FALLON, NV (Nov. 9) – Rattlesnake Raceway held its annual awards banquet at the Churchill County Fairgrounds this year. It was a time to reflect on the past season and look ahead to the New Year and racing to come.
As usual there was a table full of trophies plus some special awards for people that have contributed to the success of this past year. And the class champions would also receive a special jacket to wear.
First however there was the potluck buffet everyone looks forward to. Once again it was a great spread and wonderful dinner thanks to the crew running the kitchen.
Finally it was time and LARA President Chris Lumsden got up and started handing out awards. The first group were the Rattlesnake Outlaw Karts where youngsters are busy earning their racing spurs.
Rory Petersen, following in his father’s tire tracks, is this year’s Beginner champion and looked pretty pleased to receive his jacket.
Next came the Box Stock champion, who is Kaden Detomasi. He gave special thanks to his sister Kirsten as she substituted for him earlier in the season when he was playing sports.
Next up were the special awards for those involved with the karts.
Best Sportsmanship award went to a very surprised Roy Petersen, who then thanked the other parents helping with the karts.
Kirsten Detomasi got the Most Improved Driver award while Amanda Albury was named Most Appreciated Volunteer. There was also another special one, The Hard Luck Award that wend to Austin Enox.
After a short pause to draw winning raffle tickets Lumsden explained that each car class and special awards were named after someone that has helped the track over the years. Sadly many have passed but their contributions are still recognized.
First up were the David Banovich Mini Stocks, a beginning class at the track. This year’s champion was Fallon High School senior Joie Gibbons while Daniel Kleve was named the Rookie of the Year.
The Mark Lee Mod Minis, also known as SS4’s were next. For the third time their champion was Jesse James, who earned the title in the final race of the season.
Over the past years the biggest class has been the Jim Baglin Hobby Stocks. This year’s champion was Chris Christiano and he too had to race to almost the final points race to sew up the title.
The class is losing one driver as fourth place Crystal Kontny, on active duty with the Navy and is shipping out in April for her next duty station in Japan.
This year’s Sam Bradley IMCA Modified was Wade Lumsden.
Another award winner was Bob Cooney, who races with the Northern Nevada Winged Sprint Cars. Unfortunately he was not present to receive his award.
Then it was time for more special awards. The Cornu Family Most Improved Driver in Mini Stocks was the champion, Joie Gibbons.
Shane Cazel, Hobby Stock runner up, received the Dennis Kirn Best Sportsmanship award. This year’s Mark Lee Hard Luck Award went to Hobby Stock driver Tori Edgington.
Years ago anyone signing in at the pit entrance shack was greeted by young Stephanie Benham. Her smile was a constant but sadly she passed suddenly several years ago.
Keeping her memory alive is the Stephanie Benham Most Appreciated Volunteer award given this year to Jimmy McKinnon.
And finally Lumsden gave special thanks to Cody Robinson for his cooking abilities getting dinner ready.
Just before the meeting adjourned Lumsden announced there was going to be a change for the upcoming season. Seems he has some things to be taken care of so Randy Darsc will be the Competition Director while Lumsden remains as LARA President.
Asked about his new role and plans Darsc said, “We’re going to push forward, we’re going to stick to the rules, try to make the track the best we can and just go from there. Chris is a hard person to take over for, he’s been doing it for a lot of years so all I can do is hope I can fill his shoes as best as possible. And we’re going to go from there, we’re going to try and get the biggest car count we can, pay the drivers the best we can and have the nicest track we can.”
Now everyone gets a few months off before the first stirrings of spring then the sound of engines will fill the air once again. A sure sign the new season is about to start.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery at the end of this report.
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Our newest sponsor is a fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the IMCA Duel in the Desert was well as the Wild West Tour and IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Melissa not only has photos of the cars, and many times drivers, but she can produce hero cards and even a book of from your season.
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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.
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The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs.
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Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like-minded people.
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• RATTLESNAKE RACEWAY AWARDS:
+ Outlaw Karts:
– Beginners: 1st Rory Petersen, 2nd Aiden Albury, 3rd Austin Husley.
– Box Stock: 1st Kaden Detomasi, 2nd & 3rd* Kirsten Detomasi & Peyton Albury, 4th & 5th* Austin Enox & Angelina Petersen, 6th Kenzie Husley, 7th Logan Goffinet.
– Special Awards: Most Improved Driver- Kirsten Detomasi, Most Appreciated Volunteer – Amanda Albury, Best Sportsmanship – Roy Petersen, Hard Luck Award – Austin Enox.
+ Cars:
– David Banovich Mini Stocks: 1st Joie Gibbons, 2nd Daniel Kleve, 3rd Jorden Lumsden.
Rookie of the Year – Daniel Kleve.
– Mark Lee Mod Minis: 1st Jesse James, 2nd Kevin Reuter, 3rd. Stephen Crook, 4th Dennis Crook.
– Jim Baglin Hobby Stocks: 1st Chris Christiano, 2nd Shane Cazel, 3rd Roy Petersen, 4th Crystal Kontny, 5th Tori Edgington, 6th Robert Crane, 7th Ray Davis.
- Sam Bradley IMCA Modifieds: 1st Wade Lumsden.
– Sprint Cars – Bob Cooney.
+ Special Awards:
– The Cornu Family Most Improved Driver – Joie Gibbons.
– Stephanie Benham Most Appreciated Volunteer – Jimmy McKinnon.
– Dennis Kirn Best Sportsmanship – Shane Cazel.
– Mark Lee Hard Luck Award – Tori Edgington.
– Special thanks for help – Cody Robinson.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Kaden Detomasi is this year’s Box Stock champion. Following in his racing father’s tire tracks Rory Petersen is this year’s Beginner Outlaw Kart champion. Jesse James raced to his third Mod Mini title. Joie Gibbons is this year’s Mini Stock champion. 
Mini Stock Rookie of the Year, Daniel Kleve. 
Mini Stock Most Improved Driver – Joie Gibbons. IMCA champion Wade Lumsden. This year’s Hobby Stock champion is Chris Christiano. 
Hard Luck Award to Hobby Stock driver Tori Edgington. One thing all the class champions look forward to is the special jacket they all receive. 
Eennis Kirn Best Sportsmanship award went to Shane Cazel. 
Stephanie Benham Most Appreciated Volunteer – Jimmy McKinnon. There were many trophies to be handed out during the evening.
