CARSON CITY, NV (Aug. 25) – The Western Flat Track series made its third appearance at Fuji Park in Carson City this weekend. Like the other two events it was standing room only for the evening show.
The rodeo arena is converted into a short track oval for these races. All types of bikes were included and the day was divided into two segments; amateurs in the afternoon then pros for the evening part.
As an Marine Corps honor guard presented the colors the fans sang our National Anthem.
The evening section of the show began with a Marine Color Guard from the Mountain Warfare center located outside of Bridgeport, California. There was a small technical glitch when the national anthem was to be sung so the fans in the stands started it and finally the singer was able to join them.
After that there was a series of heat races and LCQ’s that led to the mains.
Mike Rush ripping through a corner on his way to winning the Pro Single Main.
After winning the Pro Singles main winner Mike Rush said, “You can’t let the red flags bother you, just got to keep your head down and just focus on what you’ve got to do. It’s easier said than done but there were a lot of red flags. I knew I was going to have to get to the bottom as quick as I could because I figured the track was broken up quite a bit.
“Andrew (Luker) was making that high line work really well but I just couldn’t do it. So I figured I’d just stick to what I set the bike up for. It came off and he put some pressure on me.”
The Pro Singles ended the evening with the longest race of the day and a field of a dozen chosen after heats and a LCQ.
Riders in the Pro Singles main line up for introductions.
Things got off to a rough start with five red flags in a row as at least one rider went down before the field completed a full lap.
The field was lines up on three starting lines and those that fell would be put on the back line for the restart.
Finally the race got going and Rush, Kayl Kolkman and Andrew Luker were the lead trio. Soon Rush and Luker were nose-to-tail as they tore around the track.
Luker took the lead only to give it up after Rush took back the point. Behind them Kolkman, who had slipped back was closing on the lead duo.
Mike Rush is chased by runner up Andrew Luker during the Pro Stingles race.
At the checkered flag Rush picked up the victory ahead of Kuker and Kolkman. Third through sixth place were Stevie Bonsey,Michael Inderbitzin and Josh Mott.
After winning the Pro Singles main Mike Rush and family took a victory lap.
The Hooligan 750cc main is always a crowd pleaser. These bikes are heavy and are modified street bikes like Harleys, Victories or Indians.
Riding one of these around a short oval like the one at Fuji Park is no easy task and to do it fast is a challenge for any rider.
Starting a race the riders line up along chalk lines in the surface. Once the started is satisfied he steps into a circle and all eyes focus on a light in Turn 1; once it goes green they are off and running.
It was A.J. Kirkpatrick’s night although two Reno riders chased him all the way to the end. At the checkered flag Kirkpatrick won followed by locals Mitch Gallagher and
Brayden Hibdon followed in fourth by Virginia City’s Daniel Downer
After winning the Holligan main A.J. Kirkpatrick takes a victory lap.
After the race Indian rider Kirkpatrick said, “We just kind of watched it, walked it and changed the air pressure. I’ve got to thank Indian, Rolling Sands, my wife, my crew and every single one of you fans for coming out here. If it wasn’t for you guys we wouldn’t be able to put on a show so thank you.”
Another crowd favorite is the “Running of the Buls,” a class made up of Bultaco motorcycles. There were built in Spain from 1958 until 1983 and one of the companies model was built for flat track racing.
With two-stroke motors they sound like a group of very loud bees. Before the start it took Rod Spencer some time to get his bike started as several people were giving him a push.
On the green Andrew Luker jumped into the lead but soon surrendered the spot when Dominic Monaco used an inside move in Turn 1 to get around him.
Running of the Buls winner Dominic Monaco takes a victory lap.
After a several lap chase Monaco won the event followed by Luker and Spencer, who rode the race without brakes
This year there was a special added event, “The Duece.” It was an invitational for a special payoff and the purse was $5,000 with the winning rider pocketing at least $2,200 and maybe even more.
Before eliminations began riders competing in the Duece Invitational line up.
Riders went through eliminations where two faced off for four laps and the winner moved to the next round.
Finally there were two riders left, Kayl Kolkman and Stevie Bonsey. After the six-lap race started they were either side-by-side or nose-to-tail.
Unfortunately Lowther had a problem in the last corner and Kolkman raced off to the victory and winner’s prize of $3,200.
In the Duece final Kayl Kolkman and runner up Dan Lowther battle.
