NNKC awards banquet is an annual gathering where the club ends its season and begins to look forward to the new season.
RENO (Nov. 14) – The Northern Nevada Kart Club (NNKC) gathered together to honor its champions, trophy winners and special people that helped this past season. The location was the Grand Sierra Hotel and Casino for this festive occasion.
The highest honor the club awards is Karter of the Year and the winner gets to keep the trophy for a year. It’s engraved with the names of those that have been special to the club and the sport of go-kart racing.
Steve Ryckenbosch gives his remarks after being chosen as the Karter of the Year. It was is second award of the night as he’s the Stock Moto 125 Champion.
“This is huge, it’s a surprise, Karter of the Year, this is big,” Steve Ryckebosch said after winning the trophy as well as the Stock Moto-125 championship. “I fought hard this year, it worked out and I was able to win the championship in 125. I appreciate everything the club’s done.”
Steve Ryckenbosch (left) is the 2015 Stock Moto 125 champion. Alex Gray was second and Mike Ryckenbosch (right) third.
At season’s end Ryckebosch beat defending class champion Alex Gray by one point. Probably the closest points race of the season.
Dan Harris is this year’s F-80 champion and the class is one of the larger divisions for the NNKC.
Dan Harris (right) is this year’s F-80 champion. He’s joined by runner up Steve Dow and Jeff Wamre (right).
Asked about the year he said, “You know it went unbelievably smooth except for the second to last race as I cam in light scales,” he said. “That was the only major set back all season, everything clicked all year, it was really amazing.”
Then he thanked his wife for putting up with his racing as well as Steve Dow and Jeff Wamre, , “they helped me to their detriment, with tuning my kart.”
TAG Masters saw Brian Rivera go out a winner and champion as he is ending his racing for the time being.
In his final season Brian Rivera (center) won the TAG Masters title. Ryand Ryckeobsch (right) was second with Dan Harris third.
“Being my 4th championship it’s kind of bitter sweet, a long, long year with baby, new house and new job. It was just nice to just race and I didn’t even practice. Made it out for seven times and ended up winning seven times.
“I need to thank my wife Liz for the support she gave me through out the year. And Rodney at Nevada Kart Sport for the parts they gave me as they are a huge sponsor.
Although he might not be on the track for the next few years Rivera is standing for election to the club’s board.
The campaign for the Senior Clone title came down to a father-son duel. Alec Beaudoin and his father Brud disputed the points lead across the entire season.
Brud Beaudoin holds his championship trophy as well as his son Alec’s who was scone. Kelly Chinander finished the season third in points.
The elder Beaudoin won the first two races than hung on while son Alec had three wins but some of his finishes didn’t help him. In the end, according to Brud there was a tie but when the throw away race was computed in he beat his son by a scant nine point margin.
Asked how he felt, Brud Beaudoin said, “Basically I want to thank my son for being there with me. It’s a great family sport, we enjoy the heck out of it and thanks for the support my wife gave me.”
Zach Rivera is the Jr-2 206/Clone champion. Here he’s flanked by Issac Bourque and Jake Guzelis.
The Junior-2 206/Clone champion is Zachary Rivera. He won six of the races and had enough of a points lead that he didn’t race in the final event as he was driving in his first Stock Moto-125 race.
Up on the podium he expressed his appreciation and thanks his supporters including his father Rod and Nevada Kart Sport.
Probably the largest class at NNKC is the Junior-1 Clone division with up to 15 karts at a race. Populated by young drivers it’s a very competitive field where a youngsters can earn their racing spurs.
Jr. 1 Clone champion Chase Dulude holds his trophy and jacket. Here he’s flanked by Asa Gourley (left) and Brooks Anderline (right).
This year consistency paid off as Chase Dulude won the championship with one victory and five-second place finishes. Other winners were Chase McGraw, Evan McGraw and ASA Gourley, who scored a single victory a piece.
Dulude said his big confidence booster was when he won the main on July 6. After that he felt he had a chance and ended the season 143 points ahead of Chase McGraw.
Adding to his championship year Chase Dulude was named NNKC’s Rookie-of-the-Year.
In addition to his title season, Dulude earned Rookie of the Year honors.
The Most Improved Junior driver was Heavyn Hill.
The most improved driver awards when to Heavyn Hill, for the Juniors, and Kelly Chinander in the Senior ranks.
Kelly Chinander is the Senior Most Improved Driver for 2015.
Unfortunately Cooper Perez, who is the Kid Kart champion wasn’t present to accept his trophy.
After the banquet some headed off to go bowling while others headed home. Now other than practice sessions, when the weather allows it, NNKC’s track, Desert Park Raceway will be dark until March when the annual Tune Up race is held.
OTHER RACING NEWS
- Unfortunately none of the Northern Nevada drivers made it into Saturday’s final race at this year’s Duel in the Desert. Cory Sample destroyed his car during a preliminary race but emerged uninjured although he was a bit sore from the impact.
• This weekend two NNKC veterans, Jess Petersen and Matt Koerner, will compete at the Super Nationals in Las Vegas.
• NASCAR visited Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. The Sprint Cup event set the stage for next weekend’s final showdown at Homestead, Florida where the series champions will be crowned.
In Sunday’s rain delayed race Kyle Busch started 10th and finished fourth, securing a spot in the final four. Older brother had to win but jumped the start, got a drive through penalty but was able to race back to a seventh place finish, which eliminated him from championship contention.
In Saturday’s Xfinity race Kyle Busch dominated the event starting on the pole and winning the race. Brendan Gaughan ended up 12, while Dylan Kwasniewski was 34th and T.J. Bell finished 36th in the race.
• Livfast Exit 28 motocross track will host practice sessions from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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FINAL POINTS STANDINGS
Northern Nevada Kart Club – 2015 Season
• Stock-Moto 125: 1. Steve Ryckebosch, 2. Alex Gray, 3. Mike Ryckebosch, 4. Steve Dow, 5. Jeff Wamre, 6. Matt Koerner, 7. Dennis Hill, 8. John Morgan, 9. Mike Faker, 10. Tom Gardner, 11. Mitch Kennedy, 12. Tyler Wamre, 13. Mark Nason, 14. Milas Mills, 15. Zachary Rivera, 16. Todd Thompson, 17. James O’Brian.
• F-80: 1. Dan Harris, 2. Steve Dow, 3. Jeff Wamre, 4. Jeremy Holm, 5. Dan Votino, 6. Ben Fisher, 7.Turbo Sombatsiri, 8. Brock Gardner, 9. Greg Jaime, 10. Cody McKinney, 11. Alan Jaime, 12. Greg Latimer, 13. Tom Gardner.
• TAG Masters: 1.Brian Rivera, 2. Randy Ryckeobsch, 3. Dan Harris, 4. Mike McMullen, 5. Jeff Solvason, 6. John Ryckebosch, 7. Scott Andrews, 8. Mike Arnold, 9. Shawn Kerns, 10. Joe Senna, 11. Zach Landry.
• Senior Clone:1. Brud Beaudoin, 2. Alec Beaudoin, 3. Kelly Chinander, 4. Jason Anderline, 5. Nat Sombatsiri, 6. Zak Koch, 7. Rick McLeod, 8. Kelsey Nelson, 9. Scott Andrews, 10. Joe Senna, 11. Troy Berry, 12. Dean Andrews, 13. Brian Muchaud, 14. Gary Guzelis.
• Junior-2 206/Clone: 1. Zachary Rivera, 2. Isaac Bourque, 3. Jake Guzelis, 4. Hayden McGraw, 5. Bryce Berry, 6. Taylor Uchytil, 7. Ethan Senna, 8. Rowdy Staffon, 9. Heather Hadley, 10. Andrew Tonn.
• Junior 1 Clone: 1. Chase Dulude, 2. Chase McGraw, 3. Evan McGraw, 4. Asa Gourley, 5. Brooks Anderline, 6. Aiden Hawkins, 7. Heavyn Hill, 8. Korey Sander, 9. Wyatt Sander, 10. Austin Hawkins, 11. Gabe Vegors, 12. Garrett Gilmore, 13. Jason Koch, 14. Austin Perez, 15. Kendra Winters.
• Kid Kart: 1. Cooper Perez, 2. Cory Koch, 3. Alyssa Winters
• Junior Rookie of the Year: Chase Dulude
• Most Improved Junior Driver: Heavyn Hill
• Most Improved Senior Driver: Kelly Chinander
• Volunteer of the Year: Rachel Anderline and Brud Beaudoin.
• Special Recognition: Ed Dederich, David Brant, Shari Dow.
• Volunteer Corner Workers: Derek and Stephanie Anderline, Sharon Klovski, Aaron Groux.
Here is the Champion’s gallery for 2015.
