WEEK TWO EQUALS IMPROVEMENT

Sunday, May 4, was a day of improvement for the Eric Blumer racing team. The goal on the day was to avoid getting lapped and he nearly succeeded. In a day where he got his new sponsor graphics and numbers, the young racer managed to avoid hitting a single thing the entire day, much to the pleasure of his father, Bill Blumer Jr. and his graphics supplier, Greg Leatherberry. Also, an old plague came to pay the team a visit. "Yep, I went out, slammed the pedal down and never hit a thing all day, no thanks to the old man," Eric Blumer noted. "My old kid kart was a crop duster compared to this new rocket ship and well, as you know, Dad’s no rocket scientist, so I figured I’d be in for an adventure today." The adventure occurred during the second heat on the day, as told by the youngster, "I was about half way though the race when I realized I had no brakes. Well, most kids, or adults, would have pulled off the track, but I figured ‘screw it,’ it’s not like I haven’t been in this situation before," where he went on to enumerate the times he was without brakes during the last two seasons in the Kid Kart class. In that class he was so well known for his faulty brakes that fellow Sun Prairian, Alan Weisensel dubbed him, "No Brakes Blumer."

"So anyway," Blumer continued, "I didn’t want to pull in, so I just kept it cool, ran hard when I had to and just let off the gas so I wouldn’t hit anyone on the track, otherwise. I finished the race, no problem. Getting off at the exit after the race was kind of a trick, but like I’ve done before, I just yanked it onto the grass, instead of getting behind the line of karts at the scale like I would normally do. I could have made a less dramatic exit, but that would have made it way too easy on the big guy. He was all like, ‘What’s wrong, no brakes?’ and I’m thinking ‘No (fooling) Sherlock, how the hell could you screw up a brand new kart?" It was soon discovered that two couplings were not tightened on the brake line. This caused all of the brake fluid to leak out of the kart.

As for the racing, Blumer finished ahead of at least two karts in every race and his best lap of the day was three seconds faster than his best lap the previous week. He was never lapped during the heats and during his feature good friend Preston Benisch nipped him just before the line, lapping Blumer at the last second. Benisch won the race in a kart formerly campaigned by Stephanie Blumer. It was a good day all around. "The Wilcenski Farms Popcorn Wagon was a little better than I was today (making mention of his newest sponsor and new nickname for his kart). I’m getting more comfortable in the machine and will be up front by the end of the year. I also want to thank FlatOut Magazine, Blumer Antiques and Chris’ Barber Shop for their support. Plus Greg with OWL Lettering and Graphics, he did a kick-ass job on the lettering," said Blumer.

Bill Blumer hopes to be in action next week. "He says his motor has not been ready. I think he just can’t get his fat ass into his suit or the seat. But look for the red Tellatubbie to bring up the rear one of these days," noted the younger Blumer with an understated tone of encouragement for his father.

The team will be in action on Mother’s Day. Friends are always welcome to attended but should check with the team first to make sure they plan on racing on any given day..

 

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Dousman, Wisconsin: BLUMER MARKS BKC FIRST

Eric Blumer, age 8, took to the track for the first time last week in his new go-kart with a Yamaha engine. A bit intimidated by his new found speed, this would be a learning day for Blumer.

After a brief shakedown on the small oval track on the grounds of the Badger Raceway, Blumer participated in the second practice session for his class. On lap two he made his historic mark. "I heard that no one had hit the new crash barriers yet," said Blumer. "I figured I needed to let the kart know who was the boss right off the bat so I came off the last kink and gave the barriers on the front stretch the once over." Blumer hit the new plastic barriers, which replaced the old hay bale system, with the entire right side of his kart. "You should have seen the old man’s face, I thought he was going to (defecate) himself when he saw me hit those things. But I just kept on going like no one’s business." Badger Kart Club president, Bingo Emmons later approached the two and tried to put a bright spot on the crash for the elder Blumer, noting, "That was cool Eric. The board members were all talking about it. We were waiting for someone to test them out."

A check of the kart found cosmetic damage to the new body work, but the kart was otherwise unscathed.

The young Blumer started in the back for each of his three events, but he never finished last, but found himself a lap down at the end of each race. The team looks for improvement next weekend.

