August 21, 2008
WETZEL WINS FOUR
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Digital Images by
Bruce C. Walls and
Susan Taylor-Walls
WAMPUM, PA-Craig Wetzel won four American Kart Racing Association American
Speedway Championship Asphalt Series nationals at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex
Saturday August 16th. The Pittsburgh, PA based, Turner Racing Engines powered
Phantom Phenom kart pilot posted wins in both Animal Heavy and Stock Medium
offerings. Wetzel was among a record number of racers entered in round three of
four in AKRA’s growing Asphalt Series.
Racers and fans couldn’t have asked for better race weather. AKRA owner Bill
McCutcheon described it as, “ a Chamber of Commerce kind of day.” Temperatures
were in the mid 70’s with a slight breeze.
BeaveRun Motorsports Complex offered racers a practice day that Friday from 10
am to 3 pm for just $20. Many competitors took them up on that offer. Among
those practicing and racing were five members of Ted Swiontek’s TS Max Racecraft
team. They were there testing several of Swiontek’s new oval chassis. All five
were asphalt virgins who adapted quickly to the challenges of asphalt
competition. (see sidebar on TS Max Racecraft) “This has been a good opportunity
for my drivers to get asphalt experience. They seem to be adapting pretty well,”
said Swiontek.
Racers qualified for the first feature round. Starting positions for the second
round of feature races were based on moto-cross scoring. Wetzel started on both
Animal Heavy poles. He earned the initial pole with a 19.213-seconds rounding on
the ¼-mile, 26 foot wide asphalt tri-oval.
Wetzel rocketed away from Animal Heavy’s first feature field with outside pole
winner Jon Chapman threatening in the early going. Wetzel shook off Chapman’s
early challenges cruising to a comfortable 3.290-seconds cushion over Chapman at
the checkered flag. Further back in for the top five were Hank Branham, Thomas
Hawkins and Joey Maruca.
“We’ve been struggling with this chassis for awhile. It’s mainly a dirt chassis.
We’ve been working hard trying to figure it out for asphalt,” Wetzel said. “New
York (Chapel Hill Raceway) wasn’t too friendly to us, so coming here is like a
home track for us. I want to thank my dad most of all. He does all the work; I
just sit down and drive. It’s been a good day. The track came to us this
morning. So we’ve been lucky to be lucky. Everything’s working out for us.”
Chapman shot by Wetzel for the second Animal Heavy feature’s early lead. Behind
him Wetzel was locked in a three-way fight for second. After several laps Wetzel
secured second, set his sights on Chapman, closed the gap, set him up and passed
him for the lead. Once in charge Wetzel built the lead into a 6.449-seconds
finish line advantage over Chapman. This time Maruca, Branham and Hawkins filled
third through fifth.
Wetzel whipped around the track in 20.189-seconds for Stock Medium’s pole. From
there he held off Keith Fink who finished second. Wetzel earned his fourth win
in round two’s Stock Heavy. Kenneth Komray captured Stock Heavy’s pole with a
20.399-seconds lap. In the first feature Rougemont, N.C. racer Wesley Poole
roared into the early lead with Komray trailing a distant second. Komray closed
that gap and at mid race was back on Poole’s back bumper. But Poole prevailed to
the end where he owned a 0.109-seconds advantage over Komray.
“That was a tough one there. Kenneth (Komray) ran a good race. He qualified on
the pole and I didn’t know if I had anything for him, but this Laser kart took
off quick and we held it off at the end,” Poole described. “I want to thank P&P
Speed Shop for the great engines. I want to thank Jim Crone for all of his help,
Laser Racing Chassis, my dad for giving us the cash to get up here. I also want
to thank my wife for scraping tires all day. It was a great race and a great
run. We got a win in the book and I hope we can go for two.”
Later that day Wetzel and Poole fought for the second Stock Heavy feature’s
early lead. Poole grabbed the lead. Wetzel, Komray and John Smith were locked
nose-to-tail behind him. With five laps to go Wetzel got going and without
drafting assistance he powered past Poole for the lead. The top three stayed
lined up tight. They crossed the stripe with Wetzel grabbing his forth win of
the day.
“This track’s been good to us,” said Wetzel. “We didn’t change anything between
races. I’m just trying to figure out this Phenom kart and it’s finally coming
together. Again I give it all to my daddy. He does all the work. I sit down and
drive. It’s worked good so far.”
Four racers scored double wins that Saturday. Aaron Easler who topped the Stock
Lite offerings. Piloting a Turner Racing Engines powered TS Max Racecraft
prototype chassis, Easler earned the pole with a 20.590-seconds rounding. His
brother Ben, driving a similarly prepared machine, was second fastest at
20.717-seconds. The Easler brothers battled back and forth during the early
laps. After three laps of heated racing Aaron secured the lead and began pulling
away from his brother. At the halfway mark Easler was way ahead of his brother
Ben and the rest of the field. When he crossed the stripe the final time Aaron
was comfortably 6.047-seconds ahead of Ben. Behind Ben were Sylvan Easler and
Dave Primrose.
“Since this is all of our first time on asphalt it was nice just to be able to
run with them because they have a lite class,” Easler described. “It’s a lot
more fun to do that than get our butts kicked by some of these guys who do this
all the time. But it’s just been fun trying to figure out different ways to
adjust ourselves to the track and get better and better each time we go out. So
it’s been a neat experience.”
The second Stock Lite feature had Aaron hustling into the early lead with Ben
close behind. Aaron opened it up a little this time, but Ben stayed on his
tailpipe eventually stealing part of the lead. The battle continued down to the
day’s closest finish with Ben trailing by just 0.052-seconds in a side-by-side
photo finish across the stripe. As were in the first feature, Sylvan and
Primrose finished third and fourth.
“Given how the last one went he had some problems with his kart, the side
protector came off and that slowed him down a lot. I didn’t see him the whole
race once I got by him, so I thought I had a pretty comfortable gap, but he
passed me there,” Aaron explained. “I was able to kind of pinch him down in one.
Down in three I tried to make sure I stayed at the bottom and I finally got in
the grass at the bottom there. It was interesting. I had a problem trying to
block him there. It was fun.”
From qualifying through both features, 15-year-old Katonah, NY racer Tyler
Robertson ruled Junior Champ. Robertson rounded the track in 20.976-seconds for
the pole. Nick Giachetti and Ryan Douglas offered Robertson early challenges.
Robertson shook them off and opened the lead. Giachetti and Douglas began
battling for second giving Robertson a chance to run away with the lead. Chance
Wright fought his way from the rear to third and joined the fight for second.
Back at the front Robertson continued building on his lead. When the checkered
flag waved for Robertson he was comfortably 7.446-seconds ahead of Giachetti.
Wright ran third followed by Douglas.
“The kart was handling very well. It was excellent the whole race and the Turner
Racing Engine was very impressive,” said Robertson who pocketed $250 for the
win. “I just want to thank Freddie, Wayne, my dad, my brother and my mom.”
Robertson ran away with the second Junior Champ feature. Giachetti offered him
early challenges, but when the halfway signal was shown Robertson was long gone.
This time the finish line difference between Robertson and Giachetti was
7.619-seconds. Douglas and Wright were third and fourth.
“I was really trying hard this time. I didn’t know where they were on the
track,” Robertson said after his second win. “I would just like to thank Turner
Racing Engines, everyone from Laser, Freddy and Wayne.”
Following in his older brother’s tire tracks 12-year-old Patrick Robertson
posted both Junior Sportsman Champ feature wins. Robertson earned the pole with
a 22.307-seconds rounding. He and Mikey Giachetti scrapped side-by-side over the
first feature’s early lead. Robertson secured the lead after several laps.
Giachetti kept the pressure on until they got the mid-race signal. Derek Fry
challenged Giachetti for second. That gave Robertson a chance to open the lead
further. Fry secured second and went after Robertson. Fry tried to close the gap
but when it was over Robertson ruled by 0.365-seconds. Nose-to-tail behind Fry
in the top five were, Timm Brothers Cole and Ryan followed by fifth place
finisher Shawn Fry.
Fry flew into the second Junior Sportsman Champ’s early lead with Robertson
right behind him. Two laps later Fry bobbled in turn three. Robertson seized the
moment and the lead. Robertson had barely led a full lap when the day’s only
full course caution waved. Robertson led the restart and went back to work
building on his lead. Giachetti tried to keep up with Robertson who crossed the
stripe for the final time with a 1.303-seconds lead over Giachetti. Derek Fry
trailed in third, Cole Timm finished fourth followed by Jacob Thompson who
rounded out the top five.
“They were about to catch me,” Robertson admitted I just held on and went a
little lower. The kart was still handling great. Up the hill they were catching
me, but I just hung on. The motor was fine, I think the kart setup was a little
off and that’s why they were catching me. I’m proud of myself for what I did
today.”