“It’s one thing to follow, it’s one thing to lead and it’s completely two different games. Bonsey is a great rider, especially on a short track like this and I lucked out with him spinning out,” Kolkman said
Then Bonsey said, “Well you know Kayl is on the absolute limit, this guy’s phenomenal, he’s got that bike dialed in. He’s always a challenge so I knew I had to be on the limit to stay with him and I was. He went sideways, I went sideways and it just came round on me.”
The other special race was the Dash For Cash. Before that race began Jim Holley and assistants fan out taking collections and handing out tickets.
It’s a 50/50 fund with half going to the holder of the winning ticket and the other half going to the rider that wins the dash.
Once the money is collected the riders, all heat winners, line up and are sent on their way for four laps of hard racing. In the end Andrew Luker got the gold ring and won the event as well as the cash.
When the Dash for Cash began #11 Andrew Luker had the inside line and would win the race and money.
Afterwards he said, “We got a good start and I knew Mikey (Rush) was right there so I slammed the door on him. I think he won here the last couple of times so it pretty well made my night and I’m on cloud 9 right now.”
• Before the pros race the amateurs get their turn in the afternoon. Once again a series of heats determine just who is going into the main events for several of the classes.
Probably the fastest class was the 250cc main. On the green Grant Holmes took off but behind him Tavis Petton and Branden Weller were dueling for the second spot.
Not too far into the race and Holmes was beginning to lap the slowest bikes. At the checkered it was Holmes, Petton and Weller for the first three spots.
Grant Holmes on his way to winning the 250cc main.
It took two attempts to get the Open Singles main going after a rider went down. That put Grant Holmes, who had been the fastest at the back.
On the second green Bryan Berna was on point but not for long as soon Dan Lowther took over the lead. Behind him Holmes was carving his way through the pack of 12 riders.
Open Single winner Dan Lowther.
At the finish Lowther won the race followed by Matthew Yapelli while Holmes ran out of time and had to settle for third.
Another big class was Vintage where old iron is returned to competition.
On the green Rod Spencer took off with the pack chasing him. He held the point and won the race followed by Robert McDonnell and William McDonnell, who ended up second and third.
In the mix of amateur classes there was a place from the older to the youngest riders.
At the top end were two classes and in the younger group, Senior 50+ Anthony Urias won while ageless Tim Doda took the Super Senior 60+ victory.
In the Super Senior 60+ class ageless Tom Doda (34b) win the main.
At the bottom are the 50cc riders, youngest racers on the smallest bikes. Drew Marson scored a double winning both the 2- and 4-Stroke classes.
Moving up the ladder Kage Tadman won the 65cc/110cc Heads Up class while Dominic Demario was the 85cc/150cc winner.
There were also some classes using motocross bikes while the Mad Monkey Mini, where riders could wear costumes, was won by Branden Weller. One of the riders was dressed like the Grim Reaper with a red cape.
The Mad Monkeys start their race and Branden Weller (4y) would win. Riders can wear costumes in this race.
After the race promoter Robert Hansen was very pleased with the crowds and the fact he’s been approached by Carson City to extend to a two-day show.
Asked about it Hansen told this reporter, “If they’ll put in 500 more seats, I’ll do it.”
Then he pointed to the Turn 3 area as the most likely place for another set of bleachers.
Next stop for these racers is September 7 atKings Speedway in Hanford, California. For further information on the series please check their website at www.westernflattrack.com.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery after the full results at the end of this article. I want to express my appreciation to Angie Schone, VP Operations, for sending the results to me. I also need to apologize for getting this posted a bit late, had memory problems with my lap top.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
- Remember to listen or stream on Tuesday to Teresa’s Garage Radio Show from 2 until 3 p.m. on Tuesday. It covers all things automotive.
Tersa’s Garage Radio Show graphic.
I have a short preview of what is coming around 2:15 p.m. and this week our special guest is a woman oval track racer, Jessica Clark.
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Our newest is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street, unit C. They stock accessories and have a large service department.
The shops website is www.moto-source.com and their phone number is 775-856-3855.
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The business is located at 240 Telegraph Street in Reno and their website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
If you are into karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing then check out Nevada Kart Sport, our only full service kart shop in this region.
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RESULTS:
Western Flat Track – Round 4
Fuji Park, Carson City, NV – Aug. 25
• Pro Races:
+ Pro Singles: 1. Mike Rush, 2. Andrew Luker, 3. Kayl Kolkman, 4. Stevie Bonsey, 5. Michael Inderbitzin, 6. Josh Mott, 7. James Monaco, 8. Dalton Gauthier, 9. Dan Lowther, 10. Andrew Ochs, 11. Clayton Williams,12. Sean Jones.
