Twas the week before Christmas and all thru the track not a kart was stirring not even in the back. The karts were set up and prepped with meticulous care by Pat and Josh and Matt who always make it fair. With sugar plums dancing in his head, Race Director John had need not dread. For 15 racers had signed up prior and with more on the way he knew he would be ready. Twenty three racers joined the fun and now they all are waiting for the starting gun. Names are called, karts were given, now it's time to see them driven. With the GP track all a twitter it was time to see who would take home the glitter. Is that Santa in the red racing suit or Lattanzi doing his best imitation of the fat man with the white beard? He does give out candy!
With two warm up laps and a 5 lap Qualifier complete we see Austin Kipp starting from pole, with Eric Dickinson,Chaz Baca Jr, Tony Rolfson,and Steve Lattanzi rounding out the top 5.
Keep in mind Baca (221) and Rolfson (218) are 3 points apart going into the final Heat race worth 30 points to win and the Main worth 30 points to win. With 1 point increments down thru the field. Rolling start see's twenty three kart racers take the green flag and Kipp takes off like a rabbit being chased by a pack of hungry wolves. Rolfson gets by Dickinson. Within 5 laps Baca makes a risky move on Dickinson and Baca gets by so now Baca & Rolfson are once again nose to tail with Rolfson in front. Baca dives in on Rolfson 3 laps later and Lattanzi stays on Baca's tail to go along for the ride. Some contact was had during that pass but track officials declare it was within reason. Dickinson also gets by Rolfson before the end of the 10 lap Heat.
Finish Order Heat: Austin Kipp...Chaz Baca Jr (250)...Steve Lattanzi...Eric Dickinson...Tony Rolfson (244)...Jason Burstein...Josh Lambeth...Charles Crowe...Bobby Neumann...Keith Sears...Josh Walker...Mike McClaran...Rees Candee...Scott Lodding...Robert Ruiz...Ricky Lopez...Cody Gutierrez...John Eccles...John Pappagallo...Julia Castro...Kyle Tatman...John Gilles...Chris Wynne.
Like the Federal deficit the points battle between Chaz Baca Jr & Tony Rolfson grows larger. Doubles from 3 to 6. The starting order for the Main is set by the finish order of the Heat. Austin Kipp when he does make it to any of the organized races at F1Race Factory seems to think that pole position is his and if not on pole finds himself at the front of the field more often than not. That and he is usually over the equalized target weight of 200# which he seems to have worked around with great success. His protoge' and girlfriend Julia Castro is making her way thru the list of newcomers to competitive karting and gets faster each and every time out. We will soon see her name listed in the top 10 more often.
The heat is on and Tony Rolfson is visibly upset with his finish as he knows Chaz Baca Jr is one tough competitor and is hungry for the overall win. Rolfson is coming off a successful run for the title of "Champion of the F1 Race Factory 2010 AZIKC" which ended Dec.4th. Ten race, one hour endurance series held monthly during 2010 and is now being considered for the upcoming 2011 race schedule. Twenty eight new Sodi karts due to arrive any week now.
The Fall league Main is now up and the lucky twenty three racers know it's the last hurrah in this race series for 2010. All want their experience and finish to be a memorable one and for some of us it was one we will never forget. Steve Lattanzi had a race he will never forget. Starting in third and with his confidence level at an all time high he just needed to finish this race clean & sober to prove that his previous wins were not a fluke and he has acquired some karting skills along the way. Today was not to be that day. A bit of a struggle with one of his favorite karts put him squarely in harms way trying desperately to hold onto a top 3 podium finish. The first hit happened exiting a corner and saw 3rd place vaporize like a piece of rice paper lit with a match. Shaking it off and putting pedal to the metal he found an open area to settle in and try to make up some lost ground. Didn't last long as a second wave of hot shoes came barreling thru and the second hit not only cost him more positions but also set him up for a 3rd hit that has roots in the meat industry. "T"-Boned is what it's called and right there and then he should have called it a day and ordered steak fries and A-1 to go with the "T" Bone but again managed to get refocused and go the distance no matter where he ended up. Coincidentally the two "hit" men collided with each other laps later and a fist pump was displayed by Lattanzi as he went sizzling by. Sadly one of them was able to regroup in time and get by again this time hitless before the race ended.
Meanwhile at the front Tony Rolfson, remember him?, needing as many points as possible, went to the front from his 5th starting position and didn't look back until Austin Kipp tried to stick his nose where it didn't belong and Kipp got another pole position but not of the good kind. Eric Dickinson and Keith Sears had moved up and were now running 2nd/3rd with Baca holding onto 4th. Jason Burstein sits in 6th with Kipp falling in between him and Baca for 5th. That's the way the race for the Fall Championship would end and as long as Baca weighed out at 198# or more he will have won the 2010 F1 Race Factory Fall League Series Championship over Rolfson. He does and he is declared the winner overall. Rolfson is declared the winner of the last race and ended up only 3 points from a tie for first. Eric Dickinson had 3rd place sewn up over Sears (204) & Lattanzi (204) who tied for 4th place overall. All in all a great Fall league that saw 46 different names hit the sign up sheets over the course of the 6 race series.
Main Race Results: Tony Rolfson...Eric Dickinson...Keith Sears...Chaz Baca Jr...Austin Kipp...Jason Burstein...Josh Walker...Mike McClaran...Charles Crowe...Bobby Neumann...Josh Lambeth...Steve Lattanzi...Ricky Lopez...Scott Lodding...John Gilles...Robert Ruiz...Rees Candee...John Eccles...Julia Castro...Cody Gutierrez...Chris Wynne...Kyle Tatman...John Pappagallo
We had many new faces and one of them there every week, every race was NASA-AZ driver Chris Wynne who received this 6 race entry as a birthday gift. He walked away with the ever popular and very prestigious, "Kandyman Award". It's an award that recognizes the racer that races the most races and scores the least amount of points. It could also be called the never give up award but what's the fun in that. Trophy is fashioned from a bent or damaged front kart rim, bolted to a beautiful wooden base with a plaque that says, Most Races-Least Points! and filled with chocolate candy. Congratulations Chris and we will see you next league which should start sometime mid Feb. 2011.
Congratulations to all the weekly podium finishers and to Chaz Baca Jr (277) for being a consistent winner and the 2010 Fall League Series Champion. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer young man and family out there. Congratulations Tony Rolfson (274) and Eric Dickinson (250) for taking 2nd & 3rd place overall.
This wraps up another F1 Race Factory League and with the ongoing success of the leagues shall continue starting sometime mid Feb. 2011. Monthly AZIKC & more should also be part of the racing schedule at the Best Indoor Kart & Entertainment Venue in the Country, F1 Race Factory. 7 Years open and counting.
Keep the Rubberside Down! Thank You all for taking the time and resources to do this. Steve "Kandyman"
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
AZIKC Final Wrap Up Report
After going wheel to wheel for the better part of 2010, the monthly AZIKC Series at F1 Race Factory has come to a close and a worthy “Champion” has been crowned. Tony “TheTiger” Rolfson is now and will forever be known as the 2010 AZIKC Champion. Tony rose from the ashes of potential disaster by making a kart change prior to the close of the qualifying run and it turned out to be the right call. His qualifying run had him starting 11th and with Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe) going into the final race first in points with no race drop and starting the race from the second position they would be in the prime time spot to take the AZIKC Championship and all the riches that come with winning it such as the 10’ solid gold trophy, thousands of dollars in cash and a “Winners” parade in their honor.
It was not to be for Team Titanium who ended up finishing a strong 2nd in the race and 2nd overall for the series. Rolfson came from the back of the field to finish 3rd in the race and score enough points after the race drop to take the Championship. Congratulations to Tony Rolfson and his coach and sideline strategist Paul Williams. Paul calls the shots from the sidelines and does a great job feeding Tony info that advances him thru the field with timely pit stop strategy and other valuable info. That’s what teamwork is all about. Next series we hope they change spots. Paul to drive the kart and Tony calls the shots! Team Titanium tried that, but since our communication device included two cans and a waxed string between the cans that kept getting tangled up in the wheels we gave up and use the yellow/blue foam bear claw to indicate our pit stop. Works like a charm and no innocent bystanders are hurt by the “claw”.
F1 Race Factory's own John Ahrens captured the 3rd place overall and was clearly frustrated by a kart not performing as strong as his karting skills. A late pass by one of the indoor karting newcomers had John’s neck snapping back with a solid hit before the pass. That and his 9th place finish in the race had him pacing after the race like a tiger in a cage at the zoo. Now, where is that raw meat when you need it?
This report tends to focus on the racers at the top of the charts but without all the racers at every skill level racing together this would turn out to be a pretty boring event week to week or month to month. A “Special” award was handed out today and even though the award title of “The Kandyman Award” which is given to the racer that runs the most races but scores the least points; it is given out filled with candy and meant as a huge thank you to the recipient as a way to say Thank You for showing up for every race and never giving up. It’s a nice trophy with a faux wooden base with a polished front wheel hub on top filled with candy and a plaque.
The recipient for the 10 race AZIKC series was non other than Bill Hunter. A true gentlemen racer and with neck brace firmly in place he never misses a race even with his heavy travel schedule. Thank You Bill and we will be looking forward to competing with you again once the 2011 AZIKC is put on the schedule. He still finished a very respectable top 10 overall.
Now for some of Saturdays AZIKC action: Taking the pole position was a F1 Race Factory track official by the name of Ron Phillips who comes with his entourage of baby strollers and assorted family members pushing the strollers and riding in them. Racing with Ron is always a clean affair and his progress behind the wheel is nothing short of impressive which was backed up today in the qualifier and the 72 lap race on the ½ mile GP track layout.
Team Titanium with Charles Crowe taking the honors and the first half of the race laid down a good enough time to roll from the second starting position on the grid. The Dynamic Duo Team of Julia Castro/Austin Kipp with replacement driver Chaz Baca Jr driving for Austin Kipp, who feels that being late is standard operating procedure, lined up from the 3rd starting spot. Logan Swane & Matthew Lamanilao rounded out the top five starting spots.
The start of the race saw Baca Jr leap frog Crowe to take second place away and Phillips and Baca raced off together as if off on a date. Crowe & Swane had their own two way race going as did Rolfson and Ahrens. This seemed to be a two by two race throughout the field of racers that numbered 14. After the first five or so laps it seemed like Baca Jr ran out of NOS or Crowe just turned up the wick and came right up on his back bumper. A, let him pass, order was given to Baca Jr by, Chaz Baca Sr and Crowe set off to chase down the runaway Phillips. Team Titanium was on a mission and wasn’t about to take this championship title lying down. One by one pit stops started happening and the mandatory pit stop is only 20 seconds long but seems like an eternity when you are pumped up on the adrenaline from all the racing you are in the middle of. Unless of course you are one of the two teams that do a driver switch. A different kind of anxiety happens at that time. Will we get this right with the time allotted and will the devil seatbelt system ruin our game plan? With the use of a seatbelt clip all was good and went as smooth as expected. Driver change at lap 36 went without a hitch for Team Titanium and now with Steve Lattanzi fresh as a daisy and raring to go, he starts picking off slower karts not knowing who has pitted and who has not. Just knows that passing anyone will be a good thing. By the end of his 36 lap stint he found Rolfson parked right behind him for the mandatory top five weigh out and knew that unless Rolfson weighs out under the 198# wiggle weight he will be declared the winner. Watching the scale bounce between 201 and 199 Team Titanium cried “Uncle” and resigned to the fact that they had second place wrapped up like an early Chrismas present. A great end to a long and exciting 2010 AZIKC series.
The Finish Order of Race # 10: Ron Phillips…Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)… Tony Rolfson…Logan Swane…Matthew Lamanilao…Keith Sears…Pete Linawag…John Pappagallo…John Ahrens…Dynamic Duo (Chaz Baca Jr/Julia Castro)…Bobby Neumann…Bill Hunter…Josh Walker…John Gilles
AZIKC Top Three Overall: Tony Rolfson (258 points)…Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe) (246 points)…John Ahrens (227 points)
The 2011 Racing Schedule is under construction.
Meanwhile the place to be is F1 Race Factory for Fall League Racing. Tues… Dec. 7…Dec. 14... 6/6:30 check in…Racing by 7pm
Final to be on Sat. Dec. 18th…9/9:30am check in…Racing by 10am on the ½ mile GP track
$35.00 + tax. Weight equalized to 200#.
Don’t be Late or You get to Spectate!
Keep the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
F1 Race Factory - Your Phoenix Destination For Adrenaline-Packed Outings
Arizona's Premier Indoor Karting & Entertainment Venue
Seasonal Leagues, High Level Competition Events, Public Racing 363 Days A Year
Two Indoor Tracks, 45+MPH Karts, Billiards, Trackside Bar & Grill.
It was not to be for Team Titanium who ended up finishing a strong 2nd in the race and 2nd overall for the series. Rolfson came from the back of the field to finish 3rd in the race and score enough points after the race drop to take the Championship. Congratulations to Tony Rolfson and his coach and sideline strategist Paul Williams. Paul calls the shots from the sidelines and does a great job feeding Tony info that advances him thru the field with timely pit stop strategy and other valuable info. That’s what teamwork is all about. Next series we hope they change spots. Paul to drive the kart and Tony calls the shots! Team Titanium tried that, but since our communication device included two cans and a waxed string between the cans that kept getting tangled up in the wheels we gave up and use the yellow/blue foam bear claw to indicate our pit stop. Works like a charm and no innocent bystanders are hurt by the “claw”.
F1 Race Factory's own John Ahrens captured the 3rd place overall and was clearly frustrated by a kart not performing as strong as his karting skills. A late pass by one of the indoor karting newcomers had John’s neck snapping back with a solid hit before the pass. That and his 9th place finish in the race had him pacing after the race like a tiger in a cage at the zoo. Now, where is that raw meat when you need it?
This report tends to focus on the racers at the top of the charts but without all the racers at every skill level racing together this would turn out to be a pretty boring event week to week or month to month. A “Special” award was handed out today and even though the award title of “The Kandyman Award” which is given to the racer that runs the most races but scores the least points; it is given out filled with candy and meant as a huge thank you to the recipient as a way to say Thank You for showing up for every race and never giving up. It’s a nice trophy with a faux wooden base with a polished front wheel hub on top filled with candy and a plaque.
The recipient for the 10 race AZIKC series was non other than Bill Hunter. A true gentlemen racer and with neck brace firmly in place he never misses a race even with his heavy travel schedule. Thank You Bill and we will be looking forward to competing with you again once the 2011 AZIKC is put on the schedule. He still finished a very respectable top 10 overall.
Now for some of Saturdays AZIKC action: Taking the pole position was a F1 Race Factory track official by the name of Ron Phillips who comes with his entourage of baby strollers and assorted family members pushing the strollers and riding in them. Racing with Ron is always a clean affair and his progress behind the wheel is nothing short of impressive which was backed up today in the qualifier and the 72 lap race on the ½ mile GP track layout.
Team Titanium with Charles Crowe taking the honors and the first half of the race laid down a good enough time to roll from the second starting position on the grid. The Dynamic Duo Team of Julia Castro/Austin Kipp with replacement driver Chaz Baca Jr driving for Austin Kipp, who feels that being late is standard operating procedure, lined up from the 3rd starting spot. Logan Swane & Matthew Lamanilao rounded out the top five starting spots.
The start of the race saw Baca Jr leap frog Crowe to take second place away and Phillips and Baca raced off together as if off on a date. Crowe & Swane had their own two way race going as did Rolfson and Ahrens. This seemed to be a two by two race throughout the field of racers that numbered 14. After the first five or so laps it seemed like Baca Jr ran out of NOS or Crowe just turned up the wick and came right up on his back bumper. A, let him pass, order was given to Baca Jr by, Chaz Baca Sr and Crowe set off to chase down the runaway Phillips. Team Titanium was on a mission and wasn’t about to take this championship title lying down. One by one pit stops started happening and the mandatory pit stop is only 20 seconds long but seems like an eternity when you are pumped up on the adrenaline from all the racing you are in the middle of. Unless of course you are one of the two teams that do a driver switch. A different kind of anxiety happens at that time. Will we get this right with the time allotted and will the devil seatbelt system ruin our game plan? With the use of a seatbelt clip all was good and went as smooth as expected. Driver change at lap 36 went without a hitch for Team Titanium and now with Steve Lattanzi fresh as a daisy and raring to go, he starts picking off slower karts not knowing who has pitted and who has not. Just knows that passing anyone will be a good thing. By the end of his 36 lap stint he found Rolfson parked right behind him for the mandatory top five weigh out and knew that unless Rolfson weighs out under the 198# wiggle weight he will be declared the winner. Watching the scale bounce between 201 and 199 Team Titanium cried “Uncle” and resigned to the fact that they had second place wrapped up like an early Chrismas present. A great end to a long and exciting 2010 AZIKC series.
