RENO, NV (Jan 2) — The High Desert Hustle 2025 visited the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events center this week. They ended 2024 and started 2025 with a bang, a road and some action packed short track racing. After the first day the other three were full of racing as the event headed toward the last day when the big payouts happened. For one young racer it would a banner week. Topping Thursday’s racing card was the 500 Open Class. Prior to their feature the field lined up on the front straight for driver introductions. Then before the 40-lap main began the

STEAD, NV (Sept. 22) — The Northern Nevada Kart Club ended its 2024 season at Desert Park Raceway. A full day of racing was highlighted by good weather. As usual most of the day was taken up by practice, qualifying and two heat races. After that it’s time for the main events. First up is the Kid Kart Class, which has the youngest racers earning their racing spurs. They have low power karts and use a standing start. On the green Ryan Knight led the charge into Turn 1 then left everyone in his wake. He would reach the checkered

STEAD, NV (July 28) — Unlike last time dry weather welcomed the Northern Nevada Kart Club when they raced today. It was a day with several close finishes and a show of some great racing. The Kid Kart class has the youngest drivers that are earning their racing spurs. Low power karts are used and they have a standing start. At the start Ryan Knight was on point with Braxton Shiflet and Presley Prater giving chase. Eventually Shiflet was able to take the lead while Knight slipped back to third. A the finish it was Shiflet, Prater, Knight followed by

STEAD, NV (July 14) — What looked like a great day for racing Sunday was cut short by Mother Nature. Only one main was able to get going and that had to be shortened. As is usual the Kid Kart class was the first to run their main event. There are the youngest drivers and this class starts them on earning their racing spurs. After going around the track they lined up for a standing start. One the green was on off they went with Franco Morales leading Josus Calvo and Baxton. This turned into a three-way duel for the

STEAD, NV (May 19) — Several weeks ago the Northern Nevada Kart Club had to postpone the second event in its 2024 season. That event was made up today when the weather cooperated. Things did get started a bit late but soon the program was rolling. After the second heat race it was time for the main events. First up were the Kid’s Karts. The youngest drivers race these low power karts. On the green Maddi Towne was on point with Presley Prater right behind her. Eventually Prater made the winning pass and was on his way to reaching the

STEAD, NV (April 21) — With almost perfect weather the Northern Nevada Kart Club staged the first round of its 2024 season. Racing with a new compound tires offered a challenge but the drivers seemed pleased with them.. After two sets of heat races and an intermission it was time for the main events. Since the shortest course was used there were more laps for the heats and mains. Leading off was the Kid Kart class and their main was 10-laps long. These are the next generation of racers driving low power karts and they use a standing start. When

RENO, NV (Feb. 3) — The first High Desert Hustle was in Reno this week. Outlaw Kart racers converged on the Reno Livestock Events Center for three days of qualifying, heat races and the money races on Saturday. There were some races on Thursday but Friday was the day for heats. With 300 entries those sorted everyone into the various mains they were going to compete in. The biggest class was the 500 Open and Saturday began with their “J” main and worked its way down through the B main. After all the classes had run their B mains, and

STEAD, NV (Aug. 19) — The annual night race for the Northern Nevada Kart Club honors one of its founders, Rick Jerome. It’s a fun event where drivers add lights to their karts. Unfortunately this year’s event was run under the threat of weather. Both sets of heats were run with the second at night. Racing started with the Kid Kart main. At first Presley Parter was close behind leader Cole Harris. Soon Harris just left everyone in his wake and he reached the checkered flag first. Next came Presley Prater followed by Noah Beauregard. Next up were the Shifter

STEAD, NV (Aug. 6) — The first race of this season had to be canceled due to weather. So this Sunday the Northern Nevada Kart Club made up that event and over 70 drivers showed up. They also used Track #2, which is configured to what Desert Park Raceway looked like when it was built. This shorter course ended up giving drivers more laps. First up is the Kid Kart Class. These youngest racers are all earning their spurs before moving up to the next class. When the green lights went on, and they use a standing start, Axel Tibbs

STEAD, NV (JULY 9) — A warm summer weekend greeted the Northern Nevada Kart Club. It was time for round 4 of the season at Desert Park Raceway. Since the hill wasn’t used, and it was a short course so there were more laps in the heats and main. There were 90 registered drivers racing this day. First go was the Kid Kart Class. These are the youngest racers and their main was only 10 laps. It seemed to be a runaway for Paisley Purdy. However behind him Presley Prater had been closing the gap. They were very close and

STEAD, NV (June 11) — Although Desert Park Raceway was hit by a pretty good storm Saturday afternoon, Sunday was very different. A pretty good attendance as there were 91 racers despite the threat of weather. Due to the weather the usual schedule was altered. After practice there was one longer than usual heat race then the mains were reduced to 14 laps. The Kid Kart Class for the youngest racers gets the mains. On the green Presley Prater led with Pailsey Purdy close behind. While passing a slower kart Prater got the best and by that driver quickly. Unfortunately

STEAD, NV (May 7, 2023) — After the first race was canceled due to weather, the Northern Nevada Kart Club finally started its season. Cool weather greeted the racers for a full day of racing. As usual the Kid Kart Class had the honor of opening the season. On the green Presley Prater was on point.  Soon he was replaced by by Cole Harris, who won the feature. Prater was second while Enzo Mendoza finished third. Ending up 6th was 5-year-old MacKenzie Kephart, who was driving in her first race. She did manage to stay on the track and finished

RENO, NV (Nov. 19) — Saturday was a gala evening for those that compete with the Northern Nevada Kart Club. The location was at the National Auto Museum and after a buffet dinner it was time to hand out the hardware. Once the dinner was over MC Kelsey Nelson started the ceremony. In order to receive a trophy a driver has to have competed in five of the NNKC events during the season. First up was the Kid Kart Class. These young racers are from 5 to 8-year-old. They don’t race for points but are rewarded for being out on

STEAD, NV (Oct. 9) — For three days this weekend the Northern Nevada Kart Club hosted the International Karting Federation Grand Nationals. This event last visited Desert Park Raceway in 2009.  Racers were competing for two desired trophies. The first is a “Duffy” the class winners earn while the next was for the driver turning in the fastest lap; the “Screaming Eagle.”  After Sunday morning’s practice and the third set of heat races everyone was ready for the 20-lap main events.  Up first were the young racers in the Junior 1 Class. First on point was Cason Hodge while Jaxon

STEAD, NV (Sept. 25.) — Sunday marked the end of the point’s season for the Northern Nevada Kart Club. So for them it was championship day and in Reno, the Dolan Toyota Dealership was the site of the largest Cars and Coffee gathering of the year. Perfect racing weather greeted members and visitors at Desert Park Raceway. Several drivers clinched titles while others are waiting to see how the points fall out. Unfortunately this reporter wasn’t able to get Desert Park Raceway in time to see the Kid Kart Main, which was six laps. In the results they are not