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On Monday, January 14, the Open Wheel Racing Team patriarch, Bill Blumer Jr. lead a press conference at a new location, Beef O’ Brady’s in the hometown of the Badger Kart Club powerhouse. Blumer told the crowd, "We are pleased to announce we have secured sponsorship from FlatOut Magazine, a leading supplier of Midget and Sprint Car racing features and photos. We thank Justin Zoch for his support and look forward to a continued relationship with this fine publication." Blumer will be competing in the newly (and aptly) named Senior Super Heavy class at Badger Kart Club’s Dousman, Wisconsin powerplant.

Eight year old Eric Blumer was less enthusiastic. "Dad told me I had to tone it down. He’s going all corporate and stuff. Just look at this place," he said of the departure from the normal press conference venue at McGovern’s Motel and Conference Center. "We can’t even smoke in here. Okay, I know I can’t smoke legally, but I sure got a buzz from the second hand stuff and McGoo’s. Dad says this place is ‘Family friendly. (Heck) they don’t even serve booze. That’s no bar in my book."

The younger Blumer’s plan is still up in the air for the 2008 season. "We don’t have any class. Okay, wait. I mean we don’t know what class we will be running in this year yet. We’ll know more in a week or so. I don’t really care, I just want to stomp it down and turn left. Then left again, then right, then left, left and a quick right and then left again to the line!" said the youngster as he described the turns at his favorite track.

"Don’t you boys think I’m going to tune it down or let the old man off the hook if he screws up. I’m not seeing a dime from the sponsors, so I have no plans on playing nicey nice, I’m going to keep it real," said Eric as he tilted his hat to the right. "I do want to send props to our evil webmeister, though. His work is sick," he proclaimed of web master Jeff Wilcenski’s work.

Look for updates as the season nears on the OWP team as the year progresses.
 

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The history of the Open Wheel Racing race team is fairly short in name, as OWP was born in 2007. But, since about 2000 the Blumer family has added their support to race teams in various ways. Starting with helping to provide Brandon Waelti with his first T-shirts, they have supported other midget racers including Cody Weisensel, Jason Dull and Jon LeJeune. Thanks to the webmeister, Jeff Wilcenski, they have become associated with Angell Park Speedway for many years, first helping with prizes for the popular Fantasy Midgets game and then later with supplying photos on the website for the track.

In 2004 Bill bought a go kart and started to race with the Badger Kart Club in Dousman, Wisconsin.

In 2005, Stephanie made a go at it, with her own kart. That venture lasted for only a season, as she found herself in an ultra-tough class of karts against kids (and dad’s) with a whole lot more experience than her. She showed great heart but it was decided that Eric would be the best hope to become the family meal ticket in racing and she stepped aside. With the need for something to do during kart race days that would not get her dirty or cause her to break a sweat, she has assumed the duties of a racing photographer. In that capacity she has sold copies of her photos, been published in the kart club’s news letter and received an award for her contributions to the club.

After wrenching on dad and sis’ karts, Eric took to the wheel at age 6, for the 2006 season. In the beginner class known across the country as "Kid Karts," he enjoyed two fun filled seasons that allowed him to race on three different paved road circuits and two dirt tracks. In 2008 he will have to move up in class, racing a kart similar to ones the old man runs.

Below you will find a couple of press releases from some notable days in the team’s history. Check back as the 2008 season progresses for updates on the team’s efforts.
 

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Dousman, WI June 20,2004:

Bill Blumer showed improvement during this third week of racing in the Badger Kart Club’s Senior Sportsman Division at the group’s Dousman, Wisconsin half mile speedplant. Coming off a wreck filled weekend, a rain out and vacation, it was not clear how, or if, Blumer would bounce back to even reach the levels gained his first week out.

Said Blumer, "The Blumer Racing Collectables thru angellpark.com, Blumer Antiques of Danvers, Il, Owl Racing, Gold/Yamaha wasn’t the kart to beat today, but we got back to basics. Our ‘slow and steady finishes the race’ approach proved that we could finish ahead of some people. We never finished last this week and even got to race with a couple of people in the heats! I guess I got cocky in my last outing a couple of weeks ago, what with putting it in the hay bales on the first lap of hot laps, hence breaking a spindle. Then, getting it fixed for the second heat only to think I could split two spun karts and then hitting one of them, tearing up a bunch more stuff!" He went on, "But, today we just got back to the original goal, don’t spin, don’t wreck and don’t get lapped. It paid off, plus we gained 20 seconds on the leader, over our first week. If I can just remove some parts to make the kart lighter, I think we could fly!"