The Finish Order of Race # 10: Ron Phillips…Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)… Tony Rolfson…Logan Swane…Matthew Lamanilao…Keith Sears…Pete Linawag…John Pappagallo…John Ahrens…Dynamic Duo (Chaz Baca Jr/Julia Castro)…Bobby Neumann…Bill Hunter…Josh Walker…John Gilles
AZIKC Top Three Overall: Tony Rolfson (258 points)…Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe) (246 points)…John Ahrens (227 points)
The 2011 Racing Schedule is under construction.
Meanwhile the place to be is F1 Race Factory for Fall League Racing. Tues… Dec. 7…Dec. 14... 6/6:30 check in…Racing by 7pm
Final to be on Sat. Dec. 18th…9/9:30am check in…Racing by 10am on the ½ mile GP track
$35.00 + tax. Weight equalized to 200#.
Don’t be Late or You get to Spectate!
Keep the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
F1 Race Factory - Your Phoenix Destination For Adrenaline-Packed Outings
Arizona's Premier Indoor Karting & Entertainment Venue
Seasonal Leagues, High Level Competition Events, Public Racing 363 Days A Year
Two Indoor Tracks, 45+MPH Karts, Billiards, Trackside Bar & Grill.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Fall League Session #3 Wrapup
Headlines after last nites Fall League Race at F1 Race Factory should read,” Chaz Baca Jr Ramps Up and Takes No Prisoners” on his way to a dominating win in both the group 2 Heat and “A” Main race. Steve”Kandyman” Lattanzi, in the way five laps from the end of the heat of his first place run, no problem, BOOM!!!, problem solved and Logan Swane played follow the new leader which was very, very smart. Lattanzi is thinking of filing an age discrimination suit as he thinks it had something to do with age and his Geritol Energy Drink sponsor is considering dropping him for these young guns. Baca Jr also takes over the points lead from Tony Rolfson with 133 to Tony’s 131. A tie for third place in points (115) Eric Dickinson & newcomer Logan Swane both need a win in the second half of the series to catch Baca Jr or Rolfson. With 45 points available every week to the winner of both the Heat & the Main and no race drops, any misstep will be costly as former winners and top runners, Mike Davila, Steve Lattanzi ,Austin Kipp, John Gilles, Troy Salisberry , Ian Pierce, Keith Sears and Charles Crowe have learned by missing a race or by missing the entry cut off into the “A” Main with an off performance in the Qualifier/Heat race.
Last nites action saw “The Dreaded Black Flag” make an appearance for contact between Josh Sarchet and Kyle Tatman with Tatman getting to meet the barrier system up close and personal. His forward progress was cut short and you could feel the disappointment from 50 yards away. He’ll be back and has vowed to make himself smaller at times like this.
Something about having some magic invisible spray. Another thing that caught everybody off guard was a long time regular driver, that shall remain anonymous, came into the pits after passing the white flag & before the checkered flag waved, which ended up costing him 3 spots and 3 points to put him in a tie for 3rd overall. The clue to this racer will be found among the position finish part of the report. The entire field looked left as they passed him by sitting in the pit with a helmet color we all know and some fear. I bet new eyeglasses have been ordered this morning. It has been recommended that this racer sit thru the training video again. Maybe as a group we could sit thru it together. I’ll hand out the notepads and there will be a quiz at the end.
We had one new racer join us this week and from the look on his face when all said and done is he will be back for some fast and competitive action next week. Welcome John Eccles. Over the course of this Fall league we’ve had no less than 21 new racers step into the fray even if it was just for one race. We had a total racer count of 25 in last nites competition. That number allowed us to run two groups and start to finish time ran 2 hours on the button.F1 Race Factory is making every effort to pick the karts equal to each other by eliminating karts too fast or off the pace. The close racing action and laps times back this process up. The back of the house VIP’s aka the mechanics make this all possible by working hard to assure that the karts are in the best possible condition and running order and we could not do any of this without their expertise and commitment to providing the best the karts have to offer. Thank You, Pat, Josh and Matt. None of this happens without you.
Let’s get to the meat & potatoes
Top 5 Qualifiers Group 1: Mike Davila…Tony Rolfson…Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Ronald Jones.
Top 5 Finish Order Heat Group 1: Mike Davila…Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Tony Rolfson…Sergio Serrano.
Top 5 Qualifiers Group 2: Steve Lattanzi…Josh Lambeth…Logan Swane…Chaz Baca Jr…Austin Kipp
Top 5 Finish Order Heat Group 2: Chaz Baca Jr…Logan Swane…Steve Lattanzi…Josh Lambeth…Austin Kipp
The “B” Main heads out onto the track for their race of the nite with Bobby Neumann on pole and Julia Castro with Rees Candee providing the heat from second and third starting spots. Neumann builds up a head of steam and pulls away to let Castro and Candee battle it out for second place. By lap 25 Rees has taken over second from Castro and never looks back. Now it’s Josh Walkers turn to give Castro some grief and within a few laps does just so by getting by and with a wave is able to keep her at bay for the rest of the race. Further back in the field we see Charles Crowe go from a sixth starting place to fourth within three turns but since his lucky number is the number six he decides to go back to that spot by race end. He must be saving all his fast times for the upcoming AZIKC final on Sat Dec 4th. where he is one half of the currently in 1st place team of Team Titanium. Good strategy Charles. Some great racing was to be found throughout the “B” Main and is always fun to watch. Also gives the “A” Main racers a chance to see the kart they will pilot in their Main race perform.
Finish Order “B” Main: Bobby Neumann…Rees Candee…Josh Walker…Julia Castro…Scott Lodding…Charles Crowe…Cody Gutierrez…Chris Wynne…John Eccles…Josh Sarchet…Kyle Tatman…Edwin Akpaita
The “A” Main see’s it’s fair share of action at the start with Steve Lattanzi & Eric Dickinson nose to tail for the first 10 laps of the 48 lap main. Lap after lap Dickinson see’s imaginary openings to attempt a clean pass but once Lattanzi started to focus on what was ahead instead of what was behind him he slowly put some distance between himself and Dickinson. Now Dickinson and Austin Kipp got to battle for sixth and seventh place with Kipp taking the spot toward the end of the race. Meanwhile at the front, a four pack of fast indoor kart pilots lit their afterburners and fell into a rhythm that nobody without NOS was going to catch. I guess the payment sent to the backmarkers didn’t hit their bank accounts in time to slow the leader down and Chaz Baca Jr went on to win the “A” Main in picture perfect style. Congratulations Chaz and we mean that from the bottom of our empty gas tanks. Somebody check his fuel to see that he’s not sneaking aviation fuel in there. The battle between Rolfson & L.Swane was a real nail biter. Tony gets the spot.
Finish Order “A” Main: Chaz Baca Jr…Mike Davila…Tony Rolfson…Logan Swane…Steve Lattanzi…Austin Kipp…Josh Lambeth…Sergio Serrano…Keith Sears…Early Pit Stop Expert Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Mike McClaran…Ronald Jones.
Thank You all for taking the time and resources to do this. Next Fall League Race is Tuesday Dec. 7th. Check in between 6/6:30. Racing starts at 7pm.
Keep the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
F1 Race Factory - Your Phoenix Destination For Adrenaline-Packed Outings
Arizona's Premier Indoor Karting & Entertainment Venue
Seasonal Leagues, High Level Competition Events, Public Racing 363 Days A Year
Two Indoor Tracks, 45+MPH Karts, Billiards, Trackside Bar & Grill.
Last nites action saw “The Dreaded Black Flag” make an appearance for contact between Josh Sarchet and Kyle Tatman with Tatman getting to meet the barrier system up close and personal. His forward progress was cut short and you could feel the disappointment from 50 yards away. He’ll be back and has vowed to make himself smaller at times like this.
Something about having some magic invisible spray. Another thing that caught everybody off guard was a long time regular driver, that shall remain anonymous, came into the pits after passing the white flag & before the checkered flag waved, which ended up costing him 3 spots and 3 points to put him in a tie for 3rd overall. The clue to this racer will be found among the position finish part of the report. The entire field looked left as they passed him by sitting in the pit with a helmet color we all know and some fear. I bet new eyeglasses have been ordered this morning. It has been recommended that this racer sit thru the training video again. Maybe as a group we could sit thru it together. I’ll hand out the notepads and there will be a quiz at the end.
We had one new racer join us this week and from the look on his face when all said and done is he will be back for some fast and competitive action next week. Welcome John Eccles. Over the course of this Fall league we’ve had no less than 21 new racers step into the fray even if it was just for one race. We had a total racer count of 25 in last nites competition. That number allowed us to run two groups and start to finish time ran 2 hours on the button.F1 Race Factory is making every effort to pick the karts equal to each other by eliminating karts too fast or off the pace. The close racing action and laps times back this process up. The back of the house VIP’s aka the mechanics make this all possible by working hard to assure that the karts are in the best possible condition and running order and we could not do any of this without their expertise and commitment to providing the best the karts have to offer. Thank You, Pat, Josh and Matt. None of this happens without you.
Let’s get to the meat & potatoes
Top 5 Qualifiers Group 1: Mike Davila…Tony Rolfson…Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Ronald Jones.
Top 5 Finish Order Heat Group 1: Mike Davila…Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Tony Rolfson…Sergio Serrano.
Top 5 Qualifiers Group 2: Steve Lattanzi…Josh Lambeth…Logan Swane…Chaz Baca Jr…Austin Kipp
Top 5 Finish Order Heat Group 2: Chaz Baca Jr…Logan Swane…Steve Lattanzi…Josh Lambeth…Austin Kipp
The “B” Main heads out onto the track for their race of the nite with Bobby Neumann on pole and Julia Castro with Rees Candee providing the heat from second and third starting spots. Neumann builds up a head of steam and pulls away to let Castro and Candee battle it out for second place. By lap 25 Rees has taken over second from Castro and never looks back. Now it’s Josh Walkers turn to give Castro some grief and within a few laps does just so by getting by and with a wave is able to keep her at bay for the rest of the race. Further back in the field we see Charles Crowe go from a sixth starting place to fourth within three turns but since his lucky number is the number six he decides to go back to that spot by race end. He must be saving all his fast times for the upcoming AZIKC final on Sat Dec 4th. where he is one half of the currently in 1st place team of Team Titanium. Good strategy Charles. Some great racing was to be found throughout the “B” Main and is always fun to watch. Also gives the “A” Main racers a chance to see the kart they will pilot in their Main race perform.
Finish Order “B” Main: Bobby Neumann…Rees Candee…Josh Walker…Julia Castro…Scott Lodding…Charles Crowe…Cody Gutierrez…Chris Wynne…John Eccles…Josh Sarchet…Kyle Tatman…Edwin Akpaita
The “A” Main see’s it’s fair share of action at the start with Steve Lattanzi & Eric Dickinson nose to tail for the first 10 laps of the 48 lap main. Lap after lap Dickinson see’s imaginary openings to attempt a clean pass but once Lattanzi started to focus on what was ahead instead of what was behind him he slowly put some distance between himself and Dickinson. Now Dickinson and Austin Kipp got to battle for sixth and seventh place with Kipp taking the spot toward the end of the race. Meanwhile at the front, a four pack of fast indoor kart pilots lit their afterburners and fell into a rhythm that nobody without NOS was going to catch. I guess the payment sent to the backmarkers didn’t hit their bank accounts in time to slow the leader down and Chaz Baca Jr went on to win the “A” Main in picture perfect style. Congratulations Chaz and we mean that from the bottom of our empty gas tanks. Somebody check his fuel to see that he’s not sneaking aviation fuel in there. The battle between Rolfson & L.Swane was a real nail biter. Tony gets the spot.
Finish Order “A” Main: Chaz Baca Jr…Mike Davila…Tony Rolfson…Logan Swane…Steve Lattanzi…Austin Kipp…Josh Lambeth…Sergio Serrano…Keith Sears…Early Pit Stop Expert Eric Dickinson…John Gilles…Mike McClaran…Ronald Jones.
Thank You all for taking the time and resources to do this. Next Fall League Race is Tuesday Dec. 7th. Check in between 6/6:30. Racing starts at 7pm.
Keep the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Fall League Session #2 Wrapup
With the six race F1 Race Factory Fall League series under way and the second week competing on Tuesday Nov. 23rd we have some dramatic changes in the overall standings due to some of the top racers in past leagues not finding the time to compete in this no race drop series. Miss a race and kiss your championship hopes good bye. The notables are Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi, 2010 F1 Race Factory Winter League Series Champ and now Specialty Events employee at F1 Race Factory, who moved out of the competition the first week because it was a sell out plus 5 waiting in the wings, Mike Davila, who at his age should be in a rocking chair, on the porch, yelling at the neighbor kids to get off his lawn, John Gilles who is probably out searching for the perfect comb or brush for his Harley Davidson wind blown look hair style, Ian Pierce, who with his bumble bee race suit and his toothpaste commercial pearly whites charming the spot away from you,and last but not least Austin Kipp Van Winkle who was working overtime on his beauty rest somewhere in Scottsdale. When he shows up for the next race he will probably look like a male model ripped from the pages of GQ, which should make his girlfriend and karting protege Julia Castro very, very happy! See Julia I told you there was a silver lining.
Although there were plenty of MIA's it's not to say the racers that do and did show up were anything but top notch.
Two weeks in the books and we have a TV show in the making and it will be called the Baca-Rolfson Show starring Chaz Baca Jr as the minor child of a world famous dirt car racer digging his way to the top and Tony Rolfson, pizza delivery guy by day and indoor kart racer by nite who is just trying to make a name for himself and hoping that the right people see him and advance his career by either ordering many pizza's or by coming to a race to see him win, which he does on a regular basis. After two weeks these two have been inches from each other from start to finish and providing some of the best indoor kart racing has to offer. One point seperates Baca/Rolfson and Rolfson is at the top but Baca is hungry for that 10' tall glass trophy and million dollar paycheck that comes with winning the 2010 F1 Race Factory Fall Leagues. That thud you just heard is owner Scott Sanders hitting the floor after learning of the prize package he never agreed to. Another round of smelling salts, put it on my tab.
Now for the good stuff.
Top 5 Qualifiers...Group 1...Chaz Baca Jr...Logan Swane...Eric Dickinson...Bobby Neumann...Keaton Swane
Top 5 Finish in Group 1 Heat...Chaz Baca Jr...Logan Swane...Eric Dickinson... Keaton Swane...Bobby Neumann
Top 5 Qualifiers...Group 2...Tony Rolfson...Ronald Jones...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding...Charles Crowe
Top 5 Finish in Group 2 Heat...Tony Rolfson...Josh Lambeth...Ronald Jones...Scott Lodding...Steve Lattanzi
The groups get reset for the "A" & "B" Mains and kart draw determines your trusty steed for the next 40 laps of competion.
The "B" Main see's F1 Race Factory regular Keith Sears in the mix and starting 3rd. Sergio Serrano starting from the pole position had his hands full with Edwin Akpaita,Peter Reinsche,Paul Miller also tucking in behind him at the start and all hungry for the "B" Main win. As the race proceeds we see Edwin fall thru the field and as he does that Josh Walker advances thru the field from 8th place to 3rd at the end of 40 laps. Sergio holds off the charge by Sears to take the "B" Main win and collects 16th place points for his efforts. This is a kid that walks to a bus stop takes the bus to the Lite Rail station then hops on the Lite Rail and then has to walk again to reach the F1 Race Factory building. I say give him the extra effort award to do this routine every Tuesday.
Finish Order "B" Main:...Sergio Serrano...Keith Sears...Joshua Walker...Cody Gutierrez...Peter Reinsche...Chris Wynne...Josh Sarchet...Edwin Akpaita...Ajitabh Choda...Julia Castro...Lamec Fletez...Paul Miller...Andy Warycka
The "A" Main has Tony Rolfson on pole with his nemisis Chaz Baca Jr breathing down his neck in second.
Rounding out the top 5 are Josh Lambeth, Logan Swane, Ronald Jones.
Track 1 c/c/w is one tricky track especially at the start and this start was no exception with a tight left hander that will only allow two abreast before all heck breaks loose and that's not counting on anyone diving to the inside just going into the turn. Two such racers thought they could make it work and from my starting position of 10th I can tell you it didn't and after the dust cleared most of the racers that were ahead of me disappeared and since no black or blue or yellow flags were thrown the race continued. Going from tenth place at the start to 6th by the second turn with no contact was a miracle and at lap 20 the Baca/Rolfson Show is going strong and pulling away from the early fracas. Lattanzi now up to 3rd place is content and on cruise control until fast racer with the dreaded "primer yellow helmet" by the name of Eric Dickinson comes back into the picture and has set his sights on making up lost ground. Love taps all around the track has Lattanzi on edge and having to make a decision to either let Dickinson have the position or try like the devil to keep him at bay. Seven laps later Dickinson goes by Lattanzi to take the 3rd spot away and a friendly wave is all that Lattanzi has to show for his kindness. Meanwhile at the front the leaders are playing lap the backmarkers and when one of them turns into "Spinderrella" at the worst possible time Rolfson makes contact and loses the top spot to right there Baca Jr who goes on to take the win for the night. I hear the Baca celebration is still going on and it's a week later. Congratulations Chaz Baca Jr for a well deserved and lucky win all at the same time. So ends another night of great indoor kart league racing.