Wayne Winters won both Senior Champ features from their poles. The Durham, N.C.
based CKI Racing Engines powered Laser kart pilot posted the pole time in
20.557-seconds. Outside pole winner Joey Maruca was right behind him each time.
In the first feature Maruca was 0.506-seconds late. He lost the second feature
by just 0.278-seconds.
“Joey’s a tough old character,” Winter’s described after his first win. “He just
moved up to champ karts this year and he’s one of the guys you’ve got to put the
stopwatch on when he comes out here. He’s really good on this track. I could
feel him behind me the whole race out there. I just figured he was setting me
up. He had on stickers and we were on used tires. I think he had a better choice
then we did. Again I want to add special thanks Dwayne Browning for taking care
of us with the CKI for the engine. We had plenty of horsepower and that helped
us off these corners we weren’t handling too good on.”
Fourth and final double winner Justin Haden soloed both Junior 2 Blue Plate
features.
Manassas, VA based Hawkins brothers, Chase and Trevor, topped the Junior 1
Purple Plate classes. Trevor led qualifying with a 22.933-seconds trip. Chase
was second fastest at 23.643-seconds. Trevor took the early lead with his
brother on his bumper. They were heading down the back straight for the third
time when Chase successfully challenged his brother. Chase, piloting a KSR
Racing Engines powered Titan kart, quickly built a comfortable gap over his
brother and the rest of the field. Behind him racers were battling for
positions. Brandon Abbott and Preston Cope drafted by Trevor dropping him to
fourth which is how they finished. Chase took the checkered flag. 6.029-seconds
later, it waved for Abbott.
“It was fun,” described the nine-year-old winner. “It’s a hard track, but it’s
fun because it’s got a dogleg and because you have to get on the breaks and all
the other tracks you don’t have to. The kart handled pretty good cause we got a
lot of grip out there. It’s a fast track because there’s a lot of rubber on the
track so you get a lot of grip here.”
Trevor took the second feature’s early lead and continued building on it to the
end. When it was over seven-year-old Trevor beat his brother by 1.802-seconds.
“I beat my brother off the start. The Mongoose kart handled good and the P&P
Speed Shop motor was strong,” Trevor credited.
AKRA asphalt racers have one more date on their 2008 national schedule,
September 19-20 at Orange County Raceway in Rougemont, N.C. That weekend event
will include the second annual “Firestone 500.” Sock Heavy racers will battle
for 300 laps, Senior Champ karts compete for 75-laps as will Junior 3 racers.
Junior Sportsman Champ racers will compete for 50-laps. For more information
visit the AKRA website at
www.americankarting.us.
August 8, 2008
Five Racers Take Double Wins at the Capital City Speedway VDKA Event
By Bruce C. Walls
ASHLAND, VA - Racers started entering Capital City Speedway in Ashland, Va.,
Friday night, July 25, 2008. By Saturday morning 290 racers were entered
in round five of seven 2008 Virginia Dirt Karting Association’s (VDKA)
races scheduled this season. Forecasters predicted a hot steamy day for
that Saturday - and it was. Temperatures neared triple digits and the heat
index was in the triple digits. Despite the heat, a crowd of spectators
filled the stands lining three-quarters of the track. They got to watch
five of those entries earn double wins.
First off the feature grid was 19 Restricted Junior Lite racers led by pole
winner ‘Flat’ Matt Bowling who rounded the ¼-mile clay oval in 14.290
seconds for that starting spot. The 14-year-old Ridgeway, Va., racer
hustled into the early lead. Before he could lead a lap the first of four
caution flags flew. With outside pole winner Nicolas Ogles behind
him, Bowling brought the field back to the green flag. Bowling blasted
away from the field leaving them to battle over the remaining
positions. He built a very comfortable lead in the first five laps before
caution waved again.
Bowling scrambled away from the field when racing resumed. Ogles secured second
and started reeling Bowling in. The third caution flag helped that effort.
Bowling rocketed away from Ogles and the rest of the field again only to
have another huge lead cut by the caution flag. “Those cautions
worried me a little bit because it took a couple of laps for the kart to
come in after each caution, but once it came in we were plenty good right
there,” Bowling said.
In the final laps, Bowling built a 2.200 second advantage over Ogles.
Lewes, Del., driver Brandon White was third across the stripe followed by
Brandon Brown and David Walker for the top five. “I want to thank my Mom
and Dad, Andy Murray, Eddie Mishue, and J.T.,” said Bowling.
Bradley Sacra spun Restricted Junior Heavy’s pole lap with a 13.566 second
trip. Bowling’s Mishue Motorsports-powered Eclipse chassis was second
fastest. This time 20 racers took the green flag. Bowling blasted by Sacra
and into the early lead. Five laps into it the first of two cautions
waved. Bowling led the restart. Before he could get back to the stripe
caution returned.
After the restart Sam Lilly challenged Bowling for the lead. Lilly looked
high and low for an opening then dropped back deep into the field. Brandon
Brown took second and offered a few challenges of his own before trailing
Bowling across the stripe 0.466 seconds later. Sacra, Ogles, and
Walker followed in third, fourth, and fifth.
Veteran kart racer Charles Vanlandingham took two champ class checkered flags.
Piloting a P&P Speed Shop-powered Trick/Olimpic chassis, the
Mechanicsville, MD-based double winner won Senior Champ Over 35’s pole in
13.784 seconds. After showing the field through two cautions,
Vanlandingham scampered away leaving Mark Sullivan and David Knighton
scrapping over second. Sullivan secured the position trailing
Vanlandingham by 1.367 seconds. Knighton was 1.690 seconds off the pace
followed in the top five by Wes Simmons and Mike Mitchell.
Chris Shepard spun Senior Champ Lite’s pole-winning lap in 13.475 seconds
while Troy Martin joined him on front row. Starting behind them in row two
were Matt Ridgeway and Vanlandingham. Shepard shot into the early lead
while Vanlandingham worked his way through the field. Vanlandingham
reached a distant second and began reeling in Shepard. The first of four
caution flags helped him close the gap. Shepard led the restart with
Vanlandingham and Ridgeway poised to take the lead from him. Vanlandingham
quickly took control of the field and led just long enough to take them
through the next one. Caution waved once more before it was over. In
the final laps, Wood challenged Vanlandingham’s lead several times and then
trailed him across the stripe 1.069 seconds later. Daniel Ryder,
Ridgeway, and Christopher Fahed followed in third through fifth.
“The restarts kind of worried me,” Vanlandingham said. “We had a lot of guys
behind us, a lot of really good competitors behind us. I knew I could get
away from them if they didn’t get by me on the restart. Carl Works Racing
has had us up front everywhere we go.”
Tanner Aman, of Caroline, Va., topped Senior Champ Heavy’s 20-racer field
nipping Vanlandingham by mere 0.098 seconds at the stripe. Buzz Moore
blistered the track with a 14.531 second pole-winning lap as Aman shared
front row with him. Vanlandingham quickly vaulted from fourth to the front
as he and Aman battled back and forth. Heading for the checkered flag,
they were door–to- oor as Aman got a nose on Vanlandingham at the stripe
for the photo finish. Four seconds later, Moore made it to the stripe followed
by Daniel Ryder and Troy Martin.
“I was going for the ride. I tried something several times to set me back up and
it finally did,” explained Aman who pilots an Ogles Racing Engines-powered
Olimpic Riddler chassis. The kart was a little tight but it was definitely
fast.”
Troy Doggett and Sean Keith Stanley swept the Junior Sportsman 1 and 2
offerings. Troy Schill spun Sportsman 1 Lite’s pole lap in15.045 seconds.
From the outside pole Doggett’s Moon Power South-powered Phantom shot into
the early lead leaving Schill and Zach Bullis, of Millsboro, Del., in a
dicey battle for second. Schill and Bullis surrendered their positions as
Chase Rawlings and Justin Kirby drafted by them taking over second and
third but in the final laps Dylan Jackson got by Bullis for fourth. At the
stripe, Doggett owned a very comfortable 4.750 second lead over Rawlings.
“Man, I can’t believe it. I had a straightaway and it started to flutter and I
can’t believe I made it,” beamed the 10-year-old Ruther Glenn, Va., based
winner. “The kart felt all right. I want to thank my parents, my crew and
my family.”
Joe Hall turned a 14.444 second top Heavy qualifying lap. Doggett was
second fastest again this time turning a 14.554 second lap. This time Hall
hustled into the early lead with Doggett threatening him at every corner.
Further back Rawlings was threading his way through the field heading for
the front. A caution flag on lap five halted the action. Hall led
them back to the green flag as battles forpositions resumed behind him.
Several laps later, caution returned for the final time. Hall led at the
restart. With Rawlings, Bullis, and Jackson behind him Doggett engineered
a freight train by Hall for the lead. Hall battled back to second and
tried to recapture the lead. His efforts fell short and he fell back
into the field. Rawlings retook second and offered Doggett several
challenges before trailing him across the stripe 0.277 seconds
later. Bullis, Jackson and Trevor Brightwell followed in third, fourth, and
fifth.
