This past week our two boys were participating in the IKF 2 cycle Grand Nationals at the Newton Kart Klub in Newton Iowa. This would be the same track that my late father Greg DeJong raced at and also where I had raced when I was a kid. What I was about to find out this week was one of the most shocking surprises to happen in many years. Unexpectedly on Wednesday afternoon Larry Killam invited me over to his pits to look at a vintage kart that he asked me to hot lap during the intermission prior to feature races. I was thrashing trying to get the boys karts ready for that nights race and really though I didnt have the time. But if Larry asks for something (whom never asks for anything), it had to be important. So I made the short walk over to his trailer. When he removed the cover from the kart there sat my Dads 1986 Emmick asphalt kart fully restored. Larry researched to find every aspect for an exact restoration and to exactly the way my dad had it set up. Everything from the red frame color, aluminum fuel tank, steering wheel, Goodyear As, Buller Yamaha with billet machined BULLER in the blue fin, Horstman oil filled clutch, KB2 pipe, white fairing, and all matching #38 number panels. And to top it off it was all race ready. Needless to say Larry got to see a grown man cry, and I cried like little girl at the sight of it. Later that night, per Larrys request, I grabbed my Waller racing jacket, borrowed Mike Clausens gloves, (I raced Mike as a kid and he is still racing today), squeezed Michaels little helmet on and headed to the grid. Mr Killam was there to meet me and was all smiles. He grabbed the starter and the Yamaha fired right off! I rolled off on the dirt racing surface sitting straight up in that seat mounted in that straight railed kart. I couldnt resist mashing the gas, so I did... The 85 durometer (for my non racing friends, that means the rubber is rock hard) asphalt tires snapped loose the first second the pedal maxxed out. After a few laps and working off some of my rust, I tried to pick up the pace only to have to saw the wheel coming out of turn two from all the horsepower and 4wide asphalt tires. After about 20 laps I called it good and was in my glory. Pulling back off the track back on to the grid with the helmet coming off, Larry had to have seen one of biggest smiles and happiest faces (mine) in his life. Over the next few days I was able to share my experience with friends and family only to find out Larry had contacted many of them to find pictures of my Dad and the kart so he could restore it to exactly what my dad had raced on many different grand prix street races held across the Midwest. The kart racing community is made up of a bunch of neat people. There are folks still racing their kids, grand children and even great grandchildren as witnessed this past weekend. Many generations of racers, my boys being 3rd generation karters as well, still have racing in their blood. However one of the neatest folks in karting is Mr Larry Killam. He has done more for 2cycle karting than anyone I know. At the end of all this I was asked by Larry to take this kart home to my race shop for display and more importantly to keep the memories alive. I still get choked up even as I write this. I am forever grateful and indebted to this man for his act of kindness displayed to me this past week. THANK YOU LARRY for the kart, but more importantly for the memories!!! Matt DeJong
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:59:27 +0000
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