Of note the Swane family has not one fast kart racer but two that are making their on track talent known to all. Welcome to the fun Logan & Keaton. They also come with their own fan club. What's next? "T" shirts and hats with their likeness printed on them for all to purchase?
Finish Order "A" Main: Chaz Baca Jr...Tony Rolfson...Eric Dickinson...Steve Lattanzi...Keaton Swane...Logan Swane...Ronald Jones...Bobby Neumann...Rees Candee...Charles Crowe...Scott Lodding...Troy Salisberry...Mike McClaran...Kyle Tatman...Josh Lambeth
Fast Time for the nite was set by Tony Rolfson with a 20.211.
Next League Race is Tuesday Nov. 30th. Check in between 6/6:30 and racing to start by 7pm.
Don't be Late or you will have to Spectate!
Thanks for taking the time and resources to do this.
Steve "Kandyman"
Although there were plenty of MIA's it's not to say the racers that do and did show up were anything but top notch.
Two weeks in the books and we have a TV show in the making and it will be called the Baca-Rolfson Show starring Chaz Baca Jr as the minor child of a world famous dirt car racer digging his way to the top and Tony Rolfson, pizza delivery guy by day and indoor kart racer by nite who is just trying to make a name for himself and hoping that the right people see him and advance his career by either ordering many pizza's or by coming to a race to see him win, which he does on a regular basis. After two weeks these two have been inches from each other from start to finish and providing some of the best indoor kart racing has to offer. One point seperates Baca/Rolfson and Rolfson is at the top but Baca is hungry for that 10' tall glass trophy and million dollar paycheck that comes with winning the 2010 F1 Race Factory Fall Leagues. That thud you just heard is owner Scott Sanders hitting the floor after learning of the prize package he never agreed to. Another round of smelling salts, put it on my tab.
Now for the good stuff.
Top 5 Qualifiers...Group 1...Chaz Baca Jr...Logan Swane...Eric Dickinson...Bobby Neumann...Keaton Swane
Top 5 Finish in Group 1 Heat...Chaz Baca Jr...Logan Swane...Eric Dickinson... Keaton Swane...Bobby Neumann
Top 5 Qualifiers...Group 2...Tony Rolfson...Ronald Jones...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding...Charles Crowe
Top 5 Finish in Group 2 Heat...Tony Rolfson...Josh Lambeth...Ronald Jones...Scott Lodding...Steve Lattanzi
The groups get reset for the "A" & "B" Mains and kart draw determines your trusty steed for the next 40 laps of competion.
The "B" Main see's F1 Race Factory regular Keith Sears in the mix and starting 3rd. Sergio Serrano starting from the pole position had his hands full with Edwin Akpaita,Peter Reinsche,Paul Miller also tucking in behind him at the start and all hungry for the "B" Main win. As the race proceeds we see Edwin fall thru the field and as he does that Josh Walker advances thru the field from 8th place to 3rd at the end of 40 laps. Sergio holds off the charge by Sears to take the "B" Main win and collects 16th place points for his efforts. This is a kid that walks to a bus stop takes the bus to the Lite Rail station then hops on the Lite Rail and then has to walk again to reach the F1 Race Factory building. I say give him the extra effort award to do this routine every Tuesday.
Finish Order "B" Main:...Sergio Serrano...Keith Sears...Joshua Walker...Cody Gutierrez...Peter Reinsche...Chris Wynne...Josh Sarchet...Edwin Akpaita...Ajitabh Choda...Julia Castro...Lamec Fletez...Paul Miller...Andy Warycka
The "A" Main has Tony Rolfson on pole with his nemisis Chaz Baca Jr breathing down his neck in second.
Rounding out the top 5 are Josh Lambeth, Logan Swane, Ronald Jones.
Track 1 c/c/w is one tricky track especially at the start and this start was no exception with a tight left hander that will only allow two abreast before all heck breaks loose and that's not counting on anyone diving to the inside just going into the turn. Two such racers thought they could make it work and from my starting position of 10th I can tell you it didn't and after the dust cleared most of the racers that were ahead of me disappeared and since no black or blue or yellow flags were thrown the race continued. Going from tenth place at the start to 6th by the second turn with no contact was a miracle and at lap 20 the Baca/Rolfson Show is going strong and pulling away from the early fracas. Lattanzi now up to 3rd place is content and on cruise control until fast racer with the dreaded "primer yellow helmet" by the name of Eric Dickinson comes back into the picture and has set his sights on making up lost ground. Love taps all around the track has Lattanzi on edge and having to make a decision to either let Dickinson have the position or try like the devil to keep him at bay. Seven laps later Dickinson goes by Lattanzi to take the 3rd spot away and a friendly wave is all that Lattanzi has to show for his kindness. Meanwhile at the front the leaders are playing lap the backmarkers and when one of them turns into "Spinderrella" at the worst possible time Rolfson makes contact and loses the top spot to right there Baca Jr who goes on to take the win for the night. I hear the Baca celebration is still going on and it's a week later. Congratulations Chaz Baca Jr for a well deserved and lucky win all at the same time. So ends another night of great indoor kart league racing.
Of note the Swane family has not one fast kart racer but two that are making their on track talent known to all. Welcome to the fun Logan & Keaton. They also come with their own fan club. What's next? "T" shirts and hats with their likeness printed on them for all to purchase?
Finish Order "A" Main: Chaz Baca Jr...Tony Rolfson...Eric Dickinson...Steve Lattanzi...Keaton Swane...Logan Swane...Ronald Jones...Bobby Neumann...Rees Candee...Charles Crowe...Scott Lodding...Troy Salisberry...Mike McClaran...Kyle Tatman...Josh Lambeth
Fast Time for the nite was set by Tony Rolfson with a 20.211.
Next League Race is Tuesday Nov. 30th. Check in between 6/6:30 and racing to start by 7pm.
Don't be Late or you will have to Spectate!
Thanks for taking the time and resources to do this.
Steve "Kandyman"
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NASA AZ League Race # 4 Wrap Up
On what's become the second most popular holiday of the year, Halloween, the NASA Az group held their 4th race of their monthly 5 race series today at F1 Race Factory. With a 2 free race prize package offered up for the best costume most in the group decided to show up as members of the human race or kart race drivers. Major points off for that uncreative move. Leland Forbes tried to win it by showing a picture of his get up on Friday. No such luck. Geri Amani tried to convince the judges that she was the female version of Tanner Faust by wearing a "Rockstar Energy Drink" shirt but between you and me the last minute clothing idea and Geri's style of kart driving were not much of a match to Tanners. I have never seen somebody work sooooo hard behind the wheel of a kart and have recommended to Geri to attend this weeks USIKC where some of her smooth as silk drivers and CalSpeed friends like Diego Morales and Miles Calvin will be competing. Having to add so much weight to her kart doesn't help her efforts and she tried to wear ankle weights and a vest but that proved to be her undoing during the heat. Limping after a race not a good sign. When Geri gets this figured out and she will, the NASA group and anybody else racing against her will be seeing the back of her kart as she goes flying by.
The "Winner" of the Halloween prize package was by a long shot won by, NASA Az Pres. Tage Evanson. He came dressed up like a "Milkman" with white shirt,pants, and a hat that identified him as such and a container of "milk"? that came into question by more than one other member of the club. We think it may have been av-fuel as Tage not only came to win the tickets but the league race. We already had a winner and the racing hasn't even started.
By the good graces of Pres. Tage the "Milkman", he allowed out of towner Raymund Guerrero from Texas and a NASA member there to race with them. Raymund is in town and is putting in some serious track time in preperation for the USIKC which starts Friday Nov. 5th. NASA Az member Chris Wynne also stepped into this race series for the first time. He almost had to spectate.
The 12 lap qualifier on Track 2 c/c/w suited Leland Forbes to a "T" and he took the pole with a time of 24.891. Followed by Kent Porter...George Sklyarevsky...Raymund Guerrero...Ronald Jones...Eric Jacobson...Chris Wynne...Tage Evanson...Brian Turner...Gary Kramer...Geri Amani...Stenos Wijaya...Wayne Porter...Travis Bouck...Sergio Perez.
The heat race starts off with pass by Kent Porter to take 1st away from Leland Forbes, Ronald Jones to 4th only to find himself back in 5th 1 lap later, Raymund Guerrero then to 2nd and then on to 1st. All this takes place within the first 6 laps and pretty much continues for the remainder of the 36 lap heat race. Exciting to watch and I'm sure intense concentration by all within it's midst. Stenos Wijaya has now earned the right to be called "Spinderrella" and he earned that name by doing the dance on lap 33. Not only did Stenos perfect that move but a forced wide into the turn nearest the pit entrance had "Spinderrella" entering the pits and using that as an escape route out of traffic. He made it thru with no problem but had all the track officials scratching their heads trying to understand what just happened. Side by side racing and more than two deep doing it made for some nail biting action. Going into the back tight left hand corner will not allow that type of side by side racing but all made it thru without major incident. Top ten out of the fifteen racers finished on the lead lap and Raymund G had fast lap of the heat with a 24.424 and a heat win under his belt. Talk of sending him back to Texas was only an ugly rumor. Weigh outs of the top 6 had no under weight issues so all positions stand as finished.
Heat Finish Order: Raymund Guerrero...Ronald Jones...Kent Porter...Leland Forbes...Eric Jacobson...George Sklyarevsky...Brian Turner...Tage "Milkman" Evanson...Travis Bouck...Chris Wynne...Wayne Porter...Gary Kramer...Geri Amani...Stenos "Spinderrella" Wijaya...Sergio Perez
After a much needed break and given time to talk smack regarding the heat race the NASA Az racers draw for karts and saddle up their trusty steeds for the 60 lap Main which pays the most points. A vote was taken and it was decided that Raymund from Texas would get the position but not the points associated with that position as he is only stepping into this race as a guest. Raymund graciously accepted the ruling by majority vote. and in fact voted for that also. More racers like Raymund are needed. By winning the heat Guerrero starts from the pole in the Main.
The green flag waves after a thumbs up by all racers and the top four racers immediately pull away from the pack with R Guerrero, K Porter, L Forbes and R Jones all trading positions lap after lap. During the break G Amani decides to go back to all 60 # on the back of the kart and during one lap around side pods the wall hard! Continues but that will get your attention. As the front runners, now racing as a three pack, battle with each other L Forbes who fell off the pace of the leaders reels them back in and makes it a four man race once again. The top spot continues to be a different competitor lap after lap and a more exciting race was not to found. Now lap traffic comes into play. Slicing and dicing thru traffic now becomes the skill set to have and R Jones comes thru the pack and sets sail for the win.But not before plowing into some of the backmarkers which almost ruined his chances for the win.
Meanwhile behind him the backmarkers have all stepped up their game and 2nd/3rd and 4th are struggling to get around them. Evanson makes contact with Jacobson and Forbes and by lap 35 Evanson goes into 5th place. By race end he will get two more spots and take the last step on the podium with a 3rd place finish. Jones sets fast lap on lap 47with a 24.158 and goes on to win the Main with room to spare between him and 2nd place finisher Kent Porter. Wayne Porter had second fastest time today with his always annoyingly fast brother taking third. Another fast and exciting league race by the Hotshoes of NASA Az. Their next on track event with their own cars will be Thanksgiving weekend at P.I.R. Always free to watch and ride alongs are to be had. Bring your helmet and beg your way into something fast and furious! Waving around a $20.00 bill will get you offers of a ride along faster!
Great group of people having fun and going fast.
Main Finish Order: Ronald "Lone Wolf" Jones...Kent"Always Right There" Porter...Tage"Milkman" Evanson...Raymund"Lone Star State" Guerrero...Leland Forbes the Tenth...George"How do you spell/say that?" Sklyarevsky...Eric "Top 5" Jacobson...Travis "The Engineer" Bouck...Sergio "F1"Perez...Brian"No Sleeves" Turner...Gary "Tatoo" Kramer...Stenos 'Spinerrella" Wijaya...Geri "Rockstar" Amani...Wayne"Brother of Kent" Porter...Chris "If you're Late, you get to Spectate" Wynne.
I want to thank each and every one of the racers that take the time and monitary resources to do this. I also want to thank all the F1 Race Factory track guys, Peter, Romano, Mitch and Jemma up front to make this work and make it a positive experience for all involved. Keep the Rubberside Down and remember the candys always available and best of all FREE!
Next Race is the 5th and the Final on the 1/2 mile GP track C/C/W with a 2:30 check in and qualifying/racing to start promptly at 3pm.
Work on the stamina aspect as this will be an extended race that will have as much as 1full hour behind the wheel for qualifying and the Main race. No breaks between. Thank You, Steve "Kandyman"
The "Winner" of the Halloween prize package was by a long shot won by, NASA Az Pres. Tage Evanson. He came dressed up like a "Milkman" with white shirt,pants, and a hat that identified him as such and a container of "milk"? that came into question by more than one other member of the club. We think it may have been av-fuel as Tage not only came to win the tickets but the league race. We already had a winner and the racing hasn't even started.
By the good graces of Pres. Tage the "Milkman", he allowed out of towner Raymund Guerrero from Texas and a NASA member there to race with them. Raymund is in town and is putting in some serious track time in preperation for the USIKC which starts Friday Nov. 5th. NASA Az member Chris Wynne also stepped into this race series for the first time. He almost had to spectate.
The 12 lap qualifier on Track 2 c/c/w suited Leland Forbes to a "T" and he took the pole with a time of 24.891. Followed by Kent Porter...George Sklyarevsky...Raymund Guerrero...Ronald Jones...Eric Jacobson...Chris Wynne...Tage Evanson...Brian Turner...Gary Kramer...Geri Amani...Stenos Wijaya...Wayne Porter...Travis Bouck...Sergio Perez.
The heat race starts off with pass by Kent Porter to take 1st away from Leland Forbes, Ronald Jones to 4th only to find himself back in 5th 1 lap later, Raymund Guerrero then to 2nd and then on to 1st. All this takes place within the first 6 laps and pretty much continues for the remainder of the 36 lap heat race. Exciting to watch and I'm sure intense concentration by all within it's midst. Stenos Wijaya has now earned the right to be called "Spinderrella" and he earned that name by doing the dance on lap 33. Not only did Stenos perfect that move but a forced wide into the turn nearest the pit entrance had "Spinderrella" entering the pits and using that as an escape route out of traffic. He made it thru with no problem but had all the track officials scratching their heads trying to understand what just happened. Side by side racing and more than two deep doing it made for some nail biting action. Going into the back tight left hand corner will not allow that type of side by side racing but all made it thru without major incident. Top ten out of the fifteen racers finished on the lead lap and Raymund G had fast lap of the heat with a 24.424 and a heat win under his belt. Talk of sending him back to Texas was only an ugly rumor. Weigh outs of the top 6 had no under weight issues so all positions stand as finished.
Heat Finish Order: Raymund Guerrero...Ronald Jones...Kent Porter...Leland Forbes...Eric Jacobson...George Sklyarevsky...Brian Turner...Tage "Milkman" Evanson...Travis Bouck...Chris Wynne...Wayne Porter...Gary Kramer...Geri Amani...Stenos "Spinderrella" Wijaya...Sergio Perez
After a much needed break and given time to talk smack regarding the heat race the NASA Az racers draw for karts and saddle up their trusty steeds for the 60 lap Main which pays the most points. A vote was taken and it was decided that Raymund from Texas would get the position but not the points associated with that position as he is only stepping into this race as a guest. Raymund graciously accepted the ruling by majority vote. and in fact voted for that also. More racers like Raymund are needed. By winning the heat Guerrero starts from the pole in the Main.
The green flag waves after a thumbs up by all racers and the top four racers immediately pull away from the pack with R Guerrero, K Porter, L Forbes and R Jones all trading positions lap after lap. During the break G Amani decides to go back to all 60 # on the back of the kart and during one lap around side pods the wall hard! Continues but that will get your attention. As the front runners, now racing as a three pack, battle with each other L Forbes who fell off the pace of the leaders reels them back in and makes it a four man race once again. The top spot continues to be a different competitor lap after lap and a more exciting race was not to found. Now lap traffic comes into play. Slicing and dicing thru traffic now becomes the skill set to have and R Jones comes thru the pack and sets sail for the win.But not before plowing into some of the backmarkers which almost ruined his chances for the win.
