCA modified races, Czarneski defeated Dave Zeitler, Dan Ratajczak and finally Kilgore to pick up the $500 prize, courtesy of Packerland Whey.

Brussels’ Troy Muench captured his 4th feature win of the season in the IMCA stock car division. Charlie Kroll set the pace early, building up a nice lead over Muench and Pat Davister. A caution flag flew, and on the restart Davister looked to the inside of Kroll with Muench to the outside. Kroll was able to fight off Davister, but then Muench was able to get by. Muench would go on to win, Davister second, followed by Kroll, Kyle Wanner and Brandon Czarapata.

Luck was on the side of Kewaunee’s Eugene Gregorich in the IMCA northern sport mod feature. Gregorich wrestled the lead away from Luxemburg’s Dave Davister with 3 laps remaining in the contest, and looked to be on his way to another win. When the white flag flew, Gregorich’s transmission broke, slowing his mount on the backstretch. However, a caution flag flew for an incident between James Iverson and points leader Brad Lautenbach, which by rule gave the win to Gregorich. Eric Arneson would be scored second, followed by Jesse Kroll, Davister and Cory Cochart.

Sturgeon Bay’s Brandon Peterson was able to make the pass on Jarred VanLaanen on the final lap of the IMCA hobby stock feature. VanLaanen led most of the contest, with plenty of heat applied by Luke Lemmens. Peterson charged his way to the front, and glued his front bumper to the back of VanLaanen. Into turn 1, VanLaanen went a little too high, and Peterson went by to get the win. VanLaanen settled for second, Lemmens third, Frank Paul fourth and Robert Waechter, Jr. fifth.

Green Bay’s Todd Everard held off heavy pressure from points leader Jeremy Wiitala to capture the win in the NEW super stock division. Wiitala tried the outside on several occasions to get by, but Everard was too strong and fought off every challenge. Wiitala settled for second, Dennis Weidner third, James Anderson fourth and David Baenen fifth.

4 cylinder points leader Kipp Burlo padded his lead by picking up the feature win over Matt Borths.

Next week is Harbor Lady Cruises Championship Night. 2009 Champions will be crowned in all six divisions. Racing gets underway at 6pm. For more information, visit www.racethunderhill.com or call (920) 743-7052.

RACE SUMMARY

IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE – Todd Dart, Algoma; Shawn Kilgore, New Franken; Tim Czarneski, Denmark; Jeremy Jacobs, Luxemburg; Jay Matthias, DePere

Heat 1 – Czarneski; Dave Zeitler, Luxemburg
Heat 2 – Dan Ratajczak, Frog Station; Dart
Heat 3 – Kilgore; Billy LeMieux, Sturgeon Bay

IMCA STOCK CAR FEATURE – Troy Muench, Brussels; Pat Davister, Luxemburg; Charlie Kroll, Forestville; Kyle Wanner, Sobieski; Brandon Czarapata, Appleton

Semi-feature – Tony Bouche, Algoma; Kerry Douglas, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 1 – Greg Gretz, Kewaunee; Czarapata
Heat 2 – Muench; Bret Koehler, Two Rivers
Heat 3 – Kroll; Shawn Havel, Brussels

IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MOD FEATURE – Eugene Gregorich, Kewaunee; Eric Arneson, Oconto Falls; Jesse Kroll, Algoma; Dave Davister, Luxemburg; Cory Cochart, Kewaunee

Heat 1 – Dennis Miesler, Luxemburg; Gregorich
Heat 2 – Brad Lautenbach, New Franken; Steve Georgenson, Sturgeon Bay

IMCA HOBBY STOCK FEATURE – Brandon Peterson, Sturgeon Bay; Jarred VanLaanen, Green Bay; Luke Lemmens, Kewaunee; Frank Paul, Luxemburg; Robert Waechter, Jr., Ellisville

Heat 1 – CJ Weckler, Sturgeon Bay; Lemmens
Heat 2 – Paul; Peterson

NEW SUPER STOCK FEATURE – Todd Everard, Green Bay; Jeremy Wiitala, Green Bay; Dennis Weidner, Maplewood; James Anderson, Forestville; David Baenen, Green Bay

Heat 1 – Everard; Baenen
Heat 2 – Andy Paluch, Pulaski; Wiitala

4 CYLINDER FEATURE – Kipp Burlo, Sturgeon Bay; Matt Borths, Algoma; Charlie Gross, Gleason; Kasey Gross, Gleason; Tony Everard, Green Bay

Heat 1 – Everard; Mike Sargent, Sturgeon Bay
Heat 2 – Burlo; Borths

The cars will come out two at a time and race each other in a 2 lap dash. Winner will move to the next round until we have the last man/woman standing.

