This was about as close as anyone got to Kelsey Nelson (33) once she took the lead from Dave Schilt (Red suit) during the Senior Clone main.
The World Cup main was won by Rich Huston (19) with Brad Wunder (9) tailing him the entire race.
Although he was the only Kids Kart driver present, Brooks Anderline got in his laps. Here he’s cresting the top of Turn 5 at Desert Park and about to head down the Corkscrew.
During the Senior Clone main Dave Schilt (12) ended up second but had to hold off a determined Alec Beaudon (95) to do it.
In the Junior Clone division Taylor Uchtil (13) had her hands full holding off a determined Dean Andrews (21). Unfortunately in the main Andrews had mechanical problems and dropped out.
At the start of the TAG Masters main Mike Ryckebosch (191) leads eventual winner Steve Ryckebosch (17) as Scott Andrews (38) chases them.
STEAD (Sept. 6) – With two races left on the schedule it’s time for drivers to seal the deal in their championship drives. So the Northern Nevada Kart Club’s latest races, which was a rare Saturday event, was very important.
Mark Nason not only won the 125 Stock Moto main but also ran away with the F-80 main as well. Here he’s running away from Ben Fisher (17), who is trying to keep up.
While they may not be racing for the win Steve Dow (24) and Dan Harris (13) always put on a spirited battle. Here they are dueling for third place in the F-80 main.
At least three drivers clichéd championships and one of them notched crowns in two different classes.
After winning the 125 Stock Moto main Mark Nason said, “My set up landed spot on again today. Here again, set up through the season from Mitch Kennedy. M y competitors have gotten faster as we were all within 3/10ths after qualifying but through the day I just got my machine sorted, in the main got out front and it was hammer down.”
Both shifter kart classes, 125 and F-80, use standing starts. In the 125 main Todd Thompson got the hole shot and led the charge with Nason right behind him.
As the leaders gapped the field there was a race long duel shaping up as John Morgan held off Matt Koerner and Alex Gray. Then, a couple of laps into the event Nason made the winning pass and pulled away from Thompson.
Behind the leader the three way for third stayed the same until two laps were left. Then Koerner, who was fourth made an inside pass charge as he and Morgan headed onto the front straight.
With both karts wheel-to-wheel they drifted wide and Morgan had to back off so he didn’t wind up in the barrier and fell to fifth. Not happy about the outcome Morgan then retired on the white flag lap.
Up front it was all Nason as he rocketed across the line first and sealing the deal for this year’s class championship.
When the F-80 Senior main began Nason got the hole shot with Ben Fisher giving chase. Very soon it was apparent that the race was Nason’s as he left everyone in his dust.
The real race was for third as Steve Dow and Dan Harris were engaged in a race long duel for the position. Running nose-to-tail a large blanket could have covered both of them.
At the end Dow and Harris ended up third and fourth while Jeremy Holm was fifth after holding off a determined John Michael.
After the post race weigh in Nason said, “Days like this look easier than they are. Tons of prep, getting the thing just right then just not doing anything dumb during the race. That pretty well wraps it up for the season, two wins in the shifter classes and I couldn’t be happier.”
The Tag Masters class has been the Steve and Mike show with the brothers Ryckebosch battling for the lead. And this time it appeared to be a repeat of this.
However this time Mike led from the green with his brother Steve giving chase and Dean Andrews running a close third.
For the first couple of laps it appeared that Mike just might pull an upset. But after a few laps Steve used an inside/outside move to take the lead as they rounded Turns 3 and 4.
Then Steve pulled away but with just a few laps to go brother Mike caught him. Once he realized his brother was on his kart’s back bumper Steve sped up and would reach the checkered flag first.
Back in the pack Mike McMullen had to drop out with mechanical problems while Taylor Uchytil was getting more seat time in an HPV machine.
Afterwards a delighted Steve Ryckebosch said, “I sent my other motor off as I’m going to compete in a pro race in SoCal so I borrowed my other brother’s motor and it worked well.
Asked if his brother will loan him a motor again, Steve just laughed.
“Mike’s tough and I knew I had to set him up but couldn’t pass for awhile,” he said. “Then he opened the door in Turns 3 and 4 and I was able to get around him.”
Asked about the end of the race when his brother caught him, Steve said, “I was getting a little complacent, was looking at my time thinking he wasn’t going to catch me. Then all of a sudden I felt him bump me so I got going again.”
