LAPORTE -- The culmination of seven weeks of racing for the Garfield Lake Ice Racing Club came to an end on Saturday at the WoodShed Bar and Grill in Laporte with the end-of-season awards banquet.
This was the 22nd year the racers have raced at Garfield Lake and raised money to give to needy individuals and groups. In the past year, the club donated $46,026 to various groups such as the American Legion, Lakes Area Dive Team, Northstar ABATE, Hubbard County Sheriff's Mounted Posse and Canine Unit, Laporte Food Shelf, Ruby’s Pantry, Wreaths Across America, Camp Oak Hills, Take a Kid Fishing, local church groups, veterans groups, and Laporte Schools.
Since 2015, the club has donated $257,300 in the area. Donations were made possible by proceeds of pull-tab sales at the WoodShed and fees charged to the racers for membership and daily race fees. The racers are not paid anything for winning.
Club president Kris Baker thanked the many plow truck drivers for their hard work to keep the track and road clear for racing, and he thanked all the flagmen and scorekeepers for keeping the races running smoothly. He also thanked all the many drivers, riders and crew members who joined and raced with the club in 2022.
Nate Zanter was the A Class champion, while Josh Bitker was the B Class champion. Hunter Weeks was 2022 Rookie of the Year.
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