This is being put on by Dan & Scott Ratajczak of Packerland Whey. The winner will receive a $500 prize.

Racing gets underway at 6pm.

Nickname:

Age: 18

Division: IMCA Hobby Stock

Car Number: 44

1. Who was your favorite driver growing up?
My dad, N.E.W. Super Stock driver Dennis Weidner

2. Most memorable moment in racing?
Becoming the 2008 IMCA Hobby Stock Rookie of The Year

3. What’s your favorite food?
Ice Cream

4. What do you drive for a street vehicle?
1992 Chevy S10 and 1978 Chevy ½ ton

5. What or who got you into racing?
My dad, working on all of his racecars, he promised me if I kept helping him he would get me a car.

6. How many years have you been racing?
2009 is my 3rd year

7. Most forgettable moment in racing?
Totaling my dads Street Stock

8. Who is your biggest rival/competition?
Anyone on the track

9. What’s your favorite movie?
Smokey and The Bandit

10. If you weren’t racing, what hobby would you have?
I really have no idea

11. What was your first car number?
44

12. Where was your first race at?
ThunderHill Raceway

13. What is your favorite music group or band?
George Strait

14. First memory in racing?
Powder Puff race in 2005

15. How did you pick your current number?
Same as my dads

16. What is your favorite race track?
ThunderHill Raceway

17. What divisions have you raced in?
Bomber and IMCA Hobby Stock

18. What type of driver are you?
Patient

19. What type of track do you prefer?
Smooth and tacky

20. Why do you race?
To spend time with my family and to have fun

By Chris Budzban

August 15, 2009; Sturgeon Bay, WI – Frog Station’s Dan Ratajczak passed Two Rivers’ Kyle Kudick and held off defending track champion Todd Dart to pick up his 1st feature win of the season in the IMCA modified division at Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway.

A pileup in the middle of the pack sent Jay Matthias and points leader Shawn Kilgore down pit lane early. Both would rejoin the field, but Kilgore later pulled off with more issues. On the restart, Kudick jumped to the outside of Ryan LeMieux to grab the lead. Another caution flag flew, and Ratajczak took aim at Kudick. He made a daring cut down into turn 1 to make the pass, and slid up in front of Kudick’s bumper taking the lead. A late caution bunched the field again, as Ratajczak was able to fend off Dart for the win. Dart settled for second, followed by Kudick, Billy LeMieux and Art Siefert.

Brussels’ Shawn Havel captured his 4th feature win in the IMCA stock car division. Defending champion Matt Junio of Casco took the lead early on in the contest, with Pat Davister and Havel battling for second. Havel would get by Davister halfway through, and then set his sights on Junio. With 2 laps remaining, Havel dove to the inside of Junio and took the lead away and the win. Junio took second, Davister third, Von Eytcheson fourth and Greg Gretz fifth.

Kewaunee’s Eugene Gregorich passed James Iverson on his way to winning the IMCA northern sport mod feature. Iverson created a nice lead from his front row starting position, but Gregorich sliced through the pack and started to close in halfway through the contest. Gregorich made the move on the inside stick, and cruised to the feature win. Brad Lautenbach grabbed the second spot, followed by Iverson, Jeff DuBois and Martin Kelsey.

Kewaunee’s Luke Lemmens raced around James Bosman and held off Brandon Peterson to pick up the victory in the IMCA hobby stocks. The contest had an early red flag, with Sturgeon Bay’s CJ Weckler ending up on his roof. Weckler would escape without injury. Lemmens went to the outside of Bosman on the restart and never looked back. Peterson finished second, followed by Frank Paul, Bosman and Jarred VanLaanen.

The NEW super stock division put on quite a show, as early on it looked like Dennis Weidner and Todd Everard would duel for the top spot throughout the race. Weidner suffered a mechanical issue, and Everard dropped out with a flat tire. The lead was handed momentarily to Jeremy Wiitala, but Tim Jandrin quickly took over the top spot. Wiitala fought back on the outside to regain the lead, and then was hounded by John Sternard to his inside. Sternard got by Wiitala with 2 laps remaining to pick up the victory. Wiitala finished second, Jandrin third, James Anderson fourth and Gene Sternard fifth.

Sturgeon Bay’s Kipp Burlo picked up another win in the 4 cylinder division.

