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CJKC Hosts IKF-4A Regional Championship Banquet |
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Saturday, 15 November 2008 13:23 |
With Karts just barely cooled off from the season finale the week before, The Colorado Junior Karting Club played host to this year's IKF-4A Regional Championship Series Banquet on October 5th 2008. Coined as the CJKC's "Year End Family Celebration", the event was held for the second year at the Denver Dave & Buster's restaurant and arcade. With the average age of a CJKC participant being about 9 years old, this popular location is a no-brainer. The biggest challenge of the evening seemed to be just keeping them in their seats through the awards presentation before they descended on the arcade like ants at a picnic. Their enthusiasm is understandable however considering that each club participant and their siblings all received a $20 game card along with their buffet style dinner.
 
Banquet Attendees
Even with the huge arcade just outside the door calling them by name, they were all very attentive as the evening kicked off with a 20 minute "Season Highlights" slide show put to some great music. The show featured everything from on-track racing shots to podium awards presentations and candid photos that brought nonstop oohs, aahs and chuckles from the packed house. Following the slideshow, dinner and CJKC-IKF decorated cakes for dessert; the evening got down to business with a short "State of the Club" address by CJKC President Scott Hannum followed by the many club patron awards presented by CJKC VP and IKF Regional Track Coordinator Jay Jacobellis.
 
Our custom decorated cakes Scott & Jay presenting a patron award
Next, the club welcomed the evening's guest speaker; 1996 Indy 500 winner and 2000 IRL Series Champion Buddy Lazier. Buddy took to the microphone telling stories about his path to Indy victory, a few funny bumps along the way and many encouraging words for those young drivers dreaming of motorsports stardom. Buddy even brought his solid silver mini Borg-Warner trophy and his winner's diamond ring and literally passed them around the room from table to table giving everybody a chance to hold what few people have ever seen let alone touched with their own hands. We can't thank Buddy enough for taking the time to spend the evening with us and giving all the kids, (mostly the dads) such a rare treat!
Buddy addresses the audience
Now all eyes focused on center stage where a large black and white checkered table was covered with year end awards and flanked on each side by this year's class champion Karts. As each participant was announced, a short personalized season review was read while action photos and candids were displayed on the huge 10' x 10' big screen behind the stage. Each drivere was also given an opportunity speak to the crowd giving may thanks to sponsors and their parents for all the support.
  
Kid Kart Champ's Kart Awards Table Jr-1 Champ's Kart
Special thanks also go to Shockwave Karting of Denver for helping to create the amazing solid billet aluminum steering wheels which were then mounted to solid granite pedestals and awarded to the top three in each class. There where also laser cut steering wheel awards given to fourth through last place in both classes, (nearly 30 awards in all) and of course the IKF Regional series Champions jacket was much appreciated, they don't know whether to wear it, or frame it?
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