April 4, 2007

Knopf Sweeps Five Classes During AKRA Opener


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

Jamie Knopf brought his big broom to the American Speedway Champions Series season opener, Dyno Cams Nationals March 2-4 hosted by the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA. With it the Lancaster, S.C. based Tempest Kart team racer swept his way to five wins that weekend. Knopf’s efforts earned him over $4,200.00. Knopf started with a win in the first feature in R.L.V. Tuned Exhaust Products Stock Lite where he spun a 14.621-seconds pole-winning lap on the 1/5th-mile clay oval.

With Brett Miller beside him, they headed the 14-racer field to the waving green flag in front of them. Miller jumped into the early lead leaving the rest of the field to fight for their own positions. Knopf kept on the throttle. “I started on the pole and didn’t have to pass anyone,” Knopf said after first win. Knopf held onto the lead down to the stripe where just 0.456 of a second separated them. Locked nose-to-tail behind Miller were Stephanie Pitts, Andrew Dove and Stephen Adams.

“The kart ran good,” Knopf added. “We had awesome power from Eddie Mishue’s motor. The first race everything went pretty good. I started on the pole and didn’t have to pass anyone. The second one was a little harder. It was a little too hard,” laughed the now double winner.

The new clay is fun. Real fun.” Knopf added. “Everything went right for us, it feels nice, but I was afraid I’d passed Brett (Miller) too early and he’d pass me back at the end.”

Miller turned the fastest qualifying lap in Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy beating out 20-entries with a time of 14.805-seocnds. David Meade was second fastest at 14.844 seconds. “I had to come from ninth,” Knopf laughed.

While Miller was shaking off Meade’s early challenges, Knopf climbed through the field. “By lap three I was in second,” Knopf proudly stated. Miller held first for a number of laps before surrendering it to Knopf who, waited until five to go before slipping into the lead.

“I was just staying behind him (Brett Miller), Knopf described, “I knew he was close and I didn’t want him to stay on me and pass me back again before it was over. But then when it was five to go I had to pass him. We were so far ahead I just figured it would just be between him.” I have to thank him for driving me clean.”

When the five to go signal was shown Knopf made his move. With drafting help from behind Knopf pushed his way into the lead. Miller fought off the challenge holding onto second. Behind Miller Jerry Mullis took third, Jason Higginbotham followed in fourth. 5.221-seconds later Shane Evans capped the top five of 16 starters.

Knopf showed up Sunday determined to fatten his wallet some more. Poised on Stock Lite’s pole Brett Miller was just as determined to stop him. Miller spun a 14.668-seconds lap for the pole. Knopf was just a tick slower with a 14.722-second’s run. With the field lined up doublewide behind them, they exited turn four. When they saw the green flag waving ahead of them they hit their throttles. Miller quickly dropped low and into the lead. Knopf quickly closed the gap between them. Battling nose to tail Miller and Knopf pulled away from the field.

Knopf carried it the rest of the way for his fourth win. “That makes four!” Knopf beamed. “It feels good doing so good so far. It takes a lot of hard work. A lot of help from my crew up there in the pits Trace, Don, Randy, Little Jack and my buddy Nelson Adkins he helped me yesterday and Beach Motorsports and Millimun Racing Chassis.”

Further back Stephanie Pitts; Stephen Adams and Brandon Snow filled the rest of the podium positions.

Exhausted with sweat pouring down his face Knopf and his crew hauled the #43 kart back to tech. While his crew stayed with his kart Knopf ran back up hill to his pit and then to the grid where he and Miller shared front row again. While he scrambled back to his pit from tech a fan shouted, “Do you have another win in you this weekend?” “I hope so!” Knopf shouted back. He did.

On the grid Miller and Knopf shared front row again, this time in Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Medium. Times of 14.576 and 14.696-seconds put them on the poles. Miller slipped into the early lead. Knopf stayed patiently behind him. They passed under the mid-race single nose-to-tail. After two more laps Knopf decided it was time to pour on the power and pass Miller.

Fans were on their feet yelling for their favorite driver. As Knopf and Miller exited turn four for the final time Miller pulled up beside Knopf. They battled side-by-side down the front straight to the stripe. When they got there just 0.063 of a second separated them. Knopf took the checkered flag. He rounded the track again this time stopping at the tower’s base. He climbing up the fence and gabbed the checkered flag. He climbed back down the fence and back into his kart. He spun a couple of donuts and then took a well-deserved Victory lap. Four seconds later Jason Higginbotham crossed third, Pitts trailed him in fourth and was in turn trailed by Stephen Adams who finished fifth out of 15-entries.

Five entries earned double wins that weekend. Youngun Lee Justice won both Mike Holcombe’s Tire & Auto Junior 1 offerings.

Saturday Drew Jackson dominated qualifying with a16.537-seconds run. Jackson jumped into the early lead. Behind him a three-way fight for second unfolded. The battle for second soon became a battle for the lead. The top three continued dicing down to the end where Justice crossed the stripe 0.007 of a second ahead of Blake Cannon. Outside pole winner Austin Smith finished third, Austin Guest followed in fourth and Drew Jackson in fifth, which completed the field.

Sunday Justice was Junior 1’s fastest qualifier. Justice turned a 16.302-seconds lap that was a tick faster than Cannon’s time of 16.533-seconds run. Racers lined up for the start. When they got the green flag Justice jumped into the early lead. Behind him Cannon, Smith and Guest were battling for second. Justice stretched out a small gap Cannon closed the gap. Justice opened it up again by mid race where he owned a comfortable 4 seconds lead. Smith took second from Cannon and tried to close the gap. In the final laps Smith closed in. Smith trimmed off that lead at the stripe were he trailed by 3.117-seconds. Further back Cannon claimed third, Guest fourth and Drew Jackson fifth for the field.

Adam Beville blasted around the track in 14.484-seconds for Andy’s Speed Shop Animal Heavy’s pole. Behind him, starting third, Jerry Mullis quickly rocketed into the early lead. Beville stayed glued to his tailpipe. “It was a pretty good race Mullis described. “He (Beville) drove me clean. I was pushing him a little bit at the beginning so I could get away from him and battle clean like we did at the end. I thought my kart was a little better so I went on and took it a little earlier instead of just waiting. Some times you can push someone too long and loose the draft on him or her. I just want to thank Max Parnell and Tim Fisher for all the great stuff they give me.”

When Mullis took the checkered flag he was 0.248 of a second ahead of Beville. Behind Beville in the top half of the field were Andrew Williams, Josh Haire and Tyler Burnette.

Mullis posted his second win later that day this one in Wyman’s Acoustics Stock Super Heavy. He earned the pole with a 15.111-seconds effort then led the field flawlessly before reaching the stripe with a comfortable 2.624-seconds cushion over outside pole winner Zac Powell. Further back Josh Haire, Brandon Watson and Drew Wentworth finished third through fifth.

Erwin, N.C. competitor Josh Harie’s Eddie Mishue Racing Engines powered Olimpic kart dominated Ultramax Racing Chassis Senior Champ. Saturday he was fourth fastest qualifier with a fast time of 15.547-seconds. Forrest Vaughan captured the pole with a 15.396-seconds run. Vaughn toured them around the first lap and then outside pole winner showed them around the next time. On lap three Haire headed for the front took the lead. Once he got there Vaughn tried to take it back as did Zach Holcombe. After shaking off those challenges Haire rallied on beating Holcombe to the stripe by 0.121 of a second.

Sunday Harie hustled around the track in 15.179-seconds for the pole. Holcombe was second fastest at 15.362-seconds. When they got the green flag Haire and Holcome began battling for the lead. After shaking off Holocombe’s challenges Haire quickly built a comfortable 2.320-seconds lead he took to the stripe. Eddie Sorrentino and Nic Reynolds followed Holcombe across the stripe for the field.

Bobby McCarty blasted around the track in 14.774-seconds for Millenium Chassis Junior 3’s pole. Brandon Brown joined him on front row with a time of 14.823-seconds. When the green flag waved for the 14-racer field third fastest qualifier Wilson Keene broke from the field and roaring away with the early lead. In the final laps McCarty closed the gap, but when they reached the stripe Keene was there 0.323 of a second ahead of McCarty. While trying to take the lead McCarty also had to hold onto second as Justin McDonald tried to wrestle it from him. Brandon Brown was fourth under the checkered flag followed by Colton Cox for the top five.

“This is great!” Keene beamed after his first win. “I want to thank everyone who made this possible,” added the 13-year-old Abbeville GA native.

