NNKC Beats the heat for a day of hot racing.

Stead (June 28) – A forecast of a high temperatures didn’t deter the hardcore members of the Northern Nevada Kart Club. They showed up anyway and, thanks to the cloud cover, had a pretty nice day of racing.

The Senior Clone main was one of the great races of the day. It took a long chase before Alec Beaudon was able to take the lead.

Asked if he had any doubts he said, “I wasn’t sure if I could catch him so I just decided, since my chain stayed on this race, I’m going to try and catch him and I did. Luckily the leader made a mistake in Turn 6, I got next to him in Turn 7 and I took the lead.”

When the green waved to start the race Scott Andrews took off and left the pack behind him. Further back Brud Beaudon held second and soon had his son Alec on his back bumper.

Before chasing down the leader Alec Beaudon (95) had to get past his father Brud (51).

All the while the leader was putting more and more distance between himself and the pack. Eventually Alec got past his father and the chase was on.

Lap after lap the gap narrowed as Beaudon closed in and eventually caught caught the leader. After that several laps of nose-to-tail racing happened until Andrews made a mistake.

Alec Beaudon (95) makes the winning pass as he gets past Scott Andrews (21).

That was all Beaudon needed and he soon took the point, left Andrews behind him and roared off to the victory.

After getting through the post race weigh in, Beaudon also thanked Cole Nelson for helping and finding a way to keep the chain on the kart. He also thanked his father/mechanic for all his help.

The F-80 main also saw some tight racing for the lead. When the green lights sent the field away Dan Harris probably didn’t get the perfect start but Turbo Somatsiri did and was on point as they tore through the first turns.

From then on it was nose-to-tail with Harris and Steve Dow chasing Somastiri for probably half the race. Eventually Dow would slip out of contention.

When the F-80 main began Turbo Sombatsiri (99) leads Dan Harris (13) and Steve Dow (Orange).

Then Sombatsiri made a small mistake, possibly shifting into a wrong gear and that was all Harris needed. He pounced then drove away from everyone to claim the victory.

Once in the lead Dan Harris (13) left everyone behind including early leader Turbo Sombatsiri.

“Not a really good start as Turbo got me. But I kind of figured he’d make a mistake sooner or later,” Harris said after the race. “He did on turn 8 and 9 so that’s how I got a run on him and got him on the straightaway.”

Then, with a smile, he thanked his wife, “she controls the check book.”

When the TAG Masters race began Dan Harris appeared to be in the catbird seat as he soon had a huge lead on the field.

Once he got the lead Dean Andrews (43) lead early leader Dan Harris far behind him.

Behind him however Dean Andrews had a different idea but was taking his time moving into second. After taking second, Andrews began his charge.

Lap after lap he closed and finally caught Harris. After a few circuits of nose-to-tail racing Andrews drafted past Harris as they headed into Turn 1.

From there on it was a runaway as Andrews cruised to an easy victory.

After the race he said, “I wanted to stay patient so I didn’t wreck anyone because these guys are racing for points and I’m just in it for the fun right now. So I had to stay patient so I didn’t make any risky moves out there.”

Then he thanked his dad for getting the kart ready and taking him to the track.

Asked if it’s easier to be alone out front or better to be racing someone, he said, “It’s definitely easier but I really want someone to be there as it would be more fun and more competition.”

When the 125 Stock Moto main began Matt Koerner took off with Steve Ryckebosch in hot pursuit. On this day however no one was going to catch Koerner.

Right from the state Matt Koerner (356Y) lead the 125 shifter main. Steve Ryckebosch (17) tried to catch him but had to settle for second.

Behind him there was a fierce three way duel for third. Lap after lap Mike Faker, Alex gray and Mike Ryckebosch ran nose-to-tail.

In the end Koerner claimed the victory with Steve Ryckebosch taking a solo second. Behind them Gray ended up third followed by Mike Ryckebosch and Faker.

The race in the 125 main was for third and for most of the laps this trip was led by Mike Faker (19) followed by Alex Gray (53) and Mike Ryckebosch (191). In the end Gray took third.

After the post race weigh in Koerner allowed that his kart developed a strong front end vibration.

“It didn’t bring itself forth until about half way through so I backed it off pretty good,” he said. “I gave myself a pretty good buffer in the first and the track’s really good after that torrential downpour last night.”

He also thanked his father for coming out and supporting as well as Nevada Kart Sport for parts and other things.

The Junior-2/206 group only had three karts and Zachery Rivera was the class of the field. In fact he led from green to checkered.

Zach Rivera was the class of the small Jr-2/206 field.

Isaac Bourque was the runner up with Hayden McGraw taking third.

“It would be more enjoyable to be racing with somebody but the season, either way would have been won by me,” Rivera said. “I’m one of the better drivers because of how long I’ve been out here. We’ve had other drivers compete against me but I always end up on top.”

Then he thanked his father and Nevada Kart Sport.

When the Jr-1 Clone main began Chase Dulude was on point with Brooks Anderline and Aiden Hawkins not far behind. By the time lap-2 began Hawkins was in command and left everyone in his dust.

Aiden Hawkins (42Y) leaves everyone in his dust after taking the lead in the Jr. 1 Clone main.

Behind the leader Dulude took up second and was running by himself. However the battle for third was hot and heavy through out the race.

Anderline was right in there until he was unable to avoid a spinning kart in Turn 3. After getting going again he rejoined the group dicing or third place.

In the final laps Chase McGraw, Evan McGraw and Anderline were once again running nose-to-tail.

The trio of Chase McGraw (22c), Evan McGraw (221) and Brooks Anderline (76) head into the complex known as “Tic, Tak, Tow,” before the main straight. This was an almost race long duel for third.

The final turn complex, also known as “tic tac toe,” is a tight left, right, left combination that leads onto the front straight.

As the trio was heading for the checkered flag they caught a slower lap kart. Chase decided to go for it as they were in that complex.

While he made it through there was contact, the lapper was turned sideways, collected both Evan and Anderline, which sent them into the barrier.

Fortunately both Evan McGraw and Anderline were able to get going and ended up fourth and fifth. But it was a wild finish for these young drivers.

Now everyone gets to regroup as the next points race will be on Sunday, July 19.

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RESULTS

Northern Nevada Kart Club – Round 5

Desert Park Raceway – June 28

Jr 2/206: 1. Zachery Rivera, 2. Isaac Bourque, 3. Hayden McGraw

Jr. 1 Clone: 1. Aiden Hawkins, 2. Chase Dulude, 3. Chase McGraw, 4. Evan McGraw, 5.Brooks Anderline, 6. Wyatt Sander, 7. ASA Gourley, 8. Korey Sander, 9. Heavyn Hill

Sr. Clone: 1. Alec Beaudon, 2. Scott Andrews, 3. Brud Beaudon, 4. Kelly Chinander, 5. Nat Sombatsiri, 5. Zack Koch

Tag Masters: 1. Dean Andrews, 2. Dan Harris, 3. Randy Ryckebosch, 4. Mike McMullen*, 5. Jeff Solvason*

F-80: 1. Dan Harris, 2. Turbo Sombatsiri, 3. Jeff Wamre, 4. Steve Dow*

Stock Moto 125: 1. Matt Koerner, 2. Steve Ryckebosch, 3. Alex Gray, 4. Mike Ryckebosch, 5. Mike Faker, 6. Steve Dow, 7. Tyler Wamre, 8. Jeff Wamre*, 9. Dennis Hill*

* – Did Not Finish