Meanwhile behind him the backmarkers have all stepped up their game and 2nd/3rd and 4th are struggling to get around them. Evanson makes contact with Jacobson and Forbes and by lap 35 Evanson goes into 5th place. By race end he will get two more spots and take the last step on the podium with a 3rd place finish. Jones sets fast lap on lap 47with a 24.158 and goes on to win the Main with room to spare between him and 2nd place finisher Kent Porter. Wayne Porter had second fastest time today with his always annoyingly fast brother taking third. Another fast and exciting league race by the Hotshoes of NASA Az. Their next on track event with their own cars will be Thanksgiving weekend at P.I.R. Always free to watch and ride alongs are to be had. Bring your helmet and beg your way into something fast and furious! Waving around a $20.00 bill will get you offers of a ride along faster!
Great group of people having fun and going fast.
Main Finish Order: Ronald "Lone Wolf" Jones...Kent"Always Right There" Porter...Tage"Milkman" Evanson...Raymund"Lone Star State" Guerrero...Leland Forbes the Tenth...George"How do you spell/say that?" Sklyarevsky...Eric "Top 5" Jacobson...Travis "The Engineer" Bouck...Sergio "F1"Perez...Brian"No Sleeves" Turner...Gary "Tatoo" Kramer...Stenos 'Spinerrella" Wijaya...Geri "Rockstar" Amani...Wayne"Brother of Kent" Porter...Chris "If you're Late, you get to Spectate" Wynne.
I want to thank each and every one of the racers that take the time and monitary resources to do this. I also want to thank all the F1 Race Factory track guys, Peter, Romano, Mitch and Jemma up front to make this work and make it a positive experience for all involved. Keep the Rubberside Down and remember the candys always available and best of all FREE!
Next Race is the 5th and the Final on the 1/2 mile GP track C/C/W with a 2:30 check in and qualifying/racing to start promptly at 3pm.
Work on the stamina aspect as this will be an extended race that will have as much as 1full hour behind the wheel for qualifying and the Main race. No breaks between. Thank You, Steve "Kandyman"
AZIKC Race # 9 Wrap Up Report
The Fall season is always a busy and exciting time at F1 Race Factory and the 9th race on Oct. 30th of the monthly AZIKC race was no exception. Some surprises were in store and some of the best racing yet in this 10 race series was to unfold before the standing only crowd that assembled to witness this race that will go down as one of the best!
Seventeen of the fastest indoor kart racers came together and some newcomers were also brave enough to enter the field of competition this blustery October 30th which is the eve of All Hallows Eve or better known as Halloween. Looks like the racers had their masks of calm on but certainly were hiding all the fear and anxiety that is felt before any race. Especially one as important as this one. The points race at the top is close and one slip up means no podium for you. Seventy two laps is all that stands between a victory dance or a slumped shoulder disappointment walk out of the building into the relentless and blinding sunshine of Phoenix, Az. Between you and me I'll take the dance every time.
One person doing the victory dance after the qualifier and still seated in his trusty steed was Josh Lambeth. A fast time during qualifying put Lambeth squarely on pole for the first time in an AZIKC race and we could all see his excitement from 100 yards away. We could also feel his fear as the line up behind him was not to be taken lightly. Lambeths time of 52.946 over the lap time of 53.117 from Tony Rolfson was not hugh but Lambeth owned the only time in the 52 second zone. Second thru tenth place were all in the 53 second arena. Team Hot Lap Racing chose to switch karts during the qualifier with no penalty except losing a lap and will prove to be a wise move on their part.
The Qualifying Order:. Josh Lambeth...Tony Rolfson...Chaz Baca Jr...Keith Sears...Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)...John Ahrens... Mike McClaren...Matthew Lamanilao...John Pappagallo...Hot Lap Racing ( Bobby Neumann/Jason Burstein)...Dynamic Duo Racing (Austin Kipp/Julia ?)...Pat Joyce...Bill Hunter...Craig Ward...Raymund Guerrero...Matthew Kuhn...Christian Godina.
The green flag drops and in short order the top five swap positions. Within 5 laps Chaz Baca Jr takes over first from Lambeth. Rolfson struggles to stay in the top 5 and slowly but surely and one by one Keith Sears, John Ahrens, and Jason Burstein of Hot Lap Racing come marching thru to take the spot away. Stuck behind Rolfson were Charles Crowe of Team Titanium, Pat Joyce and reeling them all in was Matthew Lamamilao. Lap after lap Crowe looked for a way around Rolfson but never found the space or momentum needed to put the pass on him. When contact between Crowe/Rolfson finally happened Joyce got around Crowe but then made a mistake after getting by that had Crowe taking back the position. I'm sure all involved with that four pack race had heart rates that exceeded a long distance runner at full song. It was a crowd pleaser for sure.
Meanwhile back at the front Baca Jr is stepping it up and away from Lambeth and trying to put enough distance between them to make a pit stop that won't change their positions. Strategy now plays a role in this win or lose proposition and Baca Jr will not give this win up without a fight.
At the halfway mark or 36 laps from the start or finish we start to see two man team driver changes. Single driver stops that require 20 seconds of sitting in the pits seems like an eternity for the single driver entries. For the 2 driver teams it's a nerve wracking swap that can have a multitude of things go wrong but today all seemed to have their planned changes happen without incident.
Team Titanium (Crowe) entered the pit after being waved off at lap 36 because the pitlane suddenly had become "Grand Central Station" and full of other competitors making their mandatory pit stop. Lattanzi fresh off last weeks overnite Machismo 500 team race in Las Vegas took the wheel of the Team Titanium kart and made a gallant effort to stay ahead of Rolfson. Mission accomplished and now to try to pick off some of the karts running at the top of the charts. Lattanzi reels in Pat Joyce and spends the rest of the race studying the back of Joyces helmet and trying to stay out of his line of vision. PJ spent so much time turning his head to look for, "right there Lattanzi," that a trip to the local chiroprator was needed to get the kink out of Joyces neck after the race! Together they were making progress to run down the front runners but unfortunately for both they ran out of laps. Ten more laps and, last months AZIKC winner, Bobby Neumann would have been crying the blues and a battle for position on his hands from Joyce/Lattanzi. Keith Sears was also in the crosshairs of that charge to the front.
Chaz Baca Jr takes the win with a flawless run and Lambeth held onto second. F1 Race factory Race Director supreme John Ahrens finally had his string of "bad luck" broken today with an outstanding run from the sixth starting position to podium step # 3. John was the happiest person in the building.
The other Team that made an outstanding effort was first time teammates Jason Burstein & Bobby Neumann of Hot Lap Racing. After changing karts as earlier mentioned they were able to go from 10th in qualifying to a 5th place finish. With this always fast and hard to pass competitive racing group that is certainly an effort worth noting. You must see this team to believe it. Nuemann stands at 8' 7" , or it seems and Burstein is 5' something and wrapped in a weight suit that if worn to the airport would have him arrested for being a terrorist. Great run by these two young hotshoes.
In this AZIKC race we had Raymund Guerrero from Texas race with us. He was here for the Oct. 3, 7 Hour Enduro and is now in town to get in some mucho practice for the upcoming USIKC which will start Friday Nov. 5th at F1 Race Factory. He is one serious contender and is planning on bringing something besides an empty wallet back to Texas for his efforts. All Day passes are in his immediate future for the upcoming week leading up to the USIKC. I do believe he will set an all time record held by Mike Davila for the most races run in a single day on an all day pass. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
Thank You all for taking the time to do this, read this and alloting the needed funds to do this. The next AZIKC race which will decide the overall winner and put millions of dollars in the winners bank account will be on Sat. December 4th. Check in between 9/9:30 and racing starts at 10am sharp. Don't be late or you get to spectate! TR, wouldn't you rather be a spectator for the final?
No dreaded "Black Flags" were thrown today and no innocent animals were hurt during the test of the Emergency Broadcast System.
If there had been an emergency........
The Finish Order: With Top 5 Overall/points going into the Final w/o the 1 race drop factored in...Chaz Baca Jr...Josh Lambeth...John Ahrens (3rd/210 points)...Keith Sears (4th/193 points)...Hot Lap Racing (Neumann/Burstein)...Pat Joyce...Team Titanium (Lattanzi/Crowe 1st/235 points)...Dynamic Duo (Kipp/Julia)...Matthew Lamanilao...Tony Rolfson (2nd/230)...Bill Hunter...John Pappagallo (5th/184)...Mike McClaran...Raymund Guerrero...Craig Ward...Christian Godina...Matthew Kuhn.
I want to personally thank all the F1 Race Factory staff that comes in early to make this happen. Amanda who handles the front desk check in and mans the pit stop action with no less than 3 stopwatches hanging from her neck. Happy 21st Birthday Amanda. Have a great time in Vegas! Riddhi & Jemma too!
Romano, Levi, Mitch, Jesus, Ron & Juan who do a great job keeping everybody honest on and off the track. None of this would happen without them so thank you and a round of Donuts for all! Thank You Theresa for all the great photo's.
I've never worked so hard at having so much fun!
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
Seventeen of the fastest indoor kart racers came together and some newcomers were also brave enough to enter the field of competition this blustery October 30th which is the eve of All Hallows Eve or better known as Halloween. Looks like the racers had their masks of calm on but certainly were hiding all the fear and anxiety that is felt before any race. Especially one as important as this one. The points race at the top is close and one slip up means no podium for you. Seventy two laps is all that stands between a victory dance or a slumped shoulder disappointment walk out of the building into the relentless and blinding sunshine of Phoenix, Az. Between you and me I'll take the dance every time.
One person doing the victory dance after the qualifier and still seated in his trusty steed was Josh Lambeth. A fast time during qualifying put Lambeth squarely on pole for the first time in an AZIKC race and we could all see his excitement from 100 yards away. We could also feel his fear as the line up behind him was not to be taken lightly. Lambeths time of 52.946 over the lap time of 53.117 from Tony Rolfson was not hugh but Lambeth owned the only time in the 52 second zone. Second thru tenth place were all in the 53 second arena. Team Hot Lap Racing chose to switch karts during the qualifier with no penalty except losing a lap and will prove to be a wise move on their part.
The Qualifying Order:. Josh Lambeth...Tony Rolfson...Chaz Baca Jr...Keith Sears...Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)...John Ahrens... Mike McClaren...Matthew Lamanilao...John Pappagallo...Hot Lap Racing ( Bobby Neumann/Jason Burstein)...Dynamic Duo Racing (Austin Kipp/Julia ?)...Pat Joyce...Bill Hunter...Craig Ward...Raymund Guerrero...Matthew Kuhn...Christian Godina.
The green flag drops and in short order the top five swap positions. Within 5 laps Chaz Baca Jr takes over first from Lambeth. Rolfson struggles to stay in the top 5 and slowly but surely and one by one Keith Sears, John Ahrens, and Jason Burstein of Hot Lap Racing come marching thru to take the spot away. Stuck behind Rolfson were Charles Crowe of Team Titanium, Pat Joyce and reeling them all in was Matthew Lamamilao. Lap after lap Crowe looked for a way around Rolfson but never found the space or momentum needed to put the pass on him. When contact between Crowe/Rolfson finally happened Joyce got around Crowe but then made a mistake after getting by that had Crowe taking back the position. I'm sure all involved with that four pack race had heart rates that exceeded a long distance runner at full song. It was a crowd pleaser for sure.
Meanwhile back at the front Baca Jr is stepping it up and away from Lambeth and trying to put enough distance between them to make a pit stop that won't change their positions. Strategy now plays a role in this win or lose proposition and Baca Jr will not give this win up without a fight.
At the halfway mark or 36 laps from the start or finish we start to see two man team driver changes. Single driver stops that require 20 seconds of sitting in the pits seems like an eternity for the single driver entries. For the 2 driver teams it's a nerve wracking swap that can have a multitude of things go wrong but today all seemed to have their planned changes happen without incident.
Team Titanium (Crowe) entered the pit after being waved off at lap 36 because the pitlane suddenly had become "Grand Central Station" and full of other competitors making their mandatory pit stop. Lattanzi fresh off last weeks overnite Machismo 500 team race in Las Vegas took the wheel of the Team Titanium kart and made a gallant effort to stay ahead of Rolfson. Mission accomplished and now to try to pick off some of the karts running at the top of the charts. Lattanzi reels in Pat Joyce and spends the rest of the race studying the back of Joyces helmet and trying to stay out of his line of vision. PJ spent so much time turning his head to look for, "right there Lattanzi," that a trip to the local chiroprator was needed to get the kink out of Joyces neck after the race! Together they were making progress to run down the front runners but unfortunately for both they ran out of laps. Ten more laps and, last months AZIKC winner, Bobby Neumann would have been crying the blues and a battle for position on his hands from Joyce/Lattanzi. Keith Sears was also in the crosshairs of that charge to the front.
Chaz Baca Jr takes the win with a flawless run and Lambeth held onto second. F1 Race factory Race Director supreme John Ahrens finally had his string of "bad luck" broken today with an outstanding run from the sixth starting position to podium step # 3. John was the happiest person in the building.
The other Team that made an outstanding effort was first time teammates Jason Burstein & Bobby Neumann of Hot Lap Racing. After changing karts as earlier mentioned they were able to go from 10th in qualifying to a 5th place finish. With this always fast and hard to pass competitive racing group that is certainly an effort worth noting. You must see this team to believe it. Nuemann stands at 8' 7" , or it seems and Burstein is 5' something and wrapped in a weight suit that if worn to the airport would have him arrested for being a terrorist. Great run by these two young hotshoes.
In this AZIKC race we had Raymund Guerrero from Texas race with us. He was here for the Oct. 3, 7 Hour Enduro and is now in town to get in some mucho practice for the upcoming USIKC which will start Friday Nov. 5th at F1 Race Factory. He is one serious contender and is planning on bringing something besides an empty wallet back to Texas for his efforts. All Day passes are in his immediate future for the upcoming week leading up to the USIKC. I do believe he will set an all time record held by Mike Davila for the most races run in a single day on an all day pass. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
Thank You all for taking the time to do this, read this and alloting the needed funds to do this. The next AZIKC race which will decide the overall winner and put millions of dollars in the winners bank account will be on Sat. December 4th. Check in between 9/9:30 and racing starts at 10am sharp. Don't be late or you get to spectate! TR, wouldn't you rather be a spectator for the final?
No dreaded "Black Flags" were thrown today and no innocent animals were hurt during the test of the Emergency Broadcast System.
If there had been an emergency........
The Finish Order: With Top 5 Overall/points going into the Final w/o the 1 race drop factored in...Chaz Baca Jr...Josh Lambeth...John Ahrens (3rd/210 points)...Keith Sears (4th/193 points)...Hot Lap Racing (Neumann/Burstein)...Pat Joyce...Team Titanium (Lattanzi/Crowe 1st/235 points)...Dynamic Duo (Kipp/Julia)...Matthew Lamanilao...Tony Rolfson (2nd/230)...Bill Hunter...John Pappagallo (5th/184)...Mike McClaran...Raymund Guerrero...Craig Ward...Christian Godina...Matthew Kuhn.
I want to personally thank all the F1 Race Factory staff that comes in early to make this happen. Amanda who handles the front desk check in and mans the pit stop action with no less than 3 stopwatches hanging from her neck. Happy 21st Birthday Amanda. Have a great time in Vegas! Riddhi & Jemma too!
Romano, Levi, Mitch, Jesus, Ron & Juan who do a great job keeping everybody honest on and off the track. None of this would happen without them so thank you and a round of Donuts for all! Thank You Theresa for all the great photo's.
I've never worked so hard at having so much fun!
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
Friday, October 1, 2010
7 Hour Enduro Sunday Oct. 3rd 2010
Welcome to the F1 Race Factory Celebration & 7th Year Anniverary 7 Hour Team Endrance Race to be held on Oct. 3rd from 12 noon to 7 pm.
Man that's a lot of 7's. To top it all off, for a mere $333.00 + some tax to help the city of Phoenix stay afloat you have the chance to win $777.77 for a first place finish and a cool team trophy. 2nd place pays $333.33 and 3rd takes home $111.11. Not bad for a days amount of fun on the best Indoor Kart Facility in the country and one of the biggest at 113,000 sq/ft under roof !!! Six different track options with three different track lengths.
Thank You to the 7 teams that have already signed up and PAID the miniscule entry fee. 12 teams PAID is the goal to go 1/2 mile GP track and if the other 5 teams signed up PAY up we are a go on the 1/2 mile GP track. Until then we will be on Track 2 for the 7 hours. C/W & C/C/W
12 teams is the minimum and 22 teams is the maximum. We have plenty of karts still available.
We have a team coming from as far as the State of Texas which is bigger than most countries and there is a team plus one coming from Orange County, Southern California (SoCal).
Two man Team RayHunt Racing from Texas has Raymund G and Austin Hunter competing and is the smallest team entry to date.
Team RSVP from SoCal consists of Diego Morales, Miles Calvin and 2009 USIKC Champion Jon Kimbrell and are sponsored by www.GoShootingToday.com They will be arriving by car that morning and flying out immediately post race on Southwest Airlines.
Local PAID Teams include Team Fain Plast, Team RedBull, Team Buzzard Pest Control, Team LeftyLiterHozin and Team Barnicle,Lambeth,Neumann.
