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 time and distance running against him, Gerrells saw the break he needed to take the lead. Chavous stayed glued to Gerrells tailpipe finishing 0.174-second behind him. Knopf claimed third, Etha Nipper followed in fourth and McGraw made fifth.

“He just got loose at the end and I got under him. If I hadn’t gotten a good run on that one lap I’d have never got him,” Gerrells said after his second win.

Kicklighter captured both Junior 2 Blue Plate offerings. The defending national champion earned both wins from their poles which he earned with lap times of 13.350 and 13.254-seconds. In the first one Kicklighter grabbed the early lead and was building on it when the first of two caution flags flew. The green flag returned for another lap before the caution flag returned. This time Joseph Galloway and Steven Finch started behind him. After the second restart Finch closed the gap on Kicklighter, but slipped off the track attempting to take the lead. Finch gathered it back, held onto second, but by then Kicklighter was gone.

While fighting off challenges from Galloway, Finch tried to close back in on Kicklighter. Kicklighter held on fighting his own battle with a loose kart. On the final lap Kicklighter floored it for all the power his Tod Miller Racing Engines power plant had for his Phantom Icon kart. He persevered crossing the stripe with a 2.098-seconds advantage over Finch who was followed by Galloway who was 3.873-seconds off the pace. Trey Tarlton and Houston Smith completed the podium.

“I was driving hard and we’ve been good all day. Nothing like this has happened before. We got a little bit loose after each caution. Didn’t know if the tires were cold or what, but I held onto it,” said the 12-year-old Savannah, GA based double winner.

Later that afternoon in the second Blue Plate battle Kicklighter scrambled away from the field early on. At the stripe 3.357-seconds separated Kicklighter from second place Tarlton. Finch followed in third, Houston Smith was fourth and Galloway rounded out the top five.

Kicklighter also won both Junior Sportsman Champ poles. Lap times of 14.138 and 14.116-seconds earned him those poles. Battling from a third place start nine-year-old Spencer Davis of Dawsonville, GA quickly pulled up behind Kicklighter and began challenging him for the lead. After several laps Davis, a double event winner, pulled alongside Kicklighter and as they rounded turns three and four Davis dove low and passed Kicklighter. Kicklighter and Davis stayed nearly side-by-side until the photo finish. Davis edged out Kicklighter by just 0.081-second for the event’s closest finish. Four seconds later the remaining top five finishers crossed the stripe with Blake Cannon crossing third, Tarlton fourth and Taylor Wilkes fifth.

“It was a hard race. I thought I could lay back, but I saw an opening and it was time to go,” Davis described. “I want to thank Ultramax for the chassis and Tim Fishel for the engine.”

Davis grabbed the second Junior Sportsman Champ’s early lead showing the field to the race’s only caution flag that waved near mid-race on lap nine. Davis led the restart. Behind him Kicklighter and Tarlton were working together. They closed in on Davis with five laps left. Kicklighter worked by Davis bringing Tarlton with him. Davis fought back getting by Tarlton but not Kicklighter who crossed the stripe with Davis trailing by 0.138-seconds.

Davis dominated the first Junior 1 Purple Plate contest from the pole he earned with a 14.018-seconds run. Competitors crashed in turn one on the opening lap. Davis led them single file back to the green flag. Two laps later he surrendered the lead to Cannon who after two more laps was leading the second restart. The fourth lap was a heated battle between the two. Davis recaptured the lead as they exited turn two and held off Cannon’s challenges. Davis and Cannon were side-by-side most of the final lap. Davis got a run on Cannon down the back straightaway extending his lead as they crossed the stripe for the final time. Behind them Taylor Wilkes, James Upshaw and Daulton Harris rounded out the top five.

“I was a little worried on that last caution,” Davis admitted. “The kart was kind of loose and kind of tight, but Tim Fishel’s motor was good.”

Davis turned a 13.853-seconds lap for the second Junior 1 Purple race pole. Cannon, of Evans, GA shared front row with Davis. From the initial green flag’s waving to the checkered flag they battled fiercely to the finish with Cannon finally capturing the lead in turn three of the final lap. “I just got lucky and passed him,” Cannon said. “The kart handled pretty good. I thought I lost it, but I got lucky and passed him on the last lap.”

Cannon crossed the finish line 1.321-seconds ahead of Davis. Five seconds later Wilkes took the checkered flag followed by Seth Seckinger and Toby Upshaw for the top five.

Haire, of Erwin, N.C., swept the Senior Champ classes and added a win in Super Heavy for his trio. Leggs Leslie led Super Heavy’s qualifying with a 13.387-seconds rounding. Leslie broke into an early lead when the initial green flag waved. A first lap caution forced him to do it again. Leslie led them into turns three and four. As they headed for the back straight Haire’s Mischue Motorsports powered Galaxy Kart blasted by him for a never surrendered lead to the stripe. Leslie crossed 1.486-seconds later followed by Rob Peacock, Randy Moon and Joe Webb.

“I got Leggs (Leslie) on the inside at the start and got by him on the first lap and just maintained it,” Haire said before rushing off to Senior Champ’s grid. “The kart was plenty good and the track was a lot better than I figured it would be.”

Mike Mitchell won both Senior Champ poles with times of 13.473 and 13.276. He hustled into early leads only to have Haire rocket by him. Mitchell trailed Haire in the first one by 3.312-seconds and by2.742-seconds in the second. Forrestt Vaughn and David Henderson completed both fields.

“I’m tired I’ll tell you that,” Haire said between deep breaths, “I can’t say enough about this kart. It’s the first time we rode that buggy there. I want to thank my dad and mom for coming out here, Eddie Mishue for the awesome motors and karts and Andy Murray for the tires. It’s been a long day.”

Dustin McGraw was also a double winner. McGraw, of Okatie, S.C., put his mark on Stock Lite and Heavy from their poles. Lap times of 13.031 and 13.107-seconds earned him those poles. In Lite he shared front row with Knopf. Behind them in row two were Josh Nichols and Colton Cox. The green flag unfurled and McGraw broke into the early lead with Knopf and Nichols battling for second behind him. Nichols took the position, Knopf slipped back to third while McGraw ran away from the field on his way to a perfect win. McGraw reached the stripe 0.417-seconds ahead of Knopf. Greg Brandenburg trailed in third, Nichols followed in fourth and Aaron Sapp completed the top five.

“I got lucky on the start,” McGraw said after his first win, which earned him $500. “I got under him (Jamie Knopf) and he must have slipped up a little bit and that helped me. From there I just tried to stay away from him and not look back. The kart was pretty good, the motor was great and the tires were awesome.”

Later that Saturday McGraw roared away from Stock Heavy’s pole leaving the field trailing in the distance. “I thought somebody was behind me,” said McGraw who reached the stripe 3.510-seconds ahead of Walt Barnes. “I didn’t know what happened to Knopf. I thought he was right there, but he wasn’t. We changed tires from the first race and they seemed to work.”

