Comments on: AROUND THE WORLD BY KART! (May, 1962) http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:12:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Doug Tenney http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1095128 Doug Tenney Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:58:13 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1095128 Not sure if you know, but the "vintage kart" scene has really taken off in recent years! Mr. Bruggemann and Mr. Welter must've been doing something right, because Blitz karts are highly prized to this day. They are almost indestructible. My son found one in near perfect condition 7 years ago, when he was 12. We've had a lot of fun working on it together. Check out (1) http://www.rearenginekarts.com/ and also (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyL_uNlMAMs. If only these old machines could talk... I'd love to hear the stories they could tell. Not sure if you know, but the “vintage kart” scene has really taken off in recent years! Mr. Bruggemann and Mr. Welter must’ve been doing something right, because Blitz karts are highly prized to this day. They are almost indestructible. My son found one in near perfect condition 7 years ago, when he was 12. We’ve had a lot of fun working on it together. Check out (1) http://www.rearenginekarts.com/ and also (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyL_uNlMAMs.

If only these old machines could talk… I’d love to hear the stories they could tell.

]]> By: John Macioce http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1094963 John Macioce Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:18:28 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1094963 Does anyone remember the Ulrich brothers? They adapted a water-cooled outboard engine (I believe it was a Mercury) to a Blitz Kart. My dad introduced me to Ritchie Ulrich and we watched him race his kart at the Westhampton Drag Strip between drag races. Blitz Kart Stadium had not been built yet. I have a photo of Ritchie on his Kart at Westhampton circa 1960 or so. They may have had something to do with the design of the ThunderBlitz Kart that was introduced in the early 1960's. Does anyone remember the Ulrich brothers? They adapted a water-cooled outboard engine (I believe it was a Mercury) to a Blitz Kart. My dad introduced me to Ritchie Ulrich and we watched him race his kart at the Westhampton Drag Strip between drag races. Blitz Kart Stadium had not been built yet. I have a photo of Ritchie on his Kart at Westhampton circa 1960 or so. They may have had something to do with the design of the ThunderBlitz Kart that was introduced in the early 1960′s.

]]> By: Kathleen Zabinski Gremli http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1094958 Kathleen Zabinski Gremli Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:02:25 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1094958 My Dad and brother, both Joseph Zabinski's were also avid go karters at Blitz Kart Stadium back in the '60's. I was a teenager at the time, but my family and many of those families that you mentioned were a very big part of my fondest memories of go Kart racing then. My Dad and brother, both Joseph Zabinski’s were also avid go karters at Blitz Kart Stadium back in the ’60′s. I was a teenager at the time, but my family and many of those families that you mentioned were a very big part of my fondest memories of go Kart racing then.

]]> By: DENNIS http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1093383 DENNIS Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:09:10 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1093383 After pondering my thoughts of Blitz Kart Stadium and "Days of Yesteryear" some other names came to mind. Herb Newman Bob Fiscetti, Fleet Flessel, Gene and his daughter Becky Gordon, Tommy [T-3 from Conn.]Tony Cipriano, the Lolly family, Bob Watson, Randy Zazzi. After pondering my thoughts of Blitz Kart Stadium and “Days of Yesteryear” some other names came to mind. Herb Newman Bob Fiscetti, Fleet Flessel, Gene and his daughter Becky Gordon, Tommy [T-3 from Conn.]Tony Cipriano, the Lolly family, Bob Watson, Randy Zazzi.

]]> By: Dennis Tambasco http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1093336 Dennis Tambasco Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:10:16 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1093336 I raced at the Blitz Kart Stadium during the 1960's. I have many fond memories of all the people named and many others. Lyle Ferguson[Jr & Sr] Ronny Zell, Tom McCann, Steve and Robert Stanton, Mike and Tony Gralto, Artie Pernhagen[flagman & son] Brent Dubester[made TV commercials] Frank Tulercio, Bob Hassler,Denicola family, Glenn Moreland[still racing at age 73] Jack Weigand, Buddy Schratweiser[worked in the repair shop for Willy] Jim & Bob Kowaleski, Anson twins, Frank O'frias, Larry Ciusano,Buddy Frankenberg and many others. It was some of the BEST years of my life. I still have a 3 X 5 Glossy promotional post card of a Blitz F-2000. I can be reached at 516-937-7653 from any Karting Alumni. I raced at the Blitz Kart Stadium during the 1960′s. I have many fond memories of all the people named and many others. Lyle Ferguson[Jr & Sr] Ronny Zell, Tom McCann, Steve and Robert Stanton, Mike and Tony Gralto, Artie Pernhagen[flagman & son] Brent Dubester[made TV commercials] Frank Tulercio, Bob Hassler,Denicola family, Glenn Moreland[still racing at age 73] Jack Weigand, Buddy Schratweiser[worked in the repair shop for Willy] Jim & Bob Kowaleski, Anson twins, Frank O’frias, Larry Ciusano,Buddy Frankenberg and many others. It was some of the BEST years of my life. I still have a 3 X 5 Glossy promotional post card of a Blitz F-2000. I can be reached at 516-937-7653 from any Karting Alumni.

