Welcome to another exciting Mike Kertscher Racing newsletter!  Spring has sprung and we all know what that means, the racing season is just about at full bloom.  With 4 races in the books so far the Osborn Racing Team and Mike Kertscher have begun there assault on the Interstate Racing Associations Series Championship.

Race Results:

May 7-(Sheboygan County Fairgrounds-Plymouth, WI)

With the IRA Outlaw Sprints having the weekend off, Mike took the opportunity to drive a 360 Sprint Car for Sippel Racing of Elkhart Lake, WI.  It was opening night at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, WI.  Mike ran a solid 2^nd in his heat which lined him up 11^th for the evenings A-Main.  After the flags had fallen for the 25 lap event Mike had worked his way up to a respective 6^th place. 

April 30-(Dodge County Fairgrounds-Beaver Dam, WI)

This was the season opener for the IRA held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, WI.  Mike began the night by timing in 4^th fastest.  He then went on to finish 3^rd in his heat.  The feature saw mike lining up 8^th on the grid.  With three laps to go Mike found himself in third, but unfortunately a flat tire sent him pit side for repairs.  When the dust had cleared and the three laps had passed Mike had worked his way back up to 7^th.  

April 23-(Knoxville Raceway-Knoxville, IA)

Mike finished 4^th in his heat and was sidelined with mechanical problems while running 12^th with 5 laps to go in the evenings featured event.

April 16-(Southern Iowa Speedway-Oskaloosa, IA)

Mike finished 1^st in his heat race and was sideline early in the evenings A-Main with mechanical problems.

Upcoming Races:

Saturday, May 14, 2005 Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA "Maytag "IRA - Knoxville Shootout" "
Saturday, May 21, 2005 Wilmot Speedway, Wilmot, WI "Wayne Daun Memorial”
Saturday, May 28, 2005 Echo Valley Speedway, West Union, IA  
Friday, June 3, 2005 Hartford Speedway Park, Hartford, MI  
Saturday, June 4, 2005 Butler Battlegrounds, Quincy, MI

News and Notes:

Be sure to visit www.mikekertscher.com with special Thanks going out to Z-web design the site has a new and exciting look and lots of updated information!

KIWI BILL CLARKSON ENTERS CLEAN-O WORLD CHALLENGE

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (May 5, 2005)  -  This year's $10,000-to-win Clean-O World Challenge at Knoxville Raceway is definitely turning into a 'challengers versus champions' match-up with this week's entry by young New Zealander Bill Clarkson, Jr.  Clarkson, who will be a rookie at the August 10-13 Knoxville Nationals and the August 12 Clean-O World Challenge, will be competing in a car owned by Osborn Racing of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. 

Bill Clarkson, Jr., a former Three-Quarter (TQ) midget champion in his native New Zealand, will be racing at the Nationals alongside Interstate Racing Association (IRA) regulars Mike Kertscher and Kim Mock.  Bill will pilot the number 6NZ Wesmar-powered Maxim sprint car which will be sponsored by Osborn Trucking (USA), Transport Diesel and Marine (NZ) and Yuasa Batteries (NZ).  The Auckland resident qualified for the Clean-O World Challenge invitational by competing at the international qualifier at Willie Kay's Todd & Pollock Speedway at the Bay Park Stadium in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.  For more information on Bill Clarkson, Jr., visit his websites at www.clarkson-motorsport.co.nz.