Eric Klumb grinds down welds in the chassis of a go-kart entered in the inaugural Memorial Go-Kart Event at Slinger Speedway Sept 13. A team sponsored by the family of the late Parker Klumb, Eric's brother, gathered at the family's home Monday night to work on their kart, which will also be featured in the Allenton parade on Sunday.

TOWN OF ADDISON - As sunlight slants down the driveway of the Klumb residence, noise from grinders, welders and compressors seems to draw kids from the neighborhood to the open garage door on a near-perfect summer evening.

In that garage, Parker Klumb’s dream is becoming a reality.

Klumb’s life was cut short in September of last year when a driver struck the 13-year-old and two friends as they rode their bicycles on the shoulder of Highway K.

Although Klumb was pronounced dead at the scene, his dream of building his own go-kart lives on through 65 kids and their mentors, all of whom are racing to complete go-karts in time for the first annual Memorial Go-Kart Event at Slinger Super Speedway Sept. 13.

The Klumb family is sponsoring one of 11 karts being built.

When Betsy Klumb attended the first committee meeting, the amount of public support let her know her late son’s dream would come true.

She said if her son were there on that soft summer night, "he’d be right in there with those boys."

The team hasn’t decided on a name, but Betsy Klumb said it will carry the memory of Parker.

"All the other karts have meaning, but this is the most important kart, the most important team," said Kathy Fies, who has worked to see Parker’s vision become reality since his funeral.

On Monday, Dennis Prunty, who has been building race cars for 17 years, showed up to lend a hand wherever it was needed. Prunty is one of several drivers who is volunteering his time, giving a helping hand to budding kart racers.

Parker’s brother, Eric Klumb, may not know all the particulars of putting together a kart, but he did take metals in eighth grade and basic electricity as a freshman at Slinger High School. He spent the evening grinding down welds on the chassis.

Brock Wudtke and others filed in after football practice to watch, work and learn.

For dad Ken Klumb, Parker’s dream took a giant step toward reality when he traveled to Speedy Pete’s in Neenah with race car driver Mike Egan to pick up the chassis.

"When I went up to Speedy Pete’s with Mike, I knew it was going to happen," said Ken.

He helped sort parts, make up kits and bring back 10 of the 11 frames.

Originally, I was thinking small - maybe a parking lot in Allenton - but Kathy (Fies) thinks very big. She put it all together," said Ken.

Brett Wudtke, 13, started working on the kart as soon as the chassis arrived at the Klumb’s Friday night.

"(Ken Klumb) called me and asked if I could help unload it," said Wudtke.

Brett Wudtke said that call from Parker’s dad was when he knew the kart, the races and the event was really going to happen. Before that, he wasn’t sure if it wasn’t all talk.

Brett was one of the three kids struck on that September afternoon.

Brett’s dad, Mark Wudtke, said there was a path between the Klumb and Wudtke houses.

"If Brett and Parker were not here, they were over at our house," said Mark Wudtke.

Handing the grief has been a hard road for Brett, Mark Wudtke said.

"It’s taking some time, but he seems to be coming around," he said.

The whole neighborhood is still having a tough time dealing with Parker’s death, Fies said. She hopes that through working on the karts, teams will learn to communicate and support each other.

"They are doing it together and Parker is here in spirit," said Fies.

On Sunday, Brett inflated tires and helped get the chassis ready for a trip to Professional Plating, where it will receive a powder coat of Slinger red.

Working on the kart brings back memories of Parker, Brett Wudtke said.

"(Parker Klumb) wanted to do this," he said.

For Brett Wudtke, it’s the process, not the product, that moves him to crouch in the garage, wielding a heavy grinder as sparks fly or sweating his way through seaming metal together, not the promise of a racing the straightaway or the possibility of taking a victory lap.

"That’s not important. It’s important the kart gets done," he said.

Parade to include karts

The Klumb team and Mike Egan’s team are working to complete their karts in time to drive in the Allenton Legion/Fireman’s Picnic parade Aug. 17.

The rest will be completed in time for the first annual Memorial Go-Kart Event at Slinger Super Speedway on Sept. 13.

This year, the 11-kart Washington County teams will race with 10 teams from the Neenah Kids Kart Club.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 6 p.m. In addition to the races, the event will feature the Aerotek BMX Bike Show, sponsored by Lee Jeans, a Big Wheel Race with competing adults, and The Britins will play from 8 - 10 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Allenton Area Advancement Association.