Behind Barnes in the top five were Haire, Randy Moon and Chad Haithcock. Earlier in the day Barnes beat Leggs Leslie in Senior Stock. “Man it’s pretty tough out there,” Barnes, described, “We still haven’t quite got a hold on this place. I can’t quite figure it out. Somehow we got lucky and pulled it off.”

Knopf and Chad Graham shared Stock Medium’s front row. The sun had nearly set and the track lights began glowing when the green flag flew. Knopf hustled into the early lead with Blake O’Neal and Barnes battling for second. While Knopf stretched his lead O’Neal continued chasing him down. When they reached the stripe Knopf was 1.400-seocnds ahead of O’Neal. Graham grabbed third, McGraw crossed fourth followed by fifth place finisher Ashley Abernathy.

“I zig zagged back-and-forth on the parade lap and it stuck pretty good so I knew it ought to stick good,” said Knopf who pilots a Schu Powered Phantom Icon kart. “After a couple of laps lapped traffic was a big part of it. They were slow and running in the racing groove. But everything hooked up good. The motor was good the kart was good and all I did was drive it.”

According to Limited Modified winner Adam Beville, of Stoney Creek, VA, “To make a long story short, I won the race, but had a tough weekend.” Clint Yon clocked the pole winning lap blistering the track in 12.609-seconds. Beville was second fastest at 12.679-seconds. Yon raced into the early lead with Beville challenging at every corner. After several laps Beville found the advantage he was looking for and took a never surrendered lead to the stripe. There he was comfortably 2.602-seconds ahead of Yon.
“We struggled all day and finally found something that made us a little faster and we got fast again,” Beville explained. “We’ve been racing the 61 (Clint Yon) for a long time, he’s a good guy and we get along pretty good. I want to thank Babs, my girlfriend, and all my family and the horsepower of TKS Racing Engines and Illusion Racing Chassis, The Kart Shop and everyone back home, I couldn’t do it without them.”

Kenny Baltzegar, Chris McKenzie and Dustin Snider completed the podium.

Pelzer, S.C. Jerry Dover Racing Engines powered Nemesis kart pilot Brett Heatherly blasted around the track in 12.972-seconds for Junior 3 Gold’s pole. From there Heatherly briefly surrendered the lead to Chesterfield, VA racer Colton Cox on his way to the checkered flag. Cox challenged Heatherly’s lead at every corner before trailing Heatherly by 0.445-second.
When I was leading after a few laps something came up off the front of my kart. I thought it was my tire blown out. That’s the only reason he got by me,” Heatherly explained. “The kart was a little tight I lost a little bit of ground and I’m glad I got back up there for the win.”

Second Junior 3 Gold winner Wilson Keene crossed third and was followed in the top five by Brandon Brown, and Austin Scarboro.

Blake Mosley topped the second Junior 3 Gold’s qualifying with a 13.047-seconds lap. He went backwards from there while seventh fastest qualifier Wilson Keene headed forward. Heatherly lead most of the way. Keene and Cox drafted by him in the final laps. Heatherly made it back to second before the checkered flag fell, but he was 0.39-seconds late.

“The Ultramax chassis and Tim Fishel’s motor worked great,” credited the 14-year-old Abbeville, GA based winner.
Pro All-Stars have been with AKRA in growing numbers. Kenny Baltzegar’s Moore Racing Engines powered Twister SS kart dominated both rounds of qualifying with 12.545 and 12.695-seconds laps. Robby Yow ruled the first race from the outside pole. Yow broke from the field early and by mid-race he started lapping the field. Behind tight battles for positions raged.

“It was awesome. Basically awesome. This is the first time I’ve ever done this and it was awesome that’s the one word that describes it-awesome,” beamed Yow who pilots a twin Charlie Stoffa powered Intimidator kart. “The kart handled pretty good. On the first couple of laps it was a little loose and then the tires got a little heat in them and it tightened up. The twins took off like a rocket. I’d like to thank my dad, Charlie, Leggs, Dale, my paw paw and I want to wish my mom a happy birthday.”

Kenny Baltzegar was second across the stripe followed in the top five by Brain Abell, Charles Stuffa and Bobby Leslie.

Next time out Baltzegar showed the field from start to finish. He took the early lead with Yow chasing him. Caution cut the lead he’d build near mid-race. Balzegar built another comfortable 7.104-seconds cushion between the restart and checkered flag. Abell was second followed by Michael Registar, Sutffa and Yow for the top five.

“The kart was perfect. We had a good sweet set of tires on it,” said Baltzegar, of Cordova, S.C. “I got a little tired and the Lord said I’ll help you out. Jesus Christ is my biggest hero. I got my strength back and started reeling him in again.”

Junior Champ defending champion Brandon Brown defended his title with a win over Chase Vaughn who trailed him across the stripe 4.036-seconds later.

“The kart was pretty fast. We kind of walked away with this one,” Brown described adding, “The Tod Miller Racing Engine was fast, the Icon Chassis was fast and we got the tires right. Andy Clark helped us and my dad took us down here and really worked hard for this win.”

That concludes the first of five nationals. Up next on the ARKA 2008 American Speedway Dirt Series travels to Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C. April 4-5. From Margarettsville the tour travels to Southern Pitt Speedway in Ayden, N.C. August 29-30 they will be competing at the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA and on October 10-11 they will wrap up their season at the Myrtle Beach Motor Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

February 20, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


AKRA Joins NCMA

MONROE, N.C.-The American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) recently joined the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA). AKRA principal investor Bill McCutcheon says North Carolina Motorsports Association membership will benefit AKRA members and the karting community in a variety of ways.

“Membership in the NCMA offers us a chance to include karting in the North Carolina motorsports community and makes that community aware of karting and its presence in North Carolina. It will also keep us current of motorsports issues some of which may affect us. Part of their mission is to implement programs to promote motorsports in North Carolina. So joining them helps us in our effort to promote karting,” McCutcheon pointed out.

“We welcome AKRA to the NCMA membership family and look forward to supporting their organization as well as gaining knowledge and understanding from them of the massive karting industry,” said Shawn Stewart, Director of Marketing/Membership of the NCMA. “Karting is often the foundation for tomorrow’s star drivers and crew members. It’s a great place for affordable fun, but also provides an entry level for our industry’s workforce.”

The NCMA provides members with networking opportunities and industry information. They work with the North Carolina Legislature and Department of Commerce to increase members’ profitability and host events benefiting the industry and the state. It offers members networking opportunities, exclusive access to industry contacts, member benefits and special discounts, a ‘Voice’ for their specific industry area and key industry information and news. NCMA members support North Carolina’s annual $5.9 billion dollar industry and receive valuable returns and resources. They are also involved in workforce development through educational institutions statewide, the business community and motorsports organizations.