Team Titanium, Team F1, and the 3 other manned but yet to be named teams need to pony up and get er done! The close out to sign up and pay will be 12 midnite Sat. Oct. 2nd in order to give F1 Race Factory enough time to convert track 1 & 2 to the 1/2 mile layout we all want to do.
You should be in the F1 Race Factory building between 10:30 & 11am on Sunday Oct. 3rd to get settled and set up your team area in the Trackside Grill area or Indy Room. Do not set up in the Monaco Room as that is our pre race meeting room.
There is a mandatory 11:30 sharp driver meeting in the Monaco Room. At least one driver from each team must be present.
You miss it and we will find your car in the parking lot and flatten your tires. Mandatory things are Fun and Positive Attitude, Racing Suits & Helmets. We have the suits & helmets if you need them. Hydrate...hydrate...hydrate can't say it enough. Phoenix,AZ still setting heat records and Sunday is no exception. Hydrate. Water/Gatoraide, etc. You need it we got it.
Good time to weigh yourself as we are going with the 200# minimum weight rule, which means when you get out of your kart after your driving stint you must weigh out at 200#and there will be a 1% or 2# allowance in weight reading on the scale we are using for all. WEigh out at under 198# and you get penalized 1 lap per pound under that target weight. Those over the 200# minimum, get that liposuction scheduled asap. You still get to weigh out. Ankle weights, weight vests, etc all ok. No sandbags water bags or anything that can come loose during the course of the race and cause a stoppage of the race. Nothing unthethered allowed. We have some seat inserts and some foam available for you to use but if you got your own special seat comfort system bring it.
Race Format is as follows:
Pill pull for Kart # to start race. Karts will be lined up randomly along track 2 wall for the Le Mans style start. What's that you ask? Karts will be running with the seatbelts pulled out and clipped (we provide clips). The green flag waves or the horn sounds at 12 noon and you sprint across the track and get into your kart, click your seatbelt...click your seatbelt...click your seatbelt. You must click the seatbelt before you roll or you will be black flagged and have to come into the pits to serve a 1 lap penalty. Not a good way to start your race and make your teammates happy. Anyone that falls down during the Le Mans start risks being called Speed Bump/Hump for the remainder of the 7 hour enduro and probably for the rest of your life which may not be that long after getting run over by 9 or 10 karts at the start.
All teams must make 5 that's right 5 driver changes during the course of the 7 hours. All karts will have full fuel tanks to start. You have your next driver go to the scoring tower and announce a driver change by team name and pull a chip marked 1 or 2 or 3 from the bag. You go over to the spot marked with coinciding chip # hand the chip to the track official and get into the kart with your appropiate weights. Seatbelt must be clicked again before you roll. Your on track driver has 3 laps to come in to the pits and comes in slowly to the designated stop area. Gets out of kart and touches you to officially start your stint. Then that driver weighs out. 198# or more!!! No weights are to be removed from the weight supply area. Red=15#... White=10#...Blue=5#. Easy to remember just like the American Flag. Karts staged and waiting to go out on the next stint are gassed up full. There may be times when we have to close the pits to refill the fuel caddy or there are no karts staged and ready to go out. Look for the sign or signal at the pit entrance or look to your teammates waving their hands frantically on the sidelines. This is a team race, use them.
At 3:30 we will yellow flag the field and pick up the leader. No Passing! Follow the current leader of the race slowly into the pits, thru the pits where we will at the pit exit send you out to reverse the direction of the race. Green flag will wave once all karts are on the track and ready to go. No stopping to change drivers, take family photo's, get a drink, take a leak, etc. At that point in time the race continues until 7 pm sharp where we will Checkered Flag the race. Everyone in the last stint weighs out,on the track and no one is to go over to that driver until the weigh out happens. Top three will then be announced, podium pictures will be taken and Prizes awarded including the Winners Team Trophy.
The Rules are simple DON"T CHEAT! ....3 strikes and you're out depending on the infraction and/or the intent.
This is a celebration race, a fun way for like minded racers to get together and have fun competing with each other and making new friends or visiting with old friends. There will be a complaint box aka Desk Top Shredder located at the Control Tower. Fill out the sheet and submit. The sound you hear will be your answer to your problem. Any verbal or physical confrontation will be dealt with by throwing you and/or your team out. If an issue comes up see Race Director John Ahrens. He is deaf in both ears and will stare you down until you go away. If it's a safety issue touch base with a track employee or John A and they will see to it.
There will be a Happy 7th Year Anniversary cake for all at the conclusion of the race. For all you non cake eaters we also serve beer in the bottle or on tap. You consume any alcohol before or during the race you get to sit and watch the race from the spectator area. No Exceptions and we do have breathalizers and plenty of eyes watching. Smile you're on Candid Camera.
Thanks again for taking the time and resources to do this with F1 Race Factory.
Steve Lattanzi "Kandyman" Stop by I will have all your favorites on hand.
Scott Sanders President of F1 Race Factory
and John Ahrens F1 Race Factory Race Director.
Man that's a lot of 7's. To top it all off, for a mere $333.00 + some tax to help the city of Phoenix stay afloat you have the chance to win $777.77 for a first place finish and a cool team trophy. 2nd place pays $333.33 and 3rd takes home $111.11. Not bad for a days amount of fun on the best Indoor Kart Facility in the country and one of the biggest at 113,000 sq/ft under roof !!! Six different track options with three different track lengths.
Thank You to the 7 teams that have already signed up and PAID the miniscule entry fee. 12 teams PAID is the goal to go 1/2 mile GP track and if the other 5 teams signed up PAY up we are a go on the 1/2 mile GP track. Until then we will be on Track 2 for the 7 hours. C/W & C/C/W
12 teams is the minimum and 22 teams is the maximum. We have plenty of karts still available.
We have a team coming from as far as the State of Texas which is bigger than most countries and there is a team plus one coming from Orange County, Southern California (SoCal).
Two man Team RayHunt Racing from Texas has Raymund G and Austin Hunter competing and is the smallest team entry to date.
Team RSVP from SoCal consists of Diego Morales, Miles Calvin and 2009 USIKC Champion Jon Kimbrell and are sponsored by www.GoShootingToday.com They will be arriving by car that morning and flying out immediately post race on Southwest Airlines.
Local PAID Teams include Team Fain Plast, Team RedBull, Team Buzzard Pest Control, Team LeftyLiterHozin and Team Barnicle,Lambeth,Neumann.
Team Titanium, Team F1, and the 3 other manned but yet to be named teams need to pony up and get er done! The close out to sign up and pay will be 12 midnite Sat. Oct. 2nd in order to give F1 Race Factory enough time to convert track 1 & 2 to the 1/2 mile layout we all want to do.
You should be in the F1 Race Factory building between 10:30 & 11am on Sunday Oct. 3rd to get settled and set up your team area in the Trackside Grill area or Indy Room. Do not set up in the Monaco Room as that is our pre race meeting room.
There is a mandatory 11:30 sharp driver meeting in the Monaco Room. At least one driver from each team must be present.
You miss it and we will find your car in the parking lot and flatten your tires. Mandatory things are Fun and Positive Attitude, Racing Suits & Helmets. We have the suits & helmets if you need them. Hydrate...hydrate...hydrate can't say it enough. Phoenix,AZ still setting heat records and Sunday is no exception. Hydrate. Water/Gatoraide, etc. You need it we got it.
Good time to weigh yourself as we are going with the 200# minimum weight rule, which means when you get out of your kart after your driving stint you must weigh out at 200#and there will be a 1% or 2# allowance in weight reading on the scale we are using for all. WEigh out at under 198# and you get penalized 1 lap per pound under that target weight. Those over the 200# minimum, get that liposuction scheduled asap. You still get to weigh out. Ankle weights, weight vests, etc all ok. No sandbags water bags or anything that can come loose during the course of the race and cause a stoppage of the race. Nothing unthethered allowed. We have some seat inserts and some foam available for you to use but if you got your own special seat comfort system bring it.
Race Format is as follows:
Pill pull for Kart # to start race. Karts will be lined up randomly along track 2 wall for the Le Mans style start. What's that you ask? Karts will be running with the seatbelts pulled out and clipped (we provide clips). The green flag waves or the horn sounds at 12 noon and you sprint across the track and get into your kart, click your seatbelt...click your seatbelt...click your seatbelt. You must click the seatbelt before you roll or you will be black flagged and have to come into the pits to serve a 1 lap penalty. Not a good way to start your race and make your teammates happy. Anyone that falls down during the Le Mans start risks being called Speed Bump/Hump for the remainder of the 7 hour enduro and probably for the rest of your life which may not be that long after getting run over by 9 or 10 karts at the start.
All teams must make 5 that's right 5 driver changes during the course of the 7 hours. All karts will have full fuel tanks to start. You have your next driver go to the scoring tower and announce a driver change by team name and pull a chip marked 1 or 2 or 3 from the bag. You go over to the spot marked with coinciding chip # hand the chip to the track official and get into the kart with your appropiate weights. Seatbelt must be clicked again before you roll. Your on track driver has 3 laps to come in to the pits and comes in slowly to the designated stop area. Gets out of kart and touches you to officially start your stint. Then that driver weighs out. 198# or more!!! No weights are to be removed from the weight supply area. Red=15#... White=10#...Blue=5#. Easy to remember just like the American Flag. Karts staged and waiting to go out on the next stint are gassed up full. There may be times when we have to close the pits to refill the fuel caddy or there are no karts staged and ready to go out. Look for the sign or signal at the pit entrance or look to your teammates waving their hands frantically on the sidelines. This is a team race, use them.
At 3:30 we will yellow flag the field and pick up the leader. No Passing! Follow the current leader of the race slowly into the pits, thru the pits where we will at the pit exit send you out to reverse the direction of the race. Green flag will wave once all karts are on the track and ready to go. No stopping to change drivers, take family photo's, get a drink, take a leak, etc. At that point in time the race continues until 7 pm sharp where we will Checkered Flag the race. Everyone in the last stint weighs out,on the track and no one is to go over to that driver until the weigh out happens. Top three will then be announced, podium pictures will be taken and Prizes awarded including the Winners Team Trophy.
The Rules are simple DON"T CHEAT! ....3 strikes and you're out depending on the infraction and/or the intent.
This is a celebration race, a fun way for like minded racers to get together and have fun competing with each other and making new friends or visiting with old friends. There will be a complaint box aka Desk Top Shredder located at the Control Tower. Fill out the sheet and submit. The sound you hear will be your answer to your problem. Any verbal or physical confrontation will be dealt with by throwing you and/or your team out. If an issue comes up see Race Director John Ahrens. He is deaf in both ears and will stare you down until you go away. If it's a safety issue touch base with a track employee or John A and they will see to it.
There will be a Happy 7th Year Anniversary cake for all at the conclusion of the race. For all you non cake eaters we also serve beer in the bottle or on tap. You consume any alcohol before or during the race you get to sit and watch the race from the spectator area. No Exceptions and we do have breathalizers and plenty of eyes watching. Smile you're on Candid Camera.
Thanks again for taking the time and resources to do this with F1 Race Factory.
Steve Lattanzi "Kandyman" Stop by I will have all your favorites on hand.
Scott Sanders President of F1 Race Factory
and John Ahrens F1 Race Factory Race Director.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
AZIKC Race # 8 Wrap Up
With this being the 8th race of a 10 race series in the monthly hour long AZIKC, where the heckola was our fearless points leader Tony Rolfson? His karting coach, Paul Williams was there and from the looks of his eyes was crying for hours. Williams almost stepped up to drive in Rolfsons place but the weight differencial was too great. Two Tonys = one Paul. Was Rolfson so wiped out from all those late nite Pizza deliveries that he couldn't lift his arms and pilot an indoor kart? Or was it more sinister than that?
Knowing and overly confident that his 27 point lead just may be good enough to win this and because of the 1 race drop, which he will use this race, Rolfson may have figured, why spend any more money than I have too? Here's why. Team Titanium is hungry, real hungry for the overall win and with the unstoppable Charles Crowe & Steve Lattanzi making up Team Titanium they are not leaving this dinner table before they are full and satisfied. We plan to have Rolfson as the main course and John Ahrens for dessert. Burpppppp, good meal, pass the cigars and the Cognac.
Keith Sears also decided to opt out as he felt staying gainfully employed was more important than racing and maintaining his 3rd place standings. What's the matter, you too proud to join the millions on unemployment? Look at all the new friends you would get to meet. Birds of a feather flocking together.
W
e did have a welcome addition to the AZIKC kart racing ranks and her, yes I said her, name is Julia. Julia is the protoge' and longtime girlfriend of one of the best, pound for pound indoor kart drivers out there, Austin Kipp aka Kipp Van Winkle. Kipp has taken Julia under his wing and has been moving up the ranks and into fast laps territory. They are teaming up to do this and the team name is Dynamic Duo. Julia in person is a sweetheart that is until she straps on the required helmet then watch out, she's an upcoming serious contendor. First time in the AZIKC and Julia out qualified two month to month regulars.
Another newcomer to the AZIKC racing showed up and literally stole the show and made quite a statement by qualifying on the pole and then taking off like a rocket and never looking back to see who was in his wake. Robert(Bobby)Neumann, brother of Alfred E, standing as tall as a skyscraper at 6'5" or more managed to squeeze into the one size fits all Sodi kart and proceed to teach us all a thing or two about winning a race handily. His post race smile and enthusiasm could be felt for miles around. Nice kid, don't you have somewhere else to go on the last Sat. of the month? Congratulations Bobby!!!
And last but not least a person of interest and having a never give up attitude is the unstoppable Bill Hunter. Bill was feeling off kilter that morning and wasn't sure he was going to make the race but low and behold there he was qualifying in fourth and overcoming what was ailing him. We've all been there one time or another and having to suit up and strap on that helmet can make matters worse. Toward the end of the race I managed to catch Bill still on the track during the cool down lap and his face was a red as a sun ripened tomato. When I saw him again at the soda fountains he said he felt better and was glad he raced. Bill finished 5th place overall for the day and gets the "Hard Charger and Never Giving Up Award" for today.
Race Wrap up? Oh, that's what you thought this was? I'll try to wrap this up by saying with only 9 racers showing up the racing couldn't have been better between John Pappagallo and Matthew Lamanilao. They spent the entire 72 lap race nose to tail. side by side and swapping positions every few laps. The side to side racing allowed Steve Lattanzi of Team Titanium to catch up and make, first time ever, clean passes to not only them but to Dynamic Duo driver Austin Kipp. Racing side by side will slow both up and nose to tail can be the fast way together to the front. Thank you John and Matt for making second place a reality for Team Titanium.
Josh Walker is new to this hour long racing against the best but has done a great job and continues to improve month to month. Stay with it, seat time will set you free. He also sneaks down and does an all day pass on Mondays. Good way to practice on the 1/2 mile GP track.
Now for the Results
Qualifier Line Up: Bobby Neumann...Matthew Lamanilao...Team Titanium (Charles Crowe)...Bill Hunter...John Pappagallo...Peter Liwanag...Dynamic Duo(Julia)...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
The early pit stop by Pete Liwanag didn't seem to be to his advantage and he may want to change that strategy for the next race. Pete's signifigant other Theresa is our resident photographer and has done an outstanding job of capturing the action on and off the track. She is also putting together a 2011 F1 Race Factory racing calendar and I will keep you all in the loop as to it's release date. I saw the preview and it's amazing.
AZIKC Race # 8 Finish Order: Bobby Neumann...Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)...John Pappagallo...Matthew Lamanilao...Bill Hunter...Dynamic Duo (Julia/Austin Kipp)...Peter Liwanag...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
Lots of MIA drivers for this Series??? but we will all be back next month Sat. Oct. 30th at 10am to have fun and stand atop the podium stand and have our picture taken. Check in by 9:30 and we start racing by 10. 1 hour 1/2 mile GP track $70.00 and you can split it and driver change during the mandatory 20 second pit stop.
Thank You all for taking time out of your busy schedules and valuable reources to do this. Steve "Kandyman"( Points totals to follow)
You don't want to miss this Sunday's 7 Hour Team Endurance Race at F1 Race Factory. We have 11 teams signed up so far and we will be doing a unique race format to make it fun and different. We are 1 team away from going 1/2 mile GP track. $333.00 + tax. teams of 2 to 6 are AOK. Winners Trophy plus $777.00/$333.00/$111.00 Prize Money to the top three. Starts at 12 noon SHARP and ends at 7pm.
SIGN UP TODAY!!!
Online or call me at 602-427-4416.
Knowing and overly confident that his 27 point lead just may be good enough to win this and because of the 1 race drop, which he will use this race, Rolfson may have figured, why spend any more money than I have too? Here's why. Team Titanium is hungry, real hungry for the overall win and with the unstoppable Charles Crowe & Steve Lattanzi making up Team Titanium they are not leaving this dinner table before they are full and satisfied. We plan to have Rolfson as the main course and John Ahrens for dessert. Burpppppp, good meal, pass the cigars and the Cognac.
