14 Jun Gateway Kartplex Dominates Quincy Grand Prix
2018 marked the return of the Quincy Grand Prix in the park. 1.2 miles of scenic race track through Quincy South Park. Possibly the most iconic street race in North America. Entire circuit lined with curbs, rock walls, barriers and lots of elevation change. Fast and dangerous.
This event has not been run since 2000, making this year the 33rd running of the Quincy GP. Famous previous park winners include the most decorated road racer in US history, Scott Pruett, NASCARs Jamie Mcmurry, Indy car driver Mark Dismore and sports car sensation Joey Hand.
This year there were 302 total entries from all over the country making 12 classes and 12 champions for the weekend.
Kartplex GM Keith Scharf raced there 6 – 7 times in the late ‘70s-‘80s. Keith left Karting with many local Karting championships to start racing various sports cars in the SCCA in 1986 His last race in the park was that year.
“I was running top ten near the end of the race and wound up cartwheeling the kart at the end of the fastest straight away around 80mph, and left the track under medical supervision.” Scharf said.
While in the SCCA Driving all types of sports cars Keith earned 49 National victories, 6 Division Titles, 1 National Championship, 9 SCCA Pro Race victories, a Pro Series Title, Top ten in the Rolex 24 and over 100 Regional Wins.
But the one trophy missing from his collection was a win at Quincy South Park.
This weekend, against a stacked field he was able to pull off the win in Ignite Senior by about 3 feet.
Ignite Masters winner was Colin Predith. Colin from Wildwood Mo is a previous karter who took some time off. He came back out to the Kartplex in our IDrive series in 2016 and was the winner of the IDrive shootout and scholarship of an Ignite kart for 2017. Colin ran a full season in 2017 and then purchased the kart from Margay Racing at the conclusion of 2017. He has run many regional and local races and was fast all weekend in the park.
The Masters race was not without incident. Leaders Nick Todtenhaupt and Senior winner Keith Scharf were involved with lapped traffic and wound up in the wall.
Other local favorites Ken Williams, John Noto, Matt Krechel, and others were also involved in accidents. Keith Scharf and Ken Williams were able to come back from their incidents, finishing 2nd and 4th. However it was the end of the day for Todtenhaupt, Noto and Krechel. Colin was able to drive a smart race to his first Quincy GP win.
Other notable finishes from Gateway Kartplex racers:
Yamaha Medium
2nd Gage Rucker
Yamaha Masters
2nd Pete Vetter
80 cc Shifter
3rd Gage Rucker
206 Masters
4th Matt Krechel
Ignite Senior
1st Keith Scharf
2nd Matt Krechel
3rd Avery Schwalm
5th Gage Rucker
Ignite Masters
1st Colin Predith
2nd Keith Scharf
3rd Keith Freber
4th Kenny Williams
5th Greg Mefford
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