Sunday Keene captured the pole with a time of 14.724-seconds. Cox shared row one with him. Behind them Scotty Phagan and Brown made up row two. When the green flag flew the excitement began. Heading into turn one the leaders went three wide. Phagan squeezed through the middle for a the early lead. Describing what happened from there Keene said,

“On the start I got shifted back to ninth or tenth and had to fight my way back to the front. I was hoping and praying for a caution and one finally came out so that helped my brakes. I just needed to stay with him so I could maybe slingshot around him on the last lap or something. Then Bobby (McCarty) moved Scotty (Phagan) so that got him out of the way. And then when he did that I went under him.”

Keene crossed the stripe with a 0.896 of a second edge over Phagan. Cole Exum, Cox and Sam Lilly were third, fourth and fifth across the finish line.

Adam Beville led the way in Kolors by Keisler Limited Modified. Saturday he did it all. He earned the pole with a track blistering fast time of 13.877-seconds. Hunter Slayton was second fastest at 14.029-seconds. Beville blasted into the initial lead and ran untouched to the finish line where he was comfortably 1.655-seconds ahead of Slayton. Trailing Slayton in the top five were Stephen Adams, Brandon Snow and Andrew Williams.

Three racers entered Sunday’s Limited Modified, but when Beville got to the grid he was alone. Beville took the green flag drove one lap and took the checkered flag.

Twelve racers were single winners. Dahlonega, GA Bradley Gerrells topped a tough 17-racer filed in Andy’s Speed Shop Animal Heavy. Gerrells, a Southern Express Kart Shop factory driver, fought his way from a fifth place for the win. Mullis made second trailing by 0.614 of a second. Keith Graham grabbed third, Shane Bass followed in fourth and Tyler Burnette trailed in fifth.

Chase Vaughn and Tanner Amon split the wins in Dean’s Custom Air Junior Champ. Vaughn, Amon and Brandon Brown finished in the order they qualified. Sunday Amon out dueled Brown in a two-racer battle.

Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Senior Stock contests were two racer fields pitting Walt Barnes against Rodney Lambert. Barnes won Saturday beating Lambert by 7.332-seconds. Sunday Lambert turned the table on Barnes.

JDI/Foodcraft Junior 2 also saw two winners. Saturday MC Motorsports powered Ultramax pilot Annnabeth Barnes clocked the pole lap in 15.366-seconds. From a single file start she led the 15-racer field into turn one. As they exited turn two Gus Dean piloted past her for the lead. Barnes got it back next time around held it for several more laps. In the final laps she and Gus Dean battled side-by-side. Exiting turn four for the final time they drag raced to the finish, which would be the second closest contest of the weekend. Just 0.098 of a second difference separated them under the checkered flag. Close behind Grayson York, Dillon Jackson and Cannon Ward filled the podium.

York was Sunday’s fastest of 16-qualifiers. He turned a 15.305-seconds ride for the pole. Dean was second fastest, Barnes third. York started them single file. He held the lead until they exited turn two. Dean and Barnes drafted by him. Next time around Barnes passed Dean for the lead. When the checkered flag waved it was for 11-year-old Barnes. York trailed her, but was disqualified at post race tech.

Mullis wheeled a 15.053-seconds lap for Wyman’s Acoustics Stock Super Heavy’s pole. Saturday’s outside pole winner Shane Evans produced a 15.152-seconds rounding. The green flag unfurled and Mullis rocketed away from the field battling for positions behind him. In the final laps Zach Powell powered past Mullis and tried to reel Evans in. By then Evans was nearly a full second ahead of him. When they reached the finish line for the final time Evans was 0.989 of a second late. Behind Evans, Mullis, Trey Cartee and Haire finished third through fifth.

Spencer Malick and A.J. Carlisi captured the Coyote Products Junior Sportsman Champ classes. Barnes earned both poles with times of 16.618 and 16.575-seconds. Saturday she quickly jumped into the early lead with Malick behind her. Several laps into it Malick and Carlisi worked past her for the top two spots. Carlisi stayed glued to Malick’s tailpipe to the end where Malick owned a 0.326 of a second advantage. Barnes was next across the strip followed by Gus Dean and Austin Babb for the top five.

Sunday Barnes shared front row with Carlisi. When the green flag flew so did Barnes and Carlisi. Barnes led the way, Carlisi stayed glued to her bumper. “Well, I was pushing her the most of the time,” described the 11-year-old X-Caliber Racing Engines powered Rage kart pilot. “I had to get around her before the rest of them caught up with us. My dad set the kart up good and we were just rolling.”

In the final laps Carlisi cranked up the pace and passed Barnes. Barnes stayed close behind crossing the stripe just 0.475 of a second slower. Eleven seconds later Dean, Jak Kicklighter and Austin Babb crossed nose-to-tail.

Three veteran racers entered the new 2-cycle Unlimited All Star class. Shay Chavous led the way from qualifying to feature. He spun a 13.267-seconds run for the pole and held a two-lap advantage over outside pole winner Brandon Snow. Steve Snow’s machine gave up three laps into it.

American Speedway Championship Dirt Series racers travel to Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N. C. April 6-8. June 8-10 Johnston County Speedway in Garner, N.C. will host the Super Nationals. This year’s Labor Day Bash will be held August 31-September 3 at Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA. November 2-4 the Saturday Night Special Championship Event will be held at a to be announced location. The season finale ‘Christmas in Dixie’ will celebrate its third season December 27-29, its second at Cross Roads Motor Sports Complex.

Pavement Racers start their inaugural season April 13-15 at Concord Motorsports Park. Chapel Hill Speedway in Humphrey, N. Y. will host the second race June 15-17. From there the tour travels to Beaver Run Motorsports Complex in Wampum, PA. September 28-30 Concord Motorsports Park will host the first annual Super Nationals including the ‘Firestone 500.’

2007 Delmarva Motorsports Park Kart Divisions  Not US 13 Kart Club

DMP Memberships      $50                                          Qualifying Racing       7:15 pm
                                                                                   Feature Racing           8:00 pm

March 29, 2007

Delmarva Motorsports Park 2007 Kart Schedule


Sunday, April 22nd
Practice - All Classes 1:00 - 4:00

Wednesday May 2nd
Racing - 1st race for the 2007 DMP Kart Championship Series
All Divisons - WKA Classes, Outlaw Classes, and PeeWee Class

Racing every Wednesday night through September!!


WKA Delaware State Series Events
These races will be part of and controlled by US 13 Kart Club's Delaware State Series

Saturday June 2nd

Saturday July 7th

Saturday September 8th
 

Area Kart Racers Pack HP Speed Shop’s Open House

Story by Bruce C. Walls

Photos by Susan Taylor-Walls  Click here for photos

            Georgetown, DE-If the crowd at HP Speed Shop’s Open House Saturday February 24^th is any indication, Delmarva’s kart tracks will be very busy as well this season.  Hundreds of area kart racers packed HP Speed Shop’s 1,800 square foot facility on Rt. 9 near Georgetown, DE for their Annual Open House. Most left hands full of new products, others had to back their trucks to the shop’s door to carry off their purchases.  “It’s been real busy all day long,” beamed Charlie Hayes who co-owns the company with his wife Phyllis. According to Phyllis, “Our Open House gets people all charged up for the coming season. I know it does that for me”

            Visitors touring the shop looked at its contents in awe.  Chassis and tires hung from the walls and ceiling of the front showroom along with other large products.  Behind the counter various such as Gold Speed gears, Williams Motor Sports wheels and Maxxis Tires were boxed up and organized.

            Further back in the shop visitors got to see where veteran winning engine builder Chad Hayes and his crew create some of the area’s fastest motors.  HP Speed Shop Engines have earned many regional, divisional and US 13 Kart Club wins and championships.  They have been the dominant motor powering most of those series’ championship winners for nearly a decade. 

            The Hayes’s sons Charles and Chad are top runners in both series.  The venture to Virginia for the Virginia Dirt Karting Association (VAKA).  After campaigning for the Animal Super Heavy Championship for a number of seasons Charles finally earned that prestige title last season. “It was a long time coming,” Charlie said of winning his first VDKA title.  “We had the largest class trying to qualify for 20 positions every race.”  Winning a VDKA championship is quite a feat considering the number of entries they draw and who they are. Many American Karting Association (AKRAR) and World Karting Association (WKA) national Briggs & Stratton Speedway Dirt titlists are VDKA competitors.  Charles’s brother Chad, another multi winner and crowned champion in both series.  This year he also earned a prestigious Animal money race win in Elizabeth City, VA that was quite profitable.