NCMA began as an association formed June 12, 2002 to perform a motorsports economic impact study. That study became well known and widely used. An updated 2006 version of the study reported motorsports adds 5.9 billion to North Carolina’s economy and provided 26,000 jobs. During the first two years NCMA members worked on organization and sought funds for the study from the Golden Leaf Foundation. To secure those funds a 501-C-3, not for profit, corporation called the NC Motorsports Foundation was formed.

To introduce the Association and Foundation they co-hosted the first Annual Bill France Tribute Dinner in October of 2004, which was a huge success raising nearly $90,000. That month the Association held it’s first Annual Membership Meeting where findings of the Economic Impact Study were released.

Led by Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Petty, members spent the remainder of 2004 and most of 2005 building membership, identifying issues relating to the industry and pursuing pro-motorsports legislation. In 2006 their efforts led to the passage of the Aviation Fuel Tax Rebate Bill and, during a short legislative session ending July 26, 2006, passage of legislation to provide job training for the motorsports industry.

Rich Hendrick is Vice-Chairman and Steve Earwood, owner of Rockingham Dragway, is Chairman of the Board of Directors. The remainder of the board consists of high-profile persons in the motorsports and business communities. Executive Director Andy (Papa) Papathanassiou, a 16-year industry veteran, leads the office staff.

Growing rapidly, NCMA currently has approximately 200 member companies/organizations. Their events and activities from membership meetings to committees, councils, golf tournaments and award banquets, are multi-faceted promoting the industry by providing industry information to the general public aimed at education and entertaining members and guests while providing member with networking opportunities.

AKRA was founded three-years ago by current principal owner Bill McCutcheon and another investor. Their purpose was to provide kart racers with an association dedicated to improving the sport, hosting quality national events and working with the media and others to make more people aware of the sport of kart racing. According to their mission and vision statement, “To create and establish an organization to manage, promote, and develop a healthy environment that effectively and proactively supports the Karting Industry. The sole purpose of such an organization will always be for the betterment and furtherance of the Sport of Karting and the Karting Industry.”

For more information about NCMA visit their website at www.motorsportsnc.org.  To find out more about AKRA you can visit their website at www.americankarting.us  or call the office at 704.764.8138.

2008 Club Milton Speedway Racing Schedule

Saturday 15th - Annual Awards Banquet

Saturday 29th - Practice Day

Friday 4th - Season Opener

Saturday 12th - Regular Race

Saturday 19th - Out law Kart Cup Series - Race One

Friday 2th - Regular Race

Saturday 10th - Regular Race

Sunday 25th - Outlaw Kart Cup Series - Race Two

Saturday 7th - Regular Race

Saturday 21st - Regular Race

Saturday 28th -Regular Race

Saturday 5th - Out law Kart Cup Series - Race Three

Saturday 19th - Regular Race

Friday 1st - Regular Race

Friday 15th - Regular Race

Sunday 31st - Outlaw Kart Cup Series - Race Four

Saturday 13th - Regular Race

Saturday 27th - Out law Kart Cup Series - Race Five

Saturday 11th - Regular Race

Saturday 25th - Out law Kart Cup Series - Race Six

Sunday 16th - Regular Race

Saturday 22nd - Season Finale

February 13, 2008

For Immediate Release:

#24-Mark Hall who won four class titles last season

#24-Mark Hall who won four class titles last season AKRA Crowns Asphalt Champions

All photos by Bruce Walls

 

By Bruce C. Walls


MONROE, N.C-Oval asphalt kart racers kicked off the historic start to a new sanctioning body’s series April 14th 2007 at Concord Motor Sports Park in Concord, N.C. A small contingency of dedicated racers entered the first American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) American Speedway Championship Asphalt Series race. From those humble beginnings the new series grew traveling to Chapel Hill Raceway in Humphrey, N.Y. then on to BeaveRun Motor Sports Complex and finally Orange County Raceway Park in Rougemont, N.C. Entry numbers grew with each national. Top east coast competitors battling for purses kept the competition level high. Some of asphalt racing’s closest finishes were recorded over the season.

Series Champions will be crowned and others recognized for their efforts over the season Friday April 11th as part of the 2008 season kick off at Orange County Raceway. The Championship dinner banquet will be held at the Cutting Board 2699 Ramada Road, (Exit 143 [I-40/I85]) Burlington, N.C. at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. On the menu are Beef Tips and Rice/Chicken Tenders, green beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Banana Pudding and Strawberry Shortcake.

“The Asphalt Series continually grew over the course of the season and it will continue to grow this year,” said AKRA principal investor Bill McCutcheon. I want to personally thank all of the asphalt racers who attended our races this year and look forward to seeing those racers again this season and welcome all asphalt competitors to come to one of our races to personally experience the kind of racing you’ve hear we put on. I think the changes to our Firestone 500 will entice more racers to enter that event this year. I see continued growth for this series especially with our new Box Stock Program.”

Taking top honors will be Ward, S.C. competitor Mark Hall. Hall campaigned in four classes and swept all four. He was crowned Stock Lite, Medium and Heavy champion along with taking the Animal Heavy title. Taking single titles were Tyler Walker who topped Junior 2, John Blacker Junior 3’s champion and Tyler Strickland the Junior Champ champion. Chance Wright collected the most points in Junior Sportsman Champ. Wayne Winters did the same in Senior Champ.

After kicking off their 2008 season at Orange County the series travels to Chapel Hill Raceway May30-13. Their next stop is BeaveRun Motorsports Complex August 15-16. The season finale’ will happen October 3-4 at Orange County. That weekend’s action will include the Firestone 500. The Firestone 500 will be 500-laps of exciting racing. Junior Champ racers will battle in a 75-lap shootout. Senior Champ racers will compete in a 75-lap race setting the stage for the evening’s highlight a 300-lap Stock Heavy race for the money. More details about the Firestone 500 will be announced soon. For information about AKRA visit the Association website at www.akrainc.com.
-30-

#24-Mark Hall who won four class titles last season AKRA Crowns Asphalt Champions

All photos by Bruce Walls

# 38 Jason Easterling and #76-Bob Lawson battle side-by-side
in All-Stars during Christmas in Dixie

# 47 Chris Strickland passes under #11-Bobby Garland in Florida
All-Stars during the dirt racing portion of AKRA’s ‘Christmas in Dixie’
where 19-competitors entered the class 

All Photos by Bruce Walls For More Photos by Bruce Check Out This Page

February 7, 2008

For Immediate Release:


AKRA “Let’s the Dogs Out” on a National level Pro All- Stars Join AKRA

By Bruce C. Walls

MONROE, N.C.-This season Pro All-Star Karting Series racers will be campaigning for a class championship in the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) American Speedway Championship Dirt Series. Pro-All Star racers compete in their own unique karting division. They have a wide range of power plant choices both two and four cycle. These modified power plants are highly customized, very innovative and can vary in power from 25-80 hp. Racers can even balance two power plants on these specialized race machines. Driving one these All-Star karts on a dirt track is like climbing onto a rocket strapped to a skateboard. Loads of horsepower, a short wide wheelbase, and snug driving quarters, make even the good handling Karts feel “twitchy”. Sometimes they are often better aimed than driven.