]]> By: baxter culver http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1084059 baxter culver Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:10:57 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1084059 Does anybody know what became of Wm Glen Davis? Does anybody know what became of Wm Glen Davis?

]]> By: John Macioce http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1081833 John Macioce Mon, 11 Oct 2010 11:53:30 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1081833 Some of my fondest memories are of my dad taking me to the Blitz Kart shop in Huntington Station. My dad (Tony Macioce) was a Barber in the Fort Hill area of Huntington and Willy Bruggeman was a customer. Willy brought Bill Davis over for a haircut when he arrived in Huntington from California. It was winter and Davis was not properly dressed to be driving a kart in that weather. From Long Island, he headed across the Atlantic for further adventures in Europe. I raced at Blitz Kart Stadium as a youngster and was acquainted with Jack Welter, Jack Sutherland and many of the early Karting pioneers on L.I. Ended up living in Northern NY and raced in Clayton NY and Canada until the early 80's My son then raced in NY and Canada in the late 80's and early 90's. Now living in Eastern North Carolina. Would love to hear from anyone connected with the early 60's Karting scene on L.I. johnmacioce@hotmail.com Some of my fondest memories are of my dad taking me to the Blitz Kart shop in Huntington Station. My dad (Tony Macioce) was a Barber in the Fort Hill area of Huntington and Willy Bruggeman was a customer. Willy brought Bill Davis over for a haircut when he arrived in Huntington from California. It was winter and Davis was not properly dressed to be driving a kart in that weather. From Long Island, he headed across the Atlantic for further adventures in Europe.
I raced at Blitz Kart Stadium as a youngster and was acquainted with Jack Welter, Jack Sutherland and many of the early Karting pioneers on L.I.
Ended up living in Northern NY and raced in Clayton NY and Canada until the early 80′s
My son then raced in NY and Canada in the late 80′s and early 90′s.
Now living in Eastern North Carolina.
Would love to hear from anyone connected with the early 60′s Karting scene on L.I.
johnmacioce@hotmail.com

]]> By: Jack Welter http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1074239 Jack Welter Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:31:04 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1074239 jack@Welter.us Those looking for me, I am now located in Florida. I can be reached at the above E Mail. Jack Welter jack@Welter.us

Those looking for me, I am now located in Florida.
I can be reached at the above E Mail. Jack Welter

]]> By: Jack Welter http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1074015 Jack Welter Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:38:23 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1074015 David I can be reached at the above E Mail David I can be reached at the above E Mail

]]> By: Robert http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1069739 Robert Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:50:49 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1069739 I got involved with go karts around 1959 in Huntington Station, NY. My first kart was a Bilbrook with a Clinton engine purchased from a guy who had a shop on Jerico Turnpike. His name was Rudy Cushman and he formed a team and gave us jackets..red satin type. My buddy actually got a kart first. It was a Blitz with a West Bend engine. My next cary was a Blitz Kart which my dad had crash bars welded on the side and front. I believe it has a Power Products AH 58 engine. I was not 16 so we were confined to the small oval at Blitz Kart Stadium. Through all this time we got to know Willi Bruggemann and Jack Welter. We also hung out with a guy named Jack Sutherland who had a shop in South Huntington on Depot Rd. He was part of the Blitz Racing Team and I believe around 1961 Blitz built a line of karts for them to race in the Bahamas. I purchased one after the races from Jack. We moved to the west coast and the Bahama Kart as it was called was lost in a fire in Denver. My memories is that all the guys at Blitz were always nice to us kids and we would go up to the shop at times which if remember right was past the train station on the street where Manor Lumber was. These are great memories of getting introduced to karting. We also got to run occaisionaly at Islip Speedway. On the west coast I got a Dart Kart and went on for a number of years of success and trophys until a '51 Chevy and all the young girls changed my priorities. I got involved with go karts around 1959 in Huntington Station, NY. My first kart was a Bilbrook with a Clinton engine purchased from a guy who had a shop on Jerico Turnpike. His name was Rudy Cushman and he formed a team and gave us jackets..red satin type. My buddy actually got a kart first. It was a Blitz with a West Bend engine. My next cary was a Blitz Kart which my dad had crash bars welded on the side and front. I believe it has a Power Products AH 58 engine. I was not 16 so we were confined to the small oval at Blitz Kart Stadium. Through all this time we got to know Willi Bruggemann and Jack Welter. We also hung out with a guy named Jack Sutherland who had a shop in South Huntington on Depot Rd. He was part of the Blitz Racing Team and I believe around 1961 Blitz built a line of karts for them to race in the Bahamas. I purchased one after the races from Jack. We moved to the west coast and the Bahama Kart as it was called was lost in a fire in Denver. My memories is that all the guys at Blitz were always nice to us kids and we would go up to the shop at times which if remember right was past the train station on the street where Manor Lumber was. These are great memories of getting introduced to karting. We also got to run occaisionaly at Islip Speedway. On the west coast I got a Dart Kart and went on for a number of years of success and trophys until a ’51 Chevy and all the young girls changed my priorities.