The final race will determine the class championship due to Steve having some mechanical problems at the start of the season so both brothers are neck and neck in the points.
Both the Senior and Junior Clone divisions race together. But since the juniors have a weight advantage they usually get a head start to keep both groups separate.
All during the heat races The Auburn Flash, Taylor Uchytil and Dean Andrews staged nose-to-tail duels for the Junior win. When the main began it appeared to be a repeat of this but Andrews would fall out with mechanical problems handing the victory to Uchytil.
Back in the Seniors group David Schilt was on pole after the green with Kelsey Nelson right behind him while Alex Beaudoin running a close third. Eventually Nelson took the lead and left everyone in her dust.
Behind her Schilt and Beaudoin were involved in an almost race long, nose-to-tail duel for second. Lap after lap they tore around the track just inches apart.
Nelson’s win should have sealed her championship while Uchytil’s win probably earned her a champion’s trophy. At the checkered Schilt was able to hold off Beaudon for second in the seniors division.
A few times this season several drivers that race World Formula Karts come over from Northern California. Their races are usually close as the karts are so evenly matched.
On the green Rich Huston took off with Brad Wunder right behind him. A little ways back Ron Carello and Jeff Havens started their race long duel for third.
At the end Huston prevailed, but not my much while Carello hung on to take third.
“The formula is a higher Briggs package, it’s 4-stroke and a step up from the Animal and 206 motors. One you make the start, since all the motors are close enough, you have to make a mistake to pass so the start’s are critical,” Huston said after the race.
The Jr. 1, Clone B group looked like it was going to be a tight race but that wasn’t to be. When the green waved Issac Bourque took off and scooted away from the pack.
On the second lap one kart spun exiting Turn 2 and collected the remaining karts. After some quick work by the officials all the drivers were able to continue but Bourque has such a big lead he could not be caught.
Behind him Gabe Vegors did his best and wound up a very distant second with Heavyn Hill third. Austin Hawkin, who was third in points, dropped out with mechanical problems while rookie Chase Dulude ended his very first race after the chain on his kart came loose.
For Bourque, who was second in points coming into the event, this victory may have put him in the lead.
The Junior 1 Clone A main was a runaway victory for 10-year-old Aiden Hawkins. He simply left last year’s champion in his dust as he rocketed around the track.
Jake Guzelis, who was third in points ended up second ahead of Bryce Berry.
Asked if it is easier to race with someone else or be alone in the lead he said, “It’s easier to race with somebody so I just concentrate. This is one of my favorite tracks I’ve been on so far. I’ve raced in Modesto and my next race will be in Sonoma.”
Once again only Brooks Anderlin showed up to race in the Kids Kart division. Despite being the only there he got his laps and showed some speed as he zipped around the track.
Next up for NNKC are the Clone Wars, an event that features several classes of these popular karts.
RESULTS
• Desert Park Raceway – Sept. 6
Northern Nevada Kart Club – Round 7
Kid Kart – 1. Brooks Anderline
Jr. 1 Clone A – 1. Aiden Hawkins, 2. Jake Guzelis, 3. Bryce Berry
Jr. 1 Clone B – 1. Issac Bourque,2. Gave Vegors, 3. Heavyn Hill, 4. Chase Dulude*, 5. Austin Hawkins*
Sr. Clone/Jr 2 – 1. Taylor Uchytil (Jr.2), 2. Kelsey Nelson, 3. David Schilt, 4. Alec Beaudon, 5. Brud Beaudion, 6. Kelly Chinander, 7. Dean Andrews (Jr.)*
World Formula – 1. Rich Huston, 2. Brad Wunder, 3. Ron Carello,4.Jeff Havens
Tag Masters – 1. Steve Ryckebosch, 2. Mike Ryckebosch, 3. Dean Andrews, 4. Scott Andrews, 5. Randy Ryckebosch, 6. Mike Arnold, 7. Jeff Solvason, 8. Taylor Uchytil,9. Mike McMullen*
F-80 Senior – 1. Mark Nason, 2. Ben Fisher, 3. Steve Dow, 4. Dan Harris, 5. Jeremy Holm, 6. John Michael
Stock 125 – 1. Mark Nason, 2. Todd Thompson, 3. Matt Koerner, 4. Alex Gray, 5. John Morgan*
* – Did Not Finish
