Ben Varner, a Metamora resident and senior at Oxford high School, won the East Lansing Kart Track Season Championship race for the second consecutive time last Sunday. It was a tight battle with 10 time season champion Tom Collins, but Ben prevailed.

Ken and Diane Matheis, from the Complete Companies in Lake Orion provided support that was instrumental in getting Ben on the track. Ben dedicated this win to Ken and Diane –” I couldn’t have gotten this victory without their help”

Ben was racing in the top class at the track, powered by 125cc water cooled motors capable of speeds in excess of 95 mph.

Ben is a former track champion and driver of the year at East Lansing Kart track. Ben also races on the national circuit and has been top five in national championship season points on two occasions. Ben raced in the first-ever kart race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July and qualified on the front row. Unfortunately, his car was wrecked by a fellow competitor and he finished 11th.

Ben is planning to move up to the next rung on the ladder to his ultimate goal of Indy Car next season, moving to open wheel formula cars with the Lucas oil race series.