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Created: Saturday, 14 July 2012 12:56

Written by Christine Kanke

The View from RPM Motorsports

The last weekend of June was another fine weekend of racing at Madera Speedway...fun, fireworks  and good racing is always a satisfying combination.

While ultimately settling for third in the race, Frazier Park, CA's MK Kanke had an eventful evening on the track:  a lucky invert draw started him on the pole, had a fire under the hood, and was the relay runner for a Greg Voigt sheet-metal baton.  His side-by-side battle with Dave Byrd was definitely a good time.   The competition ramped up in the last half of the race, leading to an exciting finish for the fans and MK from his view, though he wasn't able to capitalize on all that "excitement" in turns 3 and 4 on the last lap!  Our team congratulates Greg Voigt on a stout night at Madera, finishing fourth, after a tough start to his year.  Good job to Jeff Oleen on his first top-10 of the year.   Bonus:  it was great having Janet Peery in the pits as she has been missed by many.

The Legends Tour continues to be so fun to watch with good, close racing with lots of talented young racers.  Cale Kanke and his team continue to improve in finding speed in the driver and the car.  While running third, his mirror fell off into the pedals and in trying to remove it, somehow he pulled the electrical harness out, losing power.  Kudos to the quick-thinking drivers for navigating around him on that restart.  He was super speedy the rest of the race on the outside line but glory will have to wait for another day.

Our team thoroughly enjoyed the BBQ fundraiser for Motor Racing Outreach.  We are thankful that MRO chaplains Norm and Louise Griffith are supporting our series and look forward to chapel services returning to race days.   Thanks to all the racers who donated to this most important ministry as over $1100.00 was raised.   Yay, God!

We also liked being introduced to the Legends top-10 drivers in points on stage.  Good news was revealed when Lloyd McGhee announced that ProCast would be contributing to the SRL Legends point fund this year!  And Ryan Cansdale is not only racing impressively this year, he's also a nice brother; the scene of a bunch of racers singing "Happy Birthday" to his 11-year-old sister, Cory, was priceless!

The inaugural SRL campout was quite successful as the invitation drew many teams and their RV's.  Camping has always been a joyful part of RPM Motorsports' racing weekends and from the sounds of the other teams around us camped out, we could make a solid guess that a good time was had by all.

Thanks to Madera Speedway's Kenny and Tammy Shepherd for their hospitality to our team and all the racers in SRL Southwest Tour/SRL Legends.  Between track improvements made, their patient commitment to racing and creativity, hopefully they were rewarded as a good crowd was on hand, while west-coast racing continues to rebuild its fan-base.

Now, it's on to the next race...