Keith Sears also decided to opt out as he felt staying gainfully employed was more important than racing and maintaining his 3rd place standings. What's the matter, you too proud to join the millions on unemployment? Look at all the new friends you would get to meet. Birds of a feather flocking together.
W
e did have a welcome addition to the AZIKC kart racing ranks and her, yes I said her, name is Julia. Julia is the protoge' and longtime girlfriend of one of the best, pound for pound indoor kart drivers out there, Austin Kipp aka Kipp Van Winkle. Kipp has taken Julia under his wing and has been moving up the ranks and into fast laps territory. They are teaming up to do this and the team name is Dynamic Duo. Julia in person is a sweetheart that is until she straps on the required helmet then watch out, she's an upcoming serious contendor. First time in the AZIKC and Julia out qualified two month to month regulars.
Another newcomer to the AZIKC racing showed up and literally stole the show and made quite a statement by qualifying on the pole and then taking off like a rocket and never looking back to see who was in his wake. Robert(Bobby)Neumann, brother of Alfred E, standing as tall as a skyscraper at 6'5" or more managed to squeeze into the one size fits all Sodi kart and proceed to teach us all a thing or two about winning a race handily. His post race smile and enthusiasm could be felt for miles around. Nice kid, don't you have somewhere else to go on the last Sat. of the month? Congratulations Bobby!!!
And last but not least a person of interest and having a never give up attitude is the unstoppable Bill Hunter. Bill was feeling off kilter that morning and wasn't sure he was going to make the race but low and behold there he was qualifying in fourth and overcoming what was ailing him. We've all been there one time or another and having to suit up and strap on that helmet can make matters worse. Toward the end of the race I managed to catch Bill still on the track during the cool down lap and his face was a red as a sun ripened tomato. When I saw him again at the soda fountains he said he felt better and was glad he raced. Bill finished 5th place overall for the day and gets the "Hard Charger and Never Giving Up Award" for today.
Race Wrap up? Oh, that's what you thought this was? I'll try to wrap this up by saying with only 9 racers showing up the racing couldn't have been better between John Pappagallo and Matthew Lamanilao. They spent the entire 72 lap race nose to tail. side by side and swapping positions every few laps. The side to side racing allowed Steve Lattanzi of Team Titanium to catch up and make, first time ever, clean passes to not only them but to Dynamic Duo driver Austin Kipp. Racing side by side will slow both up and nose to tail can be the fast way together to the front. Thank you John and Matt for making second place a reality for Team Titanium.
Josh Walker is new to this hour long racing against the best but has done a great job and continues to improve month to month. Stay with it, seat time will set you free. He also sneaks down and does an all day pass on Mondays. Good way to practice on the 1/2 mile GP track.
Now for the Results
Qualifier Line Up: Bobby Neumann...Matthew Lamanilao...Team Titanium (Charles Crowe)...Bill Hunter...John Pappagallo...Peter Liwanag...Dynamic Duo(Julia)...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
The early pit stop by Pete Liwanag didn't seem to be to his advantage and he may want to change that strategy for the next race. Pete's signifigant other Theresa is our resident photographer and has done an outstanding job of capturing the action on and off the track. She is also putting together a 2011 F1 Race Factory racing calendar and I will keep you all in the loop as to it's release date. I saw the preview and it's amazing.
AZIKC Race # 8 Finish Order: Bobby Neumann...Team Titanium (Steve Lattanzi/Charles Crowe)...John Pappagallo...Matthew Lamanilao...Bill Hunter...Dynamic Duo (Julia/Austin Kipp)...Peter Liwanag...John Ahrens...Josh Walker
Lots of MIA drivers for this Series??? but we will all be back next month Sat. Oct. 30th at 10am to have fun and stand atop the podium stand and have our picture taken. Check in by 9:30 and we start racing by 10. 1 hour 1/2 mile GP track $70.00 and you can split it and driver change during the mandatory 20 second pit stop.
Thank You all for taking time out of your busy schedules and valuable reources to do this. Steve "Kandyman"( Points totals to follow)
You don't want to miss this Sunday's 7 Hour Team Endurance Race at F1 Race Factory. We have 11 teams signed up so far and we will be doing a unique race format to make it fun and different. We are 1 team away from going 1/2 mile GP track. $333.00 + tax. teams of 2 to 6 are AOK. Winners Trophy plus $777.00/$333.00/$111.00 Prize Money to the top three. Starts at 12 noon SHARP and ends at 7pm.
SIGN UP TODAY!!!
Online or call me at 602-427-4416.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Anniversary Enduro Race this Sunday!!
We are 5 days away from the Start of the BEST deal in Endurance Karting ever to hit a N. American Indoor Kart Track. On Sunday October 3rd, F1 Race Factory will be celebrating 7 years of Adrenaline pumping Indoor Karting by holding an Anniversary party which will include a 7 Hour Team Endurance Kart Race. Starting at 12noon and deciding, 7 hours later, the “Winning Endurance Team”will be awarded a beautiful bragging rights trophy and a whopping $777.00 to WIN. 2nd place will pay out $333.00 and 3rd place will pay $111.00. Be the first on your block to stand high atop the Winners Podium and be forever immortalized in the record books of F1 Race Factory.
The meager entry fee is only $333.00 + tax and split 3 ways is only $111.00 + tax each!!! That’s approx 2 hours or more racing for each racer and not much more than a nite out on the town. That and no worries of a DUI or DWI and you can go as fast as you want with no threat of meeting Officer License, Registration & Insurance card and a speeding ticket with points added to your squeaky clean drivers license.
We have no more than 15 spots left and if 12 or more teams enter we will be on the fabulous ½ mile GP track which gets kart speeds to 45MPH in a hurry. This is also a weight equalized competition race to level the playing field which will highlite driver skill not liteness of being. You must sign up now to beat the last minute rush. How can you win it if you aren’t in it???
Keeping it Fair & Safe with the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
F1 Race Factory - Your Phoenix Destination For Adrenaline-Packed Outings
Arizona's Premier Indoor Karting & Entertainment Venue
Seasonal Leagues, High Level Competition Events, Public Racing 363 Days A Year
Two Indoor Tracks, 45+MPH Karts, Billiards, Trackside Bar & Grill.
The meager entry fee is only $333.00 + tax and split 3 ways is only $111.00 + tax each!!! That’s approx 2 hours or more racing for each racer and not much more than a nite out on the town. That and no worries of a DUI or DWI and you can go as fast as you want with no threat of meeting Officer License, Registration & Insurance card and a speeding ticket with points added to your squeaky clean drivers license.
We have no more than 15 spots left and if 12 or more teams enter we will be on the fabulous ½ mile GP track which gets kart speeds to 45MPH in a hurry. This is also a weight equalized competition race to level the playing field which will highlite driver skill not liteness of being. You must sign up now to beat the last minute rush. How can you win it if you aren’t in it???
Keeping it Fair & Safe with the Rubberside Down!
Steve Lattanzi “Kandyman”
steve@f1rf.com
Specialty Events, F1 Race Factory
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix, AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.f1racefactory.com
F1 Race Factory - Your Phoenix Destination For Adrenaline-Packed Outings
Arizona's Premier Indoor Karting & Entertainment Venue
Seasonal Leagues, High Level Competition Events, Public Racing 363 Days A Year
Two Indoor Tracks, 45+MPH Karts, Billiards, Trackside Bar & Grill.
NASA AZ League Race # 3 Wrap up
With 16 racers signed up but only 12 showing up to compete for Millions of Dollars and a Full Ride Sponsorship on a Major Motorsports Team riding on winning this NASA AZ league this reporter was surprised to see Porsche 944 Spec Series Driver, Austin "The Kid" Newmark, miss this all too important event. Going into this third race of five with no race drops was critical to amassing enough points to walk away with this exceptional prize package. Do dreams come true or set for life mean the same things to the young racer of today. I think not! A collective cheer was heard for miles around when it was announced that a no show by Newmark was imminent.
The arrival of, currently first in points, Ronald "Lone Wolf" Jones was met with just the opposite. Boo's and hisses coming from the racing gallery upon his early arrival led one to believe that Jones was the one to beat today. Read on and your inquiring minds will have an answer.
Ronald Jones sets the bar higher with an outstanding performance in today's NASA AZ League race # 3. The Trifecta of League race wins was set today by Jones and to top it all off set fast time on Track 2 with a 24.333 on lap 43 in the 60 lap Main.
NASA AZ welcomes newcomer Aaron Gaghagen to the series and even though Aaron struggled he never gave up and did not interrupt the flow of the race by knowing where to go when the leader wanted by. His times kept dropping so with more seat time he will be right up there battling with the frontrunners in no time. Thanks Aaron, good to have you on board.
We also had a new face with Wayne Porter, brother of Kent Porter. I think the agreement was if I bring you can't beat me in front of my NASA friends. Wayne reluctantly signed the agreement and managed to finish behind brother Kent as instructed. These must be Team Porter orders and smells of scandal! It was only a one race agreement claims Wayne, next race the gloves come off. Sibling rivalry at it's best.
Eric Jacobsen is now strapping 5# weights to his ankles to distribute the weight away from the tail end of the kart and give the front tires a better chance of grip. Seems to be working as he finished top 5 in both the 36 lap Heat and the 60 Lap Main. He is now 3rd place in points overall.
There seems to be head turning contest between certain racers and Leland Forbes the III, IV or V, is by far the winner of that competition, with head turning that would make a mere mortal dizzy. I think he's up to play a part in the new Exorcist movie and a 360 head turn will be in the script. He's at the 180 degree mark now. F1 is thinking of installing a side view mirror system just for him. No extra charge.
The track battles between Kent Buckley and NASA AZ Pres. Tage Evanson were epic today and Evanson managed to stay ahead of Buckley at the conclusion of the Heat & the Main. Kent Buckley is now 2nd in points with Tage Evanson on the move up and currently in the 5th place points spot.
Adam Vega has got to be the unluckiest and luckiest racer out there. Two karts out of the three he picked had a mechanical issue but early enough so that his races were not impacted. Must be that 4 leaf clover he carries around. You have any lucky Lotto numbers you want to recommend ?
Filming all this activity from his helmet cam is Stenos "The Nos" Wijaya. If it's Friday you just may find the him down at F1 Race Factory getting in some seat time to sharpen those karting skills. Unfortunately the weight system is not available to him as he has to add 500# just to make the 200# minimum!!!
One other honorable mention before we get to the results goes out to Segio Perez. In the 4 way battle with Brian "Muscle Shirt" Turner,Leland "Head Turner" Forbes and Wayne "The Other Brother" Porter, Sergio running at the back of that pack hits the brakes hard on the back straightaway and turns into "Spinderrella"! I think he also lost the glass slipper, so if you find it please return to him at the next NASA AZ race which is Sunday October 31st, Halloween. I'll bring the candy so no door to door Trick or Treating will be required.
Great day of indoor kart racing was had by all with stacked up and three wide passing in some of the corners was the norm. Always fun to watch.
Time to get to the results.
Top 12 to Qualify: Ronald Jones with a 24.811...Kent Buckley...Tage Evanson...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Kent Porter...Eric Jacobsen...Adam Vega...Brian Turner...Wayne Porter...Sergio Perez...Aaron Gaghagen
Heat Race Finish Order:
Ronald Jones... Tage Evanson...Eric Jacobsen...Kent Buckley...Kent Porter...Brian Turner...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Adam Vega...Wayne Porter...Sergio Perez...Aaron Gaghagen
Main Race Finish Order:
Ronald Jones...Tage Evanson...Kent Buckley...Kent Porter...Eric Jacobsen...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Brian Turner...Sergio Perez...Wayne Porter...Adam Vega...Aaron Gaghagen
When the Podium pics were snapped you will see two cute additions joining the second place finisher Tage Evanson. His two daughters joined him in his celebration photo and brought their best smiles to share with their dad.
Congratulations to Ronald, Tage & Kent.
See you all and more for the 4th race of the NASA AZ on Sunday October 31st 12:30 check in with qualifying to start at 1pm.
Thank You all for taking the time out of your busy schedules and the resources to do this.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi of F1 Race Factory.
As soon as it is ready I will send out points sheet.
The arrival of, currently first in points, Ronald "Lone Wolf" Jones was met with just the opposite. Boo's and hisses coming from the racing gallery upon his early arrival led one to believe that Jones was the one to beat today. Read on and your inquiring minds will have an answer.
Ronald Jones sets the bar higher with an outstanding performance in today's NASA AZ League race # 3. The Trifecta of League race wins was set today by Jones and to top it all off set fast time on Track 2 with a 24.333 on lap 43 in the 60 lap Main.
NASA AZ welcomes newcomer Aaron Gaghagen to the series and even though Aaron struggled he never gave up and did not interrupt the flow of the race by knowing where to go when the leader wanted by. His times kept dropping so with more seat time he will be right up there battling with the frontrunners in no time. Thanks Aaron, good to have you on board.
We also had a new face with Wayne Porter, brother of Kent Porter. I think the agreement was if I bring you can't beat me in front of my NASA friends. Wayne reluctantly signed the agreement and managed to finish behind brother Kent as instructed. These must be Team Porter orders and smells of scandal! It was only a one race agreement claims Wayne, next race the gloves come off. Sibling rivalry at it's best.
Eric Jacobsen is now strapping 5# weights to his ankles to distribute the weight away from the tail end of the kart and give the front tires a better chance of grip. Seems to be working as he finished top 5 in both the 36 lap Heat and the 60 Lap Main. He is now 3rd place in points overall.
There seems to be head turning contest between certain racers and Leland Forbes the III, IV or V, is by far the winner of that competition, with head turning that would make a mere mortal dizzy. I think he's up to play a part in the new Exorcist movie and a 360 head turn will be in the script. He's at the 180 degree mark now. F1 is thinking of installing a side view mirror system just for him. No extra charge.
The track battles between Kent Buckley and NASA AZ Pres. Tage Evanson were epic today and Evanson managed to stay ahead of Buckley at the conclusion of the Heat & the Main. Kent Buckley is now 2nd in points with Tage Evanson on the move up and currently in the 5th place points spot.
Adam Vega has got to be the unluckiest and luckiest racer out there. Two karts out of the three he picked had a mechanical issue but early enough so that his races were not impacted. Must be that 4 leaf clover he carries around. You have any lucky Lotto numbers you want to recommend ?
Filming all this activity from his helmet cam is Stenos "The Nos" Wijaya. If it's Friday you just may find the him down at F1 Race Factory getting in some seat time to sharpen those karting skills. Unfortunately the weight system is not available to him as he has to add 500# just to make the 200# minimum!!!
One other honorable mention before we get to the results goes out to Segio Perez. In the 4 way battle with Brian "Muscle Shirt" Turner,Leland "Head Turner" Forbes and Wayne "The Other Brother" Porter, Sergio running at the back of that pack hits the brakes hard on the back straightaway and turns into "Spinderrella"! I think he also lost the glass slipper, so if you find it please return to him at the next NASA AZ race which is Sunday October 31st, Halloween. I'll bring the candy so no door to door Trick or Treating will be required.
Great day of indoor kart racing was had by all with stacked up and three wide passing in some of the corners was the norm. Always fun to watch.
Time to get to the results.
Top 12 to Qualify: Ronald Jones with a 24.811...Kent Buckley...Tage Evanson...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Kent Porter...Eric Jacobsen...Adam Vega...Brian Turner...Wayne Porter...Sergio Perez...Aaron Gaghagen
Heat Race Finish Order:
Ronald Jones... Tage Evanson...Eric Jacobsen...Kent Buckley...Kent Porter...Brian Turner...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Adam Vega...Wayne Porter...Sergio Perez...Aaron Gaghagen
Main Race Finish Order:
Ronald Jones...Tage Evanson...Kent Buckley...Kent Porter...Eric Jacobsen...Stenos Wijaya...Leland Forbes...Brian Turner...Sergio Perez...Wayne Porter...Adam Vega...Aaron Gaghagen
When the Podium pics were snapped you will see two cute additions joining the second place finisher Tage Evanson. His two daughters joined him in his celebration photo and brought their best smiles to share with their dad.
Congratulations to Ronald, Tage & Kent.
See you all and more for the 4th race of the NASA AZ on Sunday October 31st 12:30 check in with qualifying to start at 1pm.
Thank You all for taking the time out of your busy schedules and the resources to do this.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi of F1 Race Factory.
As soon as it is ready I will send out points sheet.
Monday, September 13, 2010
2010 F1 Summer League Finale
The incredible 2010 F1 Race Factory Summer League Series Championship was held Sat. Sept 11th and a new "Champion" has been crowned. The, never put a wheel wrong, and the dominant leader in overall wins for the season, Austin Kipp finally has a league series "Winners" trophy to show for his summer long efforts. His last shot at acquiring the coveted F1 Race Factory league trophy was during the Spring league and Mike Robertson won that one over Kipp by a mere 1 point when all was said and done. Going into the final race of this series Kipp had put together an impressive weekly score that reflected a low score of 43 points out of the possible 45 available. Even though he missed one race and used that as his drop he never faltered in the other seven races and by series end had the field covered by 9 points.