Next week’s races are sponsored by Wisconsin Custom Machine of Denmark. Racing gets underway at 6pm with IMCA modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, northern sport mods, NEW super stocks and 4 cylinders in action. For more information, visit www.racethunderhill.com or call (920) 743-7052.

RACE SUMMARY

IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE – Dan Ratajczak, Frog Station; Todd Dart, Algoma; Kyle Kudick, Two Rivers; Billy LeMieux, Sturgeon Bay; Art Siefert, Green Bay

Semi-feature – Kevin Sternard, Sturgeon Bay; James Tebon, Algoma

Heat 1 – Kudick; Jay Matthias, DePere

Heat 2 – Siefert; Ratajczak

Heat 3 – LeMieux; Brett Wenzel, Two Rivers

IMCA STOCK CAR FEATURE – Shawn Havel, Brussels; Matt Junio, Casco; Pat Davister, Luxemburg; Von Eytcheson, Forestville; Greg Gretz, Kewaunee

Heat 1 – Eytcheson; Kyle Wanner, Sobieski

Heat 2 – Davister; John Anschutz, Brussels

Heat 3 – Junio; Gretz

IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MOD FEATURE – Eugene Gregorich, Kewaunee; Brad Lautenbach, New Franken; James Iverson, Luxemburg; Jeff DuBois, Luxemburg; Martin Kelsey, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 1 – Bernie Reinhardt, Sturgeon Bay; Jeff Lautenbach, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 2 – Brad Lautenbach; Gregorich

IMCA HOBBY STOCK FEATURE – Luke Lemmens, Kewaunee; Brandon Peterson, Sturgeon Bay; Frank Paul, Luxemburg; James Bosman, Sturgeon Bay; Jarred VanLaanen, Green Bay

Heat 1 – Lemmens; VanLaanen

Heat 2 – Peterson; CJ Weckler, Sturgeon Bay

NEW SUPER STOCK FEATURE – John Sternard, Green Bay; Jeremy Wiitala, Green Bay; Tim Jandrin, Kewaunee; James Anderson, Forestville; Gene Sternard, Luxemburg

Heat 1 – John Sternard; Chad Vetting, Manitowoc

Heat 2 – Todd Everard, Green Bay; Jandrin

4 CYLINDER FEATURE – Kipp Burlo, Sturgeon Bay; Tony Everard, Green Bay; Mike Sargent, Sturgeon Bay; Kasey Gross, Gleason; Kent Cookle, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 1 – Sargent; Jeremy DuBois, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 2 – Burlo; Everard

Photos by Dan Lewis Photography (http://www.danlewisphoto.net/)

By Chris Budzban

August 5, 2009; Sturgeon Bay, WI — Algoma’s Todd Dart got by Sturgeon Bay’s Kevin Sternard with 2 laps remaining to take home the $1,450 top prize in the IMCA modifieds at the 1st annual Nathan Bouche Memorial at Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway.

Sternard took charge from lap 1 and stuck to the bottom of the race track with Dart and Shawn Kilgore nipping at his heels.  Kilgore tried to swoop around Sternard on the outside on a couple occasions, but the inside line held true.  With two laps to go, Sternard came off of turn 4 a little high, allowing Dart to take the inside away into turn 1.  Dart would get by on the backstretch along with Kilgore, with Dart getting the victory.  Kilgore finished second, Sternard third, Jeremy Jacobs fourth and James Tebon fifth.

In the IMCA stock car feature, the Snellenbergers were the men to beat, as father Rod and son Devin took control of the top two spots early on in the event.  Rod Snellenberger got out to a comfy lead when a caution flag flew for Shawn Havel, whose engine had expired.  Rod Snellenberger was able to build his lead back up taking the checkers, while his son Devin held off heavy pressure from Matt Junio and John Heinz to take the runner-up spot.  Junio finished third, Heinz fourth and Pat Davister fifth.

Saturday night’s feature winner in the IMCA hobby stocks Jarred VanLaanen took home the win over Brandon Peterson.  Peterson fought hard on the outside in the waning laps, and almost succeeded with a crossover move with 2 laps to go.  VanLaanen was able to fight him off and take the win.  Peterson finished second, Robert Waechter Jr. third, Marcus Moede fourth and Frank Paul fifth.

New Franken’s Brad Lautenbach was looking to do what VanLaanen did in the hobby stocks, as he was the feature winner last Saturday night and held the top spot in the IMCA northern sport mod division.  On a restart, Travis VanStraten took to the outside of Lautenbach and grabbed the lead.  Eugene Gregorich also slipped by into second, and challenged late for the race lead.  VanStraten held on for the win followed by Gregorich, Lautenbach, Eric Arneson and Bernie Reinhardt.

