Championship Series: 1999

Unlimited Champion
Mike Powers

Unlimited Division Champion, Mike Powers, started open road racing in 1993 in the 120mph class in a 92 Mustang. He gradually moved up to Unlimited in 1997. He is proud of the fact that he has finished every race. Of the 8 Unlimited races he has entered he had (2) firsts, (2) seconds, (3) thirds and (1) fourth. He purchased his 93 Camero new and has done all modifications himself. His wife Frieda is very involved in this event, having been navigator, course control worker, and as she puts it "Holds the dumb end of everything". Of course, we here at MKM Racing Promotions knows there is nothing "dumb" about Frieda's involvement in these events.

Super Sport Champions
Joel and Diane Hannig

After nearly 30 years of drag racing, Joel and Diane Hannig decided to try something different.

In June of 1997 this husband and wife racing team entered the Pony Express race held on Nevada State Highway 305 from Battle Mountain to Austin Nevada. They competed in the 140 class and they were definitely hooked.

It didn't take them very long to decide that 140 mph was way to slow for them so they prepared their car, a 1962 Dodge Polara 500, for the Super Sport Class. The 1998 racing season came and Diane and Joel had high expectations for the season, but with three DNF's (Did Not Finish) were really disappointed.

With the experience gained in 1998 and a lot of new parts, they were looking forward to better results for the 1999 open road racing season. One win to start the year followed by two second places was more than they expected. The Super Sport season Title was theirs.

For the 2000 race season, the Hannigs are planning to defend their title with three wins!

Grand Sport Champions
Alex and Alan Hutcheson

Grand Sport champions, Alan and Alex Hutcheson began open road racing about two years ago under the guidance of their friend Dennis Duchmann, a regular MKM Racing Promotions open road racer. After properly equipping their 1994 Corvette this father/son race team entered the 1998 Pony Express Open Road Race. in their first race, they were thrilled to discover that they had won second place, in the Grand Touring class.

Later that summer, they won first place at the Elko Twin Fifty and the Series Championship for the year (1998). This year (1999), they took second place at Big Bend, blowing the engine as they crossed the finish line. They went on to place first in both the Pony Express l and ll, completing the year with the Series Championship in the Grand Sport division. Gabriell Hutcheson, wife of Alan, got into the action this year as she navigated for Sylvia Talavera, in her new 'Vette in the Touring class. "Danger, danger, caution, caution", she read from the course notes a few more times than was probably necessary, but she had a blast. Alex and Alan take turns driving and navigating at the various events. So who is the best driver? They're both top-notch, but Alan will tell you that Alex is certainly more fearless. Alex is a senior and honor student at UC Berkely, majoring in biochemistry. He is currently planning to go on to medical school.

Grand Touring Champions
David and Kathy Meyer

Kathy Meyer is a Primary grades school teacher and her husband, David Meyer is a Truck driver. Kathy and Dave have participated in open road racing for two years beginning in the 100 mph class. They will participate in the 135 mph class during the year 2000 with their ultimate goal being to move up to the unlimited class within two years. To help them reach their goal they are scheduled to attend the Bragg-Smith Advanced Driving School in March, 2000.

Touring Champions
Tom Wilhelm/Art Morgan

Tom Wilhelm is relatively new to Open Road Racing but has competed in all 6 MKM Racing Promotions events during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Covering 4 different courses, Tom has completed all 6 races with 2 firsts, 2 seconds, and been frustrated at Big Bend with a fourth and a fifth. Using several different cars over the past 2 years, his favorite combination is running his '66 Corvette in the 105 class. There is a special challenge in running a stock 33 year old car at sustained high speeds. Tom's lifelong friend, Art Morgan, has been the navigator and co-driver during the 1999 season and have teamed up to take the 1999 Touring Division Season Championship. They will return for all 3 events in 2000.

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