RENO, NV (Jan. 10) — The annual Awards Banquet for the Northern Nevada Kart Club was held at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino.
REPORTER’S NOTE: For some reason the photographs didn’t turn out as well as I had wanted. Must have something in the camera set wrong so I’ll apologize for that. But I’m still using them and most will be in a photo gallery at the very end of this article.
There were two rows of class trophies. The first group was those in the younger racing classes.
In the middle were those for special awards.
Then the next section was for those racing in the adult classes.
NNKC President Kelsey Nelson got things started after the great buffet dinner that the Atlanis supplied. She introduced the MC for the night, who was Brian Lewis, the track announcer.
First up were the Kid’s Kart racers; this class ended with Brooks Morrissey as the 2025 champion while the runner up is Claire Morrissey and Roger Huet was third ahead of fourth place Jordan Chan.
The next step up was Junior 1 Rookie, where those coming out of Kid’s Kart compete. Ryan Knight is the 2025 champion followed by runner up Gunner Yochum.
Junior 1 is where the young racers really get up to speed and the 2025 champion was Kipton Bocchi. Second through fifth was Cash Prater, Harrison Oziminski, Jesse Shriver and Bryce Holden.
The last of the young racers class is Junior 2 and the 2025 Champion Kayden Williams was in Tulsa, Oklahoma attending the Chili Bowl Nationals. Bryce Benton was the runner up followed by Owen Hanson, Jeremy Heath and fifth place Tyler Hanson.
Senior LO206 was the first of the older classes and Giovanni Medina was to 2025 Champion with Nathan Heath in the runner up spot. Third through fifth was Landen Warren, Isaiah Manubi and Enzo Ginasso.
Moving up the ranks was the Masters LO206 Class. The 2025 Champion was Jake Burchette while Josh Prater was the runner up. Fourth place Steve Dow was absent but third place Bryce Berry and fifth place Derek Anderline were there.
Only the top three in the KA100 Class were present. Douglas Stewart is the 2025 Champion followed by runner up Stevie-Ray Rosario and Jeremy Heath, who ended up third.
Rachael Williams was the Pro 4-Cycle champion but she was in Tulsa at the Chili Bowl Nationals. The points list indicates that Hunter Colodny was second.
Years ago F-80 Shifter was a large class then it disappeared. Over the last few years it has been reborn and the 2025 champion is Kevin Jerome.
The runner up is Sky Corson, who helped with the rebirth of this class. Third through fifth are Ben Fisher, Javier Avila and Jesse Goodrum.
The fastest class is the F-125 Shifter ROK and only two were present. They were Zeke Corson, who is the champion and runner up Jeff Wamre.
Then it was time to present the special awards and Kelsey Nelson announced those. I’ll list most of the here and their pictures are in the gallery at the end of this article.
Special Awards: Junior Rookie of the Year – Roger Huet, Junior Driver of the Year – Tyler Hanson, Senior Rookie of the Year – Laden Warren, Most Improved Junior – Gunner Yochum and Most Improved Senior – Rob Amster.
The Volunteer of the year was track announcer Bryan Lewis, who briefly was handed the mic by NNKC President Kelsey Nelson.
Finally it was time to let everyone know who earned the Karter of the Year trophy. The winner gets to keep it for a year then at the next awards banquet its awarded to another deserving individual.
That went to Kevin Jerome whose father help create NNKC and for whom the night race is named after. During the ceremony Jerome was joined by his daughter as he received the award.
Asked what this means to him he said, “It means everything as this year was a big struggle for me. Had a lot of motor issues, but came through with help from my friends.
“It’s very bitter sweet winning this for sure. This will be the 20th anniversary of the Rick Jerome Memorial Night Race. He passed in December 9th, 2005.”
After the ceremony was complete Kelsey Nelson was asked about what was in store for the new season.
“This year we’re going to repave the track, it’s going to happen. We talked about it last year but its definitely happening this year. Something that really important we’ll do as the track is falling apart.
“We might add some other configurations and maybe change some corners a little bit. That is kind of the biggest thing that’s going to happen this year. Like years past we always want to move forward, going to grow the club, increase the membership, improve as much as we can.”
Looking ahead the Northern Nevada Kart Club has seven races schedule for their 2026 season. The first one at their track, Desert Park Raceway, is scheduled for Sunday, April 19.
For further information about the club or kart racing please check their website at www.nnkcreno.com or check their Face Book page.
• Sparks Cars & Coffee met by the Starbucks on Disk Drive. Despite the day starting on the cool side the turn out was pretty good with a big group of cars.
There was even a Lamborghini that was parked by a Corvette. Two exotics, one domestic while the other was Italian.
One BMW had an “enhanced” power plant. In fact the motor had to be set back.
Not far away was a 1950’s Chevy Bel Air sedan. It too had an enhanced motor under the hood.
In keeping with this theme there was a blue Firebird. Here again the motor wasn’t stock.
Next Sunday is when Reno Cars & Coffee has their second meet of the month. Starts at 10 a.m. by the Human Bean Coffee Stand located at the corner of Keitzke and Moana Lanes.
OTHER RACING NEWS
• This Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada will meet at La Fonda. Location is 4385 Neil Road at the corner of Peckhem Lane.
• On Wednesday, starting around 5 p.m. is the weekly Bike Night at PJ&CO. If the weather is nice should be at least some bikes to admire and there is great food and drink inside.
• This is the week of the annual Chili Bowl Nationals from Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s carried live of www.floracing.com or one can see highlights either on the Floracing Face Book page or on www.youtube.com.
• Davey’s American Racing can be found on Face Book.
He also posts schedules for various tracks and there related subjects.
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• 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 890 Gentry Way.
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.
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