Crew chief Eric Blumer had a little different take on the events of the day, though. The younger Blumer (seen in the attached picture) explained, "The guy is 30 pounds over weight, drives like an idiot, breaks stuff all the time, then expects me to fix everything! I’m a preschooler, not a miracle worker, damn it!" He further noted, "It’s so bad, there’s so much crud under the kart when he gets done, that I have to wear goggles just so a chunk doesn’t fly into my eyes! Man, I need a drink, hand me that juice bag, would ya?"

Look for the Blumer Racing team to be back at Dousman next week June 27th.

 

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VETERAN CREW CHIEF ON PROBATION

July 2007

Sun Prairie, WI:

Veteran Kid Kart crew chief Bill Blumer Jr. was put on probation by 7 year old driver Eric Blumer, the team announced on Monday. The team was reprimanded by Badger Kart Club officials on Sunday, July 22 when an altered part was discovered on the team’s engine during pre-race inspection.

During a press conference at McGovern’s Lounge and Conference Center the young driver made this terse, profanity laced statement to the press:

"I want to first apologize to my sponsors OWL Lettering and Graphics, Chris’ Barber Shop and Blumer Antiques of Danvers, Ill. As most of you know by now my crew chief and dad, Bill Blumer Jr. is on probation for the rest of the racing season. This is in addition to any penalties the Club will enforce." said the younger Blumer. "We were caught with an altered part on our air box this week. I wouldn’t have even been able to take the (gosh darn) track, had it not been for the kindness of other teams this weekend. I guess they felt sorry for me. The thing is, he (Bill Blumer) altered this part, even though he claims ignorance, and the (darn) kart was (freaking) faster with the legal one on, than with this trick part they confiscated! Now what the (heck) does that tell you?" the youngster asked rhetorically.

"I’d simply fire his (hind end) were it not for the fact that he has to sign me into the stupid pits every week. Oh and he has to drive me there. I told him if he (screws) up again though, he’s gone. I’ll hire my sister to crew the kart, she (Stephanie Blumer, currently the team’s PR director) sure as (heck) can’t be any worse. Then mom (Mary Jo) could just sign me in, she’s on my side with this thing anyway. She says he’s a dumb (hind end) too."

The Blumer's hope you will join them for another fun filled afternoon of racing soon!
 

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Suspension Lifted, Blumer’s take 3:

Sun Prairie, WI: Eric Blumer took a more subdued tone as he held court during the now weekly Blumer Racing Team press conference, at the McGovern’s Hotel and Conference center. After a weekend of triumph, he could not help but be rather contrite. "Before last weekend’s racing," the up and comer of the Badger Kid Kart class started, "I decided to let the old man (his father Bill Blumer Jr) back into the fold. OK, I really didn’t have a choice. Stephanie (the interim crew chief for the #28 kart) leaked on me. She got invited to a sleep over on Saturday at Mandy’s, and she’s totally useless after that ‘cause she doesn’t get any sleep and on top of that, Dad said she could be picked up late by Mom on Sunday so I was totally screwed, unless I unsuspended him. So I just said ‘fine.’ He was pretty happy, but I was still pissed," the seven year old contended.

"It all worked out alright in the end I guess," was the understatement by the driver of the Gold, Comer, Blumer Antiques of Danvers, Illinois, www.openwheelpictures.com kart. The younger Blumer took 2 of 4 races in class at Dousman on that Sunday. "Yeh, the old man tried to make a point by putting me in the back of the pack, but I still did alright," he said of his starting spots for most of his races, where he never finished worst than second.

"Then, to top it all off, old fatso blubbered his way to a win. I guess monkeys will fly out my butt some day too," said Eric, referring to his father/teammate who won the second heat in the Sr. Novice division. Now taking to the podium for the first time since being unsuspended, the elder Blumer noted, "I was on the pole and saw there were slower guys to my outside and behind me. I told the guy behind me ,’If you are not going to pass me, then hold them off,’ and he did." The four year veteran took his first checkers in what may be the slowest 6 lap heat in Badger Kart Club history as he lead every lap.
 

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