Banchi FKE Celebration
In June 2001, some of the old Banchi Racing crew got together with some friends at a Fond du
lac, Wisconsin Airport hangar to celebrate the finishing and replicating of two of the famous Banchi FKE (Formula Karting
Experimental) karts from the 60's and 70's. Late in 1999, Banchi founder Harv Aschenbrenner went to work in his Fond du lac,
Wisconsin shop to remake the 1977 National Championship winning Banchi of the late Don Surwall. Harv also decided to
finish his last Banchi chassis that he started building way back in 1967. Surwall's Banchi set an unofficial karting
speed record at over 148MPH.
Here is some of the team members(L-R). Harold Cohen-Harv's business partner and team crew member,
Harv Aschenbrenner-Banchi founder and number one driver, Stan Hall-number two driver and Jim Donovan-Owner of Max Torque and
Crew Chief for Don Surwall.
Here is Stan Hall holding the gift his old buddy Harv had held for him for more than 30 years.
It's Stan's chassis adjustment tool that he used on his old Rupp sprint kart. After tangling with another kart on
the track and bending up his Rupp he would place the brick under the chassis and bend it back into balance.
Easels listing the accomplishments of Harvey Aschenbrenner's dream, "The Banchi FKE".
Above is a picture (#1) of the 1977 FKE National Champion Banchi driven by Surwall. This is the one
that went over 148mph.
Here is a picture of the last Banchi ever built by Harvey in the late Spring of 2005. Harv designed it after
one of Colin Chapmans early 60's Lotus F1 cars.
Stan (#22) in the pits along with his pit crew (Gene Huber and Harold Cohen) at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course
in 1966.
Here is a shot taken by a Milwaukee Sentinel photographer at Badger Raceway in 1966 for a piece that was
done on racing in Wisconsin. The Banchi was too fast to race on the small sprint track at Badger, but it was a good place
to take the photo.
Stan at Wisconsin State Fair Park's "Milwaukee Mile" in 1965.
Here is Stan in the original Banchi while in the pits at "The Milwaukee Mile" in 1966.
Meadowdale International Raceway Homepage
Meadowdale International Raceway Preservation Association Facebook page
This is a shot of the Banchi Racing Team's favorite track Meadowdale International Raceway
in Carpentersville, Illinois. It was a 3.27 mile road course most notable for it's "Monza Wall" which is seen above
during a late '50's sportscar race. The track, which was opened in 1958, was subsequently shut down ten years later and
is now only a distant memory. Fortunately, a gentleman who lives near the former site of the track is trying to revive its
glory and he has created a website which we have linked above.
