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!

August Featured Story: Bob Bode – Looking for BIR Win #2

2010 was a benchmark in Bob Bode’s NHRA nitro Funny Car career. He not only qualified in all 11 events he attended, but captured his first career NHRA victory at the 29th-annual Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) in Brainerd, Minnesota. Ten years prior BIR saw Bode’s first official pro qualifying run, and his win last year marked an amazing 10 year anniversary! Bob says, “Winning my first Wally there 10 years later was unbelievable!”

Read the full story in the August issue of Wheels of Thunder

August 2011 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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July Featured Story: Bike-Build Builds Hope

CrankyApe.com Donates a Paul Jr. Designs Customized Motorcycle.

Photos by Dino Petrocelli Photography / Written by Mary Schmelzer

Every day police officers’ friends and family know that tragic news could come at any time: the message that a loved one was killed in the line of duty.  August 26, 1994, was one of those days in St. Paul, Minnesota. Officer Ronald Michael Ryan Jr. was shot and killed, checking on a man who was asleep in his car in St. Paul. The suspect also killed Officer Timothy James Jones the same day. Officer Ryan was a close family friend of Brian Livingston, who founded CrankyApe.com, a Minnesota online powersport auction company, with Jay Adams.

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June 2011 Wheels of Thunder Issue

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