]]> By: David http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1064568 David Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:30:20 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1064568 I'm looking to get in touch with Jack Welter, who was involved with Blitz karts on Long Island NY. Thanks I’m looking to get in touch with Jack Welter, who was involved with Blitz karts on Long Island NY.
Thanks

]]> By: Baxter Culver http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1063120 Baxter Culver Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:45:27 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1063120 Just prior to joining the Army in the fall of 1960, I was one of the "kids" who hung out and worked at Echo Engineering, on N. Vendome St in Los Angeles. Wm Glen Davis, III (aka Beatnik) had been planning his LA to Mexico City by Kart trip for more than a year. I helped assemble the Echo Kart and was primarily responsible for constructing the trailer. Most of the component parts were donated by karting industry companies. We chased Davis halfway to San Bernardino that September day when he launched his trip. Last seen was the red flag atop a tall whip antenna as he darted in and out of LA traffic although, while I was stationed in Germany, I caught a picture posed by the Eiffel Tower . I later heard Davis had returned from Europe, his karting adventure over, and had ridden a mini-scooter across country back to California. The Karting scene in the early 1960's spawned some interesting characters and many serious racing drivers. Bill Davis was one of them. Just prior to joining the Army in the fall of 1960, I was one of the “kids” who hung out and worked at Echo Engineering, on N. Vendome St in Los Angeles. Wm Glen Davis, III (aka Beatnik) had been planning his LA to Mexico City by Kart trip for more than a year. I helped assemble the Echo Kart and was primarily responsible for constructing the trailer. Most of the component parts were donated by karting industry companies.

We chased Davis halfway to San Bernardino that September day when he launched his trip. Last seen was the red flag atop a tall whip antenna as he darted in and out of LA traffic although, while I was stationed in Germany, I caught a picture posed by the Eiffel Tower .

I later heard Davis had returned from Europe, his karting adventure over, and had ridden a mini-scooter across country back to California. The Karting scene in the early 1960′s spawned some interesting characters and many serious racing drivers. Bill Davis was one of them.

]]> By: Russell J. Thorne http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-1053751 Russell J. Thorne Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:40:33 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-1053751 I can remember as a young child my father had a kart in the garage. I asked him about it years later and he told me he had named it 'Blitzkart' but did not actually get any credit for it. Can anybody shed any light on this? My father mentioned Willi Bruggemann often. William R. Thorne passed away 2 years ago at the age of 96. Russell J. Thorne Huntington Station, NY I can remember as a young child my father had a kart in the garage. I asked him about it years later and he told me he had named it ‘Blitzkart’ but did not actually get any credit for it. Can anybody shed any light on this? My father mentioned Willi Bruggemann often.
William R. Thorne passed away 2 years ago at the age of 96.

Russell J. Thorne
Huntington Station, NY

]]> By: Jack Welter http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/comment-page-1/#comment-885593 Jack Welter Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:40:22 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/31/around-the-world-by-kart/#comment-885593 My Self and Willi Bruggemann built the Blitz Karts for both of them by using our Huntington Long Island Production site, It was fun being envolved. Those Blitz Karts did not fail for the remainder of the trip, If William Glen Davis reads this, please contact me at the above E-mail address. Jack Welter My Self and Willi Bruggemann built the Blitz Karts for both of them by using our Huntington Long Island Production site, It was fun being envolved. Those Blitz Karts did not fail for the remainder of the trip, If William Glen Davis reads this, please contact me at the above E-mail address. Jack Welter

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