“Man, I can’t believe it that’s two times in a row,” Doggett beamed. “That
thing was loose. I don’t know who was right behind me, but I could feel
them in the crossover. I can’t believe I did it.”
With lap times of 14.392 and 13.597 seconds Stanley secured Junior
Sportsman 2 Lite and Heavy’s poles from where he mounted campaigns to the
checkered flags. In Lite’s opening laps Ryan Montgomery, Dallas Cosby and
outside pole winner Grayson Brightwell each threatened Stanley’s lead. On
lap five, the race’s only caution flag flew. Stanley led the restart with
Montgomery glued to his tailpipe. Montgomery got a piece of the lead, but
Stanley shot back by him recapturing it.
Stanley shook off Montgomery’s final challenges. Montgomery slipped back
to fourth as Dallas and Dustin Cosby worked together to draft by him.
Austin Babb battled his way to fourth and Van Davis followed him across the
stripe in fifth.
“He (Ryan Montgomery) passed me maybe halfway and he started blocking on
the last lap and I went on the inside of him and I spun him out,”
described the 11-year-old Amelia, VA based double winner. “I don’t know
what happened I just went down and I was thinking ‘Oh, please don’t let
anybody pass me’. I want to say a special thanks to my Mom and Dad, my
grandma, Trick Olimpic and Tod Miller Racing Engines; they all helped me.”
Babb was Heavy’s outside pole winner. After a failed first attempt to get
the 13-racer field started Stanley led them single file back to the green
flag. Stanley escaped from the field. In the final laps Babb reeled him
in. But behind Babb, Dustin Cosby was leading a freight train that
was coming fast. They got by Babb, but couldn’t continue the momentum past
Stanley who took the checkered flagwith a 0.813 second advantage over
Cosby. Montgomery, Brightwell, and Babb filled the rest of the podium.
“Oh, my gosh! Two in a row! I can’t believe it. I thought they had me,”
Stanley said. “They were coming up behind me. I looked behind me and I
just pulled away and I held on to the end. I don’t know what happened -
the kart was just fast today.”
Joey Mahanes clinched both Stock Raptor offerings, Medium and Heavy
(Raptor) from their poles he earned with lap times of 13.503 and 13.200
seconds. Mahanes was perfect in both. Dougie Young trailed him each time.
In Medium, he rocketed into the initial lead and built on it every lap. At
the end, he owned a very comfortable 4.6878 second cushion over Young.
Trailing Young in the top five of 10 were David Meade, Larry Phipps, and
Brad Foy.
“The kart was perfect. It was great! Jimmy (Ogles) did a great job with
the kart and helped me with the motors. He had it good all day. It was
fast,” Mahanes beamed after his first win.
Heavy was similar except his lead was cut by a late race caution that
tightened up the field. With just three laps left Mahanes led the restart.
Young stayed glued to his tailpipe battling side-by-side as they exited
turn four. It was a drag race to the stripe from there and a photo finish
when they got there with Young a mere 0.028 seconds late for the night’s
closest finish. This time Young was trailed across the stripe by Aaron
Markham, Foy, and Meade.
Three Briggs Animal classes competed that Saturday. Thomas Underwood
topped Animal Lite’s qualifying. Outside pole winner John Cunningham
captured the early lead as the field spread out evenly behind him. Third
fastest qualifier Josh Ayer whipped around Underwood for second crossing
1.766 seconds late. Underwood held onto third followed by Stephen Price
and Cody Jones in fourth and fifth.
Cunningham clocked Animal Medium’s pole lap blistering the track in 12.672
seconds for a new track record. Midlothian, Va., racer Jason “Higgy”
Higginbotham was second fastest at 12.951 seconds. Still under the 13
second mark were Chris Beazley and Josh Ayer as they lined up in row two.
After a failed first start Cunningham led them back to the green flag. Two
laps later the race’s only caution flag waved for the 17-racer field with
Cunningham still in the lead. Cunningham fought off challenges from Higgy
and Ayer holding onto the lead until the final lap. As he and
Beazley were battling for the lead they got together sending Cunningham
spinning. When Higgy came back around he was in the lead heading for the
checkered flag. Ayer trailed him 1.244 seconds later and was followed in
the top five were Beazley, Scott Bajer, of Mechanicsville, Va., and Stony Creek,
Va., racer Adam Beville.
“I’m not sure what happened on the last lap. I guess those guys got to
racing a little bit. It was a heck of a race. The kart started out real, real,
real loose. It came in and we got to battling on the last lap and I got a
good run off of turn two and got around him (Cunningham) on the outside.
When I came back around he was spun out and I don’t know what happened,”
Higginbotham, who pilots a TKS Racing Engines-powered Illusion Racing
Chassis, described. “It was a little bit loose in the beginning. I don’t
know why it was dancing all over the place. Then she started coming in I
started throwing into it in one and two after it got a little better.”
John Yancey fought his way from a fifth place start in Animal Heavy to a
first place finish. Mike Brightwell blasted out the pole winning lap in
13.578 seconds. Brightwell rocketed into the early lead with Yancey
jumping in behind him. Several laps later Yancey worked by Brightwell for
the lead bringing Bajer with him. Yancey and Bajer battled side-by-side
down the frontstretch heading for the checkered flag. They reached the
stripe with Yancey’s Lu Lu Motorsports-powered Phantom edging out Bajer by
0.047 seconds for the night’s closest finish. Brightwell was behind Bajer
in third, Higgy followed in fourth, Beville in fifth.
“I just tried to be patient. It was all I could do. I knew the tires would
come in about halfway through and they did and I lucked out,” They battled
a little bit when I got up there. I made some mistakes, but I just tried to be
patient and work my way up.”
Ryan Montgomery and Kyle Rigg ruled the Sportsman 2 Champ Lite and Heavy
classes. G. R. Waldrop was the fastest Lite qualifier. His 15.603 second
lap was 0.080 seconds faster than outside pole winner Montgomery. Rigg was
third fastest - as he would be in the Heavy class. Ryan Fisher joined him
on Lite’s second row. Waldrop had to start them off single file. Rigg
grabbed the early lead. Next time around 12-year-old Montgomery, of
Fairmont, W.V., stole the lead. Rigg rallied back the third time around.
They diced it up several more times before Rigg took the halfway signal.
The battle continued throughout the second half. Montgomery took it and
opened a 1.697 second lead over Rigg at the stripe. Fisher finished third,
Timothy O’Conner followed in fourth, and Ryan O’Conner crossed fifth.
“I just drove the race how I could and came home with the win,” said the
MC Motorsports-powered Phantom Icon pilot. “The Icon kart ran good, but it
was pushing a little in turns three and four. The MC Motorsports motor ran
good the whole race.”
Montgomery turned Sportsman 2 Champ Heavy’s fastest qualifying lap in
14.513 seconds. After a failed first start, Montgomery led the 11-racer
field single file out of turn four heading for the green flag. Montgomery
shot into the early lead with Rigg threatening to take it from him. Next
time around Rigg, of Ladysmith, Va., took it and showed the field for one
lap before Montgomery recaptured it. Rigg returned to the lead on lap four, but
before he could lead them back around caution waved for a second time.
Montgomery led the restart.
While Montgomery and Timothy O’Connor engaged in a lead swapping battle at
the front things were heating up behind them as racers battled for
positions. Two laps later Montgomery was leading when the caution flag
waved for the final time. Montgomery led the restart and next time around
Rigg led a freight train by him. Montgomery scrambled back to second and
tried to steal the lead from Rigg. Coming out of turn four for the final
they battled side-by-side for the checkered flag waving ahead of them.
Rigg’s Williams Motorsports-powered Phantom Phenom was first to the stripe
by a nose. Just 0.091 seconds separated them in the night’s second closest
finish. O’Connor crossed third, Ryan Fisher followed in fourth and
Christian Williams capped the top five.
“It was all the kart. That’s what I’d say,” credited the 13-year-old
winner, “The kart was good. I want to thank my Dad and Kerry Brown for the
kart.”
Two TaG (touch and go) classes competed, TaG Sprint and TaG Champ. Ernest
Jones earned TaG Sprint’s pole with a 13.640 second run. When the green
flag flew third fastest qualifier Conner Ezzell quickly glued his machine
to Jones’ Lee Williams Motorsports- owered Phantom chassis. They stayed
nose-to-tail for 20 laps crossing the stripe with Jones just 0.086 seconds
ahead for the night’s closest finish. Trailing Ezzell in the top five of
10 were George Powers, Justin Clark, and Nick Hall.
“I have no clue how I stayed in front of him (Ezzell). I just drove,”
Jones shrugged. “The kart was pretty good, but it started tightening up at
the end. She got really tight at the very end.”