+ Running of the Buls: 1. Dominic Monaco, 2. Andrew Luker, 3. Rod Spencer, 4. Michael Inderbitzin, 5. William McDonnell, 6. Chris Rudy.
DNS: Robert McDonnell
+ Hooligan 750cc+: 1. A.J.Kirkpatric, 2. Mitch Gallagher, 3. Brayden Hibdon, 4. Daniel Downer, 5. Kiegan McIntier, 6. Michael Jepsen.
+ Duece Winner: Kayl Kolkman.
+ Dash for Cash: Andrew Luker.
• Amateur Races:
+ 50cc:
– 2-Stroke: 1. Drew Marson, 2. Colton Shafter, 3. Paul Freeman, 4. Brody Taylor, 5. Kalvin Roberts, 6. Kaylnn Smith, 7. Jett Katarzy.
– 4-Stroke: 1.Drew Marson, 2. Brody Taylor, 3. Violet Stewart, 4.Ryder Raposo, 5. Jax Taylor.
+ 65cc/110cc Heads Up: 1. Kage Tadman, 2.Colton Shafer,3. Maeson Baker, 4. Royce Arneson.
+ 85cc/150cc: 1. Dominic DeMario, 2. Colin Petton, 3. Trevor Taylor, 4. Kenny Holland, 5. Maeson Baker.
+ 140cc-230cc: 1. Michael Mannion, 2.Jonathan Schaefer, 3. Rick Ziemerjr, 4. Tim Lampe, 5. Kenny Holland, 6. Dyllan Ogen, 7. Mikey Lampe, 8. Rick Ziemer.
DNS: Brian Saunders, Ryan Wilson, Chris Kassity.
+ Mad Monkey Mini: 1. Branden Weller, 2. Mikey Lampe, 3. Kage Tadman, 4. John Retta, 5. Chris Larson, 6. Wiles Stapp.
+ 250cc Trial/MX Amateur: 1. Lance Smith, 2. John Retta, 3. Tim Lampe.
DNS: Chase Emerson, C.J. LaCruze.
+ Open Trial/MX Amateur: 1. Chase Emerson, 2. David Gengenbach.
+ Open Trial/MX Expert: 1. Garry Reynolds, 2. Ian Naccarato, 3. Robert McDonnell.
+ Vintage: 1. Rod Spencer, 2. Robert McDonnell, 3. William McDonnell, 4. Michael Mannion, 5. Fred Bennett, 6. Mitch Gallagher, 7. Rick Ziemerjr, 8.Sidney Reed, 9. Robert Lanoy, 10. Brian Walker, 11. Paul Herman, 12. Dave Keil.
+ Vet 35+: 1. Bryan Berna, 2. Jimmy McAllister, 3. Chad Valker, 4. Matt Marinsik, 5. Gordon Rudy, 6. Mike Inderbitzen.
+ Senior 50+: 1. Anthony Urias, 2. Michael Vital, 3. Mike Inderbitzin, 4. Travis Ward, 5. Fred Bennett, 6. Scott Reed, 7. Sidney Reed, 8. Dave Hayes, 9. Rich Holland, 10. Brad Raymond, 11. Mike Van Lienden.
DNS: Chris Kassity.
+ Super Senior 60+: 1. Tim Doda, 2. Dave Keil, 3. Tom Simpson, 4. Robert Lanoy, 5. Mike Van Lienden, 6. Jay Gardner, 7. Douglas Behr, 8. Ken Hale, 9. Tim Niles, 10. Max Capps.
DNS: Bob Hurst.
+ Open Singles: 1. Dan Lowther, 2. Matthew Yapelli, 3. Grant Holmes, 4. Bryan Berna, 5. Michael Hill, 6. Branden Weller, 7. Travis Petton IV, 8. Blake Ash, 9. Willie Welch, 10. Jacob Hofer, 11. Zack Gard, 12. Tarren Santero.
+ 250cc: 1. Grant Holmes, 2. Travis Petton IV, 3. Branden Weller, 4. Jacob Cascio, 5. Brandon Engebretsen, 6. Ian Naccarato, 7. Blake Ash, 8. Trevor Taylor, 9. Jonathan Schaefer, 10. Mikey Lampe, 11. Zack Gard, 12. Chase Emerson, 13. Bryson Berna, 14. Dominic Demario, 15. Kenny Holland, 16. Hugh Shannon.
PHOTO GALLERY:
