October 30, 2007

HUFF HEADS TOWARDS HIS DREAM

Photos by Dan Huff

By Bruce C. Walls


EAST PALESTINE, OH-Competing in NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series is a dream Brandon Huff is working hard to make come true. So far, in a racing  career spanning half his young life, 17-year-old Huff, of East  Palestine, OH, has compiled an impressive resume’. His first full  season was 2000. That year he championed the Rookie Purple Plate class  in the Akron, OH Karting Club. The next season he advanced to Junior  Gold Plate repeating his previous performance. “I’m looking to move up through other eries and learn along the way,”  Huff says. “It’s a learning process, but the best part is I get to  spend quality time with my dad.”

In 2002 Huff sought tougher competition. He found it in two regional series, The Buckeye Karting Association and Ohio Sprint Series. That  year he was crowned Junior Gold Plate champion in the Buckeye Karting  Association. He finished sixth overall in the Ohio Sprint Series  Briggs Gold Plate division.

The following year Huff, who pilots a Turner Racing Engines powered  Bandit Chassis, began campaigning in the Great Lakes Sprint Series.  There facing some of the toughest competition of his career at that  point Huff earned second place overall finishes in  Briggs Restricted Gold Plate and Briggs Unrestricted.

After three-years of successful regional racing experience to his  credit Huff decided, in 2004, it was time to tackle the toughest  competition out there, the World Karting Association’s National  Horstman Gold Cup Series. There he earned impressive fifth place  overall finishes in Restricted Gold Plate and Unrestricted. In  addition to his national successes that year he also campaigned  successfully in the Great Lakes Sprint Series Briggs Unrestricted  Heavy. Along with that championship he also was third overall in  Briggs Restricted Gold Plate. Huff also competed in the Clyde Street  Race that year taking the Briggs Restricted Gold Plate class’s checkered flag.

Checkered flags continued waving for Huff in 2005. That year he earned  two national championships in the Horstman Gold Cup Series were he was  crowned Briggs Unrestricted Lite and Heavy champion. He also  campaigned in Briggs Restricted Gold Plate Lite and Heavy where he earned second and fourth place overall finishes.

Huff chased four Great Lakes Sprint Series titles in 2005. He earned  two championships, Briggs Unrestricted Lite and Heavy and posted third  place overall in Briggs Restricted Gold Plate Lite and Heavy. He chased four national Horstman Gold Cup championships in 2006. Huff  captured the title in Stock Lite came in second in Heavy and was fifth  in Animal Medium and eighth in Heavy. That year he finished second in  Stock Medium and Heavy at the Clyde Street race.

Huff began his 2007 season competing in the All-American Driver  Challenge conducted in February and March. He was one of 10 finalists earning the chance to compete and be evaluated by an impressive panel  of experts. “They tested us on our communication skills, coach ability and appearance,” Huff explained.

Huff and hundreds of others started their challenge at Metro Detroit,  Michigan’s Indoor Karting Facility in early February. “We raced and  they also judged us on communication skills and appearance,” Huff said.  Judging them were CBS, NBC Sports and Speed sportscaster Rick  Benjamin, Speedway Illustrated Editor Bones Bourcler, East Enterprises  Bob East, Calico Coating AADC Crew Chief Gary Huffman and Calico  Coatings AADC Founder Tracy Trotter. “I qualified in the top 24 and  advanced to the second location,” Huff said.  Round two was held at the Andretti Indoor Kart Track. There racers were judged on speed, technical feedback, communication, fitness, character and mental toughness. Once that challenge was over the group was whittled down to 10, including Huff.

During round three, held at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C.  challengers got to drive a Ford Focus Midget. “Wepracticed at first  following another car,” Huff explained. “The actual test was best. The  cars had a lot of horsepower. It was a great experience and I got to  meet a lot of people.”

When it was over Huff was high in the standings. “They didn’t tell us  where we actually finished, but they told us we were second or third,”  said Huff. “They told me they liked me, but they saw something else in  the other driver.” In addition to racing last season Huff also moved out on his own  taking an apartment in Charlotte, N.C. where he worked for the Petty  Driving Experience. The Petty Driving Experience gives customers a  chance to either drive or ride along in a stock car similar to what  Nextel cup and Busch drivers compete in. There Huff performed a number  of duties including working on the grid, flag stand and garage work.   Huff supported himself shopped for his own groceries, cooked, did  laundry and paid his bills. Quite an achievement for a 17-year-old out  on his own for the first time. Plus he got to work around stock cars Huff’s 2007 season isn’t quite over. He and the rest of the national Horstman Gold Cup competitors still have one more national to settle  championships. Huff is in the running for two of the four national  championships he’s chasing this season. National Gold Cup competition  started at Daytona where they competed on the sprint track behind turns  three and four of the famed racetrack. There Huff won the Raptor 370  class and had finishes of fourth and second in Animal Lite and Heavy.

From there the national tour traveled to one of karting’s legendary  racetracks G&J Kartway in Camden, OH. This time Huff captured the  Raptor 340 checkered flag and finished fifth in Raptor 370. The next stop was East Lansing Kart Track in East Lansing, MI. Huff  won Animal Heavy that weekend. He also had finishes of second in  Raptor 370, sixth in Raptor 340 and seventh  in Animal Medium. Their  season finale’ happens November 2-4 on the challenging 6/10ths-mile 12  turn infield road course between turns three and four at Lowe’s Motor  Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Looking further ahead Huff says he’s going to run a limited National  schedule and race locally. “I’m starting college next year,” said  Huff, who plans on attending the University Akron. “I’m looking to  move up. I want to keep racing every other weekend and try to get some  sponsors.” Currently Huff gets backing from Thor Oil, G-Man Kart Works   and DWT Douglas Wheels Technology.

Huff plans on completing his college education while racing, searching  for sponsors and patiently waiting for the right break for a chance to  move up in motor sports.

--
Bruce C. Walls
Action Enterprises, Inc.
Action Sports Photos/Action Sports Promotions
P.O. Box 914 Bethany Beach, De 19930
Phone/Fax 302.537.7223
E-mailbwalls@fast.net  or sportsshooter@verizon.net
www.printroom.com/pro/DSAM

October 26, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AKRA MEDIA

ARC offers CID Contingency Cash

MONROE, N.C.-ARC Racing (Amundsen Research Corp.) will be presenting the winner of Christmas in Dixie’s Animal Heavy class with $500 in  contingency monies. That is provided the winner has an ARC rod in their  motor and ARC decals on their kart’s bodywork. ARC decals will be  given to Animal Heavy entries at registration. This contingency cash  will be in addition to the advertised $500 purse making it a $1,000  value for the right race winner.

Founded in June of 1992 ARC Racing has become a major manufacture of  karting after market engine parts. Their commplete catalog of karting  and other motorsports products can be found on their website at:  www.arcracing.com  or by calling their toll free order line  1-800-521-3560. ARC also has a tech support line at 229.432.202 

“On behalf of AKRA and FKA we want to thank ARC Racing for their  support and sponsorship of Christmas in Dixie,” said FKA President  Jimmy Sims. Animal Heavy will race Friday December 28, 2007 on the  fifth mile dirt oval at Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL.

The third annual ‘Christmas in Dixie’ will feature two day of dirt and  two days of asphalt racing between December 27 and 31. This year’s  event will include the ‘World 100’ a 100-lap asphalt race comprised of  two 50-lap segments.

For more information on ‘Christmas in Dixie’ visit the AKRA website at  www.americankarting.us  or the FKA website at: www.fkadirtseries.com  or call 704.764.8138 or call Jimmy Sims at 386.938.4211.

No photos

--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

October 22, 2007

Williamson and Kicklighter Triple At AKRA Dirt Finale’


Words by Bruce C. Walls
Images by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls


    LORIS, S.C.-Racers in the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) American Speedway Championship Dirt Series wrapped up their 2007 season  Saturday October 13th with Vickery’s Speed Shop Fall Nationals at the  Myrtle Beach Motorsports Complex in Loris, S.C. Two racers were triple  winners that Saturday. Lake City S.C. racer Chris Williamson capped a  stellar season earning three wins from their poles on the fifth-mile  dirt oval.  Jak Kicklighter, of Savannah, GA swept the Coyote Products  Junior Sportsman Champ offerings and added a win in JDI/Foodcraft  Junior 2.

Piloting a Mishue Motorsports powered Phantom racing chassis Williamson  was dialed in for qualifying. Times of 12.765, 12.423 and  12.541-seconds earned him poles in R.L.V. Tuned Exhaust Products Stock  Lite, WMS Products Stock Medium and Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy.

After a failed first start Williamson led Stock Lite racers single file  into turn one with Brian Throckmorton challenging him for the lead.   Throckmorton passed Williamson as the two leaders pulled away from the  field.  Several laps later Wade Frye and Aaron Sapp drafted into the   lead.  Williamson wrestled control from them as a four way battle for  the lead raged.  Williamson pulled ahead leaving the rest to squabble  over second.  Throckmorton and Sapp traded second and third.  As  Williamson closed in on the  fields’ rear Throckmorton’s machine developed problems forcing him from the contest.  That left Sapp and  Matt Cox battling for second.

Williamson reached the finish line with Sapp trailing by 2.094-seconds  followed by Cox who was 2.525-seconds off the pace.   Further back Wade Frye and Cody Trull finished fourth and fifth.

“I went with tires that were a little hard,” Williamson explained.  “They just took a few laps to come in. It took a little while, but it  was good on the long run. I don’t know what was going on behind me.  When you’re up front you don’t look back. The kart was good it just  took a couple of laps for it to come in.  We’ve been working with  Harrill (Wiggins) at Phantom he gives us a good chassis to work with, I  feel good about the kart and Eddie (Mishue) gives us good motors.”

Williamson hustled into Stock Medium’s early lead only to have Cox  engineer a four racer freight train roaring by him.  Williamson fought  his way back to the top taking the lead near the end.  With time and  distance closing in on him Williamson passed Cox for the lead.  At the  stripe Cox was 0.578-second late.  Wade Frey crossed third trailing the  leader by 0.842-second. Sapp and Trull topped of the podium finishing  fourth and fifth.

As he did in his first two wins, Williamson shot into Stock Heavy’s  early lead.  This time third fastest qualifier Josh Haire was quickly  closing in on him.  Williamson bobbled, momentarily slipped off the  track, and then quickly gathered it back up. Haire  inherited the lead  and by the time Williamson got back on track Haire had opened the lead.   From a distant second Williamson began reeling Haire back in.  It took  a couple of laps before Williamson  was on Haire’s tailpipe threatening  the retake the lead.

“There was some loose dirt in the corner I slid off the track,”  Williamson explained.  “He got by me and I just had to get back on the  track and get back by him.”  Williamson did it in time to take the  checkered flag with a 0.303-second edge over Haire.  Completing the top  five this time were Wade Frye, Bass and Chuck McKenzie.

“It’s the same thing as the other two wins the kart was good, real good  on the long runs,” Williamson credited.

A 13.453-seconds lap earned triple winner Jak Kicklighter the Junior  Sportsman Champ poles.  In the first feature Kicklighter captured the  early lead and held on, as outside pole winner Johnson stayed glued to  his tailpipe during the first several laps.  Kicklighter pulled away  from Johnson building a 2.657-seconds finish line advantage over  Johnson.

“We did good today,” said the 11-year-old Savannah, GA based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Millenium kart pilot.  “The engine was running  really good, we had the right tires and the kart was really fast.”

Kicklighter lost the second feature’s early lead to Johnson who led  most of the 20-laps.  With five laps left Kicklighter made the comeback  pass between turns one and two. Kicklighter fought off Johnson’s late  race challenges taking the checkered flag with a 1.031-seconds edge over Johnson.

Two races earlier Kicklighter captured Junior Sportsman 2’s second  feature from a third place start.  Gus Dean spun the pole wining lap in  12.836-seconds.  Kicklighter shot by Dean for the early lead.  Dean was  in striking distance the whole race, but couldn’t catch Kicklighter who  beat him to the stripe by just 0.455-second.  Rounding out the top five  were Austin Babb, Andy Forsyth and Joshua Pearson.

Dean dominated the first Junior Sportsman 2 feature.  From the pole he  hustled into the early lead.  After showing the field around twice he  surrendered the front to Cannon Ward.  Dean battled back and recaptured  the lead on lap four. Ward passed him back next time around.  Before he  led another lap Ward spun out in turn four.  Dean inherited the lead  and took it to the finish where he was just 0.196-second ahead of  Kicklighter.  Forsyth finished third and was followed in the top five by Babb and Joshua Pearson.

“It’s all because of Jack Kicklighter,” said Dean, a Bluffton, S.C.  based Hi Tech Racing Engines powered Millenium kart pilot. “We made a  deal.  He helped me and now I’m going to help him.”

Two racers were double winners that day.  Chesterfield, VA competitor  Colton Cox swept the Millenium Chassis Junior 3 offerings from their  poles.  Cox clocked a 12.504-seconds top qualifying lap. Second fastest  qualifier Sam Lilly turned a 12.585-seconds lap and trailed Cox both  times.

In the first feature Cox’s Mishue Motorsports powered Eclipse Kart  jumped into the early lead as the field spread out behind him.  Cox  cross the stripe with a very comfortable 4.306-seconds cushion over  Lilly who closed the gap to 1.273-seconds in the second feature.

“Dad put the right tires on it and the right gear I just sat in it and  drove like normal,” Cox reported. “The Eclipse kart handled real good  and Eddie Mishue’s motors are always strong.”

Trask Shelly and Michael Hedin qualified third and fourth which is how  they finished in each feature.

Cole Johnson spun a 13.501-seconds top qualifying lap for Mike  Holcombe’s Tire & Auto Junior Sportsman 1’s pole. Trey Tarltonwas  second fastest qualifier turning a 13.510-seconds lap.  Johnson led  half of the first lap before surrendering the lead to Tarlton who took  it to the checkered flag from there.  Johnson trailed him finishing  4.562-seconds later.  Drew Whidby, Austin Smith and Andrew Poston  completed the first podium.

“I stayed out front pretty much the whole time,” described the  10-year-old Great Falls, S.C. based Tarlton who added, “I drove the  kart as hard as I could.  I want to thank John Kicklighter and the  whole Kicklighter family, Jamie Knopf, my mom and dad and  Schu-Power.”

Tarlton had to work a little harder for his second win.  Johnson  grabbed the early lead showing the six-racer field around the first  time.  Whidby whizzed by him next time around.  Two laps later Tarlton  took the lead.  By mid-race he amassed a huge lead over Whidby who was  trailing by over two seconds.  Tarlton continued expanding on his lead  finishing the race 5.800-seconds ahead of Whidby.  Further back Smith,  Johnson and Poston filled third, fourth and fifth.

Adam Beville spun Andy’s Speed Shop Animal Heavy’s fastest qualifying  lap.  His 12.486-seconds lap was 0.114-second faster than Eric Driggers  12.600-seconds lap.  Beville blasted into the early lead with third  fastest qualifier Shane Bass chasing him own. Bass reached Beville and made contact.

“When I got there I thought I had enough,” Bass, of Farmville, N.C.  said.  “He didn’t lift, I thought he saw me and I guess he didn’t see  me there. I drove it in there and I thought I had enough.  Evidentially  not enough or evidentially he didn’t see me. I didn’t mean to knock him  out.  We’ve raced good for years.  I hate to see it happen, but we’ve  got another race.  We’ll be alright in the second one.”

Beville fell back into the pack.  Bass assumed the lead. Driggers took  second.  Beville battled his way back to third as Driggers closed the  gap on Bass.  Driggers was threatening Bass’s P&P Speed Shop powered  Millenum V2 machine at every turn. They crossed the finish line  nose-to-tail with Bass beating Driggers by 0.101-second.  Behind them  Beville dropped to fifth.  Nick Scott  was third across the stripe followed by Drew Wentworth in fourth.