            Coming out of the engine room racers toured the scale area where according to Charles, “We have up to eight employees when we’re going full speed, which is most of the time. Racers and crew chiefs were questioning employees about scaling a kart and other setup issues from tire pressure to more complicated topics such as caster camber setting and other setup topics that help make their kart easier to handle and thus faster.

            Club Milton Speedway owner Trey Isaacs was there getting parts for his son’s kart visiting with the Hayes’s and his racers as well.  “This is a great way to get the season going,” he said.

            Customers were packed wall to wall a day long making the event a huge success for the Hayes.  “We’ve been busy the past few weeks,” Charlie commented while his wife was calling out names for their drawing that included G-Man Bodyworks products, Maxxis Tires and official HP Speed Shop apparel.  

            When the last customers left Charles closed his shop doors and opened the doors of the 2007 season for area kart tracks which include US 13 Kart Club, Club Milton Speedway, Fairlane Acres Speedway (Little Dover Speedway), Nicholson Speedway in Chestertown, MD and others.

            For the seasoned veteran kart racer to those just getting started HP Speed Shop has everything you need to succeed in the sport locally, regionally and nationally. You can reach them at 302.856.7835 or in a few weeks visit their website where you can enjoy shopping for your karting needs from home.

View Flyer Here

!IT'S PARTY TIME AGAIN!

H. P. SPEED Karts & Parts Plus Graphix

ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, February 24, 2006   10:00 AM - 4:00 PM!!!

Regular Store Hours: Tues. & Thurs 5:00 PM 9:00 PM

Sat. 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• G-MAN BODIES IN STOCK

• MAXXIS TIRES IN STOCK

• THOR OIL IN STOCK

• PLUS MUCH MORE!

Including The Baddest Animals In Competition!

Unleash Our Beasts!

Come Enjoy Our Famous Meatballs & Chili

We'll Be Having Door Prizes!

And In Store Specials

We'll See You There!

As Always Tax FREE Shopping

More Info Call 302.856.7835

January 9, 2007

‘Christmas In Dixie’

Story by Bruce C. Walls
 For Photos by Bruce C. Walls and
Susan Taylor-Walls

JASPER, FL-Weather forecasters predicted three days of rain December 28-30 for the Floridian Panhandle. Scheduled those days at Cross Roads Motorplex in Jasper, FL, the American Kart Racing Association (AKRA) Second Annual ‘Christmas in Dixie’ race sponsored by ARC Racing/Vega Tires. Despite dire forecasts, Florida’s East/ Central Panhandle was perfect those three days. Highs in the mid 70’s provided great weather for the event. Racers competed on the 1/2-mile top round 1/5-mile racing groove dirt oval and then on the final day, Dec. 30th they headed across the facility to the 1/5-mile asphalt oval for a day of competition there sponsored by Jody Pierce Racing.

The main attraction, Day Two’s twilight race Bordeaux Dyno Cams Stock Medium, with $1,500 waiting a winner at the strip. A second round of qualifying was needed to fill the 40-racer field. Brandon McGee of Pohowotan, VA was the pole winner spinning a 14.203-seconds lap. Another Triple Crown winner, Brett Miller, shared front row.

Waiting on the pole McGee, of Greenville, S.C., said, “So far it’s lot of luck and some good tires. The kart did pretty good all day. We struggled yesterday. The track’s better today. Hopefully it won’t get too slick and we’ll be all right. I need to hit my line every lap consistently.”

According to another contender, Jamie Knopf, of Lancaster, S.C., “Hopefully the kart will stick. The track’s little slicker than I thought so I hope I’m not in trouble. Hopefully we’ve got the right tires on. I don’t know if my kart’s good enough or not.”

Drivers lined up on the front straight, introduced then given the command to start their engines. McGee paced them around in a couple of warm-up laps before they took the green flag. Two laps into it the first of two yellow flags waved. Davy Hicken took the lead two laps later. From there it was green flag racing. Stephan Adams, of Fore Oaks, FL, grabbed the lead for the first time only to have Hicken hustle by him again. With the final laps unfolding a three wide three way fight for the front raged. Adams got the best of them took the lead beating Miller to the stripe by just 0.125 of a second.

“It was awesome man. It was awesome,” Adams, said of the pass for the lead. “He drove me clean, I drove him clean. It was a good race. I thought he was going to get me on the last lap. I held on-thank goodness. P&P’s horsepower was awesome. The whole kart was really great. My dad did a great job on tires. Brandon, Reed, Trip and all the boys that help me out. I also want to thank JDI Foodcraft, Lee and Kim Jones and everybody up there. Booth and Jones Insurance. I also want to say a big thanks to AKRA for putting on a great show.”

More than 200 racers competed at each day of dirt racing. Nearly 100 entered the dirt competition, which was a first for Pavement racers between the holidays traditionally held for dirt and other types of kart racing. Adams was one of two event multi winners.

Josh Haire, of Erwin, N.C., swept the Aim Sports Senior Champ classes from their pole completing the hat trick with another win in Vickory’s Speed Shop Super Heavy. His pole times were 15.630 and 15.225-seconds. Day one he dominated the nine racer-field from start to finish where his wire-to-wire run ended 8.248-seconds ahead of Ricky Bohatika.

“The kart was pretty good. It had good bite, a little more than we thought it would,” Haire explained. “I want to thank the Lord most of all, my parents, Dave and everybody who came here and helped. I also want to thank Eddie Mishue for the motor and Trick/Olimpic for the new Riddler chassis.”

Day two several more registered for the class adding some competition. Haire had the pole, but this time he let Wes Simmons slip past him. Mike Mitchell got a piece of the lead and led the race’s only restart. Haire fell to third then fought his was back in time to take it with a 1.361-seconds edge over Mitchell.

“The race track was good today, a lot better than last night.” Haire said adding, “It got a little slicker in that time so we went with the setup we had for qualifying last night. We messed up a little bit, but came out at the top.”

Lonnie Keisler led G-Man Kart Works Super Heavy’s 11 qualifiers with a track blistering 14.863-seconds. Haire started third and jumped quickly into the early lead. Flooring it he built a 4.928-seconds advantage over Kyle Chappell at the end.

Earlier in the day Adams topped Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Limited Modified’s qualifying with a super fast 13.964-seconds lap. He flawlessly led the 11-racer field from there scoring the win 5.903-seconds ahead of Keisler.

“The kart was hooked up great and Dan made the right call on tires,” said the 18-year-old winner. “The Mishue motor was awesome. I want to thank AKRA for having a place to race at during the holidays. I also want to thank Trip and Reed for all of their help, JDI Food Craft I wouldn’t be here without them so I want to thank them and everybody else who helped me.

“I’ll put half of the money back in the kart program. As you can see I need new body work so I’ll put 1/2 into the kart and the other half I’ll put in the bank.” he said of his winnings”

Quite a few dirt racers entered AKRA’s first pavement race. Some for their first time competing on pavement. Ed Schreifels was a perfect example of the later. Schreifels competes in the growing new Bully Clutches100cc Outlaw 2-Cycle class where he won wire-to-wire in day 2’s dirt competition admitting later that, “I started getting in over my head a little bit. I’ve never raced asphalt before.”

For being an asphalt rookie he didn’t do bad outrunning seasoned veterans like Wayne Howe who won day one on the dirt track, Jackie Torreyson, Joe Torreyson and Monty Mashburn who all were in the final top five. Schreifels shot off the pole never seriously challenged on his way to beating Howe by 1.767-seconds.

“I’ve never raced asphalt before. I was kind of getting the hang of it getting into a rhythm trying to keep the kart underneath me,” said Howe a Lake City, FL native. “I guess I slowed down a little bite. Towards the end I tried to pick it back up because I could hear them coming, but I held off and prevailed. I went as fast as I needed to I guess. I was fast enough to win. It was fun. I’ve never run asphalt before. Compared to the dirt it’s unique.”

Veteran Ryan Glenski grabbed Southern Karting Junior Champ’s pole and was also never seriously challenged crossing the finish line ending with a 3.546-seconds victory margin over John Blacker. Chase Vaughan crossed third followed in the top five by Brady Todd and Kyle Bryant

Kolors by Keisler Stock Medium’s win went to Jody Pierce, of Prattville, TN who finished 0.705 of a second ahead of Walt Barnes. 18-year-old Bradenton, FL racer Nathan Wendrick captured ghost Racing Animal Heavy’s victory over WMS Products Senior Champ winner Drew Fegert.

