6/28/2024
Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
Badger Midget Series Proud to Run The Wipperfurth Memorial at Beaver Dam
The Advanced Fastening Supply Badger Midget Series will celebrate the memory of Jim Wipperfurth tomorrow, Saturday, June 29 at Beaver Dam Raceway for the annual Wipperfurth Memorial.
Jim was a popular figure in the pits for many years, until his passing in 2007. He was one of those people who was behind the scenes at Badger events, especially those at Angell Park Speedway. He was a man of many talents.
“Welder to the (enter team in need here) pit,” was a common call from announcer Dave Shannon back in the day. This was the cue for Wipperfurth to grab his welding gear and help another midget team get back on the track. Brandon Waelti recalls, “Jim was always one to give competitors or us a hand with his welding. He would never take payment. ‘Just throw a JW Welding sticker on your car,’ he would say. Jim was one of a kind and missed by many!”
As an EMT, safety was a huge cause for Wipperfurth. A young driver he was mentoring was “just going to fire off” his car, sans his driver’s suit and helmet. “What if your throttle sticks? What if your car catches fire?” asked Wipperfurth. That driver put on his safety gear, never fired his car without it and to this day echoes the words of Wipperfurth when the situation arises.
BMARA President, Quinn McCabe recalls the night Susan Spencer had a horrific crash at Angell Park. “Jim is credited with saving her life. He had recently received training on a new technique for stopping massive blood loss. He applied this new method to Spencer, likely saving her life,” he noted while speaking of the crash occurring in the 1980’s.
Wipperfurth was an original board member for the MSA Sprint Cars.
The Wipperfurth family played a role in the fireworks fans will enjoy after the races and will be excited to see all of their old racing friends at the track. When the rockets fly, raise a Pepsi, Jim’s drink of choice, and give a nod in honor of “Wipp.”
Article by Bill Blumer Jr.
Photo by Bill Blumer Jr. of Jim Wipperfurth at the Chili Bowl, pushing Tony Elliot in the Fitchburg Plumbing car.
Submitted By: William Blumer