Abrams, Wisc. 
February 3, 2016

MORR Banquet Celebrates Record Breaking Season
$43,500 Championship Payout to Record Number of Drivers
 
The fifth edition of the Midwest Off-Road Racing Banquet was the largest celebration of Sportsman short-course off-road racing ever. The event was held just minutes from Bark River International Off-Road Raceway at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan. The event saw a record number of guests, 435 to be exact, as a record payout was awarded to the top performers from the 2015 Sportsman race season.
The evening began with an hour of "Bench Racing" as Crandon and Bark River sponsored the social pre-event by covering the cost of a particular adu lt beverage.
 
The main event started with Mike Vanden Heuvel introducing the top racers in class as well as the top performers in the Kids Short-Course Kart division.   
Here are the 2015 Sportsman Class Champions
Classix - Dale Chestnut
Stock Truck - Diesel Shanak
Formula 4x4 - Ryan Rebman
Light Buggy - Greg Stingle
1600 Buggy - Mark Steinhardt
Super Stock Truck - Mitch Dorr
Super Buggy - Rodney VanEpren
Limited 4 - Dan Baudoux
Super Truck - Eric Ruppel
Kids Short-Course Kart - Owen VanEpren
 
The year-end payout saw a record $43,500 awarded to thirty-nine MORR competitors. Thanks to donations from Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, Bark River International Off-Road Raceway, and MORR. The series also saw record 150 different drivers take the green flag.
    
Traxxas also added support to the Sportsman program by awarding every second place finisher in the standings a Slash R/C truck and every third place finisher in the standings a Drag Timing System. Thank you Mike Jenkins.
 
Mike Reusche came up to thank all the companies that participated in the 2015 MORR Contingency Program and then presented the Impact Racing/Mastercraft Safety Awards to Light Buggy Champion Greg Stingle and Super Truck Champion Eric Ruppel. Both drivers received a driving suit and helmet from the longtime MORR supporter.
 
2015 MORR Contingency Program Members
Allstar Performance
Aeroquip
AMSOIL
ARP
Atturo Tire
Auto Trans Design
Auto Meter
BFGoodrich Tires
Competition Products
Fuse Fuel
Hooker Harness
 
Impact Racing by Mastercraft Safety
J & H Transmission
KC HiLites
Leatt
MSD Performance
PDank Off-Road
Optima Batteries
R2C Performance
Rod End Supply
Walker Evans Racing
Weddle
VP Racing Fuels

Then all ten-class champions came back up on stage to receive custom embroidered jackets noting their great accomplishment from Allstar Performance. Along with the jacket, each class champion also received a $100 MSD product certificate.
 
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway was also on hand as Cliff Flannery recognized all the PRO & Sportsman races that drove to victory on World Championship Saturday at the annual Labor Day "Big House" event.

Here is the list of winners of the one of a kind
World Championship Ring.
Classix - Aaron Konitzer
Stock Truck - Cory Marquardt
Formula 4x4 - Dave Miah
Light Buggy - Greg Stingle
1600 Buggy - Bruce Fraley
Super Stock Truck - Mitch Dorr
Super Buggy - Rodney VanEpren
Limited 4 - Dan Baudoux
Super Truck - Troy Retzlaff
Kids Short-Course Kart - Easton Sleaper
 
Bark River International Off-Road Raceway also thanked everyone for coming and announced the expansion of the spectator hill for the 2016 season.
   
To complete the stage presentation MORR Board Members Don Demeny and Dan Vanden Heuvel presented the MORR Special Awards. Here's the list of winners.
 
Farmer John Award - Nicole Kemnitz Metuszak
Most Improved Driver - Mark Peterson
Hard Luck Driver - Danny Beauchamp
Hard Charger - Cory Marquardt
Best Win of the Year - Joey Maciocek
Rookie of the Year - Jaden Lemke
Team of the Year - Broke-N-Dirty Motorsports
Driver of the Year - Eric Ruppel
 
A major portion of the MORR banquet is the fundraiser that takes place during the banquet. MORR members and supports donate prize baskets and products for a combination bucket raffle and silent auction to raise funds for the 2016 season, The money raised is used to cover MORR operating expenses, to create a benevolent fund to help support any MORR member that may need assistance to due to a an injury while competing or attending a race event, as well as assist in funding the year end points fund.
 
The donations were overwhelming as over 150 baskets and products were donated for the event. MORR thanks everyone that donated and contributed to the event, as the money will be put to good use throughout the 2016 race season.
   
Special thanks goes out to Nancy Vanden Heuvel for coordinating the banquet, Amy Demeny for taking care of banquet reservations and payments, and Kim Kinner for organizing the fundraiser portion of the evening.
 
Once the all the prizes were awarded, a large selection of pizzas arrived compliments of AMSOIL.
 
As Midnight approached the MORR party was still going strong proving that Sportsman off-road racing in the Midwest is more than just racing, it's also about having a great time with family and friends.
 
Along with the many great prize baskets that were donated individuals, MORR would also like to thank the following companies for their participation in the 2016 MORR Banquet.
Allies of Autism
Allstar Performance
AMSOIL
Atturo Tire
Auto Meter
Auto Trans Design
Baril Engine Rebuilding
Bark River International Off-Road Raceway
Cory's Crank and Nail
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway
Ehrens
Hartford Speedway
K & N Filters
KC Hilites
MSD Performance
Napa of Loveland, CO
Rod End Supply
Traxxas
T & T Racing
UP Stump Jumpers
Vintage Works