Full results from ‘Christmas in Dixie’ are posted at www.akrainc.com. Following the Pavement race an awards banquet was held under a huge tent. Photos from these events can be found at www.printroom.com/pro/DSAM.  The 2007 banquet will be held onboard a cruise ship. Space on the ship is limited and you don’t have to be a member to enjoy this cruise.
 

 
"The Foundation of Motorsports"                                                       World Karting Association

                                                                     6051 Victory Lane, Concord, NC 28027-P) 704-455-1606-F) 704-455-1609

THERE'S No BETTER WAY To ENJOY YOUR
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY THAN WITH Us FOR Six DAYS OF RACING IN SUNNY FLORIDA!

DECEMBER 27, 31, 2006 - JANUARY 1, 2007
2ND ANNUAL
VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY PARK WINTERNATIONALS
PRESENTED BY VEGA TIRES

DECEMBER 28 - 30, 2006
26TH ANNUAL
WKA BRIGGS & STRATTON SPEEDWAY DIRT SERIES DIRT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
PRESENTED BY AMERICAN POWER SPORTS
 

Enclosed you will find event & entry information
for the entire week to distribute to your karters, friends, family, or to use for yourself.
Additional forms may be downloaded by visiting www.worldkarting.com,  www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com. 
We look forward to spending our holiday with you doing what we all love - racing karts!

 

October 27, 2006   

To All:

From:   Ralph Moore

"Well first of all,  I'd like to let everyone I am OK, nothing broken.  My back and chest very sore, but overall pretty good shape.  The Go-kart needs a few parts but good to go. 

I would like to thank everyone for their calls, concerns and best wishes.  I know at times when something like this, you hope you have good people to take care of you.  I feel in this case everyone involved did their very best.  

This is where words don't fully express one's feeling of thanks and appreciation.  Again, thanks to all!  God Bless." 

                                                "5 & 48"

                                                                        Ralph Moore & Family

Friday, October 20, 2006 will be the last points race for the club. 

The Third Annual Costume Party for the kids 10 & under will be held.  During intermission judges will be asked to come to the flag stand and watch the lit’ ghost & goblins parade around while collecting goodies from members of karter teams.  That way everyone will be out of arms way for racers preparing to take to the grid.  Prizes and refreshments will be scattered about.  The club is requesting for teams to also bring treats for the trick or treat-ors that will be going around with their costumes collecting treats.  Anyone wishing to dress up in costume rather kids or adults will be allowed by the Wizard Master this night only and Welcomed If You Dare!  The Wizard says enter at your own risk and he will let you leave on your own, Ha Ha Ha!

BANQUET NEWS

U. S. 13 KART CLUB BANQUET WILL BE HELD

CATERING BY JIMMY’S GRILLE

WHEN:  SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 ,2006        

TIME:  AT 7 PM

WHERE:  LAUREL FIRE HALL, LAUREL, DE, 10^TH STREET

COST OF TICKETS:  ADULTS $20.00 CHILDREN 9 & UNDER $10

NUMBER OF TICKETS NEEDED:        _______  ADULT TICKETS

         _______  CHILDREN TICKETS

TO RESERVE A TABLE FOR THE BANQUET:   $ 5 PER TABLE

NUMBER OF TABLES NEEDED:           ________  TABLES

NAME:   _____________________________________      

ADDRESS:  ____________________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER:  ________________________

AMOUNT PAID: _____________

ALL MONIES ARE DUE BY: NOVEMBER 20, 2006

PLEASE RETURN TO:  Cindy Phillips or Teresa Morris

OR MAIL TO THE:

 US 13 KART CLUB

P. O.  BOX 573

BRIDGEVILLE, DE 19933

ALSO:  Door prizes will be given out through out the night, and we need help with these prizes.  We would appreciate everyone's help in getting local businesses to participate by donating something as a door prize.  All donations are tax deductible and will be mentioned in our Banquet program with a thank you to those sponsors.  Prizes & Donations can be mailed to the same address as above.  Thank you for all your help and support.

ALL DONATIONS MUST BE IN BY NOVEMBER 20, 2006

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRINT A COPY CLICK HERE

GO TO FILE AND SELECT PRINT

September 7, 2006

Bajer Gets Big Bucks at AKRA Labor Day Bash

Story by Bruce C. Walls
Click here for Photos by Bruce C. Walls
And Susan Taylor-Walls

CARNESVILLE, GA-Scotty Bajer was the big winner during the 1st Annual G&M
Auto Sales American Kart Racing Association (AKRA)/Tri-State Labor Day Bash held September 1-3 at the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville, GA. Bajer was joined by more than 650 racers who attended the three day event.

AKRA’s usual procedure is to race for trophies and contingency offerings on their first day. National points are tallied both days all season to determine national champions. Day two the same classes run for money. For the Labor Day Bash day one and two classes competed in one day. Racers qualified for day one’s competition and those time s were used again to grid racers for day two’s racing. Stock Heavy paid $1,000 to win and Stock Medium paid $750. Bajer won both.

“I hope we can hang on to it,” Bajer laughed while waiting in the pole position on Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy’s grid. “It’s going to take a little luck. The slowest guy is going to be the one in the lead. I hope we can break away, then we have a shot at making it.”

Stephanie Pitts started next to Bajer when he led the field to the green flag. Before he could lead a lap Bajer got freight trained by a pack of karts. The lap still wasn’t complete when the caution flag waved. Bajer returned to the front and led the restart. This time Bajer dove low to protect his position. Pitts, of Lake City, S.C. was a distant second, but quickly reeling him in. Working together, Pitts and JL Furrow passed Bajer next time around.

As the front pack pulled away Furrow forced his way to the front. Pitts dropped to third as Bajer got back by Furrow on his way to the front. Bajer gets it in time to take the white flag and then the checkered flag. Furrow followed Bajer by 0.222 of a second. When the dicing behind Furrow was finished Pitts was third, Walt Barnes fourth and Brett Miller fifth.

“I just hooked up with JL Furrow and pushed him on up through there,” described Bajer of Mechanicsville, VA. “We got away from the pack and I passed him with two to go and held him off. That was about all there is to it. I figured the only way we were going to catch Stephanie was just kept pushing and we did that. He (Furrow) pulled under and I kept pushing to make it a two-man race. That’s what ended up happening. Then I was able to get to the front and hold on.”

Earlier that day Pitts powered her way from third into WMS Products Stock Heavy’s early lead. Furrow offered her some early race challenges. Then Bajer worked his way to second and began challenging Pitts for the front. Bajer got by her as she fell to fourth. In the final laps Pitts powered her way back behind Bajer. Before it was over Pitts threatened Bajer’s lead several times. Stephen Adams offered Bajer several late race challenges before trailing him across the stripe. Pitt passed third, Miller in fourth, Jason Kimball fifth.

“The kart was pretty good. I was happy with the way it hooked up,” said Bajer who pocketed $750 for the win. “I want to thank Steven Adams for running me a good clean race. I want to thank Phantom Racing Chassis for the new Icon racing chassis, Harrill Wiggins, Avis Electric Racing, the Brightwell family and Bajer Kart Sales.

Pitts posted RLV Racing Products Stock Lite’s win from the pole. She led with perfection as battles for second place raged behind her between Furrow and Ultramax Racing Chassis factory driver Jamie Knopf of Lancaster, S.C.. Furrow was in second when Pitts passed the stripe ahead of him by 0.598 of a second. Knopf, Furrow and Adams filled the rest of the podium.

“My kart seemed to be pretty good,” said Pitts who pilots a Chris Williamson Racing Engines powered Phantom Racing Chassis. “They were battling behind me and I got a little bit away from them. Chris (Williamson) did pretty good on that one, now we’ll see what we can do in heavy.”

Sunday was Stephen Adams turn to shine. The Four Oaks, FA based P&P Speed Shop powered Olimpic kart pilot posted three wins that night. “I wish we could have done it when the money was up,” Adams laughed.

From Stock Lite’s pole Adams was perfect. He toured the 1/5-mile dirt oval 20 times in 5:44.708-minutes with Miller trailing him by 0.150 of a second at the end. Miller threatened Adams the entire ride offering challenges at every turn.

“I blew up two motors and locked one up earlier so I really needed this win, it feels good getting this one” Adams said. “The Trick/Olimpic kart worked great, it was a little bit loose. but overall it was awesome. I’m just glad to be here in Victory Lane.”

