| We have just returned from our 3-day racing event in St. Louis, Missouri. It was quite an eventful week. Friday during practice, we ran well. Garrett figured out his lines while Dad figured out the setup. Saturday was qualifying - which we palced in 8th position out of 34 karts from 17 diffeent states. This was the largest Kid Kart event in the United States. Sunday in Heat One, Garrett finished in 4th place position and in Heat Two he finished in 1st place. He started in 2nd place in the Feature race (they based that by a points system). He was in first by the first turn and was checking out. There was a wreck in the back of the pack, and they red flagged the race and the official turned Garrett's engine off. When they went to resume the race, Garrett's kart wouldn't start - they had fouled the spark plug when they shut it off. Pat asked the official if it was okay to change the sparkplug and he said yes. They gave Pat 90 seconds to change it, so Pat did as he was instructed. The official had a meeting and decided that we would be put in 14th position for changing the spark plug. The tech official had made a mistake when he told us we could do it. And they took that in consideration - They wanted toput us in last place. They also made us put the fouled plug back in. Garrett was extremely upset. He said he worked really hard to get to the front row. It took an SLKA official to come talk with Garrett to convince him to continue the race. Dad and I gave Garrett a pep talk and he was pumped! He said let's do this and got in his kart and flipped his shield down. They started the race and within the first lap he went from 14th to 4th place position. He was slicing and dicing through the field. He battled for 3rd but ended up losing position and placing in fourth by half a kart length. It was a 20 lap final - which is pretty long race for a 5 yr old. Besides some tech-able issues, Garrett was a real winner on and off the track. He showed such determination and spirit - he is OUR KID KART CHAMPION. Congratulations Garrett!!! We love you!!! Thanks to all our friends and family - we appreciate all your support and prayers. I would like to thank all our sponsors: MawMaw and PawPaw Madison - we couldn't have done it without your financial and emotional support. You made this happen! You would have been so proud of him - A true Madison Champion! Rhonda Holliday - UHAUL - Thanks for taking a chance and sponsoring Madison Racing. Mrs. Agnes - TIGERLAND - Thanks for being a continued support and sponsor of Garrett!! |
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