John Testerman was fastest of four TaG Champ qualifiers spinning a 13.700
second lap. Greg Flagg was second fastest at 13.885 seconds. Rodney Heath
and Carter Sipe made up row two. When the green flag flew so did
Testerman. Behind him Flagg was glued to his tailpipe finishing just 0.448
seconds late at the stripe. Heath and Sipe followed in third and fourth.
In other 2-cycle action, Matt Tapman topped Yamaha with a 1.620 second
advantage over third fastest qualifier Nick Hall. Ezzell lapped the track
in 12.677 seconds for the pole. Billy Tapman shared front row with him.
Behind them, Hall and Stuart McCullough filled row two. Following a
fizzled first start, Ezzell led the 10-racer field back to the green flag
and zoomed into the early lead with Billy Tapman trailing a distant
second. Behind Billy Tapman, Hall was leading a freight train through the
field. At the halfway mark Hall engineered that freight train by Ezzell.
Hall barely led a lap when the race’s second caution flag flew. Hall
led the restart but Matt Tapman got a run on Hall after the restart and
zoomed into the lead, which he took to the stripe. Stuart McCullough was third
across the stripe followed by Ezzell and Justin Groome.
Jeff Bavaro clocked Senior Stock’s fastest qualifying lap in 13.071 seconds, but
when the checkered flag flew it was for third fastest qualifier Mike
Brightwell. Bavaro was second by 0.655 seconds followed in the top five by
Charlie Mizelle, Richard Taylor, and Jimmy Clarke.
Lap times of 13.186 and 13.382 seconds earned Jason Manes and Jimbo
Ackerman Stock Super Heavy’s top two starting positions. Behind them in
row two were Michael Alderman and Daniel Terry. Ackerman hustled into the
initial lead with Manes poised to take it from him. After a little lead
dicing, Manes secured the lead and built a comfortable cushion to take it
across the stripe with Ackerman trailing 2.140 seconds later. Filling
third through fifth were Michael Alderman, Billy Tweeden, and Timmy Hall.
“The kart was perfect. It was great! Jimmy (Ogles) did a great job with
the kart and helped me with the motors. He had it good all day. It was
fast,” credited the Powhatan, Va., based Moon Power South-powered Phantom
kart pilot.
Piloting a Cline Motorsports-powered Millenium kart, Chris Beasley, of
Bowling Green, Va., performed perfectly in Limited. After earning the pole
with a 12.943 second lap, Beasley beat Charlie Mizelle to the stripe by
2.720 seconds. Trailing in the top five were Kyle Ezzell, Cunningham, and
Beville.
“Ever since a few weeks ago I’ve been working really hard and Millenium
Karts has been helping me a lot. Paul Michaels, Higgy, and everybody
helped me,” Beazley explained. “We’re racing again and that’s what we
needed to do. I also want to thank and appreciate my wife - she just had
our little baby girl the first of the week - and I’ve been working hard
trying to get ready for this weekend. This win’s for them. They’re at home
waiting on me while I’m racing.”
Dylan Jackson, of Kernersville, N.C., fought his way from a fifth place
start to a first place finish in Sportsman 1 Champ. Cale Overstreet
clocked the pole time in 15.693 seconds. Overstreet and DJ Cunningham
fought hard in the early laps trading the lead back and forth. In the
final laps, Jackson joined the battle for the lead powering his Tod Miller
Racing Engines-powered Rage Kart into the lead with five laps left.
Jackson and Overstreet battled side-by-side heading for the checkered
flag. In a photo finish, Jackson nipped Overstreet at the stripe by just
0.083 seconds. Cunningham captured third and was followed in the top five
by Testerman and Doggett.
“The number 11 (Cale Overstreet) and T. J. Cunningham got together and I
went under them,” described the 8-year-old Richmond,Va., racer. “The kart
handled good. I want to thank Rage Karts, Scotty Bajer, my Dad, my Grandpa and
Tod Miller.”
Spencer Malick spun Junior Champs fastest qualifying lap in 14.483seconds.
Sixteen-year-old Derrick Rice, of Kernersville, N.C., was second fastest
at 14.493 seconds. After two fizzled attempts to start the 10-racer field,
Malick finally got them going single file. Rice and Brandon Brown were
behind him working together. They drafted by Malick dropping him to third.
Rice powered his way into a huge lead by mid-race. Behind him the battle
was for second. Malick wrestled his way back to second, but by then Rice
was at the stripe with a 4.002 second advantage. Sam Hunt, J. D. Eversole
and Temie Bottoms completed the top five.
“The reason we didn’t start off first is because we forgot to turn the
fuel on, but once we did that everything kind of just fell into place,”
explained the Mishue Motorsports-powered Eclipse kart pilot. “I figured I
might as well get out there and lead while we had a chance to see what we
could do and sure enough turned out for the better for it. I’m just glad.
I wanted to win here last time, but I had more problems then. I was just
lucky enough to pull out a second here last time so this is a really
special win.”
VDKA racers have two more dates remaining on their 2008 schedule. On
September 20th, they return to Amelia Motor Speedway then on October 4th
they end their season at Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C.
--
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-mail bwalls@fast.net or
sportsshooter@verizon.net
www.actionpicsandpromos.com
www.kartingkomments.com
www.thebruceblog-news.blogspot.com
June 30, 2008
Local Racers Earn Super National Wins
Words and Images by:
Bruce C. Walls
AYDEN, N.C.-Zachary Bullis of Millsboro, DE and Alex White, of Lewes, DE, earned national kart racing wins last Saturday (June 28th) at Southern Pitt Raceway in Ayden, N.C. during the American Kart Racing Association’s (AKRA) Super Nationals. Bullis was a double winner topping both Sportsman 1 Purple Plate and White won the first Sportsman 2 feature.
Piloting a Phantom Racing Chassis powered by a P&P Speed Shop prepared motor,
Bullis produced pole times of 15.629 and 15.797-seconds on the ¼-mile clay oval. When the first green flag flew Bullis blasted away from the field battling for positions behind him. Bullis extend his lead every lap. Before ending the 20-lap feature with a 12.332-seconds advantage over second place Austin Smith, Bullis lapped the field.
“The kart was a little loose and I thought they would be on my bumper so I just drove it as hard as I could,” Bullis explained in Victory Lane. “I wasn’t worried about traffic, I can go through traffic ok. The kart was good and P&P Speed Shop gave me plenty of power.”
Bullis repeated his perfect performance in the second feature. This time Brayton Haws trailed him under the checkered flag 9.302-seconds later. As a Super National winner Bullis earned 50-bonus points towards his season tally. Bullis entered Saturday’s race ranked fourth nationally 394-points behind national leader Spencer Davis. His weekend wins strengthen his quest for the national championship.
White’s 0.079-seconds victory margin over Trey Tarlton on the ¼-mile clay oval was the event’s closest finish. White hustled into the early lead with Tarlton trying to take it from him. Tarlton challenged White’s Mishue Motorsports powered Galaxy Kart at every corner. White held on out powering Tarlton down the speedway’s long straights. “The kart handled good and Eddie Mishue gave me a powerful motor,” credited 11-year-old White. Tarlton keep the pressure on him down to the stripe. Crossing behind Tarlton in the top five were Austin Babb, Matthew Brown and Sean Keith Stanley.
“I don’t know how I stayed in the lead. I just drove it they way I wanted to,” White explained. White and the other Super National competitors earned 50- bonus points towards their national ranking. . White entered Saturday’s race ranked ninth. White’s win will help him close in on the top five national competitors.
White’s older brother Brandon competed in Sportsman 3 Gold. He posted finishes of fourth and third respectively. Labor Day Weekend the Whites will rejoin hundreds of kart racers for the next American Speedway Dirt Championship Series national this one hosted by the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA. The series season finale’ will be held October 10-11 at the Myrtle Beach Motor Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
For more information about the American Kart Racing Association visit their website at www.akrainc.com or call the office in Monroe, N.C. at 704.764.8138.
June 17, 2008
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June 9, 2008
Tyler Walker Triples At Chapel Hill AKRA National
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by:
Susan Taylor –Walls
Bruce C. Walls
CHAPEL HILL, N.Y.-At a time when other national touring series are seeing
entries decline the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) is
experiencing just the opposite-growth. Even with the threat of rain, this
year’s American Championship Speedway Asphalt Series witnessed an
impressive 45% entry increase over last year’s event.
Forecasters were predicting a 70% chance of rain that Saturday May 31st
Racers got two hours of practice before their driver’s meeting where AKRA
officials offered them two choices for qualifying: The usual group
qualifying or allowing a computer to do a random pick for the first race
with fields inverted for the start of the second round of features. Racers
voted for the second option giving them a better chance of getting to do
what they traveled to Humphrey, N.Y. to do-race.