Sturgeon Bay’s Kipp Burlo held off Saturday night’s feature winner Jeremy DuBois to get the win in the 4 cylinder division.

Prestige Yacht Coatings Thunderhill Raceway’s staff would like to thank all the sponsors who pitched in to help make the 1st annual Nathan Bouche Memorial a special event for both the track and for the Bouche family.

A reminder to fans and drivers that there will be no racing this coming Saturday, August 8.  Racing will resume next Saturday, August 15 at 6pm with the regular racing program of IMCA modifieds, stock cars, hobby stocks, northern sport mods, NEW super stocks and 4 cylinders.

RACE SUMMARY

IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE — Todd Dart, Algoma; Shawn Kilgore, New Franken; Kevin Sternard, Sturgeon Bay; Jeremy Jacobs, Luxemburg; James Tebon, Algoma

Semi-feature — Dan Ratajczak, Frog Station; Danny Deau, DePere

Heat 1 — Jacobs; Eric Van Iten, Green Bay
Heat 2 — Dart; Billy LeMieux, Sturgeon Bay
Heat 3 — Dave Zeitler, Luxemburg; Kilgore

IMCA STOCK CAR FEATURE — Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski, Devin Snellenberger, Pulaski; Matt Junio, Casco; John Heinz, Green Bay; Pat Davister, Luxemburg

Semi-feature 1 — Dave Bouche; Algoma; Mike Pierrard, Green Bay
Semi-feature 2 — Larry Karcz, Jr.; Pulaski; Heinz

Heat 1 — Rod Snellenberger; Troy Muench, Brussels
Heat 2 — Davister; Junio
Heat 3 — Brian Bruechert, Kewaunee; Don Aregoni, Sturgeon Bay
Heat 4 — Devin Snellenberger; Charlie Kroll, Forestville

IMCA HOBBY STOCK FEATURE — Jarred VanLaanen, Green Bay; Brandon Peterson, Sturgeon Bay; Robert Waechter, Jr., Ellisville; Marcus Moede, Luxemburg; Frank Paul, Luxemburg

Heat 1 — Luke Lemmens, Kewaunee; VanLaanen
Heat 2 — Peterson; James Bosman, Sturgeon Bay

IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MOD FEATURE — Travis VanStraten, Hortonville; Eugene Gregorich, Kewaunee; Brad Lautenbach, New Franken; Eric Arneson, Oconto Falls; Bernie Reinhardt, Sturgeon Bay

Heat 1 — Tim Jorgenson, DePere; Steve Georgenson, Sturgeon Bay
Heat 2 — Gregorich; Brad Theys, Kewaunee
Heat 3 — Johnny Whitman, DePere; VanStraten

4 CYLINDER FEATURE — Kipp Burlo, Sturgeon Bay; Jeremy DuBois, Sturgeon Bay; Kasey Gross, Gleason; Phil Martzahl, Freedom; Charlie Gross, Gleason

Heat 1 — Burlo; Tony Everard, Green Bay
Heat 2 — DuBois; Martzahl

Name: Dennis Weidner

Age: 44

Division: NEW Super Stock

Car Number: 44

1. Who was your favorite driver growing up?
Jerry Wagner

2. Most memorable moment in racing?
My first career feature win in 2008

3. What’s your favorite food?
Ice Cream

4. What do you drive for a street vehicle?
92’ Chevy 1500

5. What or who got you into racing?
Enduros & My father

6. How many years have you been racing?
12 years

7. Most forgettable moment in racing?
When my daughter totaled my street stock!

8. Who is your biggest rival/competition?
Jeremy “Weeds” Wiitala

9. What’s your favorite movie?
Smokey & The Bandit

10. If you weren’t racing, what hobby would you have?
Ride my Harley

11. What was your first car number?
44

12. Where was your first race at?
ThunderHill Raceway

13. What is your favorite music group or band?
Alabama

14. First memory in racing?
Third night in the Bomber Class, made the feature through the consi with a 40 car field

15. How did you pick your current number?
The car came with it and was Jerry Wagner’s number-one of my favorites

16. What is your favorite race track?
ThunderHill Raceway

17. What divisions have you raced in?
Bomber & NEW Super Stock

18. What type of driver are you?
Clean and Patient

19. What type of track do you prefer?
Dry Slick

20. Why do you race?
Family Fun- 3 generations of racing working together on our cars