2026 Fantastic 4 and Achievement awards

[REAR]

The 2026 BIG ONE has concluded and aside from too much fun, too many laps, too much food, too many raffles, a few awards were handed out also. Once again we honored the karts and the people who have helped to preserve the early history of American karting and after some very tough choices the 2026 Fantastic 4 were chosen and a BIGGIE was presented to the owner of each chosen karts. This years top 4 kart winners were [left to right in group photo] John Jessop of Louisville Kentucky with a 1963 Power Products powered Percival Hellcat. Mike Schlager of Buffalo New York with his twin McCulloch 91 powered 1969 Rupp Model 'K' kart. Tom Kelly center. Randy Mapus of Fremont Ohio,1959 Dart with live factory live axle conversion, McCulloch powered. John McCorvy of Atlanta Georgia, West Bend 580 powered 1961 Putt Nik Phantom. Tom Kelly won a BIGGIE for this years 'Achievement Award' for the super human effort he put into getting his 1960 Gilson Excalibur Jr, running for the weekend. Mr. Frank Weir was presented a special edition BIGGIE as a Lifetime Achievement Award for all of his years of helping to promote and preserve Americas karting past through his articles in Karting and Vroom magazine and into his recent book Pioneering American Karts.

Chris Jessop 1963 Percival

Mike Schlager 1969 Rupp Model 'K'

John McCorvy 1961 Putt Nik

Randy Mapus 1959 Dart Kart

Tom Kelly 1960 Gilson

R,E,A,R,