Fifteen-year-old Tyler Walker of North Tonawanda, N.Y was the day’s
standout. Walker was a triple winner. His hat trick started with a win in
the first Junior 2 Blue main where he beat Braeden Bilinsky to the stripe
by a comfortable 6.565-seconds. The computer selected Bilinsky for the
pole and he quickly hustled into the early lead with Walker threatening
from behind. On their third trip around the 1/7th-mile high banked oval
Walker blasted by Bilinsky for a never surrendered lead to the finish.
Wins two and three came in round two starting again with Junior 2 Blue
where this time Blinsky was 5.817-seconds behind Walker. “I’m a good driver and
I have experience,” Walker said. “The kart was smooth, really smooth. I
barely had to turn the steering wheel at all.”
Walker completed his hat trick with a win in Junior Sportsman Champ round
two. Patrick Robertson and Walker started in the rear of the inverted
field. They quickly battled through the field taking their battle back to
the front where Robertson grabbed the lead. He and Walker swapped the lead
on the second and third times around. Robertson recaptured the lead, held
it under the halfway signal and took the five to go signal.
Walker was all over Robertson’s back bumper. With time and distance closing fast
Walker made a charge for the lead and took it. Robertson tried to take the
lead back at every corner. Walker held on crossing the stripe with a
0.254-second. Derek Fry, Taylor Shaw and Shawn Fry filled the top five.
“It was exciting. Patrick (Robertson) was really fast,” Walker described.
“The kart was a little bit tighter this time,” he said adding, “It’s been
fun here today winning three races. I want to thank my sponsors Pizza Logg,
Valvoline and Torco Racing Fuels for all of their support.”
Robertson, of Katonah, N.Y., turned the tables on Walker in Junior
Sportsman Champ’s second main. He and Taylor Shaw shared front row.
Robertson rocketed away with Walker desperately trying to close the gap.
He wouldn’t as Robertson’s Capps Racing Engines powered Vendetta Kart
narrowly beat him to the finish line by just 0.123-second. Derek Fry
finished third, Mickey Giachetti followed in fourth and Shawn Fry was
fifth.
“I don’t know how I beat him (Tyler Walker). A lapped kart messed me up. He
(Walker) was fast and it was just great competition on the last lap. He
stayed up a little bit and I got underneath him. The Vendetta Kart handled
great. Freddie, Wayne and my dad setup the kart and they really made it a great
kart.”
Double winner Wesley Poole proclaimed, “This was an incredible weekend.
We, me and Bob Stanley’s son Joseph Everett, drove 10- ours from North
Carolina started four classes and won four races.” Poole and Everett were two of
four double winners that Saturday.
Everett swept the Junior 1 Purple Plate offerings; Poole produced both Stock
Heavy wins. Trevor and Chase Hawkins shared the first Junior 1’s front
row. When the green flag flew Everett quickly advanced from third to first
taking the lead from Chase Hawkins on the second circuit. After grabbing
the lead Everett expanded on it every lap. Under the halfway signal he was
nearly four seconds ahead of his closest pursuer Chase Hawkins. When
Everett reached the stripe his P&P Speed Shop powered Phantom kart was
comfortably 5.791-seconds ahead of Hawkins.
“It was an awesome race,” described the 11-year-old winner from Henderson, N.C.
“I’m really lucky to come up here from North Carolina and win my first
time on the track. I’m just pumped right now.”
Poole was on the first Stock Heavy’s pole from where he commanded the field
flag-to-flag. Behind him Kenneth Komray and Dan Spilker scrapped over
second. Komray secured second trailing Poole by 5.687-seconds at the
stripe.
“We’ve been chasing this thing for a long time and everything came together
today. The Laser Kart was working awesome. It was a rocket ship out of the
corners and down the straight-aways,” described Poole of Rougemont, N.C.
“Jeffery builds awesome engines. He’s kept me going for six or seven years
now and I get awesome motors every time. I also want to thank my fiancée
Christen she works hard as always on the kart. We’re getting married in two
weeks. We’ve been dating for eight-years and she’s been with me at the
track ever since. She’s the love of my life and we’re to get married and
raise some kids who are going to be racers someday. I want to thank my dad
for his support over the years, Jim Crone, Stan Oliver, my buddies who are
here racing with me, Bob Stanley, Joseph Everett he won his class too so
right now we’re two races and two wins. I’d like to see two more.”
He did. Battling his way from the field’s rear Everett quickly passed
pole winner Chase Hawkins for the lead. Everett expanded on his lead
building a 9.801-seconds finish line advantage over Hawkins for his
second win of the day.
Poole started in the second Stock Heavy race’s rear. Pouring on the power Poole
passed his way back into the lead. Once there he built a full lap
advantage over Spilker before taking the checkered flag. In victory lane
Poole proclaimed. “You can’t beat that. It’s been a great weekend. You
can’t beat it. It’ll be a short ride home.”
Thomas Hawkins, of Manassas, VA, topped the Animal Heavy races beating
Brandon Shaw both times. The first time Shaw was 2.048- econds late and in
the second race he trailed Hawkins by 4.806-seconds.
“I got real lucky on the last lap,” Hawkins, who pilots a KSR Racing Engines
powered Mongoose Chassis, said of his second win. “The front guy spun out
and I went around him. I’ll take it obviously. I want to thank my wife and
kids for supporting me. The first win was good, real good. The kart came
around and we brought it home, it was real good.”
Slickville, PA Laser Kart pilot Joey Maruca swept the Senior Champ classes
narrowly beating defending AKRA national champion Wayne Winters of Durham, N.C.
both times. In the first race Winters and Maruca battled for the early
lead with Winters taking it. On the third trip around Maruca muscled by
Winters for the lead. Winters kept the pressure on trailing Maruca by just
0.825-second. Filling out the field behind Winters were Shane Ixos and
Emily Flaim.
Maruca and Winters started in the back of the pack when Senior Champ
racers took their second initial green flag. Battling side-by- ide the two
Laser pilots threaded their way to the front with Maruca leading. Winters
threatened at every corner, but Maruca revailed to the finish leading
Winters by 1.223-seconds.
“We just had a pretty decent kart and a lot of help from Freddy and Wayne
to get where we’re at today,” Maruca stated adding, “I’m just glad we had
two Lasers in the top two today.”
Tyler Robertson and Chelsey Friel won the Junior Champ mains. The computer
selected Robertson for the pole and he quickly took advantage of that
starting position. A light rain began falling as Robertson rounded the
circuit the third time. Friel was right behind him challenging him for the
lead. Robertson held it as Tyler Strickland closed in on Friel and battled
by her. Strickland set his sites on Robertson. They were just beginning to
battle for the lead when the race’s only caution flag flew.
“The caution didn’t worry me. I was confident in my Laser kart. The kart handled
very well the whole race,” said Robertson a 14-year- ld Katonah, N.Y.
Capps Racing Engines powered Laser kart pilot.
Robertson led the restart. After shaking off challenges from Strickland
Robertson rallied on to take the checkered flag with a narrow 0.145-second
victory margin over Strickland. Friel finished third, Nick Giachetti
followed in fourth and Hayden Newcomb completed
the top five.
“It got a little rough at the end, but that was about it,” Robertson said.
“The Capps Racing Engine was awesome as always. I want to thank Freddie, Wayne
and my folks.”
Friel, daughter of track co-owner Mike Friel, rocketed away from the field
in the second feature. She raced untouched to a very comfortable
2.159-seconds victory margin over Strickland. Robertson ran third and was
followed in the top five by Nick Giachetti and Newcomb.
According to Friel, a 15-year-old based X-Caliber Racing Engines powered
Rage kart pilot “I had a little pressure from behind. I hit my marks every
time. The chassis handled good really good and the motor was strong.”
Piloting a New Concept by Ivers chassis powered by an X-Caliber racing
engine, Fletcher Macomb hustled into Junior 3 Gold’s early lead. Behind
him Tyler Gauthier and Hayden Newcomb were scrapping over second. In the
final laps Gauthier tried close the gap. When Macomb reached the stripe
Gauthier was 0.592-seconds behind. Newcomb and Brandon Yuhouse completed
the field.
According to 13-year-old Macomb, “The new chassis was awesome, it was
hooked up and the X-Caliber motor was pulling strong. They got wide enough
for me to get in there and take the lead.”
Newcomb, of Warsaw, N.Y, broke into the second Junior 3 Gold main’s early
lead with the rest of the field locked nose-to-tail behind him. Fighting
an ill steering machine Newcomb held onto the lead as Gauthier tried to
grab it from him. It took less than a second for the field to cross the
finish line. Gauthier was 0.310-seconds behind Newcomb. Further back
Yuhouse was 0.788-second late and Macomb was 0.968-second later.
“I have no clue how I won this race. I honestly don’t,” Newcomb said
shaking his head in disbelief. “The Phantom Icon kart was horrible it was
terrible. Shorty’s motor ran good, but they changed something that made it
20 times harder to steer.”
