The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE IS - PLAINDE ALER - FRIDAY, JUNE 8,1S64 Sports Chris Maxson is a midget car racer with Indy car racing hopes By Mike Lamb Plaindealer sports editor You wouldn't think anybody who races in a car called a midget would ever be thought as a threat to the racing world. But, then again, midget isn't a clear description of what kind of car racing 19-year-old Chris Maxson is involved with. The McHenry resident is driving professionally as a member of the United States Auto Club with special in­ tentions. Maxson has ideas of some day making it big time in auto racing -- Indy car racing. It's those intentions which separates Maxson from many other area stock car drivers. "A lot of people at Wilmot (race track in southern Wisconsin) do it as a hobby," said Maxson. "My goal is to make a living off doing it. Of course, I invest a lot more money." Maxson started racing at seven-years-old out in Seattle, Wash., when his father bought him aa quarter midget. He won several club, regional and state championships. When his family moved to McHenry, Maxson was 16-years- old and he began to race full midgets professionally. By 1981, he was honored as Badger Midget Auto Racing Club Rookie-of-the-Year. In 1982 he was the National Midget Series Rookie-of-the-Y ear. As one of the youngest drivers on the midget circuit, he enjoyed considerable amount of success. But disaster struck. 1983 season came to a start. Racing in a midget race in the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., his car crashed into the wall. "I had a bad year in 1983," explained Maxson. "I was running in the Silverdome right in front row. $4,000 went to the winners. It was the first big race of the season. "My throttle stuck with it wide open and I hit the wall full speed. I flipped over a few times." His crash was featured in Circle Track magazine. The article stated that many people couldn't believe he came out of the crash alive. He only tore a couple muscles in his arm and had severe concussions. No wonder about the con­ cussion - his helmet was cracked. The magazine story also mentioned that Maxson's crash also broke a Silverdome water line. His car was totaled. Maxson managed to struggle back and started racing in June. It cost Maxson $5,000 to put his car back together. His best finish that year was fifth. The crash doesn't seem to bother the McHenry High School East Campus graduate. "I knew I had to forget about it to become a good race car driver at all." Maxson'scar was built by Don Volger of Glen Ellyn. According to Maxson, Volger only made six such cars before he died. The . car has a Scat Volkswagon ,140 cu. in. engine with 230 horsepower. It burns pure methanol alcohol. According to Maxson, he is in good company in midget racing. Such big name drivers as Tom Bigelow, Johnny Parsons Jr. and Stan Fox all race with midgets. Maxson says it makes it hard to compete against them and many others because they have a lot more money to spend on their cars. Currently, Maxson isn't sponsored. "The guys who race the Indy cars come back to the midgets to keep in shape. Midgets have more power to weight ratio to quickness of car ratio," said Maxson. Maxson plans on enrolling in Skip Barber's Driving School within the next two years to get some formula rear-engine ex» perience. \ Maxson and his crew of Jim and Mike Nielsen travel all over the midwest to races. Last weekend he placed third in a race at Sycamore, second in a race ip Joliet and 12th at Sun Praire, Wise. This weekend he travels to Sante Fe Speedway in Chicago. Of course, it's just a matter of time before Maxson and his crew travels to the Indianapolis 500. Jim Sobb misses out on U.S. Open in sudden death Chapel Hill Country Club professional Jim Sobb probably knows how Arnold Palmer felt about just missing qualification for the U.S. Open. For the first time in Palmer's illustrious career, he just missed qualification for the Open by two strokes. Sobb was looking to qualify for his first Open, but just missed out bv a stroke. The former Western Illinois University graduate and Palatine High School standout was beaten by Jon Chaffee of Austin, Minn, in sudden death for the ninth and last qualification spot at Biltmore Country Club in Barrington Tuesday. Unlike Palmer, Sobb is an alternate and can still play in the U.S. Open if a qualifying player backs out. Sobb shot a 74-70, and tied with six other golfers at 144 for ninth place. Chaffee and Sobb shook off the other four competitors on the very first sudden death hole with birdies. Chaffee edged out Sobb on the fourth sudden death hole, Chaffee making par and Sobb settling with a bogey. "I played well," said Sobb. "A lot of the guys were tour players, and I really was the only club professional in the running. I'm happy with that." The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 14-17. < 4 Plaindealer photo by Mike Lamb Chris Maxson (ChrisgoKid) is hoping his midget race car will bring him some success in 1984. The 1982 National Midget series Roolde- of-Year has set some high personal goals for the future. Ditka finally success for Bears means McMahon is QB Tough schedule awafts Bears, Ditka still optimistic