Extreme Games/Adaptive Snocross: Jim Wazny #767 Adapting to Life

Written by Ceaja Philp

The hustle and bustle of everyday life can seem overwhelming to many people. You get up early to get ready for work, get the kids up and off to school, go to work, after school activities and homework, plus the chores at home. We just go about things as we always have, but what if one day something major changed and we had to learn to do our daily routine all over?

This is what happened to Jim Wazny of Michigan. Jim had always been very active and enjoyed motorsports. He spent a lot of his younger years doing motocross on an amateur race level, more of a ‘racing en- thusiast’ as he called it. In about 1998 he decided he wanted to get more serious with racing, and by 2000 he had set his goal on earning an invitation to the Loretta Lynn Ranch, which would push him towards his pro level license.

His sights were set, but at 29 years old he knew he had made the decision to go Pro later in life and he wanted to prove the ‘doubters’ wrong. As he set out on a prac- tice track in April 2000 he was focused and determined. Unfortunately neither the track worker nor Jim knew the other was there. Practice was going well, but while in the air on one of the jumps his landing was blocked by a front-end loader. Jim hit the bucket and recalls knowing immedi- ately he was in bad shape. He remembers almost every part of what happened and sadly saw that part of his left leg had been severed. He remembers a burning feeling to his leg and his left arm being severely damaged.

 
Read the rest of the story in the February issue of Wheels of Thunder.

February 2012 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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The Next Generation: Trent Wittwer

Many youngsters with parents involved in motorsports professionally or just for fun get an early dose of it themselves, usually even before they enter kindergarten. Trent Wittwer of Bemidji, Minnesota has done much more than just try it. He was only 2 years old when he got to see his first Snocross event in person with his dad, Jeff, in Duluth, Minnesota. Ironically it was in Duluth where I met Trent, who was racing and as I found out has been making quite a name for himself already.

When I first meet friends and family of athletes there is always a lot of praise and support shared, which I would expect and I do myself. However, in this particular conversation I was having about Trent there was something different that sparked my interest, so I started randomly asking others who have been around Snocross for a while if they had heard of or met him. I instantly found most people could finish his name before I could get out what I had been told….

Read the rest of the story in the January issue of Wheels of Thunder.

January 2012 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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Bunke Racing: December Featured Story

Written by Ceaja Philp

Ok in all honesty… we all know what it’s like to be out riding and that straightaway or chance to pass our buddy is obviously going to happen. It’s a test to see who the best and fastest rider on the trails is. Now, instead of a possible ticket and bad night afterwards…what if we could take part in doing it legally?

Gabe Bunke, of Bunke Racing figured this out quite some time ago. He has the best of both worlds. he can satisfy his need for racing and have fun at the same time! When it comes to cross-country snowmobiling he has it down.

His current USCC (United States Cross Country) team consists of himself in the Prop Open class, Semi-Pro Bobby Menne IV tearing up the course, and team coordinator Bob Menne.

Last winter Bunke’s time was split when it came to the I-500 team consisting of his own racing, sled development and managing his race team. He mentored teammate Bobby Menne IV in his first season in Semi-Pro, and fielded two strong teams in the Soo I-500 Enduro.

The team did so well it was given the USCC Sportsmanship Award for the 2010-2011 season.

Read the rest of the story in the December issue of Wheels of Thunder.

December 2011 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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Women of Wheels: November Featured Story

Casey Jane Trom

Racer, Dancer, Teacher… Typical Teenager?

Casey Trom, of Zumbrota, Minnesota seems like your typical 16 year old junior at Zumbrota Mazeppa High School. She goes to school, enjoys hanging out with her friends, music and shopping. She also helps the teacher with little boys and girl’s hip-hop at the Zumbrota Dance Studio, and has been dancing for about 12 years.

I asked her when she got her driver’s license and had to laugh at her response. She said she just got it last December. Now…the reason that was so funny to me is because most girls don’t choose a Midwest Modified Race Car as one of the cars they want to drive first! The two sides of her lifestyle may seem quite opposite and make us wonder how thy could be shared by the same person, but they both come with ease and comfort to Casey.

Read the full story in the November issue of Wheels of Thunder!

November 2011 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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September 2011 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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September Featured Story: Jessica Zalusky

Written by Ceaja Philip

Jessica Zalusky

One Roadracer’s Path to… Racing, Recovery and Respect

In the past, women in motorsports had been taken quite lightly… almost as a ‘joke’. You could see the nudge of hte elbow, the smirks, and hear the comments under people’s breath. Many motorsports did not allow women to participate unless it was an all women’s sport or a ‘powder puff’ event. I am happy to say we will be introducing you to many of the incredible ladies each month that have worked and earned their way into the motorsports world, and have made quite a name for themselves. They are providing some of the most fierce competition in their respected sports and most of the ‘snickers’ have been replaced with cheers of support and encouragement!

Read the full story in the September issue of Wheels of Thunder!