National AKRA asphalt racers are now halfway through their 2008 tour. Next
they travel to BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Wampum, PA August 15th
followed by their season finale’ at Orange County Kartway in Rougemont,
N.C. September 15-16 which will also be the dates for the Firestone 500.
For more information on AKRA’s National American Speedway Asphalt Series
can visit the AKRA website at www.akrainc.com
or by calling the office at 704-764-8138.
Bruce C. Walls
Media/Marketing Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
For Immediate Release:
April 16, 2008
THE MONEY’S AT MARGARETTSVILLE
By Bruce C. Walls
MARGARETTSVILLE, N.C.-Bud and Brenda Byrum, owners of Margarettsville Speedway
in Margarettsville, N.C. are offering racers a money series this season. The
five race N.C./VA Money series runs from March 15th through August 16th with a
September 27th rain date scheduled if needed. Competitors must run four of the
five races to qualify for year-end awards. Seventeen classes will be offered,
nine flathead and eight Animal.
Stock Medium and Animal Heavy winners will earn $1,000 guaranteed, no kart
minimum, $60 entry fee. Stock Lite and Heavy will pay $1,000 with 20-kart
minimums, $500 is guaranteed in each class. Junior Sportsman 2 Heavy’s winner
pockets $500. Entry fees for those classes are $60 and $40. Also offered with a
$40 entry fee and offering $300 to win will be Junior Sportsman 1 Lite, with a
20-kart minimum, and Heavy with no minimum entries. Junior Restricted Lite and
Heavy are guaranted $300. If 20-karts enter Heavy the purse climbs to $500. The
Junior Restricted classes have a 20-kart minimum. All other classes are $500 to
win with 20-kart minimums.
Maxxis will be the spec tire for flat karts any compound. Champ kart tires will
be the racer’s choice of Maxxis or Burris. Mufflers will be required. Engine
tech will follow WKA rules and all classes will be teched.
Gates open at 7 am, practice starts at 9 am with drivers meeting, qualifying and
races to follow. There will be a $15 gate fee, $5 per driver for insurance to be
paid at registration. Reserved parking is $15.
The first race, March 15th had 284 entries. A total purse of $15,000 was paid
out. The next race is May 10th. For more information visit Margarettsville
Speedway’s website at
www.magarettsvillespeedway.com or call Bud and Brenda Byrum at 252-589
1004, the track phone is 252-589-2750.
AKRA championship Eagle trophies and leather racing jackets
Photo by Susan
Taylor-Walls
April 15, 2008
AKRA Asphalt Racers Recognized at Awards Banquet
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Susan Taylor-Walls
BURLINGTON, N.C.-More than $10,000 in trophies, plaques and prizes were handed
out to American Kart Racing Association 2007 American Speedway Championship
Asphalt Series Friday April 11th during a dinner awards banquet held at the
Cutting Board Restaurant in Burlington, N.C. Prizes handed out that weekend
included a 55-gallon drum of racing fuel, valued at $450, donated by Torco
Racing Fuels and Vickery’s Speed Shop.
AKRA President/C.E.O. opened his association’s first asphalt awards banquet
thanking drivers for competing and his staff for making it all possible. He
thanked WMS Products, Vickery’s Speed Shop, Torco Fuels, ATKPA Event Insurance,
Lucas Oil, Mark Hall Motors, ARC Racing, My-Chron Systems, Race/Tech, Inc.,
Larry Jones Motorsports and G-Man Kart Works for sponsoring the pole awards.
McCutcheon also told those in attendance that sponsorship deals with Lucas Oil
and the new www.myracelife.com and Bridgestone/Firestone were in the works.
Ward, S.C. competitor Mark Hall took top honors. Hall was crowned champion in
four classes; Stock Lite, Medium, Heavy and Animal Heavy. Hall and the other
Class Champions received platinum rings, leather championship jackets and a $450
gift certificate to Vickery’s Speed Shop.
Tyler Walker of Tonawanda, N.Y., who won the 55-gallon drum of fuel, was crowned
Junior Sportsman 2 Champion. “I had a lot of fun last season in this class,”
said Walker who added his most memorable race of the season was winning two
races at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex national.
According to Chance Wright, of Marietta, OH, winning Junior Sportsman Champ’s
title “took a lot of work,” Wright also said, “The last race of the season is
the one I’ll remember most when Tyler and I were close, really close and it came
right down to the end.”
Winning Junior 3 Gold’s Race 2 title took, “Dedication and support from my
family,” said Champion Cody Fairchok. John Blacker, of Neffs, OH, won the Junior
3 Gold’s Race one title.
Rage Karts factory pilot Tyler Strickland, of Medina, OH, topped Junior Champ
points chase. John Blacker was runner up and Fairchok finished the season third
overall.
Durham, N.C. driver Wayne Winters won Senior Champ’s title.
Now that Champions in the 2007 season have be recognized it’s time to look ahead
to the 2008 schedule. The first race of 2008 witnessed record entries that
Saturday at Orange County Raceway. May 31st AKRA Asphalt racers will be
competing at Chapel Hill Raceway in Humphrey, N.Y. From there they travel to
BeaveRun Motorsports Complex for round three August 16th. Their final race of
the 2008 season is scheduled for September 19-20 which will also include the
newly reformatted Firestone ‘500.’
April 15, 2008
Walker Wins Four At AKRA ORC Asphalt National
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by:
Photos
Bruce C. Walls
Susan Taylor-Walls
ROUGEMONT, N.C.-American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) President/C.E.O Bill
McCutcheon vowed if entries in round one of the 2008 American Speedway
Championship Asphalt Series raced at Orange County Raceway April 12 reached 150,
for their one day format, he would flood the infield and do a mud dive belly
flop.
He almost had to! While many karting groups and associations are experiencing
declining kart counts, AKRA’s Asphalt Series season opener saw entries climb 60%
over last year’s inaugural race. If just 12 more racers had entered, there would
have been a Kodak moment.
After a total rain out the week before for their Dirt Series opener at
Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C., AKRA officials kept a nervous
eye to the sky. All week forecasters predicted the same for that weekend over
Orange County Raceway in Rougemont, N.C. Saturday morning racers woke to thick
gray skies. Race officials decided to get the features in several changes had to
be made. Practice was limited to a couple of quick rounds. Qualifying was
replaced by a random computer pick for the first round and fields were inverted
for the start of their second feature race.
A 45-minute shower that started just after Senior Champ’s checkered flag flew
interrupted round one. Track owner Ollie Spain and his crew had their ¼-mile
asphalt oval dry in less than an hour. Racing resumed and was completed before
sunset.
That Saturday Tyler Walker, of Tonawanda, N.Y., went four for four. Walker, the
reigning Junior Sportsman 2 champion defended his title winning both features
along with sweeping the Junior Sportsman Champ offerings. “It’s pretty cool
winning four races here today,” said the 12-year-old quadruple winner. Dylan
Izzo trailed him in both Junior Sportsman 2 races. Izzo was 0.188-second late in
photo finish first feature and by 3.840-seconds in the second feature. Rage
Karts owner Jeff Hoisington offered any double champ class winner a $50 bonus,
which Walker pocketed.
Laser kart pilot Wayne Winters also pocketed $50 from Rage Karts for winning
both Senior Champ contests. Winters, of Durham, N.C., dominated the eight racer
fields with Joe Maruca, of Slickville, PA, following by 3.961 and 3.767-seconds.
“I don’t know where they were behind me,” Winters said after his first win. “The
Laser Kart was pretty good. Freddy put some new tires on the kart and it ran
close to what we thought it would run today. I was glad to see at the end of
20-laps it was still turning about the same times. That’s what we got. If they
out run us, they out run us, that’s all we got today.”
Three others were also double winners. Creedmoor, N.C. competitor Brandon Warren
bagged both Junior 3 Gold races. Warren, piloting an X-Caliber Racing Engines
powered Phantom kart, had Tyler Gauthier trailing him both times. The first
feature was a nail bitter to the finish where after swapping the front several
times Warren edged Gauthier out by just 0.131-second.
“We had a good race,” said the 14-year-old double winner after his first win. “I
appreciate him racing me clean. He was getting me coming off turn two, but it
seemed like coming off three and four I just got a run on him going into one. I
just want to thank him for running me clean. I appreciate all of these guys
coming out here to race. I want to thank Dunamis Clutches, X-Caliber Racing
Engines, my Uncle Wayne for all the help he does, my Uncle Jason and just
everybody that helps us.”
Kenneth Jones, of Albemarle, N.C. was also a double winner. Jones, piloting a
Todd Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Icon chassis won both Stock Heavy
Features earning him $1,000. The first Stock Heavy feature went down to the
wire. Maruca quickly put his CKI powered Laser chassis out front early. He held
the lead with Jones threatening for 19-laps. On the final lap Jones saw an
opening, pulled along side Maruca and powered past him. Maruca fought back
getting beside Jones as they headed for the checkered flag down the front
straight. When they reached the stripe Jones took it with only 0.005-of a second
advantage. Kyle Appel, Wesley Poole and Kyle Long completed the top five as they
would again in the second race where Kirby Howe took second following Jones by
just 0.264-of a second.