Beville avenged himself in the second feature beating Bass to the  stripe by 0.242-second. This time he and Bass diced up the early lead  before Beville took it for good.   The field was nose-to-tail. Beville  led four laps.  Bass blasted by Beville.  Two laps later Beville took  it back for good.  “This doesn’t make up for the earlier race, but  that’s racing,” said Beville of Stoney Creek, VA. “We picked up our  feet and came back and won the second one.”

Bass kept the pressure on down to the finish where only 0.242-second separated them.  Behind Bass Driggers, Wentworth and Brandon Watson  filled the podium.

  “Even though it didn’t matter in points at least we can say we won a  race,” Beville said. “It was a hard day.  I want to thank my sister,  mom and dad, Matt, Tommy Harrell, Less, the Kart Shop, Higgy, and  everybody that helped me all year long.  It’s been a good year and we  ended it with a win.”

Monroe, N.C. competitor Walt Barnes blasted around the track in  13.116-seconds for Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Senior Stock’s pole. Barnes  blasted into the early lead. Pamlico, N.C based. Tempest Kart pilot  Neil Poston was glued to his tailpipe. The field was nose-to-tail.   Poston passed Barnes and showed the field home from there.  Barnes was 1.303-seconds late at the stripe followed by Rodney Lambert who crossed  third.

“I didn’t know where they were. I didn’t look back,” Poston said of how  close his competition was.  “We had a good day.  I want to thank all  the guys who helped us. The Tempest Kart was great and the C&C Racing  Engine was fast.  They had everything just right.”

Brandon Watson won Wyman’s Acoustics Super Heavy’s pole.  He did it in  12.999-seconds.  Erwin, N.C. competitor Josh Haire started next to him.    Watson almost led the whole first lap.  As he and Haire battled down  the back straight Haire got a nose on him.  Haire dove his Mishue  Motorsports powered Galaxy Eclipse kart low entering turn three exiting  turn four in the lead.

While racers behind him battled for positions Haire stayed in front of the fights. Zac Powell won the battle for second. Watson dropped to  third across the stripe followed in the top five by Timmy Holmes and  Drew Wentworth.

“It was just a little bit of luck, that’s all,” Haire said. “I  appreciate these guys driving clean.  The kart handled good it got a  little  slow halfway into the race.  We’ve got to make a change for Super Heavy.”

That wraps up the American Speedway Championship Dirt Series 2007 season. Dirt racers will be joining American Speedway Championship  Asphalt Series competitors December 27th-30th for the 3rd Annual  “Christmas in Dixie” at Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL.  Series  champions will be crowned and other racers recognized for their  achievements during a dinner banquet the Friday night of the first race  of he 2008 season.
--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE  (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

October 218, 2007

Jones Rules First ‘Firestone 100’

Words by Bruce C. Walls
Images by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor –Walls


ROUGEMONT, N.C.-For years asphalt racers have been asking national sanctioning bodies to host a long distance asphalt oval race to replace the defunct Briggs & Stratton 300 that once competed on the front straight oval at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hearing that call the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) together with Firestone Tires, G-Man Kartworks and Torco Racing Fuels pooled resources and hosted the ‘Firestone 500’ scheduled to race October 7th on the fifth-mile asphalt oval at Orange County Kartway in Rougemont, N.C.

Their efforts drew seven entries to what should have been a historic turning point for asphalt racing. Rain forced the cancellation of Friday’s practice and qualifying. Saturday morning AKRA officials decided to reduce the distance to 100 laps and rename the event the ‘Firestone 100.’ Despite the low turnout competition among those entered was heated and exciting from start to finish where the difference was 0.142-second.

Despite the low turnout a $2,500 guaranteed purse was distributed down to the fifth place finisher. That payout would have continued through 10th place. First place also received an impressive Championship Cup Trophy. Trophies were also presented to second and third place finishers.

Format changes were also made. Instead of scheduled pit stops every 75-laps, one mandatory pit stop was held at mid race. Competitors were allowed to eat and drink while their crews worked on their karts. Based on their performance the top pit crew earned $100 pit crew award. After the mid race pit stop racers lined back up based on how fast their crews got them back out to the racetrack.

Local Wesley Poole, of Rougemont, N.C. spun a 13.521-seconds lap for the G-Man Kartworks pole award. Poole pocketed $100 for winning the pole. Joey Maruca was second fastest at 13.666-seconds. Kenneth Jones and Mark Hall occupied row two with lap times of 13.725 and 13.757-seconds. Behind them Kyle Long and Cullen Mumaw filled row three. Randy Treadway brought up the rear in row four.

“It was great,” Poole said of his pole-winning lap. “I can’t say enough about this Laser chassis. It’s been quick all day. I’d like to say a special thanks to my fiancé Cristan Dunagin she’s worked hard all day, my dad, my racing buddy Bob Stanley and his son Joseph we all worked hard for this all day and it’s paid off. I hope we can stay here for 100-laps. We’ll see what we can do. Consistency, staying out of wrecks and staying quick for 100-laps is what it will take to win.”

Racers took a couple of warm up laps before lining up two abreast heading for the green flag. As they exited turn four Maruca broke into the early lead with Hall and Poole pressuring him from second and third. Just after lap five was booked Hall and Jones slipped under Maruca for the top two spots.

Hall opened the lead Jones closed it. Lap 10 went into the record book with Hall still leading Jones. Next time around Jones saw an opening and drove his Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Icon into the lead. As Jones took the lead Hall held onto second. Maruca and Poole were further back in third and fourth.

Jones was hooked up. After leading a few more laps he began passing lapped karts further extending his lead over Hall. Jones was still leading when the checkered flag waved for the first segment, which earned him $100.

Karts rolled into their pit stalls for their five-minute stop. Crews went to work while drivers refreshed themselves. Jones was first out of the pits. When racing resumed Jones hustled back into the lead. Treadway took second followed by Long, Maruca, Poole, Hall and Mumaw.

“I’ve just got to be consistent and stay out in front of these guys,” Jones said while his crew worked on his kart. “They’ll be coming after me. The kart’s handling pretty good. It’s not bad, it could be better, but it’s not bad. We can make it to the end.”

Jones pulled away from the field while Hall worked his way through it. Hall reeled him in midway through the second segment and began threatening his lead. Nose-to-tail Jones and Hall pulled away from the rest of the field. Further back Poole passed his way back to third.

With 10-laps left Jones started threading his way through the field putting several lapped karts between him and Hall. Hall hung with him passing lapped karts on his way. Jones was still using traffic to his advantage with five laps left. In the final laps Jones entered clean air with Hall trying to reel him in before the checkered flag waved.

Hall continued closing the gap in the final laps. Jones took the white flag. Hall was right behind him as they rounded the final lap. Jones took the checkered flag. Hall trailed by just 0.142-seconds.

“The kart was good we made a little air-pressure change there between the first and second segments,” Jones described. “It seemed to help the kart. It drove a lot better in the second segment. I could hear Mark Hall coming back there. He was breathing down my neck Sometimes I messed up in the corner he’d get close to me. If I did anything wrong I could feel him. He raced me clean and I appreciate all of the competitors driving me clean. It makes for good racing. It was actually a close race. The Phantom Icon drove great. Tod Miller power did awesome and maintained the whole race. My pit crew got me out first, my dad, the Howell family, and Randy Kirby. It was a picture perfect race from start to finish.”

Jones earned $1,000 for his efforts. Hall pocketed $300 plus a distinguished cup trophy. Poole’s third place finish earned him $200 and a trophy. Further back Maraca’s fourth place finish put $125 in his pocket. Long finished fifth earning him $75. Treadway ended the first segment in last place. His pit crew quickly did their job returning him to the field in second place. Their efforts were rewarded with the presentation of the Pit Crew Challenge along with $100.

According to Hall, “It was Kenneth’s race to loose. He had a better kart. The only time I could gain ground was when he messed up. He was better on the long run. I caught up to him a lot on the short run. Then he could pull away a little bit. Our kart was good. Kenneth had a little on us. When he messed up I could handle him a little bit. It was a good run. I wish we’d have gotten out of the pits a little quicker, but I had a header strap burn on my arm. I had to fix that or I wouldn’t have been able to finish the race at all. I lined up sixth and he lined up first and that probably made a difference. He beat us at the end by about three kart lengths.”

Poole was pleased with his finish. “I’ve got to thank Laser karts they’re a really quick chassis. P&P Motors gave me good horsepower for the whole race. Usually a good qualifying run means a good tight kart and I think it stayed that way. We tried to free it up all afternoon. We got it a little freed up during the pit stop and the middle of the second run it ran really quick. Just too much ground to make up. I had some lapped karts to catch up with. A top three finish is good anytime especially against the competitors we had here today like. Kenneth Jones, Mark Hall, Kyle Long, and Randy Treadway are all top-notch competitors. A top three finish here is awesome. I’ll take third home and come back next year.”

October 17, 2007

WALKER WORKS HAT TRICK AT AKRA ASPHALT SUPER NATIONALS


Words by Bruce C. Walls
Images by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls   Bruce & Susan Walls Photos

ROUGEMONT, N.C.-Tyler Walker turned a hat trick at Orange County Kartway in Rougemont, N.C. Saturday October 6th duringthe American  Kart Racing Association’s American Speedway Asphalt Series season  finale’ Torco Fuels Super Nationals. Piloting a Titan flat kart and a new Rage Champ Chassis, the 12-year-old North Tonawanda, N.Y. triple  winner swept both Junior 2 Blue plate feature wins to which he added a  Junior Sportsman Champ win in the first feature round.

More than $5,000 in purse and contingency monies lured 200 entries  representing most eastern states to the fourth and final race of the  season. Three double winners took home a large portion of the purse.  Walker pocketed his share for his champ kart win. But his first win  was in Junior 2 Blue Plate.

From the pole he earned with a 14.755-seconds lap around the1/5-mile  asphalt oval, Walker dominated both Junior 2 Blue Plate features with  perfection. Austin McKee trailed him across the stripe each time-trailing by 6.299 and 0.521-seconds.

“The Titan kart was awesome,” Walker said after his first win. “I’d  like to thank my dad and brother for helping me all day on this kart  and the champ kart. I also want to thank Valvoline and Pizza Logs for  sponsoring me.”

Walker won the first Junior Sportsman Champ feature over pole winner  Chance Wright who clocked a 15.385-seconds top- ualifying lap. In one  of the day’s most exciting races they diced it up from start to finish  where just 0.083-seconds separated them. Nose-to-tail behind them were  Steven Berlin, Mickey Giachetti and Camden Gullie for the top five.

“Our champ kart’s just been fast,” Walker boasted. “We bought it from  Jeff Hoisington at Rage Karts and it’s the fastest champ kart I’ve ever  driven. We just got it and came here and finally won on a new Rage kart. I want to thank Valvoline, Pizza Logs, they’ve been a big help  and my dad for getting the karts ready.”

As he’s consistently done all season Durham, N.C. competitor Wayne  Winters won both Senior Champ features. Piloting a Laser AV chassis  from their poles, he earned with a 13.739-seconds lap, Winters was at  the stripes 7.089 and 5.746-seconds ahead of third fastest qualifier  Cullen Mumaw.

“This is our home track so we’ve got kind of an advantage here,”  Winters described. “I saw Chris Sorrell come off early. I figured he  was going to be pretty tough. When I saw him come off I figured that  would make it a little easier for us. My crew chief and I were up here  six hours the other day testing. Without him I couldn’t do it. I want  to thank Competition Karting Inc. for the great Laser AV chassis. We  had a Competition Karting engine on today and it was phenomenal. You  saw it. We put a half a track lead  on them at the end of 20-laps. You  don’t get days like today often so you’ve got to enjoy them.”

A 15.084-seconds rounding earned 10-year-old Phantom kart pilot Joseph  Everett Junior 1 Purple Plate’s pole. From there the Henderson, N.C.  based double winner was perfect leading second fastest qualifier Justin  Haden across the stripe each time.

“The Phantom kart was pretty good and the P&P Speed Shop motor gave me  plenty of horsepower,” Everett credited adding, “Dad works on the kart  every night. It was just a great day. I was hoping a few more people  would be here today, but hey I got to race and it was a good day.”

Ensor Speed Shop powered Cody Fairchok clocked Junior 3 Gold’s pole  time in 13.706-seconds. Creedmoor, N.C. competitor Brandon Warren   shared front row setting up some of the day’s most exciting feature  racing. Warren dove low into turn one taking the first feature’s early  lead. During the first half Warren roared around the track escaping his closest pursuers. In the final laps Fairchok closed in, tucked behind  Warren and began challenging his lead. Warren protected his  position. Fairchok offered his final challenges as they headed for the checkered flag. When they got there Warren was 0.163-second ahead of  Fairchok. Further back  Chase Fegert, Kyle Appel and John Blacker rounded out the top five.

“We got off to a good start. Kart was going really good,” Warren, a  14-year-old X- Caliber powered Phantom kart pilot, described. “There at the end with  about five (laps) to go it started getting really tight. I could hear  them coming up on me. Cody Fairchok, he’s a really good driver, I  appreciate him driving me clean. I want to thank Wayne Oakley, Scott  Oakley, X-Caliber Racing Engines, Phantom Racing Chassis and everybody  back at the shop. I also want to thank Jesus Christ for keeping us all  safe out there.”

Later that afternoon Warren and Fairchok lined up on front row for  another performance. This time Fairchok charged into the early lead  with the rest of the field chasing him down. Fairchok led them under  the halfway signal with Warren quickly closing in. With the pressure  on him Fairchok bobbled and dropped a wheel off the track. It was the  opportunity Warren was waiting for. As Fairchok gathered it back up  Warren roared by him taking the lead. By the time Fairchok got four  wheels back on the track Warren had a half track lead. Still in second  Fairchok floored it and began reeling Warren in.

At the end Warren ruled by 0.872-seconds. Following Fairchok in the  top five this time were Appel, Blacker and Fegert.

“We got off to a pretty bad start,” Warren said. “It took awhile for  the tires to come in. But they finally came in and we were able to run  him down. Coming out of two the kart just got loose, there wasn’t  anything I could do. I would like to thank Wayne Oakley, Shaun Oakley  and X-Caliber Racing Engines.”

Piloting an Ensor Speed Shop powered Rage champ kart Fairchok spun a  14.110-seconds Junior Champ qualifying lap. His time was just  0.371-second slower than pole winner Tyler Robertson’s 14.110-seconds  run. Driving a CKI Laser kart Robertson hustled into the early lead  with Tyler Strickland patiently waiting for his machine to come in. Robertson was still in charge at mid-race, but things were about to  change. Strickland saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. 

Next time around Robertson recaptured it. They battled down to a  thrilling side-by-side finish where both ended up spinning across the  stripe. When the dust settled Strickland was 0.066-second ahead of  Robertson and 0.067-second ahead of Yoder. Fairchok finished fourth  0.861-second later. Nick Giachetti was fifth, 7.223-seconds late.

“We had a very strong kart all day,” said Strickland, a Medina, OH  based X-Caliber Racing Engines powered Rage Kart pilot. “The track was  really green and we really weren’t prepared for that. After qualifying  we made a few changes and we got the win  despite some difficulties. It was a good race.”

After three close losses, Fairchok was still determined to take home a  win from Orange County Kartway. The second feature was as exciting as  the first. Robertson roared into feature’s early lead with Andrew  Yoder and Fairchok battling for second behind him. Several laps later  third fastest qualifier Tyler Strickland was threatening to take if  from him. Strickland turned up the pressure. Going into turns one and  two Strickland got a nose on Yoder and then passed him before they finished the turn.

The top four were nose-to-tail. Yoder recaptured the lead. With three  to go he surrendered it back to Robertson. Battling for the checkered  out of turn four Yoder, Fairchok and Strickland went three wide.  Spectators were on their feet shouting for their favorite. From the  middle of the sandwich Fairchok got a nose on his competitors for the  day’s closest finish. Behind him Robinson crossed 0.032-second later  followed by Strickland who was 0.176-second late. Yoder was fourth  across the finish line 0.538-seconds off the pace. Three seconds later  Giachetti completed the podium again.

