STEAD, NV (Aug. 6) — The first race of this season had to be canceled due to weather. So this Sunday the Northern Nevada Kart Club made up that event and over 70 drivers showed up.
They also used Track #2, which is configured to what Desert Park Raceway looked like when it was built. This shorter course ended up giving drivers more laps.
First up is the Kid Kart Class. These youngest racers are all earning their spurs before moving up to the next class.
When the green lights went on, and they use a standing start, Axel Tibbs was on point with Cole Harris and Presley Prater chasing him. In the end Tibbs, who had a big lead reached the checkered first followed by Harris and Prater.
Next up are the 125 Shifter karts that use either the older or the new ROK motor. The also has a 6-speed transmission and more brakes.
This class also uses a standing start and when the green lights went on Zeke Corson took off with Brooks Anderline and Mike Faker giving chase.
Eventually Faker took second and the chase was on. However Corson was not to be denied and had just over a seven second lead over Faker at the checkered flag. Gage Griego was third with Anderline finishing fourth.
After the post-race weigh in Corson said, “That one felt pretty good, I think I had a little gift given to me because number 2 qualifier broke a throttle cable in heat 2. That made it a little bit easier on me. The track was great, good grip.
Then he thanked his daughters Skylar and Morgan, Cody, Rodney, Mitch, Nat and everyone else.
Junior 1, the next step up from the Kid Kart is an age-restricted class. Since there are drivers will little or maybe no experience the class has been split in two.
First up were the Junior 1 regulars. Once again Kayden Williams was the class of the field and left everyone in his wake.
Williams is still in the class due to his age but will soon move up to Junior 2. The runner up was Jameson Morrisey and Noah Manubi finished third while Cash Prater was fourth.
“The track was a little bit slow at first but then started pickin’ it up. Otherwise my kart was a little loose but I’d kind of get sideways,” Williams said.
Then he thanked his sponsors, great uncle Jerry, his mechanics and his competitors.
Junior 1 Rookie was next on the track. When the green waved Alex Gustin took off with Abbi West giving chase. Those two would leave everyone in their wake.
After a long nose-to-tail duel Gustin, racing for the first time won, but West, who comes out of racing a Junior Dragster, was just over three tenths of a second behind him. Drake Kephart was third while Ryo Hemandez finished fourth.
“Yes this is my first race,” he said. “I can’t believe my parents doubted me. Honestly I did know I was being chased. I was just doing my own race.
“I’m pretty sure I had the fastest kart so at the start I could just boost off and then it was my own race from there.”
Then he thanked his dad for letting him race as well as getting all the parts they needed.
The next race combined three classes, KA100, KA100 Master and KT100 and the all start together. Giovanni Medina was on point after the green waved while William Owen was close behind him.
Further back, in the Masters, Nat Sombatsiri and Steve Ryckebosch were dueling for the lead in their class. Up front Medina and Owen were dueling for first and they race in the KA100 Class.
At the checkered flag Medina won while Owen was only a half second behind him and Stevie Ray Rosario was running solo in third.
After getting by Sombatsiri the Masters race looked like a lock for Ryckebosch. Right at the end his chain broke but he was close enough to coast to the checkered and ended up fourth overall. The KT100 class winner was sixth place Brian Lewis.
After winning Giovanni Medina said, “I like how close he was, we’re having such a great battle. I haven’t had such a great battle for a long time so I was glad to have this opportunity with someone that was really fast.”
Then he thanked his friends, parents and his sister Aderea.
The Heavy main began as a two-driver duel as leader Eric Kuzemchak was chased by Steve Dow. Behind them Bandon Arace moved through the pack and made it a three-way duel for the lead.
Around the middle of the race the lead trip spread out a bit then got closer as the laps wound down. In the final laps, as the trio was heading into Turn 5 (That’s the top of the hill leading into the cork screw complex.) Arace mad his move.
He got past Dow and in the scramble leader Kuzemchak went off the course and out of the race. Arace took off and won with Dow second and Jeff Wamre ending up third.
After his post-race weigh in Arace said, “It was a tough race, these guys are all really great drivers. I saw Steve and Eric battling in Turn 4 so I just kind of sat back and waited.
“As I came into 4 they kind of touched a little bit and slowed down just enough to open a gap for me to make somewhat of a move on the inside. I got to the corner just before, we didn’t touch.”
Then he thanked his father, who is the head mechanic that gets the kart ready to go. Cole Nelson for building the kart and Jeff Nelson for the motor and special thanks to his wife for being there.
Once the Junior 2 main began it was all Cooper Perez. He took off and left everyone in his wake.
Behind him there was a three-way duel for second that soon fell apart as Perez was adding more distance every lap. At the checkered Perez won followed by Landen Warren and Bryce Benton.
“Yea, it was a good race know how to control the kart, no mistakes the whole race,” Perez said.
Then he thanked Cole Nelson Racing, parents and all his teammates.
The Pro 4 Cycle looked to be a bit different. During a heat race the kart of Rachel Williams just quit so that put her toward the back of the pack.
On the green Jacob Ciari was on point with Alec Beaudion close behind. Further back Williams was starting her move toward the front.
Eventually she took over third and was part of a three-kart train. Going own the front straight she saw her chance and passed both Beaudion and Ciari going through Turn 1.
For a brief spell it was still a three-way duel for the lead then Williams left everyone in her wake. Ciari had problems and had to drop out of the race.
Up front Williams built a huge lead as she raced for another victory. Beaudion finshed second while Jeremy Clark ended up third.
After the race Williams said, “Oh gosh I wasn’t expecting two in one pass. It’s been an interesting weekend. I wasn’t aware of how close they were as I always try to look forward.