“I just got a good run on the very last lap,” Jones explained. I got a run and I
had to take it for $500 bucks. You don’t get to race for that very often, so
you’ve got to go for races like this one. Truly I didn’t think I had anything
for him until that last lap. I got a good run on him and made the pass. I just
lucked out and got it. The kart was excellent. We’ve been working on it all day
and it came through and won the race.”
Donovan Holt, of Semora, N.C., dominated the day’s first feature Junior 1 Purple
Plate. Holt quickly shot by pole winner Trevor Hawkins for the early lead. He
never looked back as racers battled for positions behind him. The Hawkins
brothers scrapped over second. Finally Chase secured it as Holt threaded his way
through the field. Holt put the field down a second lap with Chase desperately
trying to close the gap. On lap 18 Holt turned the race’s fastest lap in
15.747-seconds. When he took the checkered flag Hawkins was 6.633-seconds
behind. Trevor crossed third followed by Taylor Stone and Trey Fegrt in fourth
and fifth.
“I just go fast,” boasted 8-year-old Holt. “The Olimpic kart handled good and
the C&T motor had plenty of power,” Holt added with thanks to his parents.
Holt also won one of two local option EL Tire Classes, Junior 1 Purple EL Tire.
He took the final flag with a full lap advantage over second place Brandon
Williams.
Kirby Howe of nearby Butner, N.C. captured the other local option class Stock
Heavy EL. “We got lucky and started out front,” Howe said. “I didn’t really know
how the kart was going to be. It wasn’t that great at the beginning,”
Howe and DJ Beverly pulled ahead of the field for a lead swapping battle. After
a few laps Howe secured the lead and pulled ahead of the field spreading out
evenly behind him. Kyle Appel began challenging Beverly for second taking the
position before the checkered flag flew. When it did Howe was 1.555-seconds
ahead of Appel. Beverly held onto third followed by Drew Fegat and Jerry Goss
for the top five.
“Towards the end it came around and we got to lead the race and just kept it
there,” Howe explained. “I just want to thank G-Man Kart Works, MY-Chron Mike,
Tod Miller Racing Engines, my family, my mom and dad, Kenneth Jones, Wayne
Tilley he couldn’t be here today and everybody else that helped me.”
Round two’s features started with Chase Hawkins, of Manassas, VA, wining Junior
1 Purple Plate followed by his father, Thomas, winning Animal Heavy. Chase
rocketed into the early lead with his brother Trevor trailing. Trevor turned the
race’s fastest lap time rounding the ¼-mile asphalt oval in 16.231-seconds on
the third lap. But it wasn’t enough for him to reel in his brother who took the
checkered flag with a 10.207-seconds advantage.
“ It was a good race,” described 8-year-old Chase as he kept an eye on his dad
in Animal Heavy. “The Mongoose kart handled pretty good and the P&P Motor was
strong. It’s been really good for us we’ve been winning with it at a lot of
other tracks. I want to thank my dad for helping me out with the kart and buying
all the engines and all of that.”
Thomas crossed Animal Heavy’s stripe with a 7.867-seconds edge over Brandon
Shaw. “It was great. The kart was a little loose in the first race. We tightened
it up and it was flying, no question about it. I also want to thank KSR Racing
Engines, they’re the best motor builder around here that I know of,” Thomas said
in victory lane.
Akin, S.C. competitor Justin Fulmer won the first Animal Heavy feature. Brandon
Shaw started on the pole, but quickly surrendered the lead to Fulmer who
engineered a freight train by him. Hawkins and William Munro followed Fulmer
taking second and third dropping Shaw to fourth, which is how they would finish.
“I knew if I got a good start and got away from them I could do good and I did
it on the first lap,” Fulmer explained adding, “ About mid way the kart
tightened up a little bit so we’ll make some adjustments for the next race.”
Tyler Robertson, of Katonah, N.Y. and Tyler Strickland, of Medina, OH, split the
Junior Champ features finishing second to each other. Strickland trailed
Robertson by 1.557-seconds in the first feature and in turn Robertson followed
Strickland by 0.867-of a second in the second feature.
“It was the Laser chassis and Capps Engine,” credited 14-year-old Robertson.
“The Kart handled good it was very consistent. I want to thank Wayne, my dad, my
mom and my brother.”
Robertson roared into a big early lead with Strickland and Humphrey, N.Y.
competitor Chesley Friel scrapping over second behind him. Friel finished third
and was followed by Cody Fairchock and Brandon Meeks for the top five.
Meeks was on the pole for the second feature. After a failed first attempt to
get started Meeks led the field single file back to the green flag. Strickland
and Robertson quickly raced by Meeks for the top two positions. It stayed that
way to the end where Strickland crossed the stripe 0.867-second ahead of
Robertson. Friel and Fairchock finished fourth and fifth.
“I had a great kart all day,” described Strickland, a 14-year-old Rage Karts
factory pilot powered by Turner Racing Engines. “In the first race we got into a
little competition over there. We got a little banged up during the start of the
first race. We came back strong, had a good kart and had a great day. I want to
thank all of my sponsors and everyone that helped.”
Kevin Nobley of Ashland, N.H. and Keith Fink, of Canton, OH, won stock Medium’s
features. Dusty Long drew the pole position. When the green flag flew Fink and
Nobley quickly got by Long. Two laps into it Nobley piloted his New England Kart
Center powered Riddler kart by Fink. They race around nose-to-tail for several
laps before Fink recaptured the lead. Nobley kept the pressure on to the end. As
they exited turn four a lapped kart got between them causing Nobley to get into
Fink who spun out.
“I feel terrible about it. We were going by a lapped kart. He (Fink) lifted and
I got into him. He should have won the race, but I got into him,” said Nobley.
“It was my fault, but there’s not much I can do about it. I apologize to him,
but I’ll take the win. The kart was handling pretty good. I’ve got one more race
coming up. I’ll make some changes and see if I can get it a little bit better so
we can win some money.”
Nobley and Fink shared the second Stock Medium’s front row. Nobley hustled into
the initial lead with Fink’s Dark Side Racing Engines powered Millenium kart
following. Fink trailed for a couple of laps before taking the lead from Nobley.
Once in charge Fink kept a firm control over the lead to the finish.
“It was a good race. I just tried to stay out front, run smooth and hold my
position in the beginning,” Fink said adding, “The Millenium Kart handled great
and I want to thank JT and Benita, Alan Skeslocks of Dark Side Racing Engines
for the motor. Everything was running great.”
Now that round one is in the record book AKRA Speedway Asphalt Championship
racers are preparing for their second race of the season scheduled for May 31st
at Chapel Hill Speedway in Humphrey, N.Y. August 16th BeaveRun Motorsports
Complex in Wampum, P.A. will host round three followed by the 2008 season
finale’ which will be held September 19th and 20th at Orange County Raceway.
That weekend will include the newly reformatted Firestone 500.
For Sale
Champ Kart For Sale and it comes with eight mounted
tires, extra
gears and other stuff for $1,300. email
redbud69racing@aol.com or call 302-846-3621
Or Bruce Walls
bwalls@fast.net
March 19, 2008
AKRA Dirt Racers Celebrate 2007 Season
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Susan Taylor-Walls
Stock Medium’s top five. Center with Eagle trophy Jamie Knopf-
back row Shay Chavous, Brett Miller, Aaron Sapp and Walt Barnes
Stock Heavy’s top five. Jamie Knopf center with
Eagle
Trophy-back row left to right Brett Miller, Walt Barnes, Josh Haire and
Shane Bass.
Stock Medium’s top five. Center with Eagle trophy
Jamie
Knopf-back row Shay Chavous, Brett Miller, Aaron Sapp and Walt Barnes
All Photos by
Susan Taylor-Walls
DEXTER, GA-Competitors in the American Kart Racing Association 2007 American
Speedway Championship Dirt Series celebrated their accomplishments during a
dinner banquet held Friday February 29, 2008 at the Dexter Community Center in
Dexter, GA.
Class champions received a custom leather champion’s jacket valued at $400 and a
custom designed ring valued at $190 along with other products. In all more than
$20,000 in gift certificates and merchandise was distributed that evening.
Jamie Knopf, of Lancaster, S.C, earned a trio of titles. With Greer, S.C.
competitor Brett Miller trailing him in points, Knopf took titles in Stock Lite
Medium and Heavy. Brunswick, GA racer Aaron Sapp ended the season trailing
Miller in Lite and Medium. Double champion Josh Haire was third in Stock Heavy
“It took a Lot of hard work and a lot of luck” Knopf credited. “I had three
different engine builders. I want to thank them. JT Stillwagon for the chassis,
Richard Tarleton and his whole family, John and Randy Kicklighter and their
whole family and my company LA Motorsports.”