Kenneth Jones and Joe Maruca were the top two Stock Heavy qualifiers  turning lap times of 13.565 and 13.621-seconds. When the first  feature’s green flag flew so did Jones and Maruca. After dicing it up down the front stretch Maruca got a nose on Jones heading into turn one  and took the early lead. Jones tucked in behind him and stayed glued  to his tailpipe. On their third trip around Jones engineered a freight  train by Maruca. Kyle Long and Drew Fergert came with him dropping  Maruca to fourth.

With a three racer battle for second raging behind him Jones extended  his lead. In the final laps Wesley Poole won the fight for second  passing Fegert and Maruca. Jones took the checkered flag with Poole  railing 1.779-seconds later. Mark Hall rounded out the top five.

“It was luck,” Laughed Jones, of Albemarle, N.C. who added, “The kart  was a little off. But it was good enough to win. I’d like to thank  Phantom karts, Tod Miller Power, my dad and the Howell family for  coming and helping us.”

Poole powered into the second Stock Heavy feature’s early lead with  Hall challenging at every corner. Hall passed Poole only to have Poole  pass him back before lap three was in the book. By lap four Poole had  pulled away from Hall and the rest of the field. Behind him Kyle Long  and Maruca teamed up to work the draft against Poole.

Before they got the halfway signal Maruca passed Poole as they battled  down the front stretch. Hall came with him. Maruca built his lead as  racers battled for positions behind him. On the final lap Maruca  reached the stripe just 0.230-second ahead of Hall. Trailing Hall in  the top five were Poole, Long and Fegert.

“It wasn’t too bad for 20-laps,” said Maruca, of Lexington, N.C. “I  want to thank MY-CHRON, Bully Clutches and E-Z Struts. Hopefully we can  bring back something for this 100-lap race later on this evening. The Laser kart wasn’t too bad and the CKI motor was strong. We’re going to  do a little bit of work to it and get it ready for this next run.”

Stoneville, N.C. racer Lee Richardson ruled Super Heavy’s qualifying  with a 14.203-seconds run. J.P. Curry, of Pottsville, PA was second  fastest at 14.237-seconds. Richardson roared into the early lead with  Curry glued to his tailpipe. Curry looked high and low for an opening.  On lap 13 he found it. From there Curry held it to the finish line  were he was 0.655-second ahead of Richardson.

“I knew my kart was setup for the long run. I just tried to be real  patient and I tried to pick out Lee’s weak spots on the track and tried  to use them to my advantage,” Curry explained. “I got a run on him  down in turn one with seven to go and was able to hang on from there.  I’ve got to thank Paul White for building these Mongoose Racing Chassis   they’re just awesome. I also want to thank Wesley Poole for lending me   his P&P Speed Shop motor that thing was a train down the straight-aways. Hopefully we can go out and win the next race.”

That wouldn’t happen. When the second feature’s green flag waved  Richardson roared into a never surrendered lead. Behind him Curry  crossed the stripe 1.088-seconds later.

“We went back to the trailer and went to work,” Richardson reported.  “Me and him were dead even in the first one. I led the most laps he  led the last five. We went back, sat down, and went over our notes.  Made some changes and there’s your results.”

That wraps up the AKRA American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series  inaugural season. Final point tallies are posted on the AKRA website at  www.americankarting.us.  Series champions will be crowned and other  racers recognized for their achievements during a dinner banquet the  Friday night of the 2008 season opener.

Bruce
--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

Pl

October 5, 2007 

Talent Search for Driver Career Development

Talent Search for Driver Career Development – Driver Shoot Out October 19-22 The annual national talent search for the NASCAR focused driver development program conducted by Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle (RSWC) is going on now. RSWC is an established talent scout for NASCAR teams, providing a comprehensive driver and career development program for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers.

The RSWC Race Team Alliance consists of eight organizations with 21 race teams dedicated to develop drivers in the program. The teams are a balance of Open Wheel and Stock Car oval track race teams ... with Road Racing added … to develop complete, versatile drivers for NASCAR Cup Teams.

The winners of the talent shoot out will plug into the training program and racing series that makes sense for the Driver’s age, experience and stage of development. The race series, and race teams, that RSWC utilizes include top West Coast NASCAR team, Bill McAnally Racing and Southern California powerhouse High Point Racing, both running NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars for RSWC drivers ages 17-21.

Championship team, Beebe Racing Enterprises, led by driving champ Eric Holmes, will run two RSWC drivers 18 to 22 years of age, in NASCAR Grand National and SRL Super Late Models. Kaplan-Gennuso Racing fields two USAC Sprint Cars on pavement for RSWC drivers ages 18 to 22, as well as DeBeaumont Motorsports fielding two Midgets in the USAC Midget Series on asphalt ovals for RSWC drivers from 17 to 20 years old.

Ron Sutton’s own team, fields four USAC Ford Focus Midgets in the Western States races for drivers in the 15 to 18 age bracket. National championship team Porter Racing fields a total of four cars in SCCA Formula Fords & F2000 for 16 to 18 year old RSWC drivers. Skip Barber is the chosen series of RSWC to develop young drivers’ road racing skills, with RSWC usually placing two to three drivers in either the Skip Barber Regional Race Series or the BFGoodrich Skip Barber National Series presented by Mazda. Both series feature the 2.0 liter Skip Barber Formula 2000 car.

Sutton has said, “We’re not looking for a number … We are looking for young talent that has real potential to go all the way to NASCAR Nextel/Sprint Cup.” With no set target number, eight talented drivers were chosen from last year's test. Day one, of the three day talent test, includes a seminar for Parents and Drivers, "The Real World Good, Bad & Ugly of Driver Career Development" and a training course for Drivers on strategies and terminology. Three separate tests for the young drivers include body fat fitness, a written problem solving test and psychological analysis.

Days two and three, Ron Sutton coaches each driver on driving, with the Drivers getting five 20-lap sessions on track, for 100 laps total to show the judges what they have. Team Owners and Crew Chiefs from the race team alliance are judges at the shoot out. They evaluate the drivers on 45 points, with the biggest areas being coachability, accurate feedback, focus, training retention, motivation, communication skills, personality, aggressiveness, learning rate, confidence and lap times.

Ron expects to receive over 500 resumes, as they have in the past, and narrow it down to approximately 20 drivers to test October 19th through the 22nd, at a track in California. If a driver is selected to be a part of the RSWC program, they will be groomed, coached, tested, trained, raced and molded into what NASCAR teams want in their drivers.

Young Drivers ages 12 to 21, and their Parents, are encouraged to get all the information and answers to common questions from the web-site, then submit their resume in time to be considered. The web-site is www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com

Pl

September 28, 2007

LJ DeZines Creates Firestone 500 Shirt

By Bruce C. Walls

    MONROE, N.C.-According to graphic designer Lee Jordan, of Rock Hill,  S.C., it took him a day’s work to create the design that will be  emblazoned on the Firestone 500 souvenir tee shirts. “I had to redraw  the kart and background staying with the color scheme of the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) logo,” Jordan described. 

The shirt’s front has the AKRA American flag logo on it with their motto ‘Karting’s Future added below the logo.  For the shirt’s back  Jordan designed a unique combination of a race kart at the bottom and  sponsor logos around it.

Jordan describes LJ DeZigns as a one-man operation that designs and  prints tee shirts, designs company and race team logos.  After studying  design in technical high school Jordan began working for a design firm  where he worked for nine years.  He began getting a favorable  reputation in the karting community that brought him enough business to  strike out on his own.

  “I went out on my own in April and haven’t looked back,” Jordan  confidently stated.  He added that he is now also getting business from  late model racers, athletic departments and others needing his talent.   Jordan currently works out of a 20’ X 40’ shop where he can print up to  six colors.  “I’m hoping to get an “automatic” soon and then I can do more,” he said.

AKRA co-owner Bill McCutcheon said, “We’d been using another company  and then we saw Lee’s work.  We were impressed with what he did for us  and we’re looking forward to a long relationship.”

The AKRA Firestone 500 will be hosted by Orange County Raceway October  5-6 in Rougemont, N.C.  Competitors will practice and qualify that  Friday and the 500-lap race is scheduled for Saturday following the  AKRA ‘Super Nationals’ asphalt season finale’.

Jordan’s souvenir shirts will be on sale for $ at both events. But as sharp as they look they’ll go fast.  To get up with Jordan about his  design products either e-mail him at lee@p-rphotos.com  or call his shop  at 803.329.7557. You can see his work online at ljdezigns.net

  For more information about the Firestone 500 visit the AKRA website at  americankarting.us  or call the office at 704.764.8138.

Attached is a JPG of the shirt.

Thanks for Supporting AKRA=


--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE  (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

Pl

Please mail to: AKRA, Inc.,

NO Divisional/State Points Transfer needed to win 2007 American Speedway Championship Title!

*30 minute intermission between Race 1 & Race 2

Saturday Class Order Race 1 & Race 2

       1.   Stock Lite

2.   Jr 1(purple)

3.   Animal Heavy

4.   Jr. Champ   $500 TO WIN!!

5.   Senior Stock

6.   Jr. 2

7.   Stock Super Heavy

8.   Sr. Champ   $500 TO WIN!!

9.   Stock Medium $500 TO WIN!!

10.  Jr. 3

11.  Limited Modified

12.  Jr. Spts Champ  $500 TO WIN!!

13.  Stock Heavy

14.  Kid Karts

Fast Time Awards: G-Man Kart Works

-- By popular demand, we will also have Bicycle races, tire changing contests, and gear changing contests (ladies only).

-- All flat karts will use Firestone YGF, Champ Karts will use Burris SS-55.

-- See reverse side for entry form information.

-- Join Us for The Firestone 500 Main Event 7:45pm on October 6, 2007.

For more information, visit us at www.arkainc.com, or call Tony Barton (803) 463-0313 or Bill McCutcheon (704) 764-8138 or Ollie Spain (336)214-8072.

Please mail to: AKRA, Inc., 7229 Landsford Road, Monroe, NC 28112 OR fax to: 704-764-9220

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________Address:_________________________City:____________ State:_____________ Zip:_________ Phone:(____) ______________ Fax: (____) _____________ Email:_______________________  Driver Entry Fees: (Total all classes you are planning to race)                    $________________                                                          See Flyer for class fees each day.

Kart #_____ (1^st Choice) Kart #_____(2^nd Choice)             Rain Date October 7, 2007

Parking $25 per spot (Side Pitting is considered two spots) Spots are 12’wide. Parking should be submitted to Ollie Spain (336) 214-8072 at OCR. AKRA will deal with all sponsors regarding sponsor/ VIP parking. For more information, call Bill McCutcheon @ 704-764-8138 or Tony Barton @ 803-463-0313, or visit our website - www.arkainc.com.

Hotel Accommodations:                        (Additional lodging available at www.raceocr.com)

Race Headquarters                                                                                    

Holiday Inn                      Budget Inn                        Days Inn                        

(919)644-7997                    (336)559-3151                  (336)599-9276                                                                                    

For Immediate release:

September 11, 2007


G-MAN KARTWORKS FUEL  JUG GIVEAWAY

By Bruce C. Walls


    MONROE, N.C.-G-Man Kart Works and the American Kart Racing Association announced today that G-Man Kartworks will be giving each racer who  qualifies for the up coming Firestone 500 a free plastic one gallon  G-Man Fuel jug for their free Torco fuel.  The Firestone 500 will be  raced in conjunction with the AKRA’s Super Nationals October 5-6 at  Orange County Raceway in Rougemont, N.C.

According to Graham ‘G-Man’ Glassman the 40 fuel jugs he’s donating for  this event have a retail value of $600.00.   “I just wanted to help  AKRA with this race and I want our customers to know we’re trying to  help make it a nice show,” said Glassman.

Firestone 500 entries will practice and qualify that Friday.   Saturday’s main event will follow the AKRA American Speedway  Championship Asphalt Series Super Nationals that will be raced earlier  in the day.  Firestone 500 racers will have a chance to practice before  their scheduled 500-lap feature.  During the Firestone 500 racers will  have mandatory pit stops every 75-laps. The final will be a 50-lap dash  for the cash valued at $6,000.   A professional distance race is  something asphalt racers have been asking for and now they will have a  yearly super event.  This primer race is part of AKRA’s plan to return  asphalt racing to the stature and glory it once enjoyed.

--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE  (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

September 7, 2007

Beville and Scruggs Triple at AKRA Dirt Super Nationals


Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls


CARNESVILLE, GA-AKRA’s second annual Labor Day Bash, a combined show with the ARC Tri-State Pro Series drew more than six hundred of North America’s top dirt oval racers to the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA September first and second. Tri-State racers competed on the wide fifth-mile plus dirt oval that Saturday. Sunday American Kart Racing Association racers did the same chasing their part of a purse that exceeded $15,000. K.A.P. General Contractors sponsored AKRA’s fourth dirt national of the 2007 season.

Two AKRA racers were triple winners and as many were double winners. “Today’s been pretty good so far. We won three out of four,” beamed triple winner Adam Beville, of Stony Creek, VA, after his third win. “You can’t complain about that,” he added with a laugh. Beville topped both Kolors by Keisler Limited Heavy fields from their poles with third fastest qualifier Eddie Tumbleston trailing each time. For the hat trick he topped Andy’s Speed Shop Animal Heavy’s first feature.

Beville, the current points leader, rounded the track in 14.141-seconds for Limited Modified’s first pole. From there he hustled into a never surrendered lead. Behind him a three-way battle for second raged. Tumbleston took the position in the final laps. He tried reeling Beville in, but Beville was a distant 1.484-seconds ahead of Tumbleston at the end. Yon was third across the stripe followed by Michael Estep and Jason McCall for the top five.

“They watered the track two classes before us. I saw the pole sitter (Clint Yon) was a little loose and pushing. He was a little too loose so I had to go around him and try to run away with it,” explained Beville a TKS Racing Engines powered Illusion Racing Chassis pilot. “It felt good at the beginning of the race, but I was afraid it would get tight at the end so I went ahead and passed him (Clint Yon) a little before half way and ran away with it. I got about 10 or 11-kart lengths ahead of him and then he started running me back down because I was getting a little tight. . Everybody’s always fast at the end. Sometimes you’ve got to go with it at the beginning, run away from them and hope they can’t catch you at the end.”

Limited Modified’s second feature was similar to the first. This time Beville earned the pole with a 14.1500-seconds lap. Just like in the first feature he was fast from start to finish. So was Tumbleson who was only 0.129-second late. Trailing Tumbleson were Michael Estep and Jason McCall.

“They were on me the whole race, but we pulled through,” Beville described. “I’ve got to thank my engine builder TKS. Illusion Racing Chassis for all of their support, B&B Racing all the Babb family, I also want to thank Less, Tommy Harrell and my mom and dad.”

Clint Yon clinched Animal Heavy’s first pole with a 14.503-seconds trip his third time around. Michael Harper was second fastest at 14.534-seconds, Beville’s best of four laps, a 14.565-seconds effort, earned him row two’s inside starting spot. When the green flag waved it signaled the start of a three-way fight for the front between Yon, Harper and Beville.

As they rounded turn three Beville blasted into a never surrendered lead. While Yon and Harper scrapped over second Beville built on his lead. Yon took the position, shook off Harper and started reeling in Beville.

While Yon tried to steal the lead from Beville racers behind them were battling for finishing positions. At the stripe Yon fell short of his goal by 0.227-seconds. Behind him Lonnie Keisler climbed from a fourth place start to a third place finish. Point’s leader Shane Bass followed Keisler in fourth. Brandon Watson, who is fourth in points, completed the top five.

MC Motorsports Engine builder Tim Fishel was fastest of 11-Animal Heavy qualifiers. Unfortunately he was caught light at the scale and forced to start in the rear. That put second fastest qualifier Lonnie Keisler (14.431-seconds) on the pole and moved Yon up to the outside front row starting position.

Yon broke into the early lead and was still leading when the mid-race signal was shown. Behind him Fishel was quickly threading his way to the front. With only a few laps left, Fishel took second and was soon threatening to take it from Yon. After shaking off several serious challenges from Fishel Yon finally surrendered the lead to him. Fishel tried to expand on his lead in the final laps, but Yon hung with him trailing by 0.625-seconds at the stripe. Chris Cochran crossed third and was followed in the top five by Beville and Bass.

“We got the pole by three-tenths. Came up about two or three pounds light on the scale and had to start dead last,” said Fishel a Mocksville, N.C. based Ultramax Racing Chassis pilot. “I had to work my way through there. The kart-handled good we came from dead last to first. Can’t complain. Matt worked hard on tires and I did my best on the motor. Everything just came together.”

Easley, S.C. competitor Jason Scruggs was the other triple winner. Scruggs started with a win in the day’s first feature, R.L.V. Stock Lite. He backed that up with a sweep of the Ultramax Racing Chassis Senior Champ classes. He earned $750 for each win taking home a total of $2,250 for the day.

A 14.594-seconds run earned Jonathan Hickman Stock Lite’s pole. Point’s leader Jamie Knopf was second fastest at 14.702. Behind them in row two were Brett Miller and Scruggs. After a failed first start Hickman led the 20-racer field single file back to the green flag. Knopf captured the lead while they battled down the front straight. Behind him the top five were nose-to-tail.

Knopf held the lead until they got the five laps to go signal. Miller closed in on him and, with drafting help from Scruggs, worked his way by Knopf for the lead. Suddenly Miller spun out leaving Scruggs the lead. Knopf recaptured second. Scruggs held on crossing the stripe 0.675-seconds ahead of Knopf who was black-flagged. Hickman, who was third across the finish line, advanced to second when Knopf was disqualified. Behind Hickman in the official top five were, Cody Trull, Krytina Estep and Shay Chavous.

“Jamie (Knopf) got into Brett (Miller) a little bit and I got the luck hole,” Scruggs described adding, “The Phantom Icon kart was good and so was the Hi Tech motor.”

Qualifying lap times of 15.016 and 15.005 earned Scruggs and point’s leader Josh Haire the Ultramax Racing Chassis Senior Champ poles. They shared front row in each feature with Haire earning the first feature’s outside pole with a 15.114-seconds rounding. When the first feature went green third fastest qualifier Zach Holcomb pushed Scruggs into the early lead dropping Haire to third. For several laps the top four were nose-to-tail behind Scruggs. Holcombe dove low in turn one taking the lead from Scruggs near mid-race.

Scruggs got help from behind again and recaptured the lead. Behind him Holcombe was fending off challenges from Haire who was trying to take second back. In the final laps Holcombe and Scruggs continued their battle. Scruggs took the white flag. On the last lap Holcombe got beside Scruggs as they exited turn three. They were still side-by-side when they reached the stripe the final time for the weekend’s closest finish. Just 0.069-seconds separated them. Further back Haire crossed third, 1.193-seconds behind Scruggs, Jeffrey Kummer followed in fourth nearly eight seconds late. Glen Morton finished fifth 13.833-seconds after Scruggs had crossed.

“That was a good race. I just played my cards right and got back around him (Zach Holcombe) at the end,” said Scruggs who pilots a Hi Tech Racing Engines powered Olimpic champ Kart.”

Haire had the inside front row starting position in the second feature. Scruggs started next to him. Haire hustled into the early lead with Holcombe tucked in behind him. Holcombe offered Haire several challenges before taking it from him. Scruggs watched the action from third. Holcombe and Haire were still nose-to-tail on the final lap. As they rounded turns three and four they tangled sending both from the track. Scruggs inherited the lead and with Eddie Sorrentino trailing by 1.092-seconds they crossed the finish line. Holcombe gathered it back up for a third place finish. Haire trailed him in fourth with Morton in tow for the podium.

Ultramax Racing Chassis pilot Eric Riggins ruled the JDI Foodcraft Junior 2 (blue plate) features from their poles he earned with times of 15.005 and 14.846-seconds. Gus Dean followed him across the stripes. The first featured started with a three-way fight for the front between Riggins, Jacob Abernathy and Jak Kicklighter. Abernathy, the outside pole winner (15.216-seconds), jumped into the early lead when they were rounding turns three and four. With just one lap in the book the first of two caution flags flew.

Abernathy led the restart. Cannon Ward, the current point’s leader, captured it for a short-lived lead, as did Gus Dean. Ward was leading when the second caution flag waved with two laps complete. Shortly after the green flag flew again Riggins and Dean worked together and drafted by Abernathy for the top two spots. As they pulled away from the field racers battled for positions behind them. When they crossed the stripe for the final time Riggins was 0.432-seconds ahead of Dean. Behind them Kicklighter, Ryan Heavner and Ward were third through fifth.

“Matt got our tires right this weekend. I was a little nervous, but I pulled it off,” said the 12-year-old Charlotte, N.C. based double winner during his first trip to victory lane. “The Ultramax kart was tight at first and then it came around at the end.”

Riggins roared off the second feature’s start never looking back. Twenty laps later he was back in Victory Lane this time with a huge 2.281-seconds finish line cushion over Dean. Austin Babb, Heavner and Abernathy completed the top five.

Jak Kicklighter claimed both Coyote Products Junior Sportsman Champ features from their poles. In the first feature Kicklighter rushed off into the early lead. Next time around he surrendered it to Spencer Malick’s machine. Malick showed them around once before Cole Johnson cruised by him. Kicklighter recaptured it and then surrendered it back to Malick. Malick held on until two laps remained. Kicklighter saw the opening he was looking for. Went for it and took the lead. Malick tried in vein to get back by him. His efforts failed by 0.421-seconds as he watched Kicklighter earn his second win. Annabeth Barnes and Johnson rounded out the field.

“This one was no different than the first one. I just had to drive a little harder to win this one,” said the 11-year-old Savannah, GA based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Millenum Kart pilot who added, “This one might not have been as dramatic, but it was a good race.”

One thousand dollars was on the line when Jamie Knopf led 21-Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy racers to the green flag. Knopf captured the pole with a 14.691-seconds effort. Kevin Bishop’s 14.726-seconds lap put him on the other side of row one. Before the first lap could be completed back markers tangled in turn four bringing out the race’s only caution flag. With the field lined up single file behind him Knopf led them back to the green flag. Behind him were many of North America’s top 4-cycle dirt oval racers. “Most of the Stock Heavy feature field were wearing championship leather jackets,” noted AKRA CEO Bill McCutcheon.

Knopf opened a small cushion as Jonathan Hickman and J.R. Tippens scrapped over second place. Hickman shook off Tippens challenges and set his sites on Knopf. With Tippens tucked in behind him Hickman ran low into turn one. When the exited turn two Knopf and Tippens were in the top two spots. Hickman moved by Knopf with three laps to go. Suddenly Hickman’s kart lost its grip and started spinning. Knopf recaptured the lead in time to take the white flag. Scruggs took second. Knopf led the final lap and took the final flag with a 0.658-second advantage over Scruggs.

“It was pretty good. I got passed on the last lap of the other race so things didn’t go in my favor that time. This time I was at the right spot at the right time instead of the wrong spot at the wrong time. The kart handled good. It handled really good after they got by me. I was running with them in the draft. I just got lucky that’s about all. I want to thank my kart owner Jerry Eddins. I couldn’t do it without him.”

What is Knopf going to do with his winnings? I’m going to pay for some tires with the $1,000,” he laughed.

Taylor Wilkes and Houston Smith won the Mike Holcombe’s Junior 1 (purple plate) features. Smith won the first pole rounding the course in 15.850-seconds. Wilkes struggled in qualifying. His best lap time was 16.360-seconds, ninth fastest of 14-entries. After a failed first start Smith led them single file back to the green flag. Smith started to open the lead, but any gains he made were lost two laps into it when the caution flag returned. Smith had Trey Tarlton behind him on the restart. Tarlton quickly started looking high and low for a way around Smith. Tarlton kept the pressure on until he worked by Smith with five laps left.

With time and distance against him Wilkes got into the draft. With some help from Smith he got beside the leader. Tarlton couldn’t keep them behind him as Wilkes and Smith took the top two spots in time to take the checkered flag. In another down to the wire finish Wilkes was a mire 0.090-seconds ahead for the day’s second closest finish. Tarlton held third across the stripe and was followed in the top five by Casey Towell and Nick Schlager.

“I’ll tell you what I couldn’t have done it without Houston (Smith),” said the Jefferson, GA based 10-year-old winner. The Ultramax kart handled good and I liked Andretti Steven’s motor, it was strong. I want to thank Kevin and Keith Bishop and Matt Abernathy.”

Blake Cannon blasted around the track in 15.681-seconds for the second feature’s pole.
Smith was second fastest at 15.806-seconds. Tarlton and Wilkes filled row two. Cannon led them single file. When they got the green flag Cannon and Smith quickly pulled away from the field. After completing the first lap caution waved for a kart stalled in turn four. Cannon led them back to the green flag. He quickly opened up a comfortable lead. Then, on the third trip around, Cannon lost control of his kart. It went high and into the turn wall. Smith inherited the lead and led the restart. Cole Johnson and Tarlton were behind him eagerly waiting for an opportunity to get by him. One that would never come.

Smith and Tarlton broke away from the field in the final laps. Tarlton kept the pressure on down to the end where 0.179-second separated them. Wilkes, Nick Schlager, and Johnson finished third through fifth. According to Smith, an 11-year-old Clermont, GA native, “I had them on my back bumper the whole time. I was just trying to keep them behind me. The Ulrtamax Kart handled good, very, very good and Tim Fishel’s motor’s are the best.”

Athens, GA karting veteran Phil Lane earned Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Senior Stock’s win. Point’s leader Walt Barnes, of Monroe, N.C. was fastest of six qualifiers spinning a 14.954-seconds lap his third time around. Barnes struggle from the start. Lane, the outside pole qualifier (14.978-seconds) was quick to take advantage of Barnes troubles. Lane led from there building a 0.855-second advantage over second place Tim Jarrell. Rodney Lambert, Kenny Rhyne and Barnes made up the top five.

“They told me I ran away with it,” said Lane who added, “Kart was pretty good. I want to thank Matt Abernathy, Ultramax Racing Chassis and Andretti Stevens for the motor.”

Zac Powell was perfect in Wyman’s Acoustics Super Heavy. The 21-year-old Greenwood, S.C. based Hi Tech Racing Engines powered Tempest U2 pilot produced a 14.823-seconds pole winning lap. From there Powell powered his way into the initial lead. Behind him Keisler and Frankie Staley scrapped over second. Keisler won that fight before half way and reeled in Powell. He took the lead from Powell briefly before surrendering it back on the midway lap. When they reached the stripe for the final time Powell beat Keisler by 0.139-seconds. Further back Haire; Staley and Mark Rabon completed the podium.

“It was me and him and in the first race and me and him in that one. He got by me in the first race. I didn’t finish. I just tried to bid my time, played it smart and just ended up winning. I want to thank J.T. Stillwagon and all the guys at Hi Tech Racing Engines and my dad just worked on the kart and got it right. We worked on some new things and the kart handled great”

Twenty-five racers entered WMS Products Stock Medium. Knopf turned the fastest qualifying lap at 14.603-seconds. Hickman was second fastest at 14.649-seconds. The first laps were dicey battles for the lead. Knopf surrendered it to Hickman who let sixth fastest qualifier Brett Miller blow by him before Knopf recaptured it. Knopf and Miller continued dicing it up until they reached lapped traffic. Knopf held on as Miller offered challenge after challenge. Finally Miller found an opening and took it. Knopf stayed with him trailing 0.228-seconds later. Scruggs, Hickman and Junior Soles rounded out the top five

“The kart had a little push, I just held onto it,” described Miller of Greenville, S.C. who added thanks to Tempest (Millenium Karts) Karts and Hi Tech Racing Engines.

Besides bragging rights, Millenium Karts Junior 3 Gold racers had $750 waiting for them at the finish line. Colton Cox captured the pole with a 14.594-seconds run. Cody King was second fastest at 14.678-seconds. Behind them Austin Smith and Wilson Keene filled row two.

Cox showed the 11-racer field around twice before letting Smith scoot by for the lead. Lap three wasn’t complete before the first of two caution flags waved. Two spinners in turn four brought it out. Smith led the restart. Next time around he was battling side-by-side with Cody King. King captured the lead as Brandon Brown, Dickson and Smith squabbled over second. Dickson finally secured second and went after King who by then was a full second ahead of the field.

“I thought our day was ruined,” explained Dickson a 15-year-old Royston, GA native. “I thought we’d at least get a second place out of it, but I started reeling him in. Eventually I was right on him.”

King was still leading with three laps left. Dickson was still several kart lengths behind when the race’s second caution flag waved. King’s large lead evaporated. With momentum behind him Dickson drove as hard and fast as his machine would go. He worked by King bringing Smith and Brandon Brown with him dropping King to fourth.

“He (King) drove me really clean which was nice. Got to thank him for that,” Dickson said after taking the checkered flag with a 0.140-seconds edge. “The kart handled good. It just got better and better. The last 10-laps it was really good thanks to Mr. Eric Riggins he rubbed my kart before the race. I think he gave me a little Riggins luck it was running really good today.”

In an equally exciting feature Wilson Keene, of Abbeville, GA, won the second Junior 3 (Gold plate) from the pole dominating the finish with a comfortable 1.827-seconds cushion over King. “It was my tires,” credited the 14-year-old winner. “The kart handled real good. I want to thank Matt Connell for the tires.”

Keene captured the pole with a 14.521-seconds lap. Cox was second fastest at 14.621-seconds. The first start attempt failed when a back marker spun out in turn four. Keene led them single file, but before he reached turn one Cox sped by him for the lead. Keene locked onto Cox’s back bumper waiting for a chance to get by. Before Cox could lead a full lap he surrendered it to Keene’s MC Motorsports powered Ultramax kart. Keene opened the lead back up and took it across the stripe. Behind him King took second, Cox third, Smith fourth and Brett Heatherly fifth.

Two racers entered Bully Clutches Unlimited All Stars division, Shay Chavous and Wayne Howe. Chavous won the pole with a track blistering 13.512-seconds lap. Unfortunately Chavous’s machine blew in the first feature leaving Howe to solo the features.

AKRA American Speedway Championship Dirt Series racers still have more national on their 2007 schedule. On October 14th they travel to the new Myrtle Beach Race Motorplex. Before they kick off their 2008 season dirt and asphalt racers will compete in the third annual ‘Christmas in Dixie’ from December 27th to the 31st. For more information on upcoming races visit the AKRA website at www.americankarting.us  or call the Monroe, N.C. office at 704.764.8138.

WD Enterprises Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   Lucas Oil Go-Kart Shootout Adds Additional Sponsors and Awards, Ultramax Bonus Money, Pre-Entry Deadline September 17th     JACKSONVILLE, FL (September 3, 2007)- The Lucas Oil Go-Kart Shootout presented by Earl Pearson Jr. slated for September 21-23rd, continues to grow with additional sponsors coming on board for added awards. The Lucas Oil Pro-Class will pay $8,000 to the winner with over $19,000 in purse money being paid to all 30 drivers starting the feature event. Ultramax Racing Chassis has agreed to sponsor the event and put up additional cash awards in the Pro-Class and several other classes as well.   The Ultramax bonus money program will pay additional monies above the purse money to the top three finishers in the Lucas Oil Pro-Class. Ultramax will pay 1st place-$500, $300 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd if the driver is using an Ultramax Racing Chassis and displaying the Ultamax body decals. Ultramax will also pay cash awards to these classes as well: Stock Medium, 1st-$300, Stock Heavy, Animal Heavy, Super Heavy and Gold Heavy will all pay $200 to the winner if using an Ultramax Racing Chassis. Stock Lite, Purple Heavy, Blue Heavy, Sr. Champ and Amature will receive $100 from Ultramax if winner in each class is using an Ultramax Racing Chassis.   Maxxis Tire will sponsor the hard charger award for every class and award two new Maxxis Tires to the driver that advances the most positions in each class over the two day event. Bell Racing will award one lucky driver a $200 certificate towards any Bell Racing Products. Oakley has agreed to award five pair of Oakley racing shoes and five pair of racing gloves for the event to be distributed at the event.   Capps Racing Engines out of Jacksonville Florida has put up an additional cash award for the Lucas Oil Pro-Class as well. If the winner of the Lucas Oil Pro-Class is using a Capps Racing Engine, that driver will receive a $200 cash award from Capps Racing Engines. LifeLong Locks will award $100 to the Fast Qualifier in the Lucas Oil Pro-Class.   Doyle Edwards Trucking has signed on to sponsor the Amature and Beginner Purple Classes for the event. Additional sponsors also that have come on board include: Tim Dohm Cycles, Steve Shaver Motorsports, Golden Isles Speedway, SBR Racing, B&B of Duval General Contractors and Xtreme Graphics.   Other sponsors of the event include title sponsor Lucas Oil, Dunn-Benson Ford, Graphics Art Express, Bobby Labonte Racing, ASI Racewear, WD Enterprises, Rick Schwallie Photography, LifeLong Locks, Prowler Chassis, Millenium Chassis, Phantom Chassis, Mishue Motorsports, PEC Racing, Scotty's Parts and Karts, Carnahan Motorsports and HWY 24 Raceway.   The Lucas Oil Go-Kart Shootout Presented by Earl Pearson Jr. will take place at the Johnston County Speedway in Garner, NC. Andy Harris a well respected go-kart event promoter in the NC area will be assisting Earl and the staff with this event. This event is unsanctioned but will be using WKA Engine Rules, Maxxis Tires only (Open Compound), AMB Timing and Scoring. All classes will qualify and line up straight up for features EXCEPT for the Lucas Oil Pro Class. The Lucas Oil Pro Class will qualify, run heat races and B-mains to fill the 30 Kart starting field. Two provisionals for the fastest qualifiers that doesn't transfer through the heats and two provisionals for the two highest points racers in the Stock Medium and Stock Heavy classes that are pre-entered for all three classes including the Lucas Oil Pro Class that doesn't transfer through the heat races and B-mains.   Friday September 21st will be an open practice day from 7pm-10pm. Saturday September 22nd will be the first race day with 10 classes running including Stock Lite, Stock Medium and Stock Heavy. Gates will open at 7am with practice beginning at 10am. Sunday will have six classes running including the $8000 to win Lucas Oil Pro Class. Gates open Sunday at 7am with practice beginning at 9am. To be eligible for provisionals driver must be pre-entered by September 17th. For all the information about the event and to download the event flyer and entry form go to www.earlpearsonjr.net.   For information about the track, technical questions and parking reservations please contact Andy Harris at (252) 813-9988. For companies or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities for this event please contact WD Enterprises at (904) 210-6649. To learn more about Lucas Oil, the title sponsor of the event, visit their official website at www.lucasoil.com. For more information about Earl Pearson Jr. and the Bobby Labonte Racing Team visit www.earlpearsonjr.net.     ###   Wayne Castleberry Media Contact / Public Relations 1st Annual Lucas Oil Go-Kart Shootout, Presented by Earl Pearson Jr.  WD Enterprises (904) 210-6649 info@wdenterprises.net

Wayne Castleberry WD Enterprises (904) 210-6649 info@wdenterprises.net

August 29, 2007
From AKRA Media

For Immediate Release:



Torco Fuels AKRA Firestone ‘500’ Field

By Bruce C. Walls


MONROE, N.C.-When races compete at the inaugural AKRA American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series Firestone ‘500’ their tanks will be filled with free Torco Racing fuel. Thanks to the generosity of Vickery’s Speed Shop and their relationship with Torco Racing Fuels, Inc. Torco will donate 5 drums (approximately 300-gallons) for racers competing in this historic race.

“This will be a $1,400 savings to our racers,” said AKRA co-owner Bill McCutcheon. “I want to thank Dale Vickory and Torco Racing Fuels, Inc. for giving our racers free fuel.”

The AKRA Firestone ‘500’ will be hosted by Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C. Friday and Saturday October 5th and 6th as part of their regular show which will be raced that Saturday. Racers in the Firestone ‘500’ will practice and qualify that Friday and then following round four of the American Speedway Championship Series teams of racers will battle it out for 500 laps. While teams can make as many pit stops as they need there will be five scheduled pit stops one at the end of every 100-laps.

Starting from humble beginnings Evan Knoll, of Decatur, MI, grew a small family convenience store; gas station, auto repair and propane fill station into one of the world’s largest suppliers of racing fuels. Under Knoll’s guidance, Torco Racing Fuels is a complete high-octane fuel blending, storing and resale organization specializing in racing fuels. They offer wholesale and retail in 27 states moving millions of gallons annually throughout their US based refining and storage sites. Torco offers over 28 specialized blends, some formulated from one of Knoll’s 13 patented trademarks.

Torco has expanded into power products and additives along with apparel and merchandise lines. Knoll also owns and operates Knoll Gas and Propane, a wholesaler/retailer of propane products serving the entire state of Michigan. Under Knoll’s daily direction his company constantly deals with the ever-changing fuel and crude oil prices and competition form some of the world’s largest fuel suppliers such as Sunoco, Citgo and Shell. As a top private energy reserve mover Torco differentiates itself by providing first class products, competitive prices and first class customer service.

Knoll has always had a passion for fast cars and the sport of automotive racing. As a licensed drag racer Knoll understands the desire and drive of competition.

In 2004 Torco Race Fuels, Inc. embarked on a national brand campaign to bring his products to the forefront of motorsports. By the end of 2005 Torco not only met their anticipated goals of national branding and sales, they also became one of the largest supporters in the motorsports community. Knoll’s next goal, to field a Torco Racing Fuels, Inc. ‘Super Team’ of vehicles to showcase and race in most motorsports venues is quickly becoming a reality with talented drivers line Melanie Troxel, Mike Ashley, Dave Connolly and others.

For more information about the AKRA Firestone ‘500’ visit the AKRA website at www.americankarting.us  or call the office at (704) 764-8138. To check out Torco Racing Fuels products you can visit their website at www.torcoracingfuels.com  or call them toll free at 1-800-67-Torco.

Aug 27, 2007 
FOUR DOUBLE AT AKRA ASPHALT NATIONAL


Words by Bruce C. Walls
Images by Bruce C. Walls 
And Susan Taylor-Walls  Photos Here


Wampum, PA-At a time when other pavement series are experiencing declining entry numbers, the American Kart Racing Association’s (AKRA)  2007 American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series entry numbers have  tripled over the course of the season. Round three, MYCHRON Summer  Nationals, held at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Wampum, PA August  18th saw four of 104-entries earn double wins that Saturday.

Winners earned their portion of more then $5,000 in purse money thanks to Rage Karts and Vickory’s Speed Shop. Champ kart winners received  $250.00 each. All other classes were paid according to entry counts.

AKRA’s asphalt format allows racers three rounds of practice, qualifying followed by two rounds of feature racing. In a post on  Bob’s 4cycle.com Mongoose factory pilot Paul White of Pittsburg, PA  explained; I'd like to take the time to thank Tony, Bill, and everyone on the A.K.R.A. staff for the effort they are putting forth. Last  Saturday was the first chance we had to attend an A.K.R.A. event this  season. I was VERY impressed. The one-day format is an awesome idea. We  had plenty of track time (four rounds of practice, qualifying, and two  features) and I was on my way home at 5:30. Everyone involved in speedway pavement  racing should seriously look into attending one of these events. I promise you will not be let down.  I can't tell you how many times "We're here for you guys, just let us  know what we can do" was announced over the intercom. It was an  attitude that I've become not so accustom to lately. Great job guys,  hope to see you at the "500".”

John Blacker rocketed around the 14/-mile plus, 26 foot wide tri-oval in 20.955-seconds for Junior Champ’s G-Man sponsored pole. Turner  Racing Engines powered Rage Kart Pilot Tyler Strickland was second  fastest of seven qualifiers at 21.131-seconds.

When the initial green flag waved the pole winners raced side-by-side  down the front straight into turn one. Strickland captured the early  lead exiting turn one; Blacker tucked in behind him. Blacker battled  back recapturing the lead in turn four. Three laps later a spinner in  that corner brought out the race’s only caution flag. Blacker led the  restart. Strickland shot by him entering turn one. Battling  nose-to-tail they pulled away from the field fighting for positions  behind them. Blacker and Strickland remained locked in those positions  until the final lap. Blacker bobbled exiting turn four as they headed  for the checkered flag. Strickland seized the moment and the win  scrambling across the stripe 0.711-seconds ahead of Blacker.

“The restart was pretty important,” explained the 13-year-old Medina,  OH based winner. “I had a ruff start. It took awhile for the tires to  come in. But when the caution came out the restart gave me a chance to  warm them up back up. Right off the bat he knew I was with him. The  restart meant the whole race for me right there.”

Running in the top five behind Blacker were Ryan Douglas, Cody  Fairchock and Nick Giachetti.

Round two’s Junior Champ started with karts tangling in turn two. When  the green flag waved again Blacker blasted back into the early lead.  Strickland quickly reeled him as they raced down the back section. They  stayed nose-to-tail for six laps. Suddenly Strickland shot by Blacker  like he was standing still. He almost was. Before they reached turn  three on lap seven, it was obviousBlacker’s machine was developing  problems. Blacker left the track leaving Strickland with a huge lead.  Giachetti inherited second trailing by more than seven seconds.

Giachetti and Ryan Douglas hooked up together and tried to close in on  Strickland. Their effort failed. Strickland strolled comfortably  across the stripe with Giachetti trailing 7.380-seconds later.  Nose-to-tail behind in the rest of the top five were Douglas, Alex  Benda and Blacker.

Tyler Walker, of Tonawanda, N.Y. topped both Junior 2 Blue features from the rear of their fields. Mongoose kart pilot Andy Feil was the  fastest qualifier spinning a 21.520-seconds lap for the pole. Ryan  Breithoff turned a 21.576-seconds lap for the outside pole starting  position. The field stayed tightly bunched together at the start with  Feil leading the way. Before the first lap was complete Walker worked  his way to the front. Five laps later Feil and Breithoff drafted by  Walker dropping him to third. Soon after recapturing the lead Feil  slipped off the track in turn four loosing the lead again this time to  Breithoff. Breithoff was heading for the white flag when Walker  whizzed by him for the lead. Walker held on as Breithoff kept the  pressure on down to the end where he was 0.198-second late.

“The number 08 (Andy Feil) went off the track and #4 (Ryan Breithoff)  passed me,” said the 12-year-old winner. “They freight trained me. I  tried on the back straightaway, but it didn’t work. Then I got under #4  in turn one, got the lead and won. The Titan  kart handled good and Kevin Smith’s motor was strong.”

In the second feature Walker quickly assumed the early lead over Feil.  Feil stayed glued to Walker’s back bumper until late in the race when  he got loose in turn four and slipped off the track. Feil gathered it  back up and tried to run down Walker. Walker rallied on opening up a 3.446-seconds finish line advantage over Feil.

Hanover, PA based, Rage kart pilot, Troy Wagaman won both Junior  Sportsman Champ classes from their poles. The 10-year-old X-Caliber  Racing Engines powered racer ruled qualifying with a 22.724-seconds  lap. Chance Wright produced a 22.842-seconds lap for the outside pole.

Wright hustled into the first feature’s early lead. Two laps into it  the first of two caution flags waved. Wagaman led them back to the  green flag, into turn one, around the backstretch and into turn four  where back markers went spinning off the track causing the second  caution. Wagaman showed them back to the green flag again. This time  Wright offered some serious challenges until they reached turn four where he bobbled. Wright reeled Wagaman in again and began pressuring  him on the white flag lap. When they got back to turn four heading for  the checkered flag Wright slipped up again. This time he quickly  recovered, but at the end he was 0.867-second late. Further back  Steven Berlin; Mickey Giachett and Jacob Thompson filled the rest of  the podium positions.

“I was just riding and I pulled away,” Wagaman described. “They got up  to me on the last lap. I went low and held them off. The Rage kart  handled pretty good and the X-Caliber motor was strong.”

Round two was just as exciting. Wagaman grabbed the early lead, lost  it to Tyler Walker who drafted by him towing Wright. Wright got by  Walker. So did Wagaman. Wagaman and Wright were side-by-side battling  under the halfway signal. When they reached turn one Wagaman took the  lead and stretched it out. At the stripe Wagaman owned a comfortable  1.256-seconds advantage over Walker. Wright was on Walker’s tailpipe  crossing 1.943-seconds behind the leader. Berlin and Giachett crossed  fourth and fifth.

Pittsburg, PA Phantom Kart pilot Craig Wetzel was the fourth double  winner. Wetzel, who gets his power from SDR Racing Engines, won Stock  Medium’s first feature and Stock Heavy’s second feature. He captured  Stocked Medium’s pole with a 19.994-seconds run. Ward, S.C. competitor  Mark Hall shared front row with him. Wetzel powered into the early  lead. Hall hung with him for a couple of laps. As they rounded the  backstretch for the fourth time Hall’s machine slowed to a crawl. Hall
left the track surrendering the win to Wetzel.

Paul White produced a 20.215-seconds lap for Stock Heavy’s pole. He  won the first feature and was the second feature’s early race leader.  Matt Kelchlin and Hall were nose-to-tail behind him. On lap two they  drafted by White. Once Kelchlin was in the lead Hall began challenging  him. Behind Hall, White and Wetzel were working the draft. Once they  got their momentum going they passed  Hall and Kelchlin.

Further back Wetzel was weaving his way to the front. In the final  laps his kart came to him and he powered past the leaders. He passed  Kelchlin for third. Kelchlin tucked in behind him and followed him to  the front. When they got there Kelchlin was just 0.221- econds behind  Wetzel.

“It wasn’t easy. We hustled during the breaks to put some weight on,”  Wetzel explained adding, “We stuck 20 pounds on really trying to get it  together on the scales. I was taking it easy, found and opening and  worked our way in. It was a good race. I want to thank my dad I  couldn’t do it without all of his help.”

White was a close third, Hall held onto fourth and Randy Treadway  completed the podium.

Hall was the event’s first feature winner taking Animal Heavy’s  checkered flag with a 0.254-second advantage over Kelchlin the pole  winner with a time of 19.161-seconds. Kelchlin claimed the early lead  with Hall challenging him at every corner. On lap five Hall hustled by  Kelchlin as they battled door-to-door down the front straightaway.  Hall reached turn one blocked Kelchlin’s challenge and opened a small  lead.

“We had to pick it up from qualifying and we got to work on it,” said  Hall who builds his own motors. “Matt drove a good race, he drove me  clean. He could beat me in the slow corner, but I beat him the rest of  the way around the racetrack. I think that’s where it counts. The  Millinium kart was real good and we had a good motor today and  everything went our way.”

Five seconds after Hall and Kelchlin crossed the stripe Larry Bers and  Randy Treadway crossed the finish line nose-to-tail in third and fourth  for the field.

Animal Heavy’s second feature was just as exciting with Hall and  Kelchlin battling it out again. However, this time it would be  Kelchlin capturing the checkered flag. When the green flag dropped  Kelchlin and Hall battled side-by-side down the front stretch. This  time Kelchlin won the battle for turn one as he hustled into the early  lead. Hall stayed with him looking for an opportunity that  would never come.