Plaindealer photo by Sam Natrop Mike Ditka (left) and his playing partner are all set for a golf day at McHenry Country Club. By Sam Natrop Plaindealer News Service Mike Ditka said he knows it took him long enough, but he finally realizes it. And he told a packed McHenry Country Club crowd what he called, "the plain and simple truth." . - "The future success of the Chicago Bears is with Jim McMahon at quarterback," Ditka said. End of sentence. Ditka, who will enter his second year as coach of the Bears, said the former-Brigham Young University signal caller "got what he deserved," after McMahon signed a five-year, multi-million dollar contract with the Bear4 last week. Ditka was one of several guest speakers at the Marian Central Boosters Association Silver Anniversary Golf Outing Friday afternoon. In his short speech (and the question-and-answer session that followed) Ditka said the Bears will be tested this season with one of their tougher schedules in recent years. "We'll get a chance to find out just how good we are," he said. "We feel we can legitimately compete with anyone. We're very optimistic about the season and we're very excited about our young people." The Bears, who were 8-8 last year, will face the likes of -the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and the San Diego Chargers as well as their ever- tough Central Division foes in 1984. "The thing we have to learn this year is how to score points," he said. "We didn't score near- enough points last year. We must also become more con­ sistent on defense. The two Detroit games were evidence of that. Third-down plays killed us." But the ever-optimistic Ditka, 44, said a year of experience, and a draft that yielded several good athletes, will make young players like Willie Gault, Jimbo Covert and McMahon much better players, and will make the Bears a better team. In regards to the Bears' draft selections this season, Ditka had the following comments: -Mark Butkus, draft pick and a member of the University of Illinois' Big Ten championship team: "He's coming off knee surgery. He has an outside chance to make the team. If he had his uncle's temperament, he'd be in good shape to make it (the team)." His uncle, of course, is Dick Butkus, the Bears' might middle linebacker of the late 1960s and early 1970s. -Wilbur Marshall, the Bears' first-round draft pick: "He will be an exciting football player in time." -Ron Rivera, second-round draft choice: "We had the young man agree to a verbal contract and, well, he's got a goofy agent. The contract, and everything will work out with him." -The loss of Ken Margerum for the season with knee surgery: "Kenny's loss will really hurt us. He came back in the best shape he's ever been in. Brad Anderson will help try and fill the void." Willie Gault: "I haven't seen him in a long time. I don't know what he's doing." Ditka then named a couple of players the Bears snatched in the draft whose names aren't of the household variety yet, but are players who should be watched. "Chris Tilly, a wide receiver, is an interesting guy," Ditka said. "He's 5-8 and 163 pounds. He's not big and he's not fast, but he runs good routes and can catch the ball. Watch for him." The Bears' coach included the names of SMU punter Eric Kafes "who should push Ray Stachowicz for a job;" Nakita Robertson, Arkansas Central, "who runs bfetter than we thought" and Kurt Vestman, a tight end from Idaho, who Ditka calls "a sleeper." The kicking chores are also wide open for the upcoming season, although Ditka admits, "Bob Thomas showed up to camp in the best*hape he's ever been in, and he's kicking the ball extremely well." The Bears have six kickers in camp. Although McMahon is the team's quarterback of the '80s, the Bears purchased veteran Steve Fuller from the Kansas City Chiefs-a proven quar­ terback of above average, ability. "We like Steve a lot. He's a Rhodes Scholar-a smart athlete," Ditka said. "And we still have Bob Avellini, plus (ninth-round draft choice) Mark Casale. Mark has the tools to work with to be a good quar­ terback." Ditka heaped the most praise on the Bears secondary which, "if things fall into place, can be Continued on pogo 17 dhriHtophrr's LADIES' DAY JUNE 13th ONLY For Father's Day It's the perfect way to shop for the man in your life and save 20% storewide! Choose from our large selection of Spring and Summer fashions including ac- tivewear from our Spor­ tswear department. And remember... we carry sizes for the big and tall man. Don't miss it! AH Ladies will receive a STOREWIDE 20% DISCOUN I Happening this Wednesday, > June 13th from 9am to 5pm (Sorry guys, sale applies to ladies only!) FREE GIFT WRAPPING Not valid on lay away mdse. ^hriatnphrr'a v * MEN'S WEAR 3902 W. Main St.. McHonry 385-4060 EREC BOX 409, HARVARD HSR UBEi ILLINOIS 60033 818/943-4094 METAL BUILDING SALE!! A 40'xl00'xl6' Structure for *19,991 walls, 28 gauge galvalume roof with 20 year limited warranty, color trim, color fastonara, closures, 30/20 loadings, F.O.B. lob Sits, erection on your foundation. Prices good through Juno 30,1984. NOT INCLUDED* TAX, BUILDING PERMITS, ELECTRIC OK CONCRETE. Call for Insulation Packages 818/943-4094 < Metallic-Braden BLHUXNG COMPANY