A tie for second place overall was between Winter League Champion, Steve Lattanzi and future League Champion, Justin Bayles. Bayles takes the second place spot and cash by handily winning the main race at the finale even though Lattanzi qualified on pole, took the heat race and ended up second in the main race. Justin played his cards right and never once touched Lattanzi in the final but managed to wave as he went flying by to take the win in the last race of the summer league series.
Congratulations to Austin Kipp for his stellar performance all series long and for the long overdue "Championship Win". Great job and one of the cleanest, smoothest drivers to race an indoor kart. Congratulations also to race winner and overall second place finisher Justin Bayles, who on a personal side note is now stationed at the border of AZ/Mexico hoping to report and curtain illegal activity. Thank you from all of us and be safe.
He wasn't even supposed to be available to race in the final but we were happy to see him show up and prove once and for all just what a great competitor he is and the power of never giving up. Thank you Justin for not trying to push pass Lattanzi out of the building this time.
Top 10 Overall in the F1 League Series Championship:
Austin Kipp 317...Justin Bayles 308...Steve Lattanzi 308...Chaz Baca Jr 297...Keith Sears 283...
Eric Dickinson 262...Charles Crowe 234...Robert Neumann 230...Bryan Weaver 212...Josh Lambeth 208.
F1 Race Factory opens it's doors early, before the general public has a chance to warm up the karts and this presents a bit of a challenge. The karts, tires and surface at that time of day are all cool which creates a different racing experience. Slippery as a "well oiled pig" as one competitor so eloquently put it. Looks and drives like a drifting contest with some creative behind the wheel maneuvers just to get around. Who ordered the opposite lock sandwich? No major incidents reported but lap times on the 1/2 mile GP track were nowhere close to record breaking. Lattanzi took the pole in the qualifier/heat with a 52.448. The 23rd starting spot turned in a 57.497. It was a, who could control the slip the best contest and drift/slip master Lattanzi seemed happy to take that win.
In the heat race it was a nose to tail conga line from 2nd place to 6th place with Justin Bayles as their conga leader. Behind him you found Chaz Baca Jr, Jason Burstein, Keith Sears, and Austin Kipp. The yellow helmeted Eric Dickinson came on at the end but ran out of laps to be a real threat.
Top 10 Heat Race Finish:
Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Jason Burstein...Keith Sears...
Austin Kipp...Eric Dickinson...Robert Neumann...Bryan Weaver...John Pappagallo
With one more race to run for all the marbles and a "Champions Trophy", a check and a chance to get your picture taken on the podium stand the field is set with Lattanzi in the #1 starting spot and hoping for a complete meltdown from Kipp, Bayles and Baca. What he got was a good clean start with Bayles Super Glued to his rear bumper and the Kipp/Baca threat mixing it up with Burstein,Sears and Dickinson. Lap after lap Bayles stayed attached to the rear bumper of Lattanzi but never making a move that would prove to be their undoing. Ten laps in Bayles did make the move and got by only to give it back one turn later. Next lap, same place and this time made the pass, clean, and never looked back as he slowly but surely pulled away for the eventual main race win. Talk about a happy camper. Used some of the European drivers smooth style of cornering he learned by watching them at the IKWC in July. Great race and Bayles deserved that win, hands down. Mistake free win by Bayles and the race that ended up breaking the tie in points for second overall. Great job Justin and glad that you were able to make the race after all.
Top 10 Main Race:
Justin Bayles...Steve Lattanzi...Chaz Baca Jr...Austin Kipp...Jason Burstein..
Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...John Pappagallo...Josh Lambeth...Charles Crowe.
The 2010 F1 Race Factory Summer League Series is now in the record books and a "Champion" has been declared, tears of joy and sorrow were shed and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of these racers for keeping it real and making it one of the most fun and exciting league series.
A special trophy was created and given to the racer who just plain never gave up no matter where he finished. "The Kandyman Award" went to first time leaguer, Chris Kautz for his ongoing determination and spirit of never giving up. The tag line Most Races, Least Points reflects a starting point from which he will build from as we hope he continues to compete in all future league races. Thank You Chris and all the other new to the leagues for taking the time and money to do this week to week. Seven years ago in my first league I scored zero,nada, not one point and the race director at the time handed me a two bent rims consolation trophy that inspired me to do stay with it and do better. I still have that trophy and it's my favorite. I'm doing better and that is the spirit to which I have created the "Kandyman Award" trophy. Enjoy the Snickers, Chris!
Our next League Series(Fall) starts Tuesday Nov.16th and has been modified slightly to be a six race series which will conclude on Sat. Dec.18th.
In the meantime we have an incredible amount of racing, to satisfy your race cravings, going on at F1 Race Factory.
Sat.Sept 25th Monthly 1 Hour Enduro
Sun Oct. 3rd 7 Hour Team Enduro (I'm putting teams together currently)
Sat. Oct. 30th Monthly 1 Hour Enduro
Fri/Sat/Sun. Nov 5/6/7 USIKC Races
Steve is also going to be on the Track every Thursday from 5:30 to 8pm and if enough leaguers show up have impromptu races happen just for us.
It will take 10 racers to do this and with Thursday being double laps for the same money it's a great deal. Let me know or just show up and I can put something together that will be fun and just for us. No weights, racing suits etc. Just some like minded racers getting together and having fun. Thank You it's been a great Summer League and getting to meet and know you all.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
steve@f1rf.com
602-427-4416
602-321-2035(m)
A tie for second place overall was between Winter League Champion, Steve Lattanzi and future League Champion, Justin Bayles. Bayles takes the second place spot and cash by handily winning the main race at the finale even though Lattanzi qualified on pole, took the heat race and ended up second in the main race. Justin played his cards right and never once touched Lattanzi in the final but managed to wave as he went flying by to take the win in the last race of the summer league series.
Congratulations to Austin Kipp for his stellar performance all series long and for the long overdue "Championship Win". Great job and one of the cleanest, smoothest drivers to race an indoor kart. Congratulations also to race winner and overall second place finisher Justin Bayles, who on a personal side note is now stationed at the border of AZ/Mexico hoping to report and curtain illegal activity. Thank you from all of us and be safe.
He wasn't even supposed to be available to race in the final but we were happy to see him show up and prove once and for all just what a great competitor he is and the power of never giving up. Thank you Justin for not trying to push pass Lattanzi out of the building this time.
Top 10 Overall in the F1 League Series Championship:
Austin Kipp 317...Justin Bayles 308...Steve Lattanzi 308...Chaz Baca Jr 297...Keith Sears 283...
Eric Dickinson 262...Charles Crowe 234...Robert Neumann 230...Bryan Weaver 212...Josh Lambeth 208.
F1 Race Factory opens it's doors early, before the general public has a chance to warm up the karts and this presents a bit of a challenge. The karts, tires and surface at that time of day are all cool which creates a different racing experience. Slippery as a "well oiled pig" as one competitor so eloquently put it. Looks and drives like a drifting contest with some creative behind the wheel maneuvers just to get around. Who ordered the opposite lock sandwich? No major incidents reported but lap times on the 1/2 mile GP track were nowhere close to record breaking. Lattanzi took the pole in the qualifier/heat with a 52.448. The 23rd starting spot turned in a 57.497. It was a, who could control the slip the best contest and drift/slip master Lattanzi seemed happy to take that win.
In the heat race it was a nose to tail conga line from 2nd place to 6th place with Justin Bayles as their conga leader. Behind him you found Chaz Baca Jr, Jason Burstein, Keith Sears, and Austin Kipp. The yellow helmeted Eric Dickinson came on at the end but ran out of laps to be a real threat.
Top 10 Heat Race Finish:
Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Jason Burstein...Keith Sears...
Austin Kipp...Eric Dickinson...Robert Neumann...Bryan Weaver...John Pappagallo
With one more race to run for all the marbles and a "Champions Trophy", a check and a chance to get your picture taken on the podium stand the field is set with Lattanzi in the #1 starting spot and hoping for a complete meltdown from Kipp, Bayles and Baca. What he got was a good clean start with Bayles Super Glued to his rear bumper and the Kipp/Baca threat mixing it up with Burstein,Sears and Dickinson. Lap after lap Bayles stayed attached to the rear bumper of Lattanzi but never making a move that would prove to be their undoing. Ten laps in Bayles did make the move and got by only to give it back one turn later. Next lap, same place and this time made the pass, clean, and never looked back as he slowly but surely pulled away for the eventual main race win. Talk about a happy camper. Used some of the European drivers smooth style of cornering he learned by watching them at the IKWC in July. Great race and Bayles deserved that win, hands down. Mistake free win by Bayles and the race that ended up breaking the tie in points for second overall. Great job Justin and glad that you were able to make the race after all.
Top 10 Main Race:
Justin Bayles...Steve Lattanzi...Chaz Baca Jr...Austin Kipp...Jason Burstein..
Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...John Pappagallo...Josh Lambeth...Charles Crowe.
The 2010 F1 Race Factory Summer League Series is now in the record books and a "Champion" has been declared, tears of joy and sorrow were shed and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone one of these racers for keeping it real and making it one of the most fun and exciting league series.
A special trophy was created and given to the racer who just plain never gave up no matter where he finished. "The Kandyman Award" went to first time leaguer, Chris Kautz for his ongoing determination and spirit of never giving up. The tag line Most Races, Least Points reflects a starting point from which he will build from as we hope he continues to compete in all future league races. Thank You Chris and all the other new to the leagues for taking the time and money to do this week to week. Seven years ago in my first league I scored zero,nada, not one point and the race director at the time handed me a two bent rims consolation trophy that inspired me to do stay with it and do better. I still have that trophy and it's my favorite. I'm doing better and that is the spirit to which I have created the "Kandyman Award" trophy. Enjoy the Snickers, Chris!
Our next League Series(Fall) starts Tuesday Nov.16th and has been modified slightly to be a six race series which will conclude on Sat. Dec.18th.
In the meantime we have an incredible amount of racing, to satisfy your race cravings, going on at F1 Race Factory.
Sat.Sept 25th Monthly 1 Hour Enduro
Sun Oct. 3rd 7 Hour Team Enduro (I'm putting teams together currently)
Sat. Oct. 30th Monthly 1 Hour Enduro
Fri/Sat/Sun. Nov 5/6/7 USIKC Races
Steve is also going to be on the Track every Thursday from 5:30 to 8pm and if enough leaguers show up have impromptu races happen just for us.
It will take 10 racers to do this and with Thursday being double laps for the same money it's a great deal. Let me know or just show up and I can put something together that will be fun and just for us. No weights, racing suits etc. Just some like minded racers getting together and having fun. Thank You it's been a great Summer League and getting to meet and know you all.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
steve@f1rf.com
602-427-4416
602-321-2035(m)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
F1 Summer League Series Race # 7 Wrap up Report
With the 2010 F1 Race Factory Summer League Series in week seven of eight, twenty five hungry for a win or a good finish, racers showed up to see how they stack up against each other and themselves. Race # 7 was run on Track 1 c/c/w which makes the tight 180 degree left turn one at the standing, staggered start within 20 feet a bumper to bumper traffic jam. Turn 2 is a tight 180 degree right turn so the turn 1 traffic jam continues thru that one as well. Amazingly, two Heats and two Mains were run thru these two tough kart eating turns with no major incidents at the starts.
Now I have to ask you. Has the points leader thruout this Summer League Series Steve Lattanzi lost focus or his marbles? A little bit of both I must say especially after last nites performance that had half the audience booing and wanting their money back and the other half armed with tomatoes at the ready. With a 13th Place qualifying effort he knew he had to step it up or apply for social security retirement benefits and walk away. With so much on the line stepping up became the only option to stay on course to race against the best in the coveted, score the most points, "A" Main.
Two Hot Shoe indoor kart racers from SoCal joined us last nite. Dave Messimer, who travels the country introducing motorcycle riders to the Kawasaki Road bikes and gives those riders an opportunity to try them out on the road. That sounds like a pretty cool way to make some bucks and meet a lot of new friends. Dave also competed in the Indoor Kart World Championships here at F1 Race Factory back in July and if I remember right he did pretty well. What I do know is that he did showed the local talent a thing or two about racing hard and with little or no contact. I should know I got to see the back of his kart and helmet all nite. Thanks for coming Dave, good to see someone our age race against the youngsters and fare well. Fast time for the nite with a 29.335 in the record books.
The other Hot Shoe or should I say Hotblooded indoor kart driver that dared to show his handsome mug around these parts was one of our own many races ago was the always tough to beat and multi talented daredevil, James Romero III. This is a guy that spent his formative years racing dirt bikes and collecting stitches and broken bones. Then since that wasn't dangerous enough he went on to race road bikes that you lean into turns so much that you have to wear protective knee pads because they scrape the ground in turns at over 100 MPH!!! Think Daytona at 200 MPH on two wheels and there you find James. And recently just when you think he has got it out of his system and has settled down because he had finally decided to marry his beautiful fiancee Rachel what does James do to keep it fresh? He goes Skydiving the day before his wedding!!!! Type A personality you say? I say Type AAA all the way. James is one cool dude and one of the nicest people you will ever meet on the track or off. His competitive spirit is still very much alive and still kicking. Didn't think James would make it last nite to qualify as he was driving his new 27' race central motorhome from Cali and was too far out to make it on time but he came careening into the parking lot of F1 Race Factory tires smoking, radio blasting and made the field with minutes to spare. James and Rachel own the finest Limo Company in the West called" In The Scene Limousine", so if you need a class ride for any event give them a call. Don't worry James no longer behind the wheel much so no helmets required.
Is this a race report or a novel of epic proportions. It's a race report so here goes. Qualifying: Good... Heats: Better... Mains: The Best! There all done.
Top 10 Qualifiers: Chaz Baca Jr with a 29.652...Austin Kipp...Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...Justin Bayles...Robert Neumann...Dave Messimer...Bryan Weaver...Rees Candee...Kyle Tatman. Top ten seperated by less than 5/10's of a second.
Group 1 Heat Finish: Austin Kipp...Eric Dickinson...Robert Neumann...Bryan Weaver...Josh Lambeth...John Gilles...Scott Lodding...Kyle Tatman...Joshua Walker...Chris Webb...John Vanderway...Douglas Smith.
The always amazing Kipp pulls another heat win from the points pool and scores a maximum 15.
Group 2 Heat Finish: Chaz Baca Jr...Keith Sears...Justin Bayles...Dave Messimer...Steve Lattanzi...Rees Candee...Don Angel...Charles Crowe...ames Romero III...Kelley Ryan...Jason Aviles...Dana Lanzaro...Chris Kautz.
Chaz Baca Jr making a final push for maximum points and gets 15 for the win.
The "B" Main runs first and the racing was probably the most action packed "B" Main of the season. For the first part of the race Don angel led the pack lap after lap with Charles Crowe making the daring move of trying to take Angel to the inside of turn 1 with very little success but with some kart to kart contact. Angel fought back lap after lap but the persistance of Crowe finally got the space he needed and Crowe once by Angel set sail for the race win. Now you had Don Angel,Joshua Walker, James Romero III, and Kelley Ryan racing nose to tail and side by side lap after lap which made for some pretty exciting moments until the Checkered Flag flew to end all the fun they were having. A white flag lap pass by Joshua Walker was called back and the third place finish spot was given back to Romero who was seen shaking his head side to side as if to say no way Jose'. I don't know about you but I held my breath for the last 5 or so laps waiting for the BIG One, but glad to see it didn't happen. That was saved for the "A" Main.
"B" Main Finish Order: Charles Crowe...Don Angel...James Romero III...Joshua Walker...Kelley Ryan...Kyle Tatman...John Vanderway...Jason Aviles...Chris Webb...Dana Lanzaro...Douglas Smith...Chris Kautz. Congratulations to Charles Crowe for the win and for some heart stopping moments with the patented Charles "Diver Dan" Crowe passing technique.