“Mark Hall raced us good between race one and this one here,” said Kelchlin, an Elme, N.Y native. “He got one of them and I got one of  them. So we both had a good day of racing and that made it fun for  each other. We changed a few things from the first race and just kept  getting faster with every lap so I guess we’re going the right way.  The kart handled great. I want to thank Phantom for a great chassis,  Ken’s Service and Sales for the motor, Shorty’s Automotive and Baker  Motorsports”

Adam Pirtz and Wayne Winters split the Senior Champ offerings. Winters  set the pace with a 20.215-seconds pole-winning lap. Cullen Mumaw was  second fastest at 20.756-seconds. As they battled down the front  straightaway Mumaw took the lead from Winters. Hall also got by Winters  dropping him to third. Before the first lap was in the record book  Winters’ machine came to life. Winters worked by Hall and then Mumaw   bringing Adam Pirtz, the fifth fastest qualifier, with him.

In the final laps Pirtz kept the pressure on Winters. Winters took the  white flag with Pirtz beside him. The battle continued as fans cheered  their favorite. When they reached turn four Winters bobbled. Pirtz  pounced on the opportunity took the lead and held it to the finish line  where 0.138-second separated him from Winters.

“I’m getting too old to drive these things I guess,” Winters laughed.  “Adam’s a great driver. Finishing second shouldn’t be so bad, but I’ll  tell you what it’s enjoyable when you get to race people like that, run  clean and have a great race. That’s what it’s all about.

I moved over to block thinking he (Pirtz) was right on me. Come to find  out he wasn’t close. I moved over to block. I moved up high on the  track going on that last sharp corner and when I did I got the kart   sideways and he just got me at the end. I’ll try him again in the next round.”

“I finally got Wayne (Winters) here,” Pirtz, of Courtland, OH, beamed in Victory Lane. “Me and this guy (Winters) have been battling it out  forever. Every racetrack we go to. I don’t think I’ve ever beaten  that guy here. He made a little bobble down there and I took advantage  of it. It was a blast, lots of fun. I love the Titan Kart it flies.  Cort Turner gave me tons of power every thing from the bottom to the  top. You can’t beat him.”

Mumaw was third across the stripe followed by Jay Chapman and Hall for the top five of seven entries.

Using his pole advantage Winters, of Durham, N.C. hustle into the round  two’s early lead. Close behind him Mumaw and Hall were scrapping over  second. As they continued battling over second Winters stretched the  lead out on what would be a perfect run.

Mumaw won the battle for second. Hall surrendered third to Pirtz who  quickly passed Mumaw. By then Winters had stretched out a nearly three  second lead over Pirtz. Pirtz tried, but couldn’t close the distance  between them trailing Winters by 2.592-seconds at the stripe. Crossing  close behind Pirtz were podium finishers Mumaw, Hall and Chapman.

“I tried not to give it away this time,” Winters said. “I got out front  and I just tried to be smooth every lap. I was pretty consistent. I  watched the gauges and I was about a thousandth off every lap. I  figured if they beat me they beat me this time. I just drove my line  and didn’t try to block. I guess that was all I need this time. The  CKI Laser Chassis was awesome and the P&P motor was awesome. We’ve run   the guts out of them for three months and we’re pretty happy with everything.”

A 20.004-seconds qualifying lap earned Dillsburg, PA pilot Cody Fairchock Junior 3 Gold’s pole. When the first feature field got the  green flag outside pole winner Ryan Breithoff beat Fairchock to turn  one. After three laps of fighting off Fairchock’s challenges Breithoff  finally surrendered the lead. From there Fairchock, a 14-year-old  Ensor Speed Shop powered Shadow Racing Chassis pilot, held the lead to  the end. Behind him John Blacker took second from Breithoff in the   final laps. At the finish line Blacker trailed Fairchock by  0.486-second.

“I kind of got turned on the first lap. Dropped back to third. I  couldn’t get past (John) Blacker at first and then eventually I did to  pull it off for the win. It was a pretty good race.”

Breithoff, of Quakertown, PA, blasted into round two’s early lead with  Fairchock chasing him. In the final laps Blacker took second from  Fairchock and tried to close the gap on Breithoff, but he fell  0.930-second short of that goal.

“The Pro kart handled pretty good and the Turner Racing Engine did pretty good too,” said the 12-year-old winner who added, “I just  wanted to keep it on the track this time.”

AKRA national asphalt racers have one more national on their 2007  schedule; ‘Super Nationals.’ Scheduled for October 5-6 at Orange County  Speedway in Rougemont, N.C. ‘Super Nationals’ will include the  ‘Firestone 500.’ For more information on this history-making event  visit AKRA’s website at: www.americankarting.us    or   call the AKRA  office at 704.764.8138.


--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

July 2, 2007

HALL HAT TRICKS AT AKRA ASPHALT ROUND TWO

Story by:
Bruce C. Walls

Photos by  Photos
Bruce C. Walls
Susan Taylor-Walls

    HUMPHREY, N.Y.-A triple winner and four double winners highlighted  round two of the American Kart Racing Association’s (AKRA) 2007  American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series Larry Jones Motorsports  National.  Raced June 16th at Chapel Hill Raceway, round two of the  four race series, witnessed a doubling of entries from AKRA’s inaugural  race April 14th at Concord  Motor Sports Park in Concord, N.C. Doubling entree numbers proves the young sanctioning body’s Asphalt program is  growing fast in it’s rookie season. One racer was a triple winner that  Saturday while four others recorded double wins.

More than $3,000 was paid to winners and top four competitors in three  classes.  Racers got three rounds of practice before qualifying.   Qualifying positions were used to set the grid in both rounds of  feature racing except for Senior Champ racers who qualified a second  time before their second feature.

Round one-feature races followed qualifying.  Racers got a break  between rounds before starting the second round of features.  Bike  races were held between feature rounds.  Bike race winners earned cash  and all bike race entries received a special prize package of products  from Vickery’s Speed Shop.  Larry Jones Motor Sports donated one of  their ‘Heat Cubes’ valued at $849.95.  Raffle tickets were sold in the  weeks ahead of the national and during the national.  The winner was Jimbo Ackerman.

Ward, S.C. competitor Mark Hall, who won five features at Concord,  pulled off a hat trick on Chapel Hill Raceway’s 1/6-mile semi banked  asphalt oval. Hall started winning from the first feature race Stock  Lite to the last Stock Heavy.  Hall hustled around the track in  10.163-seconds for Stock Lite’s pole.  Justin Starnes started next to  him.  Starnes stayed with Hall on the start and tried to get a nose on  Hall heading into turn one.  Hall protected his line, took the lead and  never looked back.  Starnes dropped further and further back.  After  six laps Starnes surrendered and dropped out of the contest leaving  Hall with a huge lead.

“We made an agreement before the race,” Hall explained. “If he  (Starnes) couldn’t keep up with me he’d pull off because he’s wore out.

  But we’re having fun out here today. I hope to get the champ kart  dialed in a little better.”

Before intermission Hall beat Stock Heavy pole winner Matt Kelchin.   Kelchin clocked a 10.200-seconds run for the front row starting  position. Hall started next to him.  Kelchin reached turn one with a  slight lead over Hall.  Hall held second waiting for his kart to come  in.  Just before mid-race Hall’s machine picked up the speed he needed   to run down Kelchin and pass him.  Kelchin stayed glued to Hall’s  tailpipe for the11-laps remaining before finishing just 0.300 of a  second behind Hall. In the second Stock Heavy feature Hall pinched down  low in turn one taking a never surrendered lead to the stripe where he  owned a 0.391 second advantage and a cash payout.

Kelchin captured both Animal Heavy wins wire-to-wire with Connecticut  competitor Bill Doll chasing him each time.   A track blistering  9.835-seconds lap earned Kelchin the pole.  From there the 23-year-old  Elma, N.Y. native’s Baker Racing Engines powered Phenom kart pilot was  flawless in both campaigns.  In round one Doll was a threat until lap  eight when he spun out trying to reel in Kelchin.  Doll’s day was done  for the first feature.

“I think we were pretty hooked up,” said the 23-year-old double winner  during his first trip to victory lane.  We haven’t been here since last  year’s national and we put the same setup to it and it seems to be  working ok.  I’m helping Bill (Doll) a little bit getting him rolling.   The new Phenom’s handling great today, it likes the sun and the sun’s  always good here.”

The second feature was more of the same with Doll forced to leave the  competition again, this time for mechanical troubles.  With 10-laps  complete Kelchin was on his own again for another easy win.

Fighting off challenges from veterans Wayne Winters and Adam Pirtz  Cullen Mumaw swept the Senior Champ offerings earning the 15-year-old  Ashland, OH racer over $600. Piloting his Turner Racing Engines powered  Rage Kart Mumaw produced a 10.297- econds pole-winning lap.  Pirtz was  second fastest qualifier at 10.408-seconds.

When the green flag waved Mumaw shot into the early lead.  Hall quickly  hustled from a fifth place start past Emily Flaim and Winters into  second.  While Hall tried to close the gap on Mumaw Winters and Flaim  fought over third. In the final laps Winters and Pirtz started working  together drafting nose-to-tail by Hall for second and third.  At the  front Mumaw was enjoying a more than three second lead.

Mumaw took the white flag as Winters and Pirtz continued battling for  second.  Next time around Mumaw crossed the stripe 3.277- econds ahead  of Winters.  Pirtz was third across the finish line trailing Mumaw by  3.416-seconds.  Hall held onto fourth and was followed by Flaim who  filled the final podium position.

“I want to thank my dad for giving me a great setup, Turner Racing  Engines for giving me awesome power to get me around the track so fast  and I also want to thank Rage Karts; they gave me a great kart.” Mumaw  credited.

Mumaw lead the second qualifying round this time with a 10.410-seconds lap.  Winters was second fastest at 10.426-seconds. Before the start  Winter’s machine developed problems.  His crew rushed to his  assistance.  In short order they corrected the problem and  had him back on row one.

Once again when the green flag flew so did Mumaw. While Winters and  Pirtz were back battling over second Mumaw opened up another  comfortable lead.  In the final laps Pritz powered past Winters and  began closing the gap on Mumaw.  Pirtz cut Mumaw’s lead down to a  1.677-seonds finish line difference. Joining Mumaw and Pirtz on the  podium were Winters, Hall and Flaim.

Braedon Bilinsky turned the tables on Junior 2 Blue Plate pole winner  Tyler Walker. Walker won the pole with a 10.502-seconds rounding.   Bilinsky clocked the outside pole time at 10.606-seconds.

Walker shot into the early lead with Bilinsky locked onto his back  bumper.  Bilinsky kept the pressure on Walker who held onto the lead  until mid-race.  Bilinsky blasted by Walker, took the half way signal  and ran away with the lead.  Bilinsky rallied on building a  1.904-seconds finish line advantage.

The rematch feature was almost a repeat. Walker jumped into an early  lead.  Bilinsky battled with him trying to take the lead.  In the final  laps Bilinsky blew by Walker again.

“It was pretty nice. The kart was pretty fast and the motor was  awesome,” said Bilinsky, an 11-year-old Niagara Lake, CN based double  winner. “It shouldn’t be working it’s had so many races on it.  It took  a little while I was way behind him. Sometimes I could get him and  sometimes I couldn’t.  Finally I got him.”

Junior 3 Gold’s three-racer field qualified and raced two features with the same results.  Fourteen-year-old Cody Slattery of South Whales,  N.Y. posted the pole time in 10.088-seconds.  Piloting a Shorty’s  Automotive powered Phantom kart Slattery led the way in both features  with Cody Fairchok and John Blacker trailing as they did in qualifying.

According to Slattery, who won the first feature with a comfortable  4.836-seconds advantage over Fairchok who trailed Slattery by  3.335-seconds in the second feature,  “The Phantom kart felt really  good.  My uncle and my dad set it up.  I thought the kart felt  real good.  They picked the right setup and I just raced it.”

Medina, OH based X-Caliber Racing Engines powered Rage Kart pilot Tyler  Strickland spun a 10.510-seconds lap for Junior  Champ’s pole.  From  there he mounted a perfect run while racers behind him battled for  positions. John Blacker and Chesley Friel scrapped over second during  the early laps.  In the final laps Blacker shook off Friel and tried to  run down Strickland.  Blacker closed in on Strickland, but was  0.976-seconds short in his final challenge battling down the back  straight.

“I could tell he was coming up behind me,” described the 13-year-old  winner. “I was trying some different stuff on the track trying  different strategies. But it was good close racing. I felt strong today  so I had pretty good confidence coming into the race.”

When Junior Champ drivers line up on the grid later that day $300 was   waiting for the winner.  After taking the green flag Strickland and Blacker raced down the front straight side-by-side.  Entering turn one  Strickland got a nose on Blacker and took the early lead. Three laps  later Blacker blasted by Strickland for the lead.  Seventeen laps later  Blacker crossed the stripe with a 2.099-seconds advantage.  As they did  in the first race Friel and Faichok finished third and fourth.

Chance Wright was the fastest of five Junior Sportsman Champ  qualifiers.  Wright, of Marietta, OH, turned an 11.128-seconds lap for  the pole.  Wright shot into the early lead as third fastest qualifier  Zack Switzer quickly moved his Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Rage  kart from third to second passing outside pole winner Steven Berlin on  his way.  Switzer and Wright battled nose-to-tail pulling ahead of a falling field.

In the final laps Wright offered some serious challenges to Switzer’s  lead.  Switzer held on to prevail by 0.101-seocnds at the stripe.   Berlin followed in third, Tyler Walker took fourth and Spencer Irving  rounded out the top five.

After 300-caution free feature laps Junior Sportsman Champ karts tangled in turns 3-4 on their first lap ruining what might have been  perfect record. Wright led the restart with Berlin behind him.  When  racing resumed Wright broke away from Berlin who was struggling over  second with Switzer. Switzer won the battle for second, but by then  Wright commanded a more then two second lead.  At the stripe  2.165-seconds separated them.  Berlin was third under the final  checkered flag followed by Walker in fourth.

  “It was worth it after loosing the first race,” beamed the 11-year-old  winner. “The Rage kart felt great.  It handled just the way I wanted it  to and I was able to pull out the victory.  The Turner Racing Engines  motor was a big part of it.  It’s had a lot of races on it and it’s  still doing a good job.”

American Speedway Championship Asphalt racers have two more events  scheduled for their 2007 season.  Their next stop is the huge tri-oval  at Beaver Run Motor Sports Complex in Wampum, PA August 18th.  Then on  September 28th the season finale’ Super Nationals will compete at  Orange County Raceway in Rougemont, N.C.  That event will also include  the ‘Firestone 500.’

    FKA RACING

^3rd Annual

‘CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE’ CHAMPIONSHIPS

Presented by AKRA & FKA

Cross Roads Motorplex, Jasper, FL

December 26-28, 2007

“Karting is at the Cross Roads”

This flyer addresses the AKRA/FKA Dirt race on Dec. 27 & 28, 2007

Over $50,000 to be paid at this year’s event!!!

Wednesday (Dec 26) Schedule

Gates Open / Parking:                12 noon – 8 pm

Registration:                               12 noon – 6 pm

**We will have Friday Devotion Service With**

Pre-Tech:                                        12 noon – 6 pm

Pastor Todd Shaw with On-Track Ministries

Gates Open:                7 am

All winners to receive cash payouts as outlined below.

