Tilleda Thunder Season Opener

Daryl Erickson 45E Leads the FWD Studded Heat down the back stretch. - All Randy "Hoofer" Van Hoof PhotosBy Randy Van Hoof
(January 9th, 2010) - Tilleda Thunder on Ice kicked off the 2010 ice racing season on Saturday January 9th. With the pits full of racers and many spectators on hand, it was a great day on the ice.

The rear wheel drive non-studded feature started with the full field of 16 racers taking to the new and larger track. Last years champion Dan Michonski drew the pole for the first feature of the year, and he would not be denied. At the start Clint “Chucky” Forestner ducked back into the pits with cooling issues and ended up getting back on the track 4 laps down. On lap four it was his dad Pete “Rabbit” Forstner that ran into bad luck as his ride caught fire from an oil leak coming out of turn four. With only one other caution on lap 10 Dan Michonski was not challenged, Travis Verg and Nate Michonski tried their best to catch the man in the 1 out front but to no avail.

RWD Non-Studded heat actioFront wheel drive studded feature was also won from the pole as Dallas Kralovetz drew the honor and held on to take his first feature win of the season. Daryl Erickson started at the rear after winning his heat race but did not take long to get into the second spot. He tried to put some pressure on Dallas but Dallas held his ground running the preferred inside line. Erickson tried a couple of times to get him on the outside but did not have enough to get it done. Kralovetz took the win followed by Erickson and B.J. Quaintance.

Jeff Jolitz started the front wheel drive non-studded feature at the rear and was held in mid-pack for most of the first ten laps. With five laps to Jolitz put on a show making his move to the front and with three to go and grabbed the lead from Dusty Grahl who led from lap two. But B.J. Geise would follow him to the front running the “cushion” on the high side and made it a three car battle to the white flag. The final three laps were the best of the day as Geise pulled out the win followed by Jolitz and Grahl.

Dusty Grahl takes the inside from B.J. Geise in the FWD Non-Studded heat raceRacing continues every Saturday at 1:00pm through February. Special benefit race for Reed Luepke, four year old boy that has leukemia, is scheduled for the 30th. That will also be our annual “Media Day” with some local media people and celebrities racing a special race.

Thank You to our 2010 sponsors. Horn-ets Nest, Brady’s Septic, Hoppers Bar, American Marine & Motorsports Super Center, Curt’s Tigerton Lanes, Chimney Mechanix, Mathew's Supper Club, Auto Service Plus and B & J Custom Graphics.

FWD Non-Studded feature winner B.J. Geise

Eventual FWD Studded feature winner Dallas Kralovetz at speed

RWD Non-Studded feature winner Dan Michonski.