The Pro All-Star drivers are highly skilled individuals and have to be with speeds that can reach in excess of 100-mph on long straights that lead to tight turns. “It’s a tremendous adrenalin rush going down a long straightaway near 100 mph heading into a turn. When we’re on the track everybody’s at the fence,” described Pro All-Star promoter Terry ‘Hotdog’ Hall. “When other classes are racing people are working in the pits. When the Pro-All Stars fire up on the grid everything stops, people come out of their trailers and motor homes to watch. We always put on an exciting show.”

“The National champion will earn a leather racing jacket and a championship ring,” said AKRA owner Bill McCutcheon. “Having the Pro All-Star racers expands our membership and gives them a national showcase for their up and coming elite division of karting. They will add excitement to our Dirt Nationals. Their shows go from mild to wild real fast.”

“This is an opportunity to take the Pro All-Stars to a higher level. With the participation of already established Unlimited All-Star regions such as Florida, Tri-State, Georgia etc and of course the infamous ‘Dog Pound’ I feel that AKRA will bring us even more exposure and give us the opportunity to follow a national series. They’ll also give us a professional format to race under rather than the local Saturday night venue,” Hall described. “We need the media exposure AKRA can afford us to help us grow this series and bring it to national prominence. By joining forces with AKRA I feel we have reached a very exciting time in the growth of both series. We want to attract spectators as well as new participants. A lot of our racers come from some other forms of racing like motorcycles or sprint cars. When they come to see our show a lot of them want to get into it because it’s something new to them. They are fast, dangerous, and exciting. No matter if you are watching from the stands or sitting in the seat with your helmet on, the All-Stars will get your adrenaline pumping.”

Pro All-Star rules can be found on the AKRA website at www.americankarting.us  or on the Pro All-Star website at: www.flallstars.com.  Engine rules are simple, any type two-stroke cycle engine or engines with no limit to modifications or any four-stroke cycle engine or engines, no limit to modifications.

Rules regarding minimum weight/maximum displacement are also fairly simple. The formula for calculating displacement to declaring weight is Bore X Bore X stroke X .7854=CC of engine. Rules also state drivers must be 18-years old or older. There are no fuel restrictions other than no illegal substances may be used as fuel or a fuel additive.

“There’s nothing out there like these All-Star karts,” Hall described. They’re unique with the wedge bodies, nose wings and the speed, it is non-stop action.”

To find the closest show visit either the AKRA or Florida All-Stars website for The American Speedway Dirt Championship Series.

#911 Phillip Jones leads a pack of All-Star racers at
‘Christmas in Dixie’

January 17, 2008   

In Memory of Eric Garland a True Karter

Photos

Written by:
Bruce C. Walls

WASHINGTON, NJ-According to his father there was a special twinkle in Eric Garland’s eyes the first time he saw a go-kart. That was in 1980.
In a few years karting would reach a plateau. During karting’s heyday one of the top motor building shops in the country was Garland Racing Engines. His custom-built motors powered top Horstman Gold Cup competitors and others for many years. It wasn’t unusual then to see more than one Garland Powered pilot on Gold Cup National podiums.

It was a friend of his father who first introduced karting to young Eric. “Gar Frey got him started and he took to it right away. Eric got in that kart and was hooked. We built a backyard track and Eric pounded out laps and he just kept getting better and better,” John remembered.

“We started racing in a farmer’s field in our back yard,” Eric’s father recalled. At 7-years old Eric was piloting a home made King enduro racing chassis made into a sprinter racing against adults. The following year his parents took him to Shellhammers Speedway in Shellhammer, PA. During his second season at Shellhammers he hired Craig Wesner to build his motors. That’s when the wins started coming.

“I remember his first win,” his mother Sharon recalled. “It was at Shellhammers. A kid put him into the wall and after that he got aggressive. After the race he didn’t even realize he’d won.”

“He (Eric) started winning and we decided to branch out,” John described. They went to Orville raceway in Topton, PA and Island Dragway Kart Track in Great Meadows, N.J. “Eric got tossed from Island Dragway Kart Track that year because he was 10-years old racing as a 13-year-old,” John recalled with a chuckle.

“When the trophies started coming in we made a shop in the back of the house,” Sharon said adding, “Eric was very private about winning. He never bragged about it.

Booted from Island Dragway Kart Track Eric went back to Orville during 1984-85 seasons. According to John, “That year he raced 2 and 4-cycles earning trophies taller then he was.” Eric also started racing with the World Karting Association (WKA) that year. Eric was then competing as a Junior. “Eric was turning faster lap times than Seniors with no restrictor plate, John proudly recalled adding, “The more we traveled the better he got.”

As they traveled around the country competing against the best of the best Eric made friends with every one he met. Eric had an aggressive driving style, but that didn’t keep him from being friends with his competitors off the track.

Wins continued coming one after another. Trophies filled the shop. “You never saw so many trophies,” his parents said. “We had trophies all over the house, in his room, out in the garage and in the shop,” his mother Sharon added.

Eric started building motors in 1990. Once competitors found out that Eric was building his own engines they began asking him to build theirs. “Eric started fooling around with engines,” John said. “(Craig) Wesner was getting out of the business. Eric worked by trial and error and started talking to other engine builders and basically it grew from there.”

“We went to all of his races Rockingham, Charlotte, Shellhammers, Orville, Herbine (Family Grand Pix Raceway called Herbine by racers for track owner Dennis Herbine) or where ever he went,” Sharon recalled adding, “I remember standing on a bridge one time. There were some kids up there talking and they said they didn’t want to race with Eric in the field, but they did anyway.”

Long time friend and fellow competitor Randy Delp recalled racing against Eric at Herbine. “It was Eric’s favorite track,” Delp explained adding Eric was always one of the top five. When we were competitors we weren’t friends Eric was known for his aggressive driving style.”

It was the first IKF race on the east coast. Herbine 1991. “Chuck Garafar was on the pole and I was on the outside pole,” Delp said setting up the story. “ Eric didn’t qualify as well and we didn’t see Eric in the first race. Chuck and I were battling lap after lap. (IKF Nationals run three races for each class) I have no idea where he (Eric) finished in the second race. Chuck and I were battling back and forth in the third race. We were back-and-forth down the long straightaway. Three quarters of the way down I was pushing Chuck getting ready to hit the breaking point and here comes Garland. Eric had a head of steam. He didn’t want just me he wanted both of us. He came into the corner passed me and then was in over his head. He drove into the side of Chuck and was over his head as usual.”