Brett Miller bagged Stock Medium’s pole. Adams shared front row with him quickly jumping into the lead. Miller reeled him in and ran past him. Adams followed him until there were just two laps to go. After looking high and low Miller found an opening and made his move. Two laps later Adams crossed the finish line 0.227 of a second ahead of the pole winner.

While qualifying for Kolors by Keisler Limited Modified’s pole Adams blew the top off his motor forcing him to start in the rear. After working his way to second in the final laps Adams made a daring outside pass when Beville dropped low to protect his lead. Adams steered high, passed him, then took the white flag before beating him to the stripe next time around by just0.227 of a second.

“That pass on the outside was awesome,” Adams boasted. “I knew he’d go down and block,” Adams described. “He got a little sideways so I made the move. The kart was awesome. I helped him get up there and I knew we’d be alright. Tires are the key to winning here and so is the motor and the help of Brandon and my brother. I want to thank Adam (Stevens) for letting me borrow a motor. I blew up two and I want to thank him a lot.”

Thirteen-year-old Garrett Bunch, (G-Baby Bunch) swept both Coyote Products Junior Sportsman classes from their poles. Piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Rage Kart Bunch topped a last lap three-way battle for the front beating AJ Carlise to the stripe by a comfortable 9.129-seconds.

“I didn’t know what was going on behind me. The kart felt good the whole time especially at the end. Lapped karts got in my way at the end, but I managed to get by them.”

That night Bunch fought off challenges from Matt Bowling before beating him to the stripe by 0.119 of a second. Behind Bowling in the top five were Gus Dean, Brady Todd and JD Eversoll.

“Matt Bowling told me before the race he’d help me win the championship,” said the Front Royal, VA based double winner. “We’re close to the title and he missed the first two. I want to thank him for helping me. I also want to thank Rage for an awesome kart, Tod Miller for a great motor; my dad, my brother, Stiffie and everybody else that helped me win the championship this year.”

Bunch earned Wyman’s Acoustics Stock Super Heavy’s pole. Bunch shot into the early lead, but before he could complete the second lap Lonnie Keisler cruised by him for the lead. Bunch got it back next time around.

Haire inherited the lead with Troy Bunch threatening him from behind. Then Haire got the break he needed to extend his lead. Keisler engineered a freight train by Bunch. Once securely in second Keisler went after Haire. He reached Haire’s bumper, but couldn’t get by him. Haire handled the pressure crossing the stripe with a 0.230 of a second edge over Keisler.

Haire started on Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy’s pole. He jumped into the early lead and began building on his lead with every lap. Walt Barnes, of Monroe, N.C., closed in and began challenging Haire near the end. Haire held on and took the win 0.252 of a second ahead of Barnes.

“It feels good getting two wins here today The Charger kart handled good. It was a little loose, but the P&P Motor was running real good, Haire said. “I want to thank my parents, P&P Speed Shop, my dad, David, God and everyone who helped me today.”

In-between the two sets of feature races AKRA entertained those there with two bike racers and a tire-changing contest. Pedal bikers battled in junior and senior classes for half of the $489 combined purse. Tire changers competed for $200 won by Lancaster, S.C. based Ultramax factory driver Jamie Knopf with a time of 11.13 -seconds.

AKRA’s next race (round five) will race October 13-15 at Possum Kingdom Raceway in Belton, S.C. For more information on this race and registration forums go to the AKRA website where you can also see complete results for the 1st Annual Labor Day Bash.

April 27, 2006
Story by Bruce C. Walls
                                       

AKRA’s Margarettsville March Madness
 

MARGARETTSVILLE, N.C.-Sometimes referred to as the Talladega of national dirt karting, Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N. C. was the perfect stop for round two of the American Kart Racing Association’s (AKRA) American Speedway Championship Series powered by Heat Racing. More than 250 regional dirt racers made their way to Margarettsville Speedway to competed for cash, trophies and leather jackets March 31-April 1.

Young gun Garrett (G-Baby) Bunch had a perfect weekend. The 12-year-old Front Royal, VA racer scored four wins from their poles on the wide 3/8ths mile high-banked oval. His Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom kart rounded the track in 16.111-seconds for Saturday’s JDI/Foodcraft Junior 2’s pole. Matt Bowling started next to him all four races.

Bunch blasted into the early lead with Bowling banging on his back door. Bowling was still battling with him at the halfway mark. Then Gus Dean came up and began challenging Bowling for second. As they squabbled over second Bunch stretched out the lead. By the time Dean took second Bunch had amassed a huge three-second lead. J.D. Eversole drafted with Dean settled into third. Bowling fell to fourth fighting off hard challenges from Brandon Brown. They held their positions across the stripe with Bunch 1.560-seconds ahead of Bowling,

“It was a close race all the way around. He raced me clean and didn’t send anybody or me out.” Bunch described. “He got me sideways once, but I came back and it came down to the last lap.”

Later that day, starting from a pole he earned with a 16.111-seconds run that was 0.530-second faster then Bowing’s best effort, Bunch worked quickly opening a small cushion over Bowling. Shaping up to be a replay of Junior 2, Bowling and Dean began scrapping over Ghost Racing Junior Sportsman Champ’s second position.

Suddenly, Amanda Frye’s #9 machine spun in turns three and four. She was a sitting duck stalled in the middle of turn two. Bunch swerved to miss her ending up in the hay bales. Others did the same and weren’t as lucky. Once the track was cleaned racing resumed with Bunch back in the front. With just a few laps remaining Bunch hit the throttle Dean tried to stay with him, but Bunch prevailed taking the final flag with a 3.308-seonds cushion. Behind Dean in the top five of eight were J.D. Eversole, Bowling and Brandon Brown.

“I stayed out front about the first 10-laps and then a lapped kart spun in front of me and got me off the track. Thanks to Tony Barton and the other officials they put me back up front for the restart. I just held onto the lead down to the finish,” Bunch said after his second win.

With two wins in his pocket Bunch returned Sunday to back up those wins with two more. He secured the poles with times of 15.337 and 15.893-seconds. Bowling turned in runs of 15.567 and 16.221-seconds for the outside poles.

Bunch and Bowling headed Junior 2’s 15-racer filed out of turn three, around turn four and down the front straight where the green flag was waving for them. Bunch and Bowling battled side-by-side the first time around. They were still door-to-door when karts behind them tangled bringing out the race’s only caution.

When they lined back up Austin Banker was behind Bunch poised and ready to take the lead from him. Racers got the green flag again and this time it was a hard charging Banker riding nose-to-tail behind Bunch. The two battled through the field. When they were back into clean air Banker, saw an opening, knew he had the power to do it and went for it.

Two laps later Bunch blasted back by Banker recapturing the lead. Next time around Banker did the same and was now leading with four laps to go. With just two laps left Bunch rocketed back into the lead. Eversole captured second closed in, but was 0.712-second late at the end.

“It was about 8 or10-to go something like that one dropped underneath me and then the other two drafted by me. I got back to them and got by them and held them off for the last few laps. It feels really good to win four here this weekend. We raced here the past two weekends and were pretty good. It’s been a prep war for two weekends. This weekend it’s been a dry racetrack. Now I just hope we can do the same thing in Johnson County.”

Also reaching the podium were Dean, Gilson Fearnow and Bowling.

Powhatan, VA racer Brandon McGee swept Sunday’s Stock classes, Lite, Medium and Heavy. Two from their poles. Stephen Adams captured stock Lite’s pole with a 14.551-seconds rounding. Jared Jackson was second fastest at 14.597-seconds. Behind them in row two were Bobby McCarty and Bryan Fallen. Further back Brett Miller and Brandon McGee shared row three.

Adams led the first lap with lots of pressure from Jackson and McCarty. Coming down the front straight the leaders went three wide across the stripe. As they entered turn one for the second time they were still three wide. Adams went high and spun off the track, Jackson dove low into the corner and came out the race leader. Shortly after Jackson assumed the lead McGee popped up behind him anxiously looking for a way to the front. Suddenly the caution flag waved for an accident under the flag stand.

Jackson led the restart, but the momentum was behind him breathing down his neck. McGee wasted little time recapturing the lead. He quickly opened up the lead, helped by the scrapping over second between Adams and Joseph Studier. Once Adams secured second he went after McGee. Adams reeled in McGee for some late race action. They battled side-by-side down the front straight for the checkered flag waving ahead of them. At the stripe only 0.063-second separated them.

“I felt the guy at the end,” McGee recalled. “ I was trying to take it easy. He bumped me with about five to go. So I made sure I hit my lines right. Then he pulled back away.”

Later that day McGee and Adams were on Stock Medium’s front row. This time McGee hustled into a huge early lead. Behind him Adams and Joey Collins were battling over second. Adams held the position and again set his sites on McGee. After reeling him in Adams began to challenge McGee for the lead. McGee prevailed with a 0.160-second finish line advantage.

A 14.584-seconds lap was fast enough capture Stock Heavy’s outside pole. McGee grabbed the early lead and continued building on it with every lap. When it was over McGee had stretched out a 5.287-seconds advantage. Bryan Bradford, of Salisbury, MD, was third, Walt Barnes fourth and David Meade fifth.

Josh Haire, of Erwin, N.C. was also a triple winner. Along with sweeping the Senior Champ classes the 20-year-old Mishue Racing Engines powered Charger kart pilot also posted a win in Saturday’s Wyman’s Acoustics Super Heavy.

Troy Bunch topped Super Heavy’s qualifying with a lap time of 14.967-seconds. Haire’s 14.992 earned him the outside starting position. From there Haire hustled into the initial lead as the field spread out evenly behind him. Haire continued building on that lead lap after lap. With eight laps in the book it seemed nothing would stop him, nothing except a caution flag that flew that lap. “That caution changed everything,” Haire said. “The kart never got going like it was at the beginning of the race.”

Haire led the restart followed by Wes Morgan and Brandon Watson. Haire quickly jumped back to building a larger lead. This time the field behind him was scrambling for positions. Bunch and Morgan scrapped over second. Bunch pulled along side of Haire forcing him to fight wheel-to-wheel. Haire fought off final lap challenges by Bunch. When it was over Haire nipped Bunch by just 0.047-seconds. Morgan crossed third followed by Drew Wentworth in fourth and Dwight Futrell fifth.

Anthony Jenkins was fastest qualifier in both Senior Champ classes. He earned their poles with times of 16.238 and 16.060-seconds. Haire messed up Saturday’s qualifying and was forced to start dead last.

Back at the front of the pack, Jenkins held a slim lead over Ayers. Haire headed for the front. Soon he and Jenkins were battling for the lead down the back straight. Haire took the lead, but only held it for a lap. Next time around Haire retook it down the front straight.

Haire barely led a lap before Ayers and Jenkins drafted by him. Haire hit the throttle and recaptured it again. In the final laps Jenkins looked high and low for a way around Haire. The chance never presented itself and Haire crossed the stripe with a 0.316-second edge over Jenkins.

Jenkins and Haire led Sunday’s field to the green flag. Jenkins jumped into the early lead leaving Ayers to deal with Haire. And deal with him Ayers did, swooping under him for the lead on lap three. Moments later Ayers spun himself out.

Haire cranked up the pressure. Jenkins was there for the mid-race signal and he was there to take the five laps to go signal. Time was running out on Haire. Suddenly the opportunity he was looking for opened up. Jenkins bobbled a little and Haire quickly drove past him for the lead. Now Haire was in the catbird seat, but time was against him as Haire took the white flag followed by the checkered. Jenkins was 0.748-seconds late.

“It was a good race,” Haire said of his final victory. “I think second was leaking a little fuel at the end. I don’t know what happened to him on the last lap, but he was there from the get-go. I fell back a little bit early on and had to work my way back up and came away with the victory. I want to thank my mom and dad, David, Andy Murray, Steven Adams, Charger Racing Chassis and Eddie Mishue.”

Two others were double winners that weekend. Brett Miller won Saturday’s WMS Tru Roll Wheels Stock Medium and Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy. Miller was second fastest of 11-Medium qualifiers. His best lap time of 14.613–seconds was 0.03-second slower then Adams time of 14.585-seconds.

With fans from both camps on their feet waving and screaming Adams and Miller slowly headed Stock Medium’s field double wide to the green flag waving in front of them as they exited turn four. Working up to full speed Adams and Miller battled to be the first nose into turn one. When they reached turn one Adams dug in and took the early lead. Through turns three and four Miller was threatening to retake it. Next time around Miller drafted by him in the same spot bringing Joey Collins with him. Collins was nice to draft with, but when it’s a run at the front it’s every driver for themselves.

Collins didn’t have time to settle in and get comfortable in his new position before it was gone. Next time around Miller recaptured the lead. Adams quickly zipped by him. Down but not done Miller mounted another successful charge to the front, this time bringing Tripp Massengill with him.

With just a few laps remaining Massengill dove low opening the door for Collins who takes the lead. Three laps remained. Miller muscles by Collins for the lead. Massengill comes with him. Nose-to-tail they whipped around the track three more times before the checkered flag flew. Miller hunkered down for the fight. Behind him Massengill rolled his kart high and low looking for an opening that wouldn’t be there. With a 0.429-second advantage Miller went under the checkered flag.

Miller captured Shadow Racing Chassis Stock Heavy’s pole with a 14.691-seconds ride. Haire started next to him. This time Miller quickly took charge of the 10-racer field. Behind him Mike Cathey and Harie were trying to settle second. Once that was done Cathey chased down Miller who had been enjoying a comfortable lead. That was about to change.

Cathey began reeling Miller’s machine in. With just a few laps left Cathey continued hammering on Miller to no avail. Miller crossed first. Cathey was 0.591-seconds late for second, Ryland Meade was third, Danny Meeks fourth and Bradford fifth.

“In the first race I kind of bided my time a little too long and got passed,” Miller said after his first win. “This race I got a little more aggressive and got in there to lead a few laps. It worked out at the end somehow and we came out first. I want to thank J.T. Stillwagon, Hi Tech Racing, my mom and dad and everybody else that helps us here at the races.”

Joey Collins and Stephen Adams put down pole winning lap times of 14.859 and 13.827-seconds for Kolors by Keisler Limited Modified Lite’s poles. But Adam Belville prevailed at the end of each.

Collins shot out early, but Beville was along side of him in an instant. After challenging him in the first two turns, Beville went by him in turn three. Adams was glued to his back bumper trying to retake the lead. Hunter Slayton takes second and set his sites on Adams. Suddenly the race’s only caution flag flew.

Belville led the restart with Slayton and Collins putting on the pressure “Everyone challenges the leader,” said Beville. Slayton looked low, then high. He tries to get beside Belville, but ended up spinning out leaving the race to Belville who finished 0.842-second ahead of Collins.

“They were all on me the whole race,” described the Stony Creek, VA based TKS powered Illusion kart pilot. “They drove crazy and I was just out front riding slow. My tires gave way the last half of the race. But I was still out there riding. There wasn’t much I could do but just hold on and hope they messed up. I was riding low so if they wanted to pass me they had to go high.”

When the green flag flew for Sunday’s feature Adams quickly jumped into the early lead. Slayton followed glued to Adams tailpipe. Slayton began offering challenges low then high. He was almost side-by-side on the outside and then he got too high spinning off in turn one’s marbles. Belville took second and closed in on the leader. Adams came with him when he made his move. From there it was clean air and checkered flags as Belville roared across the finish line with a 2.709-seconds advantage over Adams.

Shallotte, N.C. competitor Canon Ward won Saturday’s Mike Holcombe’s Tire & Auto Junior 1 Purple with perfection. After spinning the fastest qualifying lap at 16.511-seconds he led the 12-racer field to the checkered flag with Ryan Heavner chasing him across the stripe.

“He sure was behind me the whole race,” said the 10-year-old winner. “He didn’t bump me too hard. I was a little worried on the restart. Putting that lapped kart between use made me feel a little more comfortable.”

Ward won Sunday’s pole, but 10-year-old Boomer Racing Engines powered Charger Kart pilot Ryan Heavner, of Lincoln, N.C. beat him to the stripe with a 0.615-seconds advantage.

“I thought he (Canon Ward) was going to get me there at the end with three laps to go. I held him off and got the win,” Heavner beamed in Victory Lane.

Bobby McCarty won both Millennium Racing Chassis Junior 3 Gold poles. Saturday he beat Joey Mahanes to the stripe by 0.245-second.

“Actually it was pretty fun because I had a clean race,” said the 13-year-old Summerfield, N.C, based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Charger kart pilot. “I didn’t have to worry about the guys behind me so it was a lot of fun. The kart handled great. Ever since we changed to the Charger kart we’ve been up in front every week. It’s a great feeling to tell you the truth. The motor was so powerful I was pulling guys on the outside and down the straight-aways I had no problem with the motor at all.”

