10th Annual Motor State Challenge - July 19-21, 2018

[Earl Peters]

One of the premiere Pro-Touring/G-Machine events in the country, the Motor State Challenge is a 3-day event for racers ranging from beginners to experienced drivers. Kicking off Thursday afternoon at Lane Automotive in Watervliet, MI with a participants’ meet and greet/driver’s meeting followed by a cruise and dinner, the event continues with an exciting day of road track racing at South Haven’s Gingerman Raceway on Friday. On Saturday, participants will test their skills at autocross at the Tire Rack test track in South Bend, IN, with winners announced Saturday afternoon.

We had amazing driver interest, with all driver slots filling up in just 3 days, so racer registration is closed for this year’s event. However, we encourage you to come out to Lane Automotive on Thursday afternoon, July 19, to check out the awesome mix of participant cars, from classic muscle cars to modern sports and touring cars. Then come to Gingerman Raceway on Friday to watch the road racing action at one of the top road racing tracks in the Midwest! On Saturday, come down to the Tire Rack to cheer on your favorite drivers as they compete in the Autocross to try to clinch their spot in the winner’s circle!

[Earl Peters]

2018 Motor State Challenge Wrap-Up

On July 19-21, 2018, Motor State Distributing held the 10th Annual Motor State Challenge, a three-day Pro-Touring event that brought together 102 drivers from 18 states and provinces to compete for fun and bragging rights. With vintage, late model, and touring classes, the event challenges drivers and cars alike.

Thursday’s registration and kick-off meeting took place at Lane Automotive headquarters in Watervliet, Michigan, followed by a scenic cruise through SW Michigan, passing along the lakeshore in St. Joseph, before returning to Watervliet. An amazing BBQ dinner awaited the drivers upon their return, and the evening was spent enjoying great conversation, excellent food, and making any last-minute adjustments and preparations.

Friday morning kicked off under overcast skies at South Haven’s Gingerman Raceway, and after tech inspection by the South Bend Region SCCA, the drivers took to the track for timed lap sessions. The rain held off until mid-afternoon, allowing all drivers to get in several rounds of road course racing on Gingerman’s highly technical track. Drivers wrapped up the day’s events swapping stories and comparing notes over Sherman’s ice cream.

The competition resumed Saturday morning with autocross at the Tire Rack in South Bend, Indiana. In a true test of driver skill and car agility, each participant made several timed passes on the course, trying to shave seconds while avoiding the dreaded cone penalties. As storms passed on either side of the event, the track stayed mostly dry, and the heavy rain held off until every driver had gotten all of their passes in. Motor State Distributing’s Marketing Director, Scott Wahlstrom, then presented the awards, as well as a large number of product certificates from the many industry sponsors that help make the Motor State Challenge possible. Motor State Distributing would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who participated, and to all of the volunteers, organizations, and vendors who support the Motor State Challenge.

Award Winners:
Vintage Class
Champion: Billy Utley #91 – 1972 Chevrolet Nova (44 Points)
2nd Place: Brian Finch #38 – 1971 Chevrolet Camaro (42 Points)
3rd Place: Bob Bertelsen #14 – 1968 Chevrolet Corvette (34 Points)
Late Model Class
Champion: Jeremey Swensen #31 – 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (48 Points) Tie Breaker*
2nd Place: Danny Popp #96 – 2003 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 (48 Points) Tie Breaker*
3rd Place: Paul Curley #45 – 2003 Chevrolet Corvette (42 Points)
Manufacturers Vintage Class
Champion: Kyle Tucker #70 (Detroit Speed) – 1987 Chevrolet Camaro (50 Points)
2nd Place: Chris Smith #23 (Ridetech) – 1970 Chevrolet Camaro (46 Points)
3rd Place: Roger Irvine #10 (UMI Performance) – 1972 Pontiac LeMans (38 Points)
Manufacturers Late Model Class
Champion: Tom McBride #46 (Ridetech) – 2000 Chevrolet Corvette (50 Points)
2nd Place: Austin Robison #24 (Viking Shocks) – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (46 Points)
3rd Place: Bret Voelkel #48 (Ridetech) – 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (44 Points)
*Tie Breaker is determined by the fastest Autocross time.

Fastest Lap Awards
GingerMan Vintage: Mark Stielow #69 [01:39.288] –1969 Chevrolet Camaro
GingerMan Late Model: Danny Popp #96 [01:33.192] –2003 Chevrolet Corvette ZO6
GingerMan Mfg. Vintage: Kyle Tucker #70 (Detroit Speed) [01:39.853] –1987 Chevrolet Camaro
GingerMan Mfg. Late Model: Tom McBride #46 (Ridetech) [01:39.210] – 2000 Chevrolet Corvette

Autocross Vintage: Billy Utley #91 [37.82] –1972 Chevrolet Nova
Autocross Late Model: Jeremy Swenson #31 [35.94] –2011 Chevrolet Corvette
Autocross Mfg. Vintage: Kyle Tucker #70 (Detroit Speed) [36.94] – 1987 Chevrolet Camaro
Autocross Mfg. Late Model: Tom McBride #46 (Ridetech) [37.70] –2000 Chevrolet Corvette

Additional Motor State Challenge Awards
The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite and Spirit of the Event award gives the winner a spot to compete at the 2018 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite / Spirit of the Event Award: Gary Flentge #22 - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
The Todd Gartshore Memorial Award is awarded to someone who has gone above and beyond in showing their passion and dedication to the event:
Todd Gartshore Memorial Award: Ben Dozeman #148 - 2015 Ford Mustang

The People’s Choice Award in a very special honor bestowed upon a driver by his peers:
People’s Choice Award: Aaron Oberle #165 – 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle

And because this started out as a street car event for those who would drive their cars to the track, race, then drive them home, we want to recognize those who made the longest drive, both coming from the same town, and clocking over 500 miles:
Long Distance Award (Driven): Brendan King #28 – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Long Distance Award (Driven): Dave Kass #112 – 1972 Chevrolet C10