Ken "KJ" McKinster

UPDATE: You can now write your thoughts and prayers for the family directly on KJ's website. Comments that have been left on this blog by people who know KJ or his family have been copied there.

TOP LEVEL JUNIOR KART RACER FROM GRESHAM OREGON FATALLY INJURED

Rotax Champion Driver, Ken “KJ” McKinster, went off the track at high speed in last Friday morning’s practice and was unable to avoid cable fencing near the track. He was practicing for the NW Regional Gold Cup race being held in Tri-Cities, Washington.

At only 12 years old, KJ was one of the top drivers on the Northwest circuit. Only three weeks earlier KJ won first place in the Rotax Junior division at the same track. He will be memorialized Friday in a celebration of his life at a youth camp near Mt. Hood in Oregon.

KJ’s grandfather, William Shanor, was at the track, and his mother and father, Jacqueline and Ken, arrived shortly there after. Richland emergency medical technicians responded to the 10 a.m. accident and transported KJ to the Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, but they were not able to revive him due to the extent of the injuries. The injuries were caused by the unforgiving nature and location of the cable fencing.

The Tri-City Kart Club operates the asphalt race track on property owned by the city of Richland at Horn Rapids ORV Park. This was the first serious accident at the track since it opened 20 years ago.

Northwest kart racing officials cancelled the weekend’s event to show respect to the family. “This is a family sport. The kids are the ones we protect the most. You just don't see this happen,” said Bill Hettick of Seattle, the Northwest regional coordinator for the Gold Cup races, as reported in the Tri-City Herald.

KJ was very passionate about racing, and had aspirations of becoming a Formula 1 race car driver. With the support of his parents, and his determination, he was taking the steps necessary to achieve that goal. The McKinster’s, well known for winning in the Northwest, competed in the Rotax National Championships in Colorado last year, and were also competing in the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas in California this year.

KJ was well known, and very well liked not only for his extraordinary talent as a driver but also for his thoughtfulness to others and his positive demeanor. KJ was a real go-getter. He was a straight A student and participated in school wrestling and football. His younger sister, Sierra, adored having KJ baby-sit and read to her.

KJ’s grandfather, William Shanor, said the McKinster’s family has decided to use this tragedy to bring positive changes about safety for kart racing.

On Saturday, the day after KJ is memorialized, members of the Tri-City Kart Club will have a work day at the track to begin installing more safety barriers and making other improvements, said Corey Poynor, club president.

Shanor said he and the boy’s father, Ken McKinster, support the planned track improvements and will work to improve other kart tracks in the U.S. “We want to make it happen for tracks everywhere,” Shanor said

A KJ McKinster Track Safety Memorial Fund has been established for that purpose. Donations to the fund can be made at any branch of Bank of America in the nation. An online donation site is also being set-up at www.kjmckinster.com and will be active soon to accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

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If you would like more information or need higher resolution pictures,
please call Randy Word at (503) 869-4970, or e-mail randy@wordsports.com

Sincerely,
Randy Word, on behalf of the McKinster family

Press release published with permission.


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One of my sons is a go-kart racer, as well, who knows and races with KJ.

KJ's family, especially his father, Ken, has been instrumental in getting us started in the sport and encouraging us to keep at it.

All our love and prayers are with KJ's family at this time. He will be so very missed.