Registration:               7 am – 9 am

Pre-Tech:                    7 am – 9 am

For additional information contact:

Practice:                      8 am (2 rounds)

Driver’s Meeting:        to follow practice

Qualifying:                  to follow D. Meeting

Pole Award Present:   during Pre-Race ceremonies

                                Bill McCutcheon (704) 764-8138

Tony Barton (803) 463-0313

Jimmy Sims (386) 938-4211

www.akrainc.com   or www.fkadirtseries.com   

Thursday, Dec 27^th Class Order                                   Friday, Dec 28^th Class Order

      1. Jr 1 (FH only/265 lbs)

2. Stock Lite (FH only/325lbs)

3. Jr. Champ (Anl 345# .505 rest/FH 325#)

4. Stock Super Heavy (FH only/400 lbs-max kart 200 lbs)

5. Jr. 2 (FH only/290 lbs)

6. Senior Stock (FH only/375 lbs)

7. Outlaw 100cc(16 yrs old)

8. Jr. Sportsman Champ (FH only/315 lbs/8-12/blue plate)

9. Animal Heavy (375 lbs)

10. Sr. Champ (Animal/425 lbs., Raptor/400 lbs.)

11. Jr. 3  (Animal/320#, Raptor 300#)

12. Florida All-Stars(16 yrs-must be approved)

13. Stk Heavy (FH only/375 lbs) $2,000 to win!!!

14. Kid Karts  (will run after session)

      1. Jr 1 (FH only/265 lbs)

2. Sr. Champ (Animal/425 lbs., Raptor/400 lbs.)

3. Jr. Champ (Anl 345# .505 rest/FH 325#)

4. Jr. 2 (FH only/290 lbs)

5. Limited Modified (Animal 375 lbs., Raptor 360 lbs.)

6. Outlaw 100cc(16 yrs old)

7. Jr. Sportsman Champ (FH only/315 lbs/8-12/blue plate)

8. Animal Heavy (375 lbs)

9. Jr. 3 (Animal/320#, Raptor 300#)

10. Stock Super Heavy (FH only/400 lbs-max kart 200 lbs)

11. Florida All-Stars(16 yrs-must be approved)

12. Stock Medium (FH only/350 lbs) $2,000 to win!!!

      13. Kid Karts  (will run after session)

Purse Payoff – unless noted – both days

Pro Classes

Race Champion - $500 & Championship Trophy

Day 1 –Stk Heavy- GUARANTEED PURSE

2^nd - $300

Day 2 – Stk Medium - GUARANTEED PURSE

3^rd - $150

                                    4^th - $75

**Open Tire Rule (slicks) Champs– Open Tire Rule (slicks) (exception: NO Firestones)

                                    5^th - $50

**DECEMBER 29^th  & 30^th , Speedway Asphalt Program

$55 Entry Fee at Track

**Sponsorships available with prime parking**

Fast Time Awards based on qualifying

Tony flagman789@yahoo.com/  Jimmy sims1@alltel.net

Fast Time Awards: Sponsored by G-Man Kart Works

Purse is based on minimum of 20 entries in a class unless noted. Less than 20 entries is 80% payback.      

Join us this Holiday Season & enjoy karting at its BEST!!!!

For Immediate Release:

June 22, 2007

AKRA and FIRESTONE JOIN FORCES



By Bruce C. Walls   Johnston County Race Photos June 9, 2007 by Bruce Walls

MONROE, N.C.-For many years Firestone YGF tires were national asphalt  racers preferred tire. Several years ago Firestone YGFs were replaced  by another brand as the national spec tire. AKRA, the American Kart  Racing Association, in conjunction with Firestone/Bridgestone proudly  announces that the Firestone YGF tire will be the flat kart spec tire  for the American Speedway Championship Asphalt Championship Asphalt Series.

AKRA and Firestone are working together to build a consistent product  for karters at the best price possible. Asphalt racers know this tire.  They have worked with it for many years. Now, thanks to this agreement  between sanctioning body and manufacturer, they can again use a tire  they are familiar with.

“We are excited about coming on board and working with AKRA for years  to come,” said Firestone Account Representative for Motorcycle/Kart  Products Kevin Hunley. “Their efforts are sincere and results are  showing they have their finger on the pulse of what’s going on with the  sport of kart racing. They listen to what karters want and what they  need in a pro-active response.

The class structure AKRA supports is one that will provide prestige in  winning a championship title and one that’s easy for the ‘newcomer’ to  understand.”

According to AKRA co-owner Tony Barton, “I certainly look forward to working with Kevin Hunley and Firestone for many, many years to give  karters what is necessary to provide the best competition in speedway  asphalt karting. AKRA going with Firestone  tires gives karters racing  flat karts something they have been use to working with.”

AKRA American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series have two national  events on the 2007 schedule plus a ‘Special Event’ the Firestone 500  which will be a 500-lap race. Beaver Run Motor Sports Complex in  Wampum, PA will host the next national August 18th followed by the   ‘Super Nationals’, which will compete September 29th at Concord Motor  sports Park in Concord, N.C.

--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

June 21, 2007

Knopf Collects $1,000 for AKRA Stock Heavy Super National Win at Johnston County Raceway

Six Double at the Oriely Auto Parts National Indoor Karting Championships Sponsored AKRA Super Nationals


Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls


GARNER, N.C.-There’s no doubt that Johnston County Speedway is one of the finest kart racing tracks in the country. As always John Langdon and his crew had the Garner, N.C. track in perfect condition May 9th for 236 American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) competitors; who raced the O’Rielly Auto Parts National Indoor Karting Championships/American Speedway Championship Dirt Series Super Nationals that Saturday.

Weather prognosticators predicted scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Depending on whom you listened to the probability of precipitation ranged from 40 to 60%. With 20 classes scheduled to compete AKRA officials kept the pace steady with an eye on the sky.

“This track can take four inches of rain and be race ready in a few hours, “AKRA CEO Bill McCutcheon boasted of the 1/5th mile dirt oval that was built in 1984. “It doesn’t take long to get that track dry, there’s good run off if it rains.” But predicted rains didn’t fall. Instead it was a warm breezy day. Perfect for kart racing.

It was also a perfect day for six double winners during the thrill packed event where 20-classes competed before sunset. A total of $16,000 was dispersed with four winners collecting a combined total of $4,000 for their efforts.

For those unfamiliar with AKRA’s national format, two days of racing action are packed into one. That gives racers, crews and spectators Sundays to drive home instead of Mondays. It saves parents and students from taking off Monday’s to travel and saves most an extra night’s hotel stay. AKRA members were polled and an overwhelming majority voted for the one-day format. So far it’s worked well

During the hour intermission between round one and two racers get a chance to adjust their setup and take a little break. For spectators it’s a time for entertainment. Two purse pedal bike races are held according to racers ages. Next crews, drivers or anyone who wants to enter tire-changing contest. With only a screw driver to help them, contestants separate the tire from the wheel and then mount it back again with the clock ticking, ladies get to show off their mechanical skills in a timed gear changing challenge. They remove the gear and reinstall it.

Clayton, NC competitor Dillon Spain earned his first AKRA National win and backed it up with another before it was over. Trevor Brightwell was fastest of eight Mike Holcombe’s Tire & Auto Junior 1 entries turning a 13.508-seconds lap on the wide 1/5-mile dirt oval. Spain was second fastest spinning a 13.696-seconds lap. From the pole Brightwell broke into the early lead with Spain’s Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Icon chassis challenging him. Three laps later Spain shot by Brightwell for the lead. As Spain pulled away from the field the battle for second became the hottest position contest. Third fastest qualifier Trey Tarlton tried to pass Brightwell as they diced for the position. Brightwell shook off Tarlton’s attempts and recaptured the lead next time around. Spain did the same recapturing the lead near midway.

The battle for second heated up again as Tarlton held on to finish 0.791 of a second behind Spain. Further back Brightwell; Austin Smith and Drew Jackson filled the podium.

“It was really tough getting by him (Trevor Brightwell),” said the 10-year-old winner who added, “I passed him and got my first AKRA win. I’m really happy with this win.”

Later that afternoon Spain did it again. This time Brightwell was behind Spain at the stripe trailing by 0.459 of a second. Tarlton, Smith and Drew Jackson completed the top five.

Seven hundred-fifty dollars was on the line for 18-JDI/Foodcraft Junior 2 drivers. Leading them to the start were pole winners Chase Williams and Jak Kicklighter who earned those positions with times of 13.040 and 13.139-seconds. After the initial start failed, Williams, an 11-year-old Midlothian, VA based P&P Speed Shop powered Falcon kart pilot, lead them in a single file start. While Williams and Kicklighter fought over the early lead, fifth fastest qualifier Cannon Ward threaded his Schu Powered Icon kart through the field. By mid-race he made third. Williams and Kicklighter were still scrapping over the lead. With time running out Ward got a break. William’s kart began slowing down.

“Something was dragging on my kart slowing it down,” Williams explained adding, “Once he got by me I couldn’t catch him.” Ward took the lead bringing Hunter Colson with him. Williams dropped to third. Ward reached the field’s tail and began lapping karts. Colson stayed glued to his back bumper. When the checkered flag waved a mere 0.070 of a second separated them for the day’s closest finish.

“Well I slid off the track a couple of times,” explained the 11-year-old Shallotte, N.C. based winner. “The kart got loose. That last lap I slid up too high. I don’t know how I held it.” What does he plan to do with his earnings? “I’m going to get a new helmet with the money.”

Ward doubled his winnings with another narrow Junior 2 win later that afternoon. This time Williams shared front row with Josh Morris. Spinners in turn one forced a single file restart. Williams led them back to the green flag with Morris behind him. Before the first lap was recorded Ward passed Morris and began challenging Williams. After hammering Williams’ back bumper for several laps Ward worked by him. Just as Ward grabbed the lead caution returned. That put Williams back to the front with Ward behind him again.

Seven laps were complete when the green flag returned. Morris led the restart. Ward’s kart quickly came in. Next time around Ward worked his way by Morris for the lead. Behind him Williams began challenging Morris for second. Several laps later Williams took second. After taking second Williams began closing in on Ward. In the final laps Ward and Williams battled wheel-to-wheel. When it was over the day’s second closest finish of 0.079 of a second was recorded. Morris held third, Colson crossed fourth followed by Dillon Jackson for the top five.

Chesterfield, VA competitor Colton Cox claimed both Millennium Racing Chassis Junior 3 races from their poles. Cox clocked a 12.692 seconds lap for the poles. In the first race Cox piloted his Mishue Racing Engines powered Charger kart with perfection. After shaking off early challenges from outside pole winner Cole Exum (12.753-seconds), Cox rallied on to a comfortable 1.760-seconds lead over third fastest qualifier Jake Morris under the checkered flag. Completing the top five of 11-entries were Drew Carter, Brandon Brown and Scotty Phagan.

“The charger kart handled great and Eddie Mishue’s motor was good,” credited 15-year-old Cox who added, “We were strong in qualifying on the last run. I was just driving my normal line pushing as hard as I could.”

Cox’s second win was a little tougher. Jake Morris hustled into the early lead with Cox challenging him at every opportunity. While trying to take the lead from Morris Cox also had to hold off Phagan who poised to pass Cox. The top three battled nose-to-tail with Cox in the middle. Several laps later Morris bobbled. After taking the lead Cox roared on. He took the mid-race signal and started threading his way through the field. After putting most of the field a lap down Cox took the mid-race signal with a comfortable cushion. Next time around the caution flag suddenly canceled his lead.

Cox led the restart. Nine laps were left. Phagan’s gap was tightly closed and he now had a shot at the lead. When the green flag flew so did Cox with Phagan glued to his tailpipe. Phagan began challenging Cox for the lead. Cox held him off taking the checkered flag with a 0.188 of a second advantage. Nose-to-tail behind Phagan in the top five were Brown, Morris and Exum.

With Josh Haire and Zach Holcombe trailing him each time, Brian Carnahan swept Ultramax Racing Chassis Senior Champ’s offerings with perfection. Carnahan clocked the pole time at 12.024-seconds. From there he ran unchallenged beating Haire to the stripe by 2.076 and 1.787-seconds.

Double winner Shay Chavous almost didn’t make the race. He and his father Jay were on their way from their Hephzibah, GA home when their truck’s transmission broke. They were 20-miles east of Columbia, SC on I-20. Fortunately, they had a friend that lived nearby. One phone call to Wyman Sturkey and his luck changed. Sturkey came and picked them up. He lent them his new F350 dully to tow their trailer to Johnston County Raceway. “Wyman is such a great guy. We were lucky he wasn’t racing,” Jay laughed adding that Sturkey was a fellow competitor. “I want to thank him. If it weren’t for him we’d still be on I-20. We just switched the trailer and after dropping him back home we headed here.”

Shay spun a 12.951-seconds top-qualifying lap for Bully Clutches Unlimited All Stars pole. Chavous was the class’s only entry so he soloed both features. Brandon Brown did the same in Dean’s Custom Air Junior Champ. Brown blasted around the track in 13.350-seconds in qualifying.

Pits abuzz all day with the sounds of crews thrashing on karts and motors were suddenly silent when 16-Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy racers took the track with $1,000 going to the winner. Spectators lined the fence. Pole winners David Meade piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Icon Chassis (12.659-seconds) and Kevin Turner’s P&P Speed Shop Powered Millennium Chassis (12.714).

All eyes were on the leaders as they rounded turn four heading for the green flag. Meade got a nose on Turner entering turn one and took the early lead. Behind them Lancaster, SC competitor Jamie Knopf was impatiently trying to get to the front. By lap 3 Knopf couldn’t wait any longer. With help from Duane Wade they drafted into the top two spots with Knopf in charge. As Knopf pulled away from the field, the fight for second between Brett Miller and Meade highlighted the action.

Knopf continued building his lead as the action behind him heated up. In the final laps Meade surrendered second to Miller. Miller closed in on Knopf, but was 0.303 of a second short of his goal. Meade was right behind him at the stripe trailing by 0.545 of a second. Shane Bass and Turner followed in fourth and fifth.

“We didn’t have much time to change. Last time I flipped my tires and they was pretty good in the last race. I was a distant third, but I thought I could run with them if I started there,” Knopf explained. “I started better in Heavy so I flipped my tires and it took about five laps for them to get good. I knew if I didn’t over drive the corners I wouldn’t slip, but I did once. I want to thank my performance tire management business for the tires and everything and KAP General Contractors, Jimmy for all of his help and JT (Stillwagon) Hi Tech Racing Engines and Milliminum Racing Chassis. I’m going to celebrate with part of the money.”

Hi-Tech Racing Engines powered Milliminum Racing Chassis pilot Brett Miller earned the day’s first feature win taking RLV Tuned Exhaust Products Stock Lite’s checkered flag with a 0.472 of a second edge over Knopf. Alex Krohn clocked the pole lap in 12.666-seconds.

After a failed first attempt to get started, Krohn led the field single file back to the green flag. Krohn showed them around once and then surrendered to pressure from Kevin Turner, Knopf and Miller who were nose-to-tail behind him in second through fourth. Turner took the lead. Knopf and Miller were behind him battling for second. Knopf captured the position. With Miller helping him work the draft they out ran Turner and took the top two spots.

Knopf opened up a small short-lived lead. Miller and Turner teamed up and took the top two spots dropping Knopf to third. In the final laps Knopf recaptured second. He offered Miller several challenges. Miller shook them off and prevailed. Bryan Fallen was fourth across the stripe followed by Clint Simpson who capped the top five.

“Really the only way I got by him (Knopf) was just flip it a little bit,” described Miller, a Greenville, and S.C. “We were all kind of equal and every time I got up on him the kart would push a little bit. But the longer I ran the kart kept getting better and better and that’s what we wanted so we came out with a win.”

Bryan Fallen was fastest of 19-WMS Products Stock Medium qualifiers. Piloting a P&P Speed Shop powered Milliminum Racing Chassis the South Boston, VA racer produced a 12.570-seconds for the pole. The Caution flag waved on the first lap. With $750 on the line, Fallen led them back to the green flag single file. Fallen showed them around three times before the caution flag waved again.

Fallen led the restart and finished his perfect run from there.

“This is a big win for us. We finally broke out and got a big one. I could hear him (Brett Miller) a couple of time. I thought he was under me. I could hear him. That’s about it. If he was there he drove me clean. He never hit me or anything. I appreciate that. The kart worked good and I want to thank P&P Speed Shop, the motor worked good. I want to thank God most of all and my mom and dad for everything they do for me,” Fallen said. “I’m going to put the $750 back in tires,” he added with a laugh.

Raleigh, N.C. racer Kevin Turner earned $750 for leading Andy’s Speed Shop Animal Heavy’s 12-racer field wire-to-wire. From the pole he earned with a 12.420-seconds lap, Turner went untouched for 20-laps before beating Shane Bass to the stripe by 2.163-seconds. Behind Bass in the remaining top five spots were Jared Jackson, Jeremy Stroud and race 2 winner Edward Buck.