“Was on a mission this time as my motor died in heat 2 so I had to start in the back. So I had an agenda.”
Then she thanked to Baca, Dale he got my motor back so she could do the main event, Cole Nelson Racing for some welding on her kart’s frame, her son and husband.
The Senior main appeared to have a different look as Brooks Anderline had problems and had to drop out of a heat race, which putting toward the back of the 13 kart field.
When the green waved Andrew Hitchcock was on point with five other karts close behind him. Soon Anderline was fourth but ahead of him the top two, Hitchcock and Nathan Heath began to pull away.
Eventually Heath would slip back with problems. Now Anderline moved past third into second and had a several lap nose-to-tail duel with Hitchcock.
In the final laps Anderline was able to take the lead and reached the checkered flag with Hitchcock just under three tenths of a second behind him. Carter Knight finished third while Giovanni Medina was fourth.
After the race Anderline said, “It was a rough day for us for sure. The morning started out with the shifter then got that figured out then started popping chains on the 206.
“Had to come from the very back of this main. I just made as many passes as fast as I could and luckily got to the front, use the race craft and got the win.”
Then he thanked his parents, his tuner Cole Nelson and everyone that supports him at the track.
Next up for the Northern Nevada Kart Club is the annual Rick Jerome Night Race on Saturday, August 19. It’s a fun event as many decorate their karts with glow rods that add decorative lights.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Coming up on Wednesday night, starting at 5 p.m. is another cruise in at the Sparks A&W. It’s located across from Reed High School and there are prizes as well as a DJ to supple the music.
• If you are in Gardnerville around 7 a.m. on Thursday, the Iron Mafia is having another meet. Location is at Kim’s Donuts & Tea house at 1328 US 395 North.
• Remember the annual Outlaw Flat Trac races is at Fuji Park on August 25-26. Always exciting to watch flat track motorcycle racing.
Friday has a special charity race between the police and fire fighters. Saturday is a blizzard of amateur heats and mains. This is followed by the pros having their set of heats and mains. It’s two exciting days of action.
• Daveys American Racing is usually on Face Book at 6 p.m. Wednesday evenings. One can see the show on Face Book and get into the chat was well.
Davey covers national series as well as racing in the western United States. His focus is on oval tracks.
SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other guys at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
• Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
• The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
• Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are very reasonable and one can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
RESULTS:
Northern Nevada Kart Club – Rain Date Race
Desert Park Raceway – August 6, 2023
• Kid Kart:
– Heat Winners: #1 Axel Tibbs, #2 Cole Harris.
- Main (10-Laps): 1. Axel Tibbs, 2. Cole Harris, 3. Presley Prater, 4. Brooks Morrisey, 5. Gwen Wright, 6. Enzo Mendoza, 7. MacKenzie Kephart.
• Shifter 125/ROK:
- Heat Winners: #1 Zeke Corson, #2 Zeke Corson.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Zeke Corson, 2. Mike Faker, 3. Gage Griego, 4. Brooks Anderline, 5. Ben Fisher, 6. Jeff Wamre.
• Jr. 1:
- Heat Winners: #1 Kayden Williams, #2 Kayden Williams.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Kayden Williams, 2. Jameson Morrisey, 3. Noah Manubi, 4. Cash Prater, 5. Owen Hanson, 6. Harrison Oziminski.
• Jr. 1 (Rookie):
- Heat Winners: #1 Alex Gustin, #2 Alex Gustin.
- Main (8-Laps): 1. Alex Gustin, 2. Abbi West, 3. Drake Kephart, 4. Ryo Hemandez, 5. Jack Gligorijevic, 6. Damon Swift, 7. Calvin Swift.
• KA100/TAG:
- Heat Winners: #1 Gio Medina, #2 Gio Medina.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Giovanni Medina (KA100), 2. William Owen, 3. Stevie Ray Rosario, 4. Steve Rckebosch (KA100-Master), 5. Nat Sombatsiri, 6. Bill Ramsey (KT100), 7. Bill Ramsey, 8. Greg Banks, 9. Nathan Heath, 10.Darryl VanDorm.
• Heavy:
- Heat Winners: #1 Steve Dow, #2 Eric Kuzemchak.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Brandon Arace, 2. Steve Dow, 3. Jeff Wamre, 4. Josh Prater, 5. Jake Bruchette, 6. Rob Amster, 7. Ron Dumnie, 8. Eric Kuzemchak, 9. Eric Kuzemchak, 10. Derek Anderline.
• Jr. 2:
- Heat Winners: #1 Cooper Perez, #2 Cooper Perez.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Cooper Perez, 2. Landen Warren, 3. Bryce Sweetland, 4. Lucca Sweetland, 5. Isaiah Manubi, 6. Jeremiah Manubi, 7. Penny King, 8. Tyler Hanson, 9. Sebastian Sierra.
• Pro4Cycle:
- Heat Winners: #1 Rachel Williams, #2 Jacob Ciari.
- Main (16-Laps): 1. Rachel Williams, 2. Alec Beaudion, 3. Jeremy Clark, 4. Lucas Lemaire, 5. Chris Echard, 6. Jacob Cari.
• Senior:
- Heat Winners: #1 Nathan Heath, #2 Andrew Hitchcock.
- – Main (16-Laps): 1. Brooks Anderline, 2. Andrew Hitchcock, 3. Carter Knight, 4.Giovanni Medina, 5. Austin Hawkins, 6. William Amster, 7. Jazz Manning, 8. Chris Brown, 9. Sassy McCormick, 10. Mia Smithson, 11. Carter Chaffey, 12. Nathan Heath, 13. Robert Amster.