Delp says he met Eric through a mutual friend, Frank Kelleher. “ Eric won Limited Modified Heavy’s Championship in 2000. It was his only National Gold Cup Championship. The next year (2001) he wrenched for Michelle and Rowan Pennick.

“Going into 2003 Eric decided he wanted to drive in the Gold Cup Series again. He asked me to go to Jacksonville and wrench for him at the Tomar Winter Nationals. He won Stock Heavy at Jacksonville; it was his last Gold Cup win. When we went to South Bend and Tony (Barton, former WKA official) dq’ed him. That was the end. We were the kart to beat. Also that year Eric asked me to wrench for him,” Delp explained.

“There are a lot of things people didn’t know about Eric,” Delp continued. “He liked to read books mostly mystery and government conspiracy. He was very interested in politics and was becoming more vocal about politics the last couple of years. He didn’t have cable; he liked listening to CDs. He also loved spending time with his nephew Brandon.”

Gary Mac Queen met Eric in 1996. “My son and I were just getting started in karting. A fellow competitor told us to see Eric Garland. We went up there and John was there. Eric was just a kid. He was going on vacation, but he’d heard of my son Brian. They seemed to pick up on the red hair.”

MacQueen needed a motor dynoed. Eric’s dyno was broken. Mac Queen fixed the dyno and Eric built Brian a motor. “That was the beginning of our relationship. We invented stuff and dynoed motors all night. Eric and Brian hung out almost everyday. What always impressed me about Eric was how inventive he was and how he understood the geometry of front end. Everything Brian does in racing he credits back to Eric. Eric took a lot of kids under his wing. He took it seriously, but made it fun.

Two memorial races were held last year. One held at Shellhammers Speedway, the other at Orville Raceway. MacQueen won the Shellhammers race. “Brian cut school on the west side of Ohio,” his father explained. “He left at midnight, got home an hour later. He drank a glass of orange juice and we went to Shellhammers.

“Kevin Colborn got the pole, but he flipped giving us the pole. Brain won the race with a Garland Racing Engine. We haven’t raced it since. Brain couldn’t take the checkered flag for a victory lap and couldn’t be interviewed because he was crying so hard that he had help that night.”

Zach Linsell won the Orville race. Zach was also good friends with Eric. In a letter to Linsell Eric opened up to his younger friend.

Zach,
First off, Happy Birthday. I think this letter and scrapbook idea is a really good one. It’s important to hold onto your memories, the older you get the more distant they become. Some of my fondest memories haven’t been captured on film or in writing. As you can probably guess some of my favorite memories involve racing duh, big surprise there right? Racing has been a huge part of my life, other than my family and friends I would say it’s the biggest part of my life. Some things about it I can’t say that I remember. I don’t recall my first win, my first flip, or the first time I was in a go-kart. Some things I’ll never forget…dodging a blown apart flywheel down the backstretch at Charlotte (I was extremely lucky that day), riding to South Carolina in the back of a pickup truck with another kid, 2 karts and everything that you needed to run a national back in the day. I remember my first national win; it was at Adkins Raceway in Ohio. I was a chubby 15-year-old kid from Jersey who all the southern guys barely noticed. Back then, this was in 1989, all the fast guys were considered to be from down south. If you lived north of the Mason-Dixon line you were looked down on by the big teams. On Saturday, in Stock Lite, (Yeah I actually made that weight at one time), I had a good run and almost won for the day. They ran 3 heats back then and then averaged the 3 for the overall finish. Keith Gutberlet was the hotshoe at the time, he ran for Piedmont Kart Shop, and won just about every race he entered. He won the first heat in a pass back and fourth all race kind of race. I won the second heat. So whoever won the third heat was going to win for the day. The two of us pulled away and were passing back and forth. On the last lap, I pulled to the inside and was going past him, then my carb broke. I reached around and pushed the back of the tank forward and kept going. Keith was gone and that was it. I finished second. It was a strange feeling. It was the best that I had run up to that point, but it was still kind of a bummer. Some of the big shots at the time noticed that I ran good and went out of their way to say, “Great Race, we thought you had him.” It was just me and my dad running against the biggest kart shops at the time, and for these guys to tell me I did a good job really meant something to me. I went out the next day for Super Stock, qualified on the pole and won by a straightaway. After that weekend I won several races that year and consistently ran in the top 3. When I think back to my first win it’s not about Super Stock on Sunday, it’s that Stock Lite race the day before, realizing that I could run with and beat the best. I don’t have any pictures from that weekend, but I still remember that feeling. Ever since I started building engines I’ve been pretty lucky. I’ve met some great people and traveled to a lot of different places. I’ve had a moderate amount of success at it, but the best part about doing what I did for a living was the feeling I got from helping someone. When I helped people out at the track and they did good I felt great. The absolute best though is when I would help someone and they got their first big win. Standing at the fence and watching someone get everything they can out of a kart and just wheel it to the front. I like sharing the excitement and it feels like I just won for the first time too. I remember all of those times. I was lucky enough to be a small part of your first win and I keep that memory up there with some of my all time racing favorites. Thanks for the great memory Zach, I’m proud to call you a friend.

Eric Garland

While passionate about sprint racing Eric did tackle asphalt and dirt ovals once in a while early on. Never a title contender in oval disciplines, he was always capable of capturing their checkered flags.

“I pitted next to him (Eric) at Rockingham,” said long time friend Chip Disharoon, of Salisbury, MD. That was in 1989 when the Gold Cup was the real deal. He kicked everyone’s butt in three races. That’s when I first noticed him.

“I always looked up to Eric as a garage talent and driving talent,” Disharoon added. “I won a national title in Controlled Stock Heavy with his motor in 2000.”

“Eric came over for Thanksgiving. He’d been having headaches,” Sharon recalled. “I gave him some Tylenol and told him to call the doctor. That’s when they found the tumor.”

Surrounded by family and friends Eric vowed to fight the cancer attacking his brain. “He was very optimistic,” Sharon said. She and John were with him every day for the next six months. Eric bravely fought with everything inside him. But it was a race he wouldn’t win. “I was with him round the clock at the end,” Sharon described. May 15th 2007 the karting family lost a true friend of the sport. His passing was a crushing blow to everyone whose life he’d touched. Hundreds attended the memorial service a testament to the friends he made in this life.
--
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.actionpicsandpromos.com

January 16, 2008 AKRA Dirt Racers Celebrate 2007 Season

By Bruce C. Walls
AKRA Media Director

    DEXTER, GA-Racers in the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) American Speedway Dirt Championship Series will celebrate their 2007  season by crowning champions during a dinner banquet Friday February  29th at the Dexter, GA Community Center. Located on 303 Mill Street the  Community Center is less then five miles from Dexter Speedway.  The  banquet is being held in Dexter, GA as part of the American Speedway  Championship Dirt Series 2008 season opener racing there that Saturday  March 1st.

The top five champions in each class and guest must reserve advanced tickets. While the banquet is open to all racers and fans wishing to  attend, seating will be limited.  Tickets are $12 per person.

Catering will be done by "Miss Pat's World Famous Down South Country Cooking.”  Her menu will include Bar-B-Que, Chicken Pot Pie, Green  Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Brunswick Stew, potato salad and rolls.  For  drinks she’s offering ice tea, lemonade, and coffee.  For desert she’s  fixing her famous homemade peach cobbler and homemade banana pudding.  Come hungry.

To reserve tickets call the AKRA office at 704.764.8138.

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.actionpicsandpromos.com
 

Press Contact: Colin Smith
Jet-Tech Motorsport
Phone: +44 (0)20 8144 7040
email: info@rotaxjetting.com  For immediate release
Press Release

January 13, 2008

Jet-Tech Motorsport announce the immediate release of Jet-Tech PRO v17.4 now incorporating Data Analyst©
The most popular carburettor jetting and setup application in the world now includes a fully searchable chassis configuration database.
•
Jet-Tech Motorsport, developers of the most accurate Kart Jetting and Set-up software in the world, announce Jet-Tech PRO v17.4.

Jet-Tech Data Analyst© is the latest unique and copyright feature of Jet-Tech PRO. It brings the power of a fully searchable chassis configuration database to the world’s most popular carburettor jetting and setup application. All your Kart chassis setups can now be saved to their own individual records. Lap-time, track location and free-text notes can also be added to any record as required. The user can search all records for any chassis variable. So if you wanted to find your best chassis setup, for a particular circuit on slick tyres, using a hard axle, a specific engine and a soft seat, Jet-Tech Data Analyst© will find it for you at the click of a button!

Chassis set-up configurations can be loaded directly into the Jet-Tech PRO setup screen, from which you can produce a detailed chassis setup sheet. This can be printed and then used to guide you or your mechanic through your chassis configuration when you're in the pit garage or awning.

Jet-Tech PRO utilises the unique Jet-Tech Dynamic Simulation Model© to precisely model the air and fuel flow characteristics of each carburettor and incorporates an exclusive calibration facility to give unrivalled accuracy to within 0.299% of absolute. Jet-Tech uses its Dynamic Simulation Model© to exactly match your individual engine/carb combination providing unrivalled accuracy in predicting exact jetting, needle clip position and plug type for all single-choke Dell'Orto carburettors as used in Rotax, ICC, RoK, TKM 4/, etc and all 2 or 3 jet Diaphragm carburettors used in Comer, WTP, TKM, KF1/2/3 etc. In addition Jet-Tech PRO has a host of sophisticated but easy to use features such as the Carburettor Flow Bench©, Needle Analysis, Tyre Temperature Analysis, Gearing and Chassis Weight.

With the latest addition of a professional chassis configuration database, Jet-Tech PRO is the ultimate carburettor jetting Kart and chassis setup application.

Full information on the range of Jet-Tech products can be found at www.rotaxjetting.com  or watch the video overview at www.rotaxjetting.com/video_tutorials.htm

Ends.

Attachments: Jet-Tech Logo ( JetTech6.jpg ); Jet-Tech PRO Screen Shots ( JTPro174SCRshots.jpg )

Third Annual Christmas in Dixie-Bigger and Better Then Ever


Tarlton Tops Seven Classes at 3rd Annual ‘Christmas in Dixie


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


JASPER, FL-Speedway Dirt and Asphalt racers from around the country came to Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL for the third annual  American Kart Racing Association’s (AKRA) ‘Christmas in Dixie’ December  27-30. Thursday and Friday racers competed on the ¼-mile dirt oval.  Saturday, with threatening skies above and storms on the way, asphalt  racers voted to pack two days of racing plus the first Asphalt World  100 into one fast paced day on the 1/5-mile paved oval.

Together teammates Trey Tarlton, of Great Falls, S.C. and Jamie Knopf,  of Lancaster, S.C., tallied 11 wins from 10 poles. For his efforts,  Knopf, collected $2,000 of the $50,000 purse paid out. Tarlton, who  turned 11-years-old December 28th, began his seven- in streak topping that Thursday’s dirt Junior 2 Blue Plate class the first of two wins he  scored that day.

Tarlton topped qualifying with a 15.942-seconds run that was  0.402-second faster then outside pole winner Austin Berry’s  16.344- econds effort. After showing the nine-racer field around twice  the race’s only caution flag waved. Tarlton led the restart. Before  the first half was booked Tarlton piloted his Schu-powered Millenium  kart through the field back into clean air. Behind him racers battled  for positions. Jesse Foster and Austin Slaggy scrapped over second in  the final laps with Foster securing the position before trailing Tarlton by 13.980-seconds at the stripe. Slaggy held third across the  stripe trailed in the top five by Nick Hebrank and Zach Napoleon who  completed the top five 19-seconds later than Tarlton.

“I had the pole, I had a good crew, a good kart, and I had the motor,”  Tarlton credited. “My kart handled great and the motor really pulled  strong down the straight-aways. It felt like I lapped the whole field  a couple of times, maybe three times. I want to thank Michael  Schumacher, Jamie Knopf, my daddy for the tires and my mom for cheering  me on and Brook Dorman. I want to  dedicate this win to Jamie Knopf.”

A 16.730-seconds lap earned Tarlton Junior Sportsman Champ’s pole.  Tarlton rocketed into the early lead, threaded his was through the  field, and then took the checkered flag with a 6.600-seconds advantage  over second place Dylan Colding. Rounding  out the top five behind Colding were Hebrank, Josh Cobb and Carson Haulman.

That Friday Tarlton backed up his two earlier wins in the same classes.  He secured Junior 2 Blue’s pole in 15.079-seconds and started second  in Junior Sportsman Champ. He led Junior 2 wire-to-wire then battled  his way to Junior Sportsman Champ’s checkered where Hebrank trailed him  by 8.598-seconds. Jesse Foster finished second in Junior 2 trailing  Tarlton by 1.333-  econds. Steven Finch finished third and was followed by Clayton Calloway and Napoleon in the top five.

“I could tell they were behind me. I looked back and didn’t see  anybody, I guess I couldn’t look far enough back, but I knew they were  pretty close because I could hear them every now and then,” Tarlton  said after winning Junior 2. “I thought I was going to hit that lapper.   My kart-handled fine. I want to thank Michael Schumacher, Jamie Knopf,  my mom and dad and the crowd for cheering me on. I want to win all of my races this weekend.” 

Darrell Colding clocked a 16.260-seconds top-qualifying lap for Junior Sportsman Champ’s pole. Tarlton turned a 16.317-seconds lap for the  outside pole. On the opening lap karts crashed in turn one. Colding  led them single file back to turn one. Before they exited turn two  Tarlton took charge leading them to the stripe where he owned an  8.598-seconds advantage over Hebrank. Further back Colding, and Alex  and Josh Cobb completed the top five.

When the action moved from dirt to asphalt Tarlton and his team moved  over to the asphalt oval where they would record three more wins  starting with day one’s Junior 2 Blue. Tarlton struggled in Junior 2’s  qualifying turning a 15.061-seconds run that was third fastest of six  qualifiers. Matthew Anderson earned the pole with a 14.949-seconds  run. Anderson hustled into the early lead with Tarlton tacked to his  tailpipe. On their second rounding Tarlton got a run on Anderson down  the back straight slipped under him entering turn three with the lead.

Anderson and Jimmy Pope fought over second. After securing second Pope  tried to close in on Tarlton. Tarlton continued building on his lead  as the field behind him battled for positions. In the final laps  Austin Berry blew by Anderson and Pope for second dropping them to  third and fourth. Berry closed in on Tarlton and tried to take the   lead. Tarlton held on capturing the checkered flag with a mire

0.155-second edge over Berry. Behind Berry, Pope, Anderson and Bryce  Dulabhan completed the podium.

“I could feel them coming,” Tarlton described. “The kart handled  really good I just got tired on the last five laps and started sliding  a little bit. I was a little worried at the end.”

Racers got several rounds of practice before qualifying for day two’s  features. Tarlton turned in two pole-winning laps. Times of 14.729  and 15.418-seconds put him in Junior Sportsman 2 and Junior Sportsman  Champ’s poles. In Junior 2, Tarlton shook off early challenges from  outside pole winner Matt Anderson. After shaking off Anderson he  threaded his way through the field.  erry, the third fastest  qualifier, hung behind in a distant second closing the gap to  1.429-seconds at the end.

According to Tarlton, “I didn’t know how far back they were I couldn’t  feel them. The kart handled pretty good. Asphalt is different; it’s  tougher then dirt. I’m learning something about it.”

Tarlton tore off from Junior Sportsman Champs pole with outside pole  winner Bryce Dulabhan (15.633-seconds) battling him side- y-side. They  stayed that way for the first lap and most of the second before  Dulabhan tucked in behind Tarlton. Dulabhan stayed there for 18-laps  trailing Tarlton across the stripe 1.479-seconds late.

Knopf collected four wins, three on asphalt and one on dirt. With  Monroe, N.C. based Walt Barnes beside him Knopf (15.198- econds) led  34-Stock Heavy racers to the green flag. Knopf floored his  Schu-Powered Millenium kart and began running away from the field.  Chad (Houdini) Haithcock was his closest pursuer for the $2,000 purse  waiting at the checkered flag. When it flew Knopf was 2.917-seconds  ahead. Wesley Leblanc, Barnes and Allen Loper filled the podium.

“The kart was hooked up perfect. We saved these tires for this race  and they worked great. I’ve got to thank Michael Schumacher for  building me an awesome motor, JT Stillwagon for building me an awesome  kart,” Knopf credited. “I also want to thank Millenium Racing Chassis,  my friend Trey Tarlton for showing me how to do it, my friends Richard,  Erica and Brook and Mr.   Jerry Eddins for letting me do this, he’s the  one who owns everything and lets me race. I want to dedicate this win to all of the #48 haters.”

Earlier that evening Knopf was first under Stock Lite’s checkered flag, but he was disqualified for rough driving and forced to surrender the  win to Haithcock. Wyatt Carpenter, Kati Leonard, Derrick Powers and  Andy Megronigle completed the official top five.

Knopf clinched three asphalt wins, two the first day and one the second day. He struggled in Stock Heavy’s qualifying turning in a fast time  of 14.165-seconds that place him sixth out of 11-qualfiers. From  humble beginnings Knopf quickly climbed through the field. Robby  Hammond ruled qualifying with a 13.995-seconds run. Barnes started  next to him. While Barnes and Hammond battled over the early lead  Knopf reached third. Under the half way signal Barnes took the lead  from Hammond. Knopf closed in on Hammond as the top three battled nose-to-tail.

In the final laps Knopf passed Hammond and as they battled down the  front straight with three laps left Knopf blasted by Barnes for the  lead. Barnes was just 0.224-second behind Knopf at the stripe. Close  behind Barnes, Hammond, Jody Pierce and Aaron Musall crossed in the top  five.

“I started sixth, but when you’re in line that far back you feel like  you’re dead last. I thought I could get back up to third half way and  I was still closing in a little bit so I thought I had a chance,” Knopf  described. “The kart was real good. I want to thank Michael  Schumacher, Custom Creations, Keith Bishop for the awesome decals, LM   Motorsports for the tires and everybody that helped me get ready to  come down here this weekend. And I want to thank everybody at AKRA for  a great racing series.”

Three races later Knopf was leading Stock Lite racers to the green  flag. He earned the pole with a track blistering 13.787-seconds lap.  Knopf rocketed away from the field leaving Tara Henderson and Aaron  Sapp scrapping over second. Knopf owned a huge lead at the halfway   mark. At the stripe he was comfortably 4.501-seconds ahead of  Henderson. Behind her in the top five were Sapp, Chris Chandler and Kayla Robbins.

“This time of year is special. It’s good to come run good anytime, but especially during Christmas. The kart was real good. I got on it one  time and it was a little loose for a couple of laps. I’ve just got to keep it down low.”

And that’s what he did in the event’s final feature Stock Medium.  Knopf clocked the fastest qualifying time in 13.995-seconds. From  there he hustled into the early lead. Two laps later the caution flag  cut his comfortable lead. When racing resumed Knopf went back to work  building a comfortable cushion. Behind him Henderson and Chandler were  scrapping over second. Henderson secured second in the final laps and  tried to run down Knopf. She closed the gap some, but was  2.415-seconds behind Knopf when the checkered flag waved. Chandler was  third across the stripe trailed in the top five by Robbins and Hank  Bunch.

“I knew they were after me so I drove as hard as I could,” Knopf  explained. “About five to go I looked back and didn’t see anybody, but  I was still driving hard. I wish we’d of run these tires in the World  100 we might have been a little better. It’s been a great weekend. I  think we’ve got 10 poles and 13 wins between me and Trey (Tarlton) over  four days. We did pretty good.”

Multi-winners also included Pelzer, S.C. based, Foothills Ford backed,  and Brett Heatherly who bagged four wins two on each surface. The  12-year-old Dover Powered Laser kart pilot produced his first national  win taking Junior Champ from the pole he  earned with a 15.419-seconds rounding. At the stripe he was comfortably 3.411-seconds ahead of   Jessica Bohatka.

“It was rough. The kart handled good and the motor had plenty of  power. I want to thank my daddy, my papa Johnny Bartlett, Jay Vaughn  and Jerry Dover,” Heatherly credited.

Heatherly posted Junior 3 Gold’s pole time in 14.945-seconds. Third  fastest qualifier Mason Jordan challenged Heatherly for the early lead.  Jordan shot by Heatherly to lead the 14-racer-field the first two  times around. Heatherly fought back taking the lead back. Heatherly  took the lead into traffic as a three-way battle for second raged  behind him. In the final laps ninth fastest qualifier Jay Gnann  grabbed second. But by then Heatherly was comfortably 3.113-seconds  ahead of him.

On the asphalt track Heatherly swept the Junior Champ classes. On day  one he secured the pole with a 14.759-seconds lap. He dominated the  main from there cruising under the checkered flag with a comfortable  4.993-seconds cushion over Colby Robert.

“I thought I’d lost it the first few laps,” Heatherly described. “I  didn’t know what to think. The kart was ok it was off a little bit, but  the motor was awesome.”

Jessica Bohatka blasted around the asphalt oval in 14.759-seconds for  day two’s Junior Champ pole. Heatherly’s 14.819-seconds fast time earn  him the outside pole. Bohatka blasted into the early lead with  Heatherly hanging on to her tailpipe. Two laps into it Heatherly  worked past Bohatka. Bohatka stayed close behind him trailing by just  0.443-second.

“The kart handled great. Johnny Bartlett’s motor was just amazing. I  didn’t know what was going on behind me. I guess those guys battling  for second gave me a chance to run away from them.”

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Chappell of Jacksonville, FL scored wins in Super  Heavy and Animal Heavy. Dee Paschal, of Unadilla, GA swept the Florida  All-Stars on dirt and Garrett Stewart did the same in 100cc Outlaw.

Dustin McGraw and R.J. Murphy each earned two win. On dirt day two  McGraw topped Animal Heavy and Stock Medium. Murphy, son of track  owner Wade Murphy, ruled both asphalt Rookie Purple classes. The  results and additional photos can be seen on the AKRA website at  www.americankarting.com .

ASPHALT WORLD 100: HISTORY IN THE MAKING

JASPER, FL-For many years the World 100 raced on the ¼-mile dirt oval at Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL has been one of the national  dirt season’s major fall event. This year, at the request of asphalt  racers, an Asphalt World 100 was included in the American Kart Racing  Association’s ‘Christmas in Dixie’ event. A $1,500 purse was up for  grabs when pole winner Jamie Knopf led the field to the green flag for   the first 50-lap segment. Contributing to the total purse were  Vickery’s Speed Shop, Johnny Bartlett of Dover Power, Schu Power, Steve  Collins Racing, the AKRA Insurance Program and Walt Barnes Vinyl  Siding.

Just like the dirt World 100 racers competed in two 50-lap segments.  During a 15-minute pit stop between segments racers and crews were  allowed to work on the kart. Only two people were allowed to work on  the kart. Either the driver and a pit crewmember or two pit  crewmembers. They could change engine oil, adjust tire pressure and   adjust them up and down. Tires could be cleaned, but had to be dry  when presented back at the grid.

Knopf spun a 13.795-seconds for the first Asphalt World 100 pole. Walt  Barnes blasted around the track in 13.985-seconds for the outside pole.  Knopf shot into the initial lead for the first two laps. Davey  Hicken, of Jacksonville, FL, worked by Barnes and then  closed in on Knopf. Hicken took the lead from Knopf who dropped back to seventh.

Hicken held on as Barnes began challenging his lead. Barnes saw an  opening and drove his kart through it. Before he could lead a full lap  Jody Pierce, of Prattville, AL, passed him. Pierce opened a small lead  while Barnes and Hicken battled for second. Meanwhile, Knopf climbed  back into the top five. A few laps later he was trying to steal second  from Barnes.

Knopf moved up to second and quickly began reeling Pierce in. Pierce  put a couple of lapped karts between them cushioning him as the white  then checkered flags flew.

“We’ve been struggling all day,” Pierce said. “We worked on the kart  all day to be good for this race. We were really lucky and fortunate,  the sun came out and that really helped my kart tremendously.  Hopefully we’ll continue to be as dominate in the second half as we  were in the first segment. We’re tickled at this moment,” said Jody who  builds his own motors Pierce Performance.” “The biggest thing we have   to do is be consistent. We’re making a lot of adjustments here at the break. Jamie Knopf is a great competitor and an awesome driver just   keeping up with him and maintaining a fast pace. I hope to wear him  out.”

First segment payouts included a $100 bonus to the sixth place finisher  Chase Fitzgerald. Other money finishers received $20 each. They were  Kayla Robbins, Joe Coaxum, Jason Pyros, Matt Mattingly and Paul  Cornelius.

Officials counted down the final 10-seconds of the pit stop. When time  expired the pits went from a loud mad rush to a quite still. Karts  were lined up and given a few warm-up laps. Pierce headed them through  turn three. The pace picked up as they reach the final apex. Pierce  slammed down on his throttle as they exited turn four. So did the  drivers behind him, as they roared down the front straight. Going into  turn one Aaron Musall, Pierce and Knopf went three-wide. The  excitement continued as they battled down the back straight. Barnes entered the battle making it a four-racer fight for the front. When  they reached turn three Barnes dove low exiting the turn firmly in the lead.

Hicken powered past Barnes several laps later. Knopf started pressuring Barnes. Barnes held off Knopf’s challenges. Knopf and  Barnes started working together drafting by Hicken. Musall joined them  in the top three as Barnes reached the field’s rear taking the lead  into traffic.

Barnes quickly threads through the field back into clean air. Behind  him the rest of the top five battled through lapped traffic trading  positions as they did. Three laps were left. Aaron Musall closed in  on Barnes and passed him for the lead. Coming out of turn four for the  white flag they were side-by-side. They stayed that way into turn one  and down the back straight for the final time. Musall dove low in  three putting him solidly in the lead. Barnes had one more chance.  Out powering Musall exiting turn four.  Barnes tried the high side as  Musall held the lead down to the wire. Barnes was a mire 0.158-second  behind Musall.

“The World 100 on dirt is something I’ve read about for a long time, so  being able to win the first World 100 on Asphalt is awesome. My dad  did an awesome job with the kart. It was pretty bad when we got here.  I don’t know what my dad did, but it was right. The Moon Power motor  was awesome. I’ve got to thank Mike Burns, Tony Belk, Phantom, Rhon  Moon and Wayne Baker. I  got together with Chase (Fitzgerald) a little  bit and thought it was over and I was hoping to salvage a second place  out of it. But the kart didn’t stop coming in. I didn’t know if I   should pass him (Walt Barnes) on the last lap or with two to go. Every  time I got by him today he got me back. It was pretty wild.”

Knopf crossed third, Hicken followed in fourth followed by Pierce in  fifth.
--
Bruce C. Walls
Media Director
American Kart Racing Association
e-mail-bruce.walls@akrainc.com
Phone (302) 537.RACE (7223)
www.americankarting.us
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