“We were hoping the track would do one thing and it went our way,” Turner said. “Hopefully we can do it again later today. It was all tires and setup. The Phantom Kart and P&P motor both worked good.”

Between races Buck’s crew found a little more speed in his P&P Speed Shop powered Tempest Chassis. During the early laps he and Turner traded the lead back and forth. Near mid-race Bass joined the battle taking second from Turner. Bass closed he gap but still crossed the stripe 0.767 of a second after Buck blasted by.

I just want to thank God for giving us a victory,” Buck said adding thanks to, “Brian Dickens Quick Cut Tires, you can’t get any better in my opinion. I want to thank P&P Motors for giving us a good motor, it was Jarrett Jackson’s motor he lent it to me today, but I definitely have to thank my buddy Brian Dickens with Quick Cut Tires he’s the man to see if you need cut tires.”

Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Senior Stock was won by its sponsor. Barnes blasted around the track in 12.967-seconds for the pole from where he mounted a perfect run. With the field falling in behind him from the start Barnes built a 0.491 of a second edge over third fastest qualifier Brock Bradley.

“We run good today,” described the Monroe, N.C. based winner. “We got a new engine builder. We’re using Donnie Lewis from Moon Power South down in Florida and it seemed to help us today. We’ve been struggling down the straight-aways and today for a change we were good there. We ran good at every part of the track today. We just struggled on tires in qualifying in the other two classes. So overall we had a good day.”

Josh Haire was a busy man that Saturday. He won Wyman’s Acoustics Stock Super Heavy then rushed from Victory Lane back to the grid for Senior Champ where he finished second. Haire earned Stock Super Heavy’s pole with a 13.081-seconds run. Brandon Watson was second fastest of 10-qualifiers with a 13.125-seconds lap.

Haire hammered the throttle and hustled into the initial lead with Watson threatening from second. As an exciting first half unfolded Watson slipped off the track leaving Haire with a comfortable lead. Watson gathered it back and was battling for third with five laps complete. Suddenly Watson’s machine flipped three times before stopping. Watson dusted himself off, climbed back into his kart, and started in the rear of the 10-racer field. Haire led the restart with Brock Bradley behind him.

With Haire in front of them Bradley and Jonathan Croom scrapped over second. Croom secured second and with the top three battling nose-to-tail he broke rank and took the lead from Haire. With time and distance coming to an end Haire hit the throttle again roaring back into the lead. Haire took the white flag with Kyle Mangum less than a second behind him. Next time around Haire held off Mangum’s final 0.438 of a second edge over Mangum. Filling the remaining top five positions were William Vargo, Croom and Bradley.

Jak Kicklighter who spun a 13.923-seconds lap piloting a Millennium chassis powered by a motor he borrowed from Gus Dean captured Coyote Products Junior Sportsman Champ’s pole. The 11-year-old Savannah, GA based racer was perfect from the pole. As they entered turn one on the start Kicklighter poured on the pressure. He stayed low while Malick went high. From there Kicklighter covered the distance with a 0.904 of a second advantage over Malick.

“I couldn’t feel anything back there,” 11-year-old Kickligher said. “I was pushing him (Spencer Malick) a little bit, maybe a little bit too hard in the beginning and he slipped up there. He got high and I went under him. It was good racing. The Millennium kart handled real good and Gus Dean loaned me the Hi-Tech engine, Jamie Knopf got the right tires on it and I want to thank everybody else who helped me get ready.”

Later that day Malick turned the table on Kicklighter in the second and final race of the day. They lined up side-by-side for the green flag. When it waved Malick mashed down on his throttle pulling into the early lead. Kicklighter tried to capture it but fell 0.242 of a second late at the stripe.

With round three in the record book, two more nationals are left in the 2007 season. September first racers will be competing in the Annual Labor Day Bash, which will be held at the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA. Possum Kingdom will host round five on October fifth.

Press Release from AKRA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 11, 2007


K.A.P. General Contactors to be Title Sponsor For AKRA’s 2nd Annual Labor Day Bash


By Bruce C. Walls
AKRA Media Director

MONROE, N.C.- The American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) proudly  announces that KAP General Contractors, of Savannah, GA, will be title  sponsor for their upcoming 2nd Annual Labor Day Bash.  The2007   American Speedway Championship Dirt Series’ Labor Day Bash will be held  August 31- eptember 3 at the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville,  GA.

“Bill (McCutcheon) and Tony (Barton) are true guys.  They seem to care  where karting’s going and offer a great program,” said KAP Construction  CEO John Kicklighter of his decision to sponsor the race.  “They seem  to care where the future of karting is going.  They know for some it’s  a future stepping stone and for seasoned karters it’s their sport.

“We joined up with Jamie Knopf and LA Motorsports and plan to run the  full AKRA schedule this year and in the future,” he added.

K.A.P. General Contractors have been specializing in medial, commercial  and industrial construction since 1998.  “Our goal at KAP is to offer each customer the professional results that they expect from a large  corporation as well as the personal services and integrity that they  deserve from a hometown company,” Kicklighter explained.  “Seventy  percent of our business is medical.  We do everything from hospital  wings to doctor’s offices.”

Kicklighter spent 11-years heading up another primarily medical  construction company before going out on his own.  “A lot of their  local customers came with me and we’ve grown steadily to where we are  today doing roughly 15 million dollars of construction annually.”

Specializing is medical construction presents unique challenges for  Kicklighter and his 35-employees.  But with their years of experience  and project managers who boast 35-years of experience they are the best  choice for medial construction in the Savannah, GA area.  Savannah  residents should be familiar   with  their work which can be seen everywhere in the medical community.

Their major projects include, the Center for Internal Medicine, Savannah Cardiology, Center fro Digestive and Liver Health, Pediatrics  Floor Renovation-Memorial Health University Medical Center, Memorial  Health OR 20 and Endovascular Suites, Memorial Health Breast Center,  Womancare Obstetrics and Gynecology to name a few.  In non-medical  construction they built Ocean View Condominiums, International Paper,   Planters Inn and a current project at the Southern College of Art and  Design.

“We’re happy to have K.A.P. General Contractors sponsor our 2nd Annual Labor Day Bash,” said Bill McCutcheon, AKRA CEO and General Manager.   “The Kicklighters are a great family and we’re proud to have them race  with us and support us.”

For more information on K.A.P. General Contractors and to see their work visit their website at www.kapconstruction.com.   For updates on  the Labor Day Bash and other AKRA news visit their website at  www.americankarting.us.
--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE  (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

April 29, 2007

Larry Jones Motorsports AKRA Title Sponsor for Chapel Hill National


By Bruce C. Walls
AKRA Media Director

Latham, N.Y.-The American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) proudly announces that Larry Jones Motorsports of Latham, N.Y. has signed on as  title sponsor of their June 15-17 American Speedway Championship  Asphalt Series race at Chapel Hill Raceway in Humphrey, N.Y. For the  past six-years Larry  Jones Motorsports has been a leader in racing engineered components and tools to the kart racing industry.

Known for their headline product ‘The Super True Tire Machine’ which  cuts tires to perfection, they also are makers of the just as popular  tire Heat Cube. “We can’t make either of them fast enough,” said  company owner Larry Jones.

In addition to those two fine machines, Larry Jones Motorsports carries  a large inventory of diverse products such as motor mounts, caster  gauges, camber gages, skip tooth gear, clutch hub rack, the big angle,  tach mount, drive hub rack, cam caddy, ultra clean tire machine, the   enforcer and other products that can be viewed and purchased from their website at www.larryjonesmotorsports.com  or ordered at 518.786.0910.

The Larry Jones Motorsports National will be the second of the 2007 American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series four-race season. Chapel  Hill Raceway’s 1/5-mile asphalt oval is a driver’s track. With a bowl  shape drivers are on the throttle every lap.

“We are excited to have Larry Jones Motorsports join us as race sponsor  for our second race of our new season,” said AKRA CEO Bill McCutcheon.  Knowing the quality and caliber of products Larry Jones  Motorsports offers the industry their support will only add to the success of this  rapidly growing karter friendly series.”

Many of the nation’s top asphalt competitors will be at this exciting  event providing spectators with close racing action. Thanks to Larry  Jones Motorsports that will be possible. “I’m for the racer,” Jones
said adding, “That’s what it’s all about the racer. Without racers we wouldn’t be here.”

--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
KARTING'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU SUPPORT TODAY.

Hall and Starnes Make AKRA History

Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls

CONCORD, N.C.-Mark Hall and Tyler Strickland made American Kart Racing  Association (AKRA) history Saturday April 14thon Concord Motor  Speedway’s _-mile asphalt track in Concord, N.C. Srickland scored the Association’s first ever Speedway Championships Asphalt Series win.  Hall earned five wins.

AKRA race officials were racing against the weather. A nor’easter was passing by on its way up the coast. From the west another storm was  crossing the south dropping tornadoes along its way. It was decided  that with Sunday’s forecast calling for 90% chance of rain and the  current threat to do it all Saturday. To keep the program moving racers  voted to have one round of qualifying for day 1’s features, then use  race results for day 2’s line up. It was also decided that qualifying  for Stock Medium would also set Lite and Heavy’s starting fields.

Strickland scored two wins that day with John Blacker chasing him under the checkered flag both times. In Day 1’s competition it was by 0.416  of a second. Day 2’s finish was nearly the same with just 0.416 of a  second separating them at the stripe.

In the first one Strickland inherited the lead and three laps later he  was in victory lane. According to Strickland, who was one of three  double winners that day, “It feels good getting AKRA’s first asphalt  win. “I was just trying my best. I run against Scooter all over the  place. I knew he’d be a lot of competition this  weekend.  Once I got  ahead of him I just did the best I could.  He gave me a couple of bump  drafts every now and then so I knew he was there.  I just did my best and I came away with the win.”

Hall blistered the track with a 14.040-seconds Stock Medium  pole-winning lap. From there Hall out dueled Starnes for several laps  in Lite. Suddenly, Hall’s machine quit “We had an axel come loose. The  right rear come up against the frame and the brake was dragging” Hall explained two races later in victory lane. “We got it out and the kart was a lot better.”

Hall earned his first win later that day in Stock Medium. This time  Hall made up for his earlier loss. When the green flag flew the  three-racer field lined up nose-to-tail behind Hall. Several laps later  Hall pulled away leaving Justin Starnes and Randy Treadway scrapping  over second. Hall broke from the others and built a comfortable lead he  took to the stripe. There he was 4.703-seconds ahead of Starnes.  Treadway trailed Starnes for the field.

Treadway trailed Hall by 5.332-seconds in Stock Heavy. They shared front row and battled side-by-side for the first two laps. Hall’s kart  came in on lap three and pulled away for a never surrendered lead to the finish.

“No we didn’t find anything different, Hall explained. “We kept it the  same speed all day. It’s just like Daytona. When you run low and fast  you’ll be fast all day. If not you’re going to be slow all day.”

Hall kicked off Day 2’s action winning Stock Lite. From the outside  pole Starnes scrambled into the early lead with Hall close behind him.  Hall let him enjoy leading for three laps before blowing by him. Later  with just three laps remaining Starnes’ machine broke giving Hall a  huge lead he took to the finish.

He wrapped it up with back-to-back wins in Stock Medium and Stock  Heavy. From their poles he beat Starnes by 6.226-seconds in Medium and  Treadway by 5.204-seconds in Heavy.

Starnes piloted his Millennium chassis to Stock Lite’s victory lane.   According to Starnes, “We had a good kart today. I’ve definitely got to  thank Mark Hall Motorsports, J.T. Stillwagon and Millennium Racing 
Chassis they prepared a good kart for us today. We seem to have a good deal for this year everything’s working pretty good. I’m just real,  real, happy and pleased with this first asphalt win. This is the first   asphalt race ever for me and it just seems like everything’s going to work this year. This morning when I rolled it on the track it was my  first time on asphalt. I’ve probably been in millions of dirt races,  but never on asphalt.”

Two more double winners went into the history book. Wayne Winters won  both Senior Champ offerings and John Blacker bested Paul Hee by 0.359  and 1.093-seconds in the Junior Three classes.

Piloting a P&P Speed Shop powered Laser chassis Wayne Winters of  Durham, N.C. pumped out a 14.120- econds Senior Champ pole-winning lap.  From there Winters blasted into the early lead with David Henderson and  Forrest Vaughn scrapping over second behind him. In the final laps John  Zentner drafted by them for a second place finish trailing Winters by  4.764-seconds. Henderson was third across the stripe  followed in the top five by Forrest Vaughn and Eric Zeh.

  “It was getting rough, but they got this kart hooked up today,”  Winters credited. “They changed the track by coming in here and  grinding on it. It’s got a lot of bite in a lot of places and in a lot  of places it don’t, so you don’t know where you’re going to be. When we  were here last time you had to actually get off it a little bit in the  corners. If you ran it wide open you’d be in the wall. I want to thank  Freddy Parsons for setting up the kart to thank P&P Speed Shop they  make great engines and Competition Karting for the unbelievable chassis  they’ve been making all these years.”

Winters scored his second win in similar fashion. Only this time it was  Vaughn chasing him across the stripe. Vaughn trailed him by  5.361-seconds. Behind Vaughn John Zeniner and Henderson completed the 
four-racer field.

Blacker and Hee put on a great show in Junior 3 Gold. Blacker bagged   the pole with a 14.003-seconds trip. Hee was second fastest at   14.172-seconds. When the green flag flew they stayed side-by-side into
turn one, out of turn two and down the backstretch. They were still  door-to-door into turn three and out of four. As they headed back to turn one Blacker got under Hee. Blacker got a nose on him and moved  into a never surrendered lead as they rounded turns one and two. Hee  stayed glued to Blacker’s back bumper. At the stripe he was just 0.359  of a second late.

“My dad sets the kart up real good. X-Caliber builds an awesome motor  to get us down the long straight- ways. They have a lot of power. Bob  White builds a great chassis for us. The most important person I have  to thank today is my grandpa. He real bad off, he’s real sick, but he  let us come. I just hope God lets him go in peace. Some places have  good bite and others the kart was too loose. Between one and two it was  real loose; between three and four the kart hooked up and flies.”

Single winners Chance Wright and Steven Berlin each posted a Junior  Sportsman Champ win. Wright won Day 1’s pole with a time of  12.990-seconds. Wright hustled into the early lead and fought off  Berlin’s  challenges down to the stripe. “I’m not sure how I did it,” admitted the 11-year-old Marietta, OH based winner, “I just pulled out  at the end. The kart ran good and we had plenty of power.”

When the checkered flag flew Berlin was 0.245 of a second behind  Wright’s Turner Racing Engines powered Rage kart. Further back Jak  Kicklighter crossed three seconds later for the field.

Berlin was determined not to let the second feature slip by. Wright was  back on the pole. Berlin started next to him. At the start Wright dove  low going into turn one with a tight grip on the early lead. Wright  opened a huge lead as Berlin and Kicklighter battled for second. Berlin  secured the position and went afterWright. With a little help from   Kicklighter, Berlin drafted by Wright bringing Kicklighter with him.  They would stay that way until the end. Kicklighter was 0.285 of a  second late with Wright glued to his tail  0.573 of a second later.  Wright fell to third rounding out the field.

AKRA’s 2007 American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series still has  four events scheduled. Chapel Hill Speedway in Humphrey, N.Y. will host  the series’ second national June 15-17. August 17-19 the series travels  to Beaver Run Motor Sports Complex where they will battle on the large  tri oval. September 28-30 they will return to Concord Motor Sports Park  for Super Nationals. On the 28th racers will compete in a Special event the ‘Firestone 500.’

Bruce C. Walls
Action Enterprises, Inc.
Action Sports Photos/Action Sports Promotions
P.O. Box 914 Bethany Beach, De  19930
Phone/Fax 302.537.7223
E-mailbwalls@fast.net  or sportsshooter@verizon.net
www.printroom.com/pro/DSAM