News

MARCH 2010 NEWS:

FULL THROTTLE RACING WITH THE KELDSEN’S

BY SCOTT LEMMON

The Kelden’s are out of New Carlisle, Indiana. And if you ever have to tell anyone that Mud Racing is a family sport, then the Keldsen’s can be the ones to provide you with all the evidence that you need!

Check out the photo page before and after this article and you can get a glimpse of a family that is having fun and like to compete in Mud Bog Racing and Hill & Hole Racing Events. It’s not just a family hobby, it is a family passion!

The Race team itself consists of Jack Keldsen Sr 47, Jack Keldsen Jr 19, Ashley Keldsen 16, and Autumn Keldsen 13. And don’t let the youthful numbers fool you. These are professional racers with years of experience and trophies to prove it! And this season, the racing world has yet another Keldsen to contend with. Jack’s mom Marilyn will be starting her competitive racing career at age 69.

They are certainly a family race Team. Building and racing Mud Trucks since 1976. Racing mostly in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. Jack Sr. states: “We all race under Full Throttle Mud Racing. The white bronco (Wet & Wild) my son races and he just turned 19 and started at the age of ten. The black Bronco (Black Widow) my 16 year old daughter races. The red Sidekick (Pony Power) my 13 year old daughter races. This year we are building her a 90 ford Ranger to race. The Blue Ford (Whiplash) I race.”

Jack Sr. states: “I started when I was about 14 years old. I think it was the thrill of racing that I enjoyed. It’s gets in your blood and you get that adrenaline going. Of course, back then, you use to have to make your own modifications. No aftermarket parts. But that was part of the fun of it. If you wanted a modification, you had to make that modification. Of course, in the beginning, this was all backyard events. And over time it has grown and grown.”

Jack Sr. continues “My parents were involved in the sport with me since I first started. And now my kids enjoy being a part of it. Each one has their own racer. It is a great time for the family to be together and have a good time. And although my parents have always been involved, my Mom Marilyn, at the age of 69, is going to be getting behind the wheel for the first time this season!”

“The sport really has a different breed of people in it. Good friends all around to help you out and work together. And then compete against. Trophies and money are nice, but that can’t always happen. But having a good time with friends and family always happens.” states Jack Sr.

“The Sodbusters out of South Bend, Indiana is always a great event to attend. As a matter of fact, that will be the first event my Mom will be racing at. The Sodbusters have charitable events twice a year. They raise money for a variety of different good causes and I have been racing there since the 1970’s. Always a great turnout of trucks from about 150-200 ranging from stock to tractor tire monster trucks. Great people and a great turnout. Events happen on Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. This will be Mom’s first competitive event this year. Although she has been racing the trucks on our practice field for years.” Says Jack Sr.

Jack Sr. states “We try and attend about 2 or 3 events a month. From April to October. And then we spend the time inbetween working on the racers. We also usually hit an indoor event in Chicago and Fort Wayne over the winter with Checkered Flag Productions.”

Jack Sr. adds: “The sport has really changed over the years. Going from backyard stock….then mods you make yourself…then aftermarket parts. It use to be a matter of seeing who could go the farthest in the pit and now lots of times it is who can be the fastest to fly over the pit. It has become very competitive. And we take the sport pretty seriously, while still having a good time. And now we are looking into putting in our own Hill and Hole and Deep Bog Pit together close to home. Stay tuned and check www.fullthrottlemudracing.com and we will keep you updated!”

Marilyn Keldsen adds “I am really excited about getting behind the wheel this year. I realized that I am usually jogging all over the place on race day and thought it might be easier if I just drove the truck!”

“I have been involved since Jack Sr. first got behind the wheel. I was all over the place. Working on the trucks and watching the show. But it look like too much fun and I decided I wanted to race at some of the events.” adds Marilyn. “This is really a passion with the family. We are all interested in the sport and it works out to be a great time to spend together as a family. Very exciting times and the sport keeps the blood flowing! We can pack up the camper and pack our lunches and make a family day out of the events. It ia great that the grandkids enjoy participating in the sport and we can all be together.” states Marilyn.

“We have had some exciting times over the years. We have taken a ton of pictures. Capturing good times and winning trophies. And sometimes bad times such as once when Jack Jr’s truck Wet & Wild turned over in the pit. Everything was okay as I lost my shoes rushing through the pit to make sure Jack was okay!” Says Marilyn. She adds “I am really looking forward to the start of another racing season!”