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| June 18, 2012 News |
| EKN Fast Five with Andy Finke - JET Karting at Michiana Raceway Park |
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For a number of years now, the tradition of the Rotax Shootout has preceded the United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals. The one weekend event gives a chance for ‘Rotaxians’ from around the country to make an early trip to the location of the Grand Nationals. For 2012, the Grand Nationals will return to the Michiana Raceway Park for a second time, hosting the event back in September 2005. This year, JET Karting’s Andy Finke will be the point-man behind the scenes for this year’s event.
Since taking over the facility in January, Finke has been busy preparing the South Bend, Indiana course for a busy 2012 season. Aside from the Rotax Grand Nationals, the historic track is hosting a number of headline series and events, including the upcoming Rotax Max Challenge Shootout. We had a chance to catch up with Andy while he hosted the Great Lakes Sprint Series on the weekend.
eKartingNews.com: You’ve been in the sport for a while. Tell us when it all began for you?
Andy Finke: My dad (Les Finke) bought a US820 from Bob Combs in the early 80’s. I was six at the time and ran it after the races with some shortened pedals for the whole first summer. It was a Senior engine, and we didn’t restrict it down at all! Seems kind of crazy now, but it worked. Ultimately, Les and Bob built Norway Speedway (now Concept Haulers Motor Speedway), and I either worked or raced there every year until I finished college and started flying. Once I had a ‘real job’, I did some wrenching at Stars of Karting and Manufacturers Cup Series events, and ran closer to home in Senior Can. In January 2004, I left my airline pilot career and started JET Karting. I won’t make as much money, and I’ll work lots of hours, but I smile WAY more and spend a lot of time with Kris and our kids. That’s worth everything to me.
EKN: When did the opportunity to manage the Michiana Raceway Park come about, and how long do you see JET Karting at the South Bend facility?
AF: I’ve been working with MRP Motorsport as a Birel and Rotax dealer for eight years with solid results. This winter, when Kris and I were unable to renew our lease at Norway, we called Garry Lobaugh to start looking for another property to run. After a few days of talking, he offered us this opportunity at Michiana. We are leasing currently, with an option to buy. Kris and I will start finding financing in earnest once our national schedule is over. It isn’t easy to put financing together right now, but we have the background, and have been successfully making our living at this, so I trust the right deal will come together. We just bought a house, and expect to buy the track. I’m expecting to be here a long time.
EKN: The facility will host the United States Rotax Max Challenge Grand Nationals on August 7-11. What type of upgrades to the track and paddock has recently been made to welcome this huge event?
AF: There’s been a lot. Last fall, Garry redid curbing in the esses, hairpin, and exit of several corners. Turn 1 got a new paved ‘runoff area’ that goes far enough to save an off, but not enough to be usable on a normal lap. The grass was raised up so the runoff doesn’t go downhill, and the fence moved back quite a bit. This spring, we widened the front stretch a kart width. This allows a better run onto the straight, and a better passing zone into turn 1. We just seal coated the paddock, and painted new stripes. We added more electric hookups, and are always working to keep it all well groomed. This place looks sharp!
 | | Michiana Raceway Park of South Bend |
EKN: What other things do you have planned for the MRP facility in the near future and years to come?
AF: I don’t have any hard plans right now. Garry (Lobaugh) has done great job keeping the track updated over the years. I’m sure there will be things to improve as we move along, but nothing is in the planning stages right now. We will want to keep up the tradition of improving the facility each year as it has helped to put Michiana Raceway Park as one of the top karting circuits in the United States.
EKN: Moving to the upcoming Rotax Shootout event, the Grand Nationals warm-up events have been very popular over the past few years. What can drivers except from the June 29-July 1 weekend?
AF: The Shootout, in keeping with Rotax tradition, gives a weekend format to get ready for the Grand Nationals. Friday is scheduled practice, with separate race days for Saturday and Sunday. The races are long, giving you time to find out what your kart feels like in a ‘Grands’ 28 lap final, and everything is scheduled to the minute to keep organized. This event is part of our Michiana Raceway Park Rotax Max Challenge series, so you get two punches for the weekend. If you are still looking to complete your four punches, this can be a big opportunity to get halfway there. We have professional staffing, and are excited to see the best from around the country. Head over to http://www.jetkarting.com/shootout for more information. |
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