Georgians Shay Chavous and Tyler Burnette, of Hephzibah and Jefferson, were
fourth and fifth in the Stock Lite points chase. In Stock Medium Sapp was third
again this time followed by Walt Barnes, of Monroe, N.C. and Chavous. Barnes was
also fourth in Heavy with Shane Bass tailing him in fifth.
Haire handled Stock Super Heavy and Senior Champ. Zac Powell, of Hodges, S.C.
was runner up in Super Heavy and Zach Holcombe, of Easley, S.C. was Senior
Champ’s runner up.
“It takes a lot of good luck, that’s all,” Haire credited. “You’ve got to have
your stuff together when you get to the racetrack and be prepared before you get
there.”
Trey Tarlton, of Blackstock, S.C. collected the most Junior Sportsman 1 points.
Austin Smith, of Fayetteville, N.C., was second in the points chase followed by
Drew Jackson, of Lakeland, Fl and Hephzibah, GA racer Lee Justice.
“It’s very hard to do it,” Tarlton, who advances to Blue Plate this season, said
of winning the championship. “Every once in a while we went up to Columbia to
Michael Schumacher’s shop and I want to thank Jerry Edens for letting us do
that. I also want to thank Jamie Knopf for all of his help. He helps setup the
kart,” added Tarlton who predicted he would win that title.
“You can’t be rattled out there. If you fall back in the points position you’ve
got to keep digging and hope you get there,” explained Junior Sportsman 2 Blue
Plate Champion Gus Dean, of Bluffton, S.C. Cannon Ward, of Ocean Isle, N.C., was
the Junior 2 runner up. Jak Kicklighter of Savannah, GA was third; Austin Babb
or Jarrett, VA was fourth in points followed in the top five by Andy Forsyth or
Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
“I want to thank Millenium Racing Chasses, Hi Tech Racing Engines because I’ve
never driven a kart that strong. This championship is as much theirs as it is
mine,” Dean credited.
Kicklighter captured Junior Sportsman Champ’s title tailed by runner up Spencer
Malick, of Augusta, GA. “It feels good winning this championship. I had to work
hard for it all year and we did it,” Kicklighter described. Dean and Annabeth
Barnes, of Hiddenite, N.C., were third and fourth.
Chesterfield, VA competitor Colton Cox captured Junior 3 Gold Plate’s
championship. “Clean competitors, hard racing and lots of help from my dad,” are
what Cox credited. Sam Lilly, of Littleton, N.C. was second in points followed
by Wilson Keene, of Abbeville, GA, Woodbridge, VA racer Brandon Brown and Scotty
Phagan, of Asheboro, N.C. for the top five. “I’d like to thank my parents, my
grandparents, everybody from Mishue Motorsports, Andy Murray for doing my tires
and Eddie for the kart and motors,” Cox added.
Brown bagged Junior Champ’s title. “It was real competitive, especially at the
beginning of the year,” Brown explained. “I want to thank my dad for all of his
hard work on the kart at home. Sometimes he would work on the kart until three
or four o’clock in the morning. I want to thank my mom for her support and God,
for getting me here. I also want to thank David Meade for working on the kart
with my dad and coming to the track with us. I’d like to thank David Clark; he
really helped us this year. I want to dedicate this championship to my brother
because he’s gone through a lot recently.”
Walt Barnes won Senior Stock’s championship. According to Barnes, “It takes a
lot of luck and a lot of preparation. We actually got really lucky to end up
being here this year and we’re thankful to be here.”
Adam Beville earned Limited Modified’s Championship and Chavous did it in
Unlimited All-Stars. “It takes a lot of dedication,” Beville described. “You
can’t skimp on horsepower running in a class like this. I want to thank my
family they supported me and came with me week-in-and-week out. I couldn’t do it
without the horsepower and support of Illusion Racing Chassis and the GTS Racing
Engines, The Kart Shop, Lee Johnson and everybody who works with him I couldn’t
do it without them.” Chavous credited, “It was just the help from my mom and
dad. Jerry Evans and Millinuem Racing Chassis and Dee Paschal.”
Animal Heavy’s points chase was led by Shane Bass, of Farmville, N.C. Bass beat
Beville, Brandon Watson, of Comfort, N.C., Wentworth and Burnette who trailed
him in the top five.
“This wasn’t an easy class to win a championship in,” Bass described. “And this
is actually my first national championship. It’s kind of cool. I’ve raced with
Adam (Beville) and those guys forever and it was real fun. They beat me a lot in
other series and I happened to win this one, it was a lot of fun.”
Saturday morning AKRA American Speedway Championship Dirt Series competitors
headed out to Dexter Speedway in Dexter, GA. There more than 200 of them kicked
off their 2008 season at the Vickery Speed Shop Nationals. Next the Dirt Series
travels to Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C. April 4-5. From
there they travel to Southern Pitt Speedway in Ayden, N.C. June 27-28. Racers
return to the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA Labor Day weekend.
October 10-11 they finish out their season with another tradition at Myrtle
Beach Motor Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
For Immediate Release With Our Thanks
Bonnie Nibblett
Redbud69racing.com
Delmar, DE 19940
302.846.2646
www.redbud69racing.com
Contact Email: redbud69racing@aol.com
Outlaw Motorsports Grand Opening March 29, 2008 For Local Karters
Coming soon is the Grand Opening of New Outlaw Motorsports. Racing is just
getting ready to send off for the season. Richie Walls, Jr., owner, of Outlaw
Motorsports located in Georgetown has set aside Saturday, March 29, 2008 for the
first grand opening celebrations with specials all day.
The occasion kicks off 12:30 PM – 4 PM, Walls admits just opening now has put
stocking and shipments at a great demand to be ready. It will be fun once we get
going. We’re having a raffle for tires, no wheels. A pig roast to start the
opening, hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks are on the menu for the day.
Walls has vowed to be open all days from 12:30 PM to 9 PM, all the way up to the
last minute Walls, remarked, but I will be closed on Tuesday, and Sunday’s.
This is the year for Outlaw Motorsports, as an official dealer for Moon Power
Engines, Outlaw Chassis dealer, and all your kart needs.
Walls plans to hit all the local kart tracks on race night, Saturday nights at
Club Milton Speedway, Milton, DE; Club Milton is the official Outlaw track. Then
on Wednesday nights at the Delmarva Motorsports Park, Seaford, DE or any other
special upcoming dates. By April, Walls hopes to also attend US 13 Kart Club
Track in Delmar, DE and complete his circle of tracks.
The shop is located about a 1/2 mile south of Georgetown Speedway on the right.
The shop is directly behind Ad Art on Rt 113, directly behind their new
building. The shops phone will be 302-855-0190.
Walls closes saying he wishes all teams and drivers a safe racing season. Come
check us out Saturday, March 29, 2008.
Kicklighter and Haire Triple at Dexter Raceway Gerrells Pockets $2,000 At
AKRA Dirt National
By Bruce C. Walls
Photos by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls
DEXTER, GA-Jak Kicklighter and Josh Haire were triple winners during the opening
round of the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA)’s 2008 American Speedway
Championship Dirt Series hosted by Dexter Raceway Saturday March 1st in Dexter,
GA. Round one, The Vickery Speed Shop Spring Nationals had more than 200
competitors battling in 20-classes on Dexter Raceway’s fast fifth mile dirt
oval. “It’s very nice racing here with AKRA, real nice, and this is a super nice
place to race,” said double winner Bradley Gerrells a Southern Express Kart Shop
factory shoe, who swept the Animal Heavy classes. Gerrells pocketed $2,000 for
those wins, which was part of a total purse of $10,000 plus paid out that
Saturday.
Gerrells struggled in the first Animal Heavy group qualifying session. The Dahlonega, GA based Falcon Kart pilot who builds his own motors spun a disappointing 12.893-seconds best of three laps. Lancaster, S.C. competitor Jamie Knopf earned the pole with a 12.611-seconds lap. A pile up in turns one and two on the first attempt to go green brought out the race’s only caution flag. Knopf led the 23-racer field single file. He pulled away from the field as Gerrells began climbing through it. Knopf’s lead was soon challenged as Dustin McGraw and Haire headed to the front. They drafted by Knopf. Knopf dropped back to third and found himself scrapping with Gerrells over that position. Gerrells shot ahead into second with Knopf on his tail as he took the lead on the final lap. Gerrells and Knopf battled side-by-side down to the stripe where 0.130 separated them.
“We started bad and worked out way up there,” Gerrells described. “I just happened to get a good break there when Knopf went into them and I got by them both. It was just a luck move.”
Shay Chavous clocked the second Animal Heavy pole turning a 12.601-seconds lap. Knopf shared front row with him and Gerrells started third. Gerrells settled in behind Chavous until five laps were left. With ti
WD
Enterprises