Sunday Mahanes turned the tables on McCarty. McCarty spun a 14.710-seconds pole-winning lap and rocketed away from the field at the start. From a distant second Mahanes began his campaign. He quickly closed the distance between himself and Adams. Colton Burnette tucked in behind him and together they worked by McCarty for the top two positions. Then caution flags were flying in every corner. Mahanes took the restart green flag with the field behind him jockeying for positions.

With some drafting help from Colton Cox, Mahanes was on his the way to the front. McCarty closed in on Mahanes and wheel hopped him in turn three. Mahanes reached around and disconnected them without missing a beat. McCarty dropped back into the field while Kyle Appel moved up to second. Appel was 0.313-second late at the stripe.

“I just held on and went straight to the bottom and, it just stuck, ”Mahanes said. “The kart handled good and the motor was awesome.”

Darek McCauley dominated Dean’s Custom Air Jr Champ’s qualifying with a 15.273-seconds run. Joey Mahanes started next to him and when the green flag flew the action started. McCauley dove low and took the early lead forcing Mahane to tuck in behind him. Mahanes set McCauley up for the next time around. Mahanes charged McCauley in turns one and two, but he wouldn’t budge. Aman picks up on it and charged ahead for the lead. Mahanes offered several challenges. They get side-by-side in turn three and tangle coming out of the turn. At first it was a local corner caution. Karts continued banging together in that corner and others. Then it was a full course caution.

McCauley’s kart was damaged in the accident forcing him from the track. That put Aman in charge of the restart. Aman blasted off from the restart and never looked back. After building a 0.386-second lead over Alicia Piland who worked her way from a fourth place start.

“I got a big break,” said the 13-year-old Ruther Glenn, VA based I thought I’d lag behind the top karts the whole race. The Rage kart drove a little tight, but other than that it was perfect. I wasn’t really nervous on the restart. I knew the girl behind me wouldn’t hit me intentionally because she’s a good racer. It was a fun race.”

Derek McCauley was flawless in Sunday’s race. He spun a 15.765-seconds pole-winning lap and then left Aman in the dust 6.164-seconds behind.

John Martin soloed Saturday’s Digatron Unlimited All–Stars race. Sunday there were three competitors. Ryan Martin spun a 13.650-second lap for the pole. From there he was flawless finishing the ride 0.580-second over Hunter Slayton who was followed across the stripe by Neil Culley.

“The kart handled good. We struggled a little early on. The track’s real good and everything ran good and I’m happy to be here,” Martin said.

After securing Wyman’s Acoustics Super Heavy’s pole Steve Brightwell led the field flawlessly to the finish where he was a comfortable 3.818-seconds ahead of Jim Ackerman.

“We were just fortunate enough to get out ahead of them and do our own thing and kind of set the pace in front of them,” said the Mechanicsville, VA based winner. “ I want to thank Bajer Kart Shop, Scotty Bajer Buddy Reassure, Brandon McGee, My brother Michael, Tod Miller Racing Engines and Harrill Wiggins of Phantom Racing Chassis.”

Walt Barnes, of Monroe, N.C. spun a 14.927-second for Walt Barnes Vinyl Siding Senior Stock’s pole. Barnes blasted off from the pole and had racers battling 3 wide behind him for second. Kevin Elliott emerged as the victor of that fight. He then set his sites on Barnes who’d built a comfortable lead that was about to evaporate. In two laps Ellitott cut the distance and then passed Barnes. Barnes tucked in behind the new leader and began challenging him. Everywhere Barnes tried to pass him Ellitott closed the door on him. They were nose-to-tail at the end with Elliott just 0.469-second ahead.

“We messed up in qualifying. We had a 17 drive on and should have been on 18 after coming up here last week for the VDKA race in the rain,” said the South Boston, VA based winner. “We changed the clutch for that race and dummy (referring to himself) never changed it back. It was tough a little tough in qualifying, but it turned out pretty good.”

AKRA Speedway dirt series drivers meet again June 9th at Johnson County Speedway in Garner, N.C. for round three of the five race series.

PLEASE READ!

Thank You To All Those Who Volunteered Their Time At The Practice! 

* NOT  ALLOWED!!

• NO! - 4 - WHEELERS

• NO! - 3 - WHEELERS

• NO! - SCOOTERS

• NO! - SKATEBOARDS

• PLEASE BRING - Birth Certificates for any child under 18 years old

• PLEASE BRING - WKA card for STATE Race on Saturday, April 8, or No Racing that day    Check Your Expiration Date on the WKA Card - WE WILL BE CHECKING!

*** VENDORS

• Must Pay Venders Fee

• Need a Copy of Business License

• Need Both of These By Saturday, April 8th, the First Race

Next Practice is Saturday, March 25th, Gates Open 9:00 AM, Registration Starts at 9:00 AM Until 10:00 AM  NO EXCEPTION!!  Unless You Call Prior to 10:15 AM!!

****     

Work Day/Track Clean up is Sat., March 4, 2006 @ 9:00am  If you want to race you will need to help come clean the track up.

Race date change: There was a typo when the schedule was made up the date change is May 26th club race not the 27th

All Jr Sportsman drivers will need to have a breast plate before the 1st state race. These will be worn for each club and state race, as this is a new WKA Safety rule.

We will have 3 practice races March 18, March 25, & April 1 $20 to race $5 entry fee

We are in need of a flagman for club races, 2 corner flagmen, a scales person, and a grid person. These are all paid positions, you can contact Chad or Billy for further information.

We are still in need of sponsors for state races for the following classes: Jr. Rest Lite, Sr Champ, Stock Lite, Stock Heavy, Sr Stock, Stock Xheavy, Limited, Animal and Open. 

H. P. SPEED Karts Parts & Graphix

Open House

March 4, 2006   8:00 AM-4:00 PM

302.856.7835

Regular Hours: Tues. & Thurs 6:00 PM 10:00 PM

Sat. 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NEW  ITEM:

Maxxis Tires In Stock

Kart Lettering

Full In Stock Inventory

Door Prizes!

Food & Drinks

H. P. Famous' Meatballs & Chili

Everyone Welcome!

                                                    Minutes from U.S. 13Kart Club Meeting 2/10/06:

Richard Pearson, Larry Reed, and Lora Reed resigned there positions for the club.

The new President is Chad K. Grosh, the new Vice President is Tim Crissman, the new Treasurer is Mrs. Morris and Cindy Richards. Billy Cropper is our new Race director for Club and State.

The appeal committee for state is as follows: Walt Ramsey, Chad Hayes, John Oakley, Brock Anthony, and Mike Bradford.

The appeal committee for club is as follows: John Oakley, Mr. Hayes, and Steve Meadows. (The appeal committee will only be used if Race Director questions his call).

The new tire for 2006 for Club and State is as follows: Maxxis HT3 and Maxxis HT5 only!!!

We will be allowing Billett rod in all animal motors.

In State series the controlled class will be dropped. And animal medium with 350lb. weight limit will be added.

Anyone taking transponders off the premises after the races will be fined $25.00 each time. You do have till Wednesday night to return it without the fine. The fine must be paid before you race the following week or you will not be allowed to race. Missy Meadows will be in charge of them this year.

Registration will be done by Missy Meadows and Mrs. Bullis. Anyone wanting to learn registration please call the president @ 410-742-2995.

In the tower this year will be Missy Meadows and Tammy Ford again.

We are looking for Sponsors for the State Class series anyone interested please contact the president. State classes already taken are: Stock Medium, Junior 2 Heavy, and Stock Light.

Parking will be handled by Phyllis Hayes again this year. Any questions please contact her at 302-856-7835.

**Flaggers are needed for club and state series….Anyone interested please contact the president at 410-742-2995.

Thanks for the great turnout for the meeting…everyone’s input is appreciated. Please try to help out the new board of directors as much as possible this year!
 

                                                                               2006 U. S. 13 Kart Club Board of Directors


President: Chad K. Grosch

Vice President: Tim Crissman

Treasury: Cindy Phillps
Mrs. Morris

Race Director: Billy Cropper
(Club & State)

Series Director: Chad Reed

Trustee: Walt Ramsey

Board Members: Richard Pearson
PeeWee Morris


**Any members wanting to be on the Board please notify Chad K. Grosch @ 410-742-2995. We will be meeting as needed to discuss track issues.

