2015 Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tires Lites 1 champion Kenton Koch and Lites 2 championship runner-up Todd Slusher shared their favorite all-time Christmas gift with IMSA.com:

KENTON KOCH: “In December 2002, I received my go-kart that started my racing career, even though it started off as a hobby. I was 6 when I saw my first go-kart but wasn’t old enough. I had to be 8 to be able race them. So the day I turned 8, I begged for a go-kart. Luckily my dad knew some friends that were selling a four-cycle Junior 1 Cadet kart, and the rest is history. One month later, I was on the track, and my mom was in the stands flipping out. As time passed, she got used to it, but she still goes over by herself and says her prayers. I’m extremely thankful for my family’s support and obviously wouldn’t be here without them.” 

TODD SLUSHER: “Probably one of my best presents as a child was the red Radio Flyer wagon I got when I was about 7 or 8. We had this big hill out behind our neighborhood, and we would take the wagon up to the top and come straight down at crazy speeds and wipe out at the bottom for “fun.” I grew up in Montana, so most of the time we were running it in the snow. We would pack a trail and run it down like a bobsled! Priceless! The Flyer took the beating week after week; they don’t make toys like that any more!”