Posted By: davetabor on January 18 2010 at 03:12:34 PM
Heh Greg,
Any good directions to Pro Kart in Burnsville from Ham Lake? Dave
Not sure where in Ham Lake you are starting from Dave, but here's the suggested route starting on Hwy 65 S. This would likely be your best route, 35W south to Hwy 13 exit 3B.
4.
Turn right at MN-65 Trunk S
8.4 mi
5.
Take the ramp onto US-10 E
2.5 mi
6.
Take the I-35 S exit toward US-10/Minneapolis/St Paul
0.7 mi
7.
Merge onto I-35W S/US-10 E
Continue to follow I-35W S
27.0 mi
8.
Take exit 3B to merge onto MN-13 S toward Shakopee
Ron B indicated to me that we should have a pretty decent turnout for the UMSS banquet/fun night this coming Saturday January 23. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Should be a real fun time!
Reminder: Bring your racing helmet if you plan on go-kart racing. You can fill out the release/waiver form ahead of time by printing off a copy from the Pro Kart website.
Activities will get underway around 4:30 PM with a meeting to discuss the upcoming 2010 season, then dinner, followed probably by the go-kart racing, then the awards presentation, then it's party time for those who want to continue the festivities.
I talked with Ron B today. Weather permitting of course, it sounds like we will have a very solid turnout for the first UMSS banquet/fun night on Satruday evening January 23 at the Burnsville Pro Kart track. According to Ron, the order of events will be a meeting around 4:30-5:00 PM range discussing the upcoming 2010 season. Then we'll have some dinner followed by the awards presentation. The go kart racing will commence after the awards. I would think that would be in the 7:00 PM range. We probably will have enough drivers/fans on hand to run 5-8 races, then those who want to race again can do so or those who would like to head to a local watering-hole can make their way there for some more bench racing talk.
In the final event of the evening during the UMSS banquet and fun night held at Pro Kart Indoors in Burnsville, MN, young Midwest Modified driver Dustin Scott topped "A" mod and future 360 sprint car racer Andy Jones with a fast lap of 19.567 seconds to Andy's 19.739 seconds. Scott took home the GRP Bonus for posting the fastest time in the final race which also was the fastest lap turned during the evening.
It was a great time on Saturday evening January 23 for the inaugural UMSS banquet, as the new series for 360 sprint cars honored their first champion, Leigh Thomas from Duluth, MN. About 80 people were in attendance for the banquet which was preceded by a meeting where several of the rules for the 2010 season were discussed along with other related items. Following dinner, the awards presentation was held and then the evening concluded with the "Beat the Pros" go-kart racing sessions. I'm not sure exactly how many races were held, but I am certain it was close to a dozen or so. In the final feature race of the evening, several of the fast timers throughout the course of night participated to see who would garner top honors. As Dustin Scott and Andy Jones swapped the fastest lap back and forth on a couple of occasions, Dustin put up his winning time during a stretch were he had a clear track in front of him for a couple of laps. Andy lowered his time on a couple of laps, but he was never able to move back in front of Dustin.
Thanks to all who participated and to all of those who supported the series in 2009. The outlook for the 2010 season is positive, as I was told there are several new cars/drivers who have either acquired sprint cars or are in the process of doing so. The true test will come during the early part of the season to see IF the new cars/drivers roll through the back gate and are ready to race. I know Ron B mentioned four or five along with some who will be back out after suffering some misfortune in the early to mid stages of last season. The UMSS laid a foundation with it's first season in 2009, and will now continue to build upon that base. There are of course some areas for improvement, but as the old saying goes "You have to learn how to walk before you can run." The UMSS is off to good start, and I think the pace has picked up after a successful first year. For more information, please go to www.umsprints.com where a preliminary (tentative) schedule for the upcoming 2010 is posted along with other information.
I will have an official banquet press release out some time on Sunday. I just wanted to post a brief summary of the evening before getting some sleep. Great time! Both Stan M and Vinster were there taking photos, so I am certain they got some great shots during the awards presentation.