                                                    Ward Makes History at Christmas in Dixie


Story by Bruce C. Walls

Jan 18, 2006.....Conway, SC- Nine-year-old Canon Ward made karting history December 28th and 29th. It started when he joined 550 other karters celebrating the season at the 1st Annual ‘Christmas in Dixie’ presented by Heat Racing. Then Ward, from nearby Shallotte, SC, earned the honor of taking the American Kart Racing Association’s first checkered flag. Junior 1 pole winner Quinn Fowler broke into the early lead with Thorne Skipper close behind. When Ward joined the battle his Chris Mills Racing Engines powered Phantom kart quickly seized it and went on building a 9.038-seconds advantage over Matthew Grooms

“The kart was kind of loose and hard to drive,” Ward said. “But it feels very good knowing I was the first AKRA winner,” he added.

Skipper crossed third, Hunter Colson was fourth and Fowler fifth out of 17 entries.

Thursday Ward kept adding his name to the AKRA history book. He spun a 16.409-pole winning lap on Conway Speedway’s 1/4-mile Dirt Track at the Beach. This one he had to fight a little harder for. Ward rocketed into the early lead with Fowler focused on him. Four laps into it, the race’s only caution flag waved. “I was very worried on the restart,” Ward admitted. “I was going into the corner low and he was high and I got under him.”

When racing resumed both took off for turn one. This time Fowler went low and came out of turn two leading the 15-racer field. Ward quickly scrambled down the back straight and recaptured the lead, which he held the rest of the distance. By the end Ward opened up a 2.924-seconds lead over Fowler. Dalton Pate was third across the finish line followed by Grooms and Jacob Schneider in fourth and fifth.

“It feels good to win two times in a row!” Ward beamed after his second win. “I want to thank Chris and people at the shop for all the hard work they did on the tires.”

Bobby McCarty was also a ‘Christmas in Dixie’ double winner. Thursday the 13-year-old Summerfield, N.C. competitor earned Junior Champ’s pole with a 16.524-seconds rounding. His Boomer’s Speed Shop powered Charger Kart was flawless from there. At the strip he was 8.583-seconds ahead of Bradley Bell. Chris Fahed was third across the stripe followed by Spencer Euler and Wednesday’s winner Chad Brooks.

A 15.782-seconds lap put Brent Lucas on Junior 3’s pole. Devin Dowell was a tad slower at 15.844-seconds for the outside pole. Further back McCarty was fighting his way from a fifth place start to the front. Caution flags waved for the 29-racer field after the first lap was complete. Lucas led the restart, but behind him Devin Dowell and McCarty were working together. Before another lap was complete they shot by Lucas for the front two positions dropping him to third. Caution returned again. Brooks got the drop on Dowell at the restart for the lead. After taking them through their third restart McCarty showed them home with Michael Brown 1.698-seconds behind him.

“This one was a lot harder to win than the earlier one,” McCarty said adding, “The kart was pushing and loose at the same time. I had to wheel it the best I could and somehow it worked out.”

Lucas was third at the stripe, Dowell’s machine was fourth followed by Bell.

McCarty was fastest of eight-Junior Champ qualifiers on Wednesday. He led the field through a restart before midway and then surrendered the lead to Enola, PA pilot Chad Brooks’ Ensor Racing Engines powered Ultramax kart. The two diced it up a bid at mid race then with five to go Brooks took the lead and expanded upon it for a comfortable 1.049-seocnds-victory margin over Bradley Bell. Behind Bell in the top five were Shaina Lawson, Spencer Euler and Derrick Wilhoit.

“I just got a good lead and pulled away,” Brooks said of the final laps. “I looked back and could hardly see him.”

Wednesday’s second winner was Rocky Mount, VA racer J.L. Furrow won Stock Light. Furrow started on the pole. He drove deep into turn one when the 30-racer field got the green flag exiting turn two in the lead. Before he reached turn three Gary Bryan and Dustin McKenzie teamed up and overtook him. Furrow fought back in the final laps recaptured the lead in time to show the 30-racer field the rest of the distance. In the final shuffling Bryan was 2.276-seconds behind Furrow at the finish. Dustin McKenzie was third, Shane Tyler fourth and Justin Starnes fifth.

“I think we made the wrong tire call, but we ended up winning luckily anyway,” Furrow laughed. “I’d like to thank Eddie Mishue for the great motors and Andy Murray for the great kart and tires, Boomer Hawks if it weren’t for them I couldn’t do this.”

Powered by a motor built by J.T. Stillwagon, Tempest kart pilot Scotty Phagan led 21-Junior 2 racers wire-to-wire. The 12-year-old winner was comfortably 3.595-seconds ahead of Tommy Lee Watts when it was over. Jared Dutton, Tucker Wood and Garrett Bunch were also on the podium.

“The kart’s been very good. My dad’s been working really hard. We work hard on the kart pretty much all day and we did very good,” Phagan explained. “We got a lot dialed in between qualifying and the race. It was very loose in qualifying, but it held together good.”

Thursday Trey Martin topped Junior 2’s 20-racer qualifying field with a lap time of 16.235-second Gus Dean was second fastest qualifier at 16.347-seconds. Martin hustled into the early lead cruising comfortably to the half way mark. It was then the excitement began, Gus Dean’s machine passed him as the top three moved way ahead of the falling field behind them.

The dicing continued. When it was over in the closing laps Tommy Lee Watts was leading Dean and Martin. Further back were Phagan and Dutton. The field was frozen from there with Dean 1.467-seconds late at the end.

“My motor and tires made the big difference out there, mostly tires though,” the 11-year-old Conway, N.C. based winner explained. “I’d like to thank Anthony Fox for the motor. Actually it was pretty fun running by my self I didn’t have to worry about anything. The kart was loose, but I could still handle it. It was about the best it could be. I saw Boomer and my dad out there waving their hands and all so I figured I was out pretty far so I started taking it easy.”

Wednesday’s fifth class, Senior Stock, left the grid with clouds thickened above and the air at ground level was suddenly windy and chilled. Serious weather was headed for Conway. Veteran Michael Schumacher headed the 26-racer field off the grid on to the track for line up. Schumacher showed them around twice and then suddenly caution flags waved around the track and the flagman waved the red flag for an incident in turn four.

Schumacher led the restart with AKRA officials watching the track with one eye and the skies with the other. Six laps were left to race. Officials rushed to line them up for the finale, but a steady rain turned heavy and lighting bursts in the background ended the race day instead. Senior Stock racers had passed the midway point. Schumacher was awarded an almost certain win and the remainder of the classes that didn’t’ compete were awarded rain points and prizes.

Rain continued pounding the South Carolina coastal region early into Thursday morning. When the sun popped out of the eastern sky the track dried nicely. The pit area didn’t. After a four hour delay karts were on the track running it in so they could get three rounds of practice in before qualifying and racing.

Thursday Stephanie Pitts spun a 15.538-seconds run for Stock Medium’s pole. She shot into the early lead with Brad Pittman chasing her down from a third place start. Pittman closed in on her looking for that little advantage. He found it and the lead. Pitts regrouped and hung with him for the rest of the distance. At the end she was 0.946-seconds late.

“We kind of struggled both days. But we finally hit it in one class,” said Pittman. “Tires is the thing it’s mostly tires. I think this is going to be a great series. We’re going to support it as long as we can. I think it’s going to be a good series and I hope it does well.”

Brett Miller was third out of 29 followed in the top five by Jerry Muller and Bobby McManus.

From the pole David Waddell won the new Unlimited All Stars class, which drew five competitors. Waddell whizzed around the track in 15.248-seconds for the pole and was 5.340-seconds ahead of Ashley Waddell at the finish line. Chris Sturkie crossed third followed by Tyrone Cox and Troy Hensley for the field.

Gus Dean grabbed Junior Sportsman Champ’s pole with a 17.113-seconds run. From there the Hi Tech Racing Engines powered Tempest kart pilot nipped Garrett Bunch at the stripe by just 0.096, for one of the event’s closest finishes.

“I thought he had me near the end. I just had enough go-kart and he made just one little slip and I was there to take it.”

Fowler, Troy Toombs and Brett Heathery made up the rest of the top five.

Randy Garner struggled in Super Heavy qualifying ending up 11th out of 32 entries. Between then and race time his team worked on the kart right up to the last minute making educated guesses on setup and tire pressure. They hoped they got it right and they did.

Mark Rabon ruled qualifying with a fast 15.917-seconds run. Averitt Lucas started next to him. Rabon rocketed into a comfortable early lead as Garner threaded his way to second. Just before they took the halfway signal Garner slipped into second and set his sites in on Rabon. After getting the crossed flags Garner stepped up the pace as they entered turn one and slipped by Rabon for the lead. From there Garner gained 1.698-seconds edge over Rabon. Rounding out the top five were Josh Haire, Jarr