The "A" Main had heat win regulars Chaz Baca Jr & Austin Kipp at the front with Baca taking the pole position. The race start saw some bumping thruout the field but it became evident rather quickly that pole position Baca was working real hard keeping the rest of the top runners at bay and behind him. Kipp managed to get around Baca but when Justin Bayles tried to follow suit contact between Bayles & Baca Jr got Baca turned around and losing spots faster than a freckled Irish kid at a Sun Tan Contest. With Baca now deep in the field and trying desperately to make up ground Kipp said adios and peeled off fast laps to stay far, far away from the fray which now had become a trying to pass festival between Bales,Sears, Messimer and eventually Dickinson who steadily came thru the field like a train locomotive. Lattanzi thought he had 5th place wrapped up but the steady pace of Dickinson proved that theory all wrong and Lattanzi with an unusual move pointed Dickinson by with the hopes of another fast tracker in the fray ahead would be the perfect recipe for passing contact and maybe a push pass or two. Dreams don't always come true and the hopes of watching four racers spinning each other out of the way were never realized. Drat's, foiled again. Was that Baca Jr closing fast in the imaginary rear view mirrors of now 6th place Lattanzi? By golly it sure was and Baca Jr was now on a mission and not many laps left to acomplish the goal of passing back the racers that got by him in the earlier incident with Bumpin' Bayles. Lattanzi even though slowing at the conclusion of the race and seemingly waiting for Baca Jr, the pass for position and an added point didn't transpire. The Dreaded Black Flag made an appearance last nite but since the facts of the case haven't crossed this desk that all that's known at this time. Wasn't for the Baca/ Bayles incident although many people thought it should have but that's water under the bridge and that ship has sailed.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Justin Bayles...Keith Sears...Dave Messimer...Eric Dickinson...Steve Lattanzi...Chaz Baca Jr...Robert Neumann...Josh Lambeth...John Giles...Rees Candee...Bryan Weaver...Scott Lodding. Dave Messimer fast time for the nite with a 29.335.
All in all a good nite at the track was had by most and the next league race will be the final on the 1/2 mile GP Track, Sept. 11th with check in between 9/9:30. Qualifying starts at 10am. Austin Kipp, feel free to sit this one out. You must be exhausted from all this, so kick back with your new track student Julia and help her with her studies. Thank You all for taking the time and resources to do this. Fall season to be announced shortly. Working around the Corp. party dates that are hugely responsible for keeping these F1 Race Factory doors open. I am also setting up a Competition Central table so all the racing and events we do here will be at your finger tips. North side of check in desk hallway. Steve "Kandyman"
Now I have to ask you. Has the points leader thruout this Summer League Series Steve Lattanzi lost focus or his marbles? A little bit of both I must say especially after last nites performance that had half the audience booing and wanting their money back and the other half armed with tomatoes at the ready. With a 13th Place qualifying effort he knew he had to step it up or apply for social security retirement benefits and walk away. With so much on the line stepping up became the only option to stay on course to race against the best in the coveted, score the most points, "A" Main.
Two Hot Shoe indoor kart racers from SoCal joined us last nite. Dave Messimer, who travels the country introducing motorcycle riders to the Kawasaki Road bikes and gives those riders an opportunity to try them out on the road. That sounds like a pretty cool way to make some bucks and meet a lot of new friends. Dave also competed in the Indoor Kart World Championships here at F1 Race Factory back in July and if I remember right he did pretty well. What I do know is that he did showed the local talent a thing or two about racing hard and with little or no contact. I should know I got to see the back of his kart and helmet all nite. Thanks for coming Dave, good to see someone our age race against the youngsters and fare well. Fast time for the nite with a 29.335 in the record books.
The other Hot Shoe or should I say Hotblooded indoor kart driver that dared to show his handsome mug around these parts was one of our own many races ago was the always tough to beat and multi talented daredevil, James Romero III. This is a guy that spent his formative years racing dirt bikes and collecting stitches and broken bones. Then since that wasn't dangerous enough he went on to race road bikes that you lean into turns so much that you have to wear protective knee pads because they scrape the ground in turns at over 100 MPH!!! Think Daytona at 200 MPH on two wheels and there you find James. And recently just when you think he has got it out of his system and has settled down because he had finally decided to marry his beautiful fiancee Rachel what does James do to keep it fresh? He goes Skydiving the day before his wedding!!!! Type A personality you say? I say Type AAA all the way. James is one cool dude and one of the nicest people you will ever meet on the track or off. His competitive spirit is still very much alive and still kicking. Didn't think James would make it last nite to qualify as he was driving his new 27' race central motorhome from Cali and was too far out to make it on time but he came careening into the parking lot of F1 Race Factory tires smoking, radio blasting and made the field with minutes to spare. James and Rachel own the finest Limo Company in the West called" In The Scene Limousine", so if you need a class ride for any event give them a call. Don't worry James no longer behind the wheel much so no helmets required.
Is this a race report or a novel of epic proportions. It's a race report so here goes. Qualifying: Good... Heats: Better... Mains: The Best! There all done.
Top 10 Qualifiers: Chaz Baca Jr with a 29.652...Austin Kipp...Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...Justin Bayles...Robert Neumann...Dave Messimer...Bryan Weaver...Rees Candee...Kyle Tatman. Top ten seperated by less than 5/10's of a second.
Group 1 Heat Finish: Austin Kipp...Eric Dickinson...Robert Neumann...Bryan Weaver...Josh Lambeth...John Gilles...Scott Lodding...Kyle Tatman...Joshua Walker...Chris Webb...John Vanderway...Douglas Smith.
The always amazing Kipp pulls another heat win from the points pool and scores a maximum 15.
Group 2 Heat Finish: Chaz Baca Jr...Keith Sears...Justin Bayles...Dave Messimer...Steve Lattanzi...Rees Candee...Don Angel...Charles Crowe...ames Romero III...Kelley Ryan...Jason Aviles...Dana Lanzaro...Chris Kautz.
Chaz Baca Jr making a final push for maximum points and gets 15 for the win.
The "B" Main runs first and the racing was probably the most action packed "B" Main of the season. For the first part of the race Don angel led the pack lap after lap with Charles Crowe making the daring move of trying to take Angel to the inside of turn 1 with very little success but with some kart to kart contact. Angel fought back lap after lap but the persistance of Crowe finally got the space he needed and Crowe once by Angel set sail for the race win. Now you had Don Angel,Joshua Walker, James Romero III, and Kelley Ryan racing nose to tail and side by side lap after lap which made for some pretty exciting moments until the Checkered Flag flew to end all the fun they were having. A white flag lap pass by Joshua Walker was called back and the third place finish spot was given back to Romero who was seen shaking his head side to side as if to say no way Jose'. I don't know about you but I held my breath for the last 5 or so laps waiting for the BIG One, but glad to see it didn't happen. That was saved for the "A" Main.
"B" Main Finish Order: Charles Crowe...Don Angel...James Romero III...Joshua Walker...Kelley Ryan...Kyle Tatman...John Vanderway...Jason Aviles...Chris Webb...Dana Lanzaro...Douglas Smith...Chris Kautz. Congratulations to Charles Crowe for the win and for some heart stopping moments with the patented Charles "Diver Dan" Crowe passing technique.
The "A" Main had heat win regulars Chaz Baca Jr & Austin Kipp at the front with Baca taking the pole position. The race start saw some bumping thruout the field but it became evident rather quickly that pole position Baca was working real hard keeping the rest of the top runners at bay and behind him. Kipp managed to get around Baca but when Justin Bayles tried to follow suit contact between Bayles & Baca Jr got Baca turned around and losing spots faster than a freckled Irish kid at a Sun Tan Contest. With Baca now deep in the field and trying desperately to make up ground Kipp said adios and peeled off fast laps to stay far, far away from the fray which now had become a trying to pass festival between Bales,Sears, Messimer and eventually Dickinson who steadily came thru the field like a train locomotive. Lattanzi thought he had 5th place wrapped up but the steady pace of Dickinson proved that theory all wrong and Lattanzi with an unusual move pointed Dickinson by with the hopes of another fast tracker in the fray ahead would be the perfect recipe for passing contact and maybe a push pass or two. Dreams don't always come true and the hopes of watching four racers spinning each other out of the way were never realized. Drat's, foiled again. Was that Baca Jr closing fast in the imaginary rear view mirrors of now 6th place Lattanzi? By golly it sure was and Baca Jr was now on a mission and not many laps left to acomplish the goal of passing back the racers that got by him in the earlier incident with Bumpin' Bayles. Lattanzi even though slowing at the conclusion of the race and seemingly waiting for Baca Jr, the pass for position and an added point didn't transpire. The Dreaded Black Flag made an appearance last nite but since the facts of the case haven't crossed this desk that all that's known at this time. Wasn't for the Baca/ Bayles incident although many people thought it should have but that's water under the bridge and that ship has sailed.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Justin Bayles...Keith Sears...Dave Messimer...Eric Dickinson...Steve Lattanzi...Chaz Baca Jr...Robert Neumann...Josh Lambeth...John Giles...Rees Candee...Bryan Weaver...Scott Lodding. Dave Messimer fast time for the nite with a 29.335.
All in all a good nite at the track was had by most and the next league race will be the final on the 1/2 mile GP Track, Sept. 11th with check in between 9/9:30. Qualifying starts at 10am. Austin Kipp, feel free to sit this one out. You must be exhausted from all this, so kick back with your new track student Julia and help her with her studies. Thank You all for taking the time and resources to do this. Fall season to be announced shortly. Working around the Corp. party dates that are hugely responsible for keeping these F1 Race Factory doors open. I am also setting up a Competition Central table so all the racing and events we do here will be at your finger tips. North side of check in desk hallway. Steve "Kandyman"
Monday, August 30, 2010
NASA AZ League Race #2 Wrap Up Report
Sunday August 29th saw 17 NASA Az competitors return to F1 Race Factory to race for the bragging rights of NASA Az League Series Podium finisher for the day. Racing on track 1 c/c/w for the first time proved to a challenge for many of the racers. Competition racing is the only time the tracks go in the c/c/w direction and now the NASA Az racers got their chance to try it out.
Qualifying had Ronald "Mr Late" Jones at the top of the timing charts with a best lap time of 30.206, George (nobody can pronounce his last name) Sklyarevsky followed him across the timing stripe with Eric Jacobsen, Kent Porter, Adam Vega, Austin Newmark with his bullet proof 40# weight vest, Geri Amani, Tyler Braun, Tage Evanson, Dave Schutt, Brian Turner, Kent Buckley, Leland Forbes, Stenos Wijaya, Gary Kramer, Russell Whelan, and Sergio Perez completing the qualifier list.
With both heat groups now set to do the 15 minute or 30 lap heat the standing start in the c/c/w direction has turn one within 20 feet and is a tight left hander that tends to bunch everybody up really quickly and both Group 1 & 2 heat races were no exception. Position changes happen and the field stays tight for a lap or two until racers find their own rhythm and settle in to race in groups of 2 or 3.
Group 1 Heat Finish: Ronald Jones...Tage Evanson...Eric Jacobsen...Geri Amani...Brian Turner...Adam Vega...Gary Kramer...Leland Forbes...Sergio Perez
Group 2 Heat Finish: Austin Newmark...Kent Buckley...Tyler Braun...Kent Porter...George Sklyarevsky...Stenos Wijaya...Dave Schutt...Russell Whelan
Both Heat groups get same points starting with 15 to win and 1 point increments down thru the field.
Top 5 from Group 1 and top 4 from group 2 move into the "A" Main race.
"B" Main has 6 thru 9 from Group 1 and 5 thru 8 from Group 2.
The "B" Main was on track 1 first and some close spirited driving by these racers had them going into turns sometimes 3 wide??? and making it thru to try it all again next lap. The fast lap times by the entire field was in the 30 second zone and within 7/10's. An unusual driving style was also witnessed.
One handed driving by Dave "Red Gloves" Schutt and Russell "Red Shirt" Whelan with Russell suffering thru a headache and a cramping right leg. Hydration on these hot days is a must and until this high humidity and soaring temps subside I would recommend extra H2O days before the league race. Dave must have been practicing his NYC cab calling index finger pointing skyward maneuver. The taxi never showed up thank goodness.
Gary Kramer brought home the bacon in the 50 lap or 25 minute "B" Main and the rest of the field followed George Sklyarevsky across the line.
They were Adam Vega, Leland Forbes, Dave Schutt, Sergio Perez, Stenos Wijaya and Russell Whelan.
Now for the "A" Main. With Ronald Jones starting from the pole and Austin Newmark starting from the # 2 position this was going to be a fight for the lead and with the wave of the green flag it went into pass mode by Newmark almost immediately. He must have been late for an interview or a date!
Jones may have given up the spot but stayed glued to the Newmark kart as they clicked off the laps. Not until lap traffic did Jones lose his cadence but once he did Newmark pulled away and never looked back. The battle for position behind the leaders was raging and Nasa Az Pres Tage Evanson saw his 3rd place running spot turn into 6th by lap 10. Position changes between Kent Buckley, Eric Jacobsen, Tyler Braun, Kent Porter, and Tage Evanson made this race a fun one to watch. At the back of the field Brian Turner & Geri Amani had a private race going with Brian breaking free of Geri and leaving her to fend for herself against the leaders who were now in lapping mode. Just as I turned to say how hard Geri works behind the wheel but never gives up Geri pulls in to the pits and I have to eat crow. Please pass the salt! The amount of weight Geri is strapping to the back of the kart is making it harder to drive and is bouncing the kart in the corners like a basketball at a NBA playoff game.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Newmark...Ronald Jones...Kent Buckley...Eric Jacobsen...Kent Porter...Tage Evanson...Tyler Braun...Brian Turner...Geri Amani.
First off I want to thank all of you for taking the time and resources to do this and to wish the racers that will be competing in the NASA Championships at Miller Motorsports Park Sept. 16-19 all the best of luck. I want to see some trophies next race on Sept 26th. I will post the points asap.
Steve "Kandyman"
Qualifying had Ronald "Mr Late" Jones at the top of the timing charts with a best lap time of 30.206, George (nobody can pronounce his last name) Sklyarevsky followed him across the timing stripe with Eric Jacobsen, Kent Porter, Adam Vega, Austin Newmark with his bullet proof 40# weight vest, Geri Amani, Tyler Braun, Tage Evanson, Dave Schutt, Brian Turner, Kent Buckley, Leland Forbes, Stenos Wijaya, Gary Kramer, Russell Whelan, and Sergio Perez completing the qualifier list.
With both heat groups now set to do the 15 minute or 30 lap heat the standing start in the c/c/w direction has turn one within 20 feet and is a tight left hander that tends to bunch everybody up really quickly and both Group 1 & 2 heat races were no exception. Position changes happen and the field stays tight for a lap or two until racers find their own rhythm and settle in to race in groups of 2 or 3.
Group 1 Heat Finish: Ronald Jones...Tage Evanson...Eric Jacobsen...Geri Amani...Brian Turner...Adam Vega...Gary Kramer...Leland Forbes...Sergio Perez
Group 2 Heat Finish: Austin Newmark...Kent Buckley...Tyler Braun...Kent Porter...George Sklyarevsky...Stenos Wijaya...Dave Schutt...Russell Whelan
Both Heat groups get same points starting with 15 to win and 1 point increments down thru the field.
Top 5 from Group 1 and top 4 from group 2 move into the "A" Main race.
"B" Main has 6 thru 9 from Group 1 and 5 thru 8 from Group 2.
The "B" Main was on track 1 first and some close spirited driving by these racers had them going into turns sometimes 3 wide??? and making it thru to try it all again next lap. The fast lap times by the entire field was in the 30 second zone and within 7/10's. An unusual driving style was also witnessed.
One handed driving by Dave "Red Gloves" Schutt and Russell "Red Shirt" Whelan with Russell suffering thru a headache and a cramping right leg. Hydration on these hot days is a must and until this high humidity and soaring temps subside I would recommend extra H2O days before the league race. Dave must have been practicing his NYC cab calling index finger pointing skyward maneuver. The taxi never showed up thank goodness.
Gary Kramer brought home the bacon in the 50 lap or 25 minute "B" Main and the rest of the field followed George Sklyarevsky across the line.
They were Adam Vega, Leland Forbes, Dave Schutt, Sergio Perez, Stenos Wijaya and Russell Whelan.
Now for the "A" Main. With Ronald Jones starting from the pole and Austin Newmark starting from the # 2 position this was going to be a fight for the lead and with the wave of the green flag it went into pass mode by Newmark almost immediately. He must have been late for an interview or a date!
Jones may have given up the spot but stayed glued to the Newmark kart as they clicked off the laps. Not until lap traffic did Jones lose his cadence but once he did Newmark pulled away and never looked back. The battle for position behind the leaders was raging and Nasa Az Pres Tage Evanson saw his 3rd place running spot turn into 6th by lap 10. Position changes between Kent Buckley, Eric Jacobsen, Tyler Braun, Kent Porter, and Tage Evanson made this race a fun one to watch. At the back of the field Brian Turner & Geri Amani had a private race going with Brian breaking free of Geri and leaving her to fend for herself against the leaders who were now in lapping mode. Just as I turned to say how hard Geri works behind the wheel but never gives up Geri pulls in to the pits and I have to eat crow. Please pass the salt! The amount of weight Geri is strapping to the back of the kart is making it harder to drive and is bouncing the kart in the corners like a basketball at a NBA playoff game.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Newmark...Ronald Jones...Kent Buckley...Eric Jacobsen...Kent Porter...Tage Evanson...Tyler Braun...Brian Turner...Geri Amani.
First off I want to thank all of you for taking the time and resources to do this and to wish the racers that will be competing in the NASA Championships at Miller Motorsports Park Sept. 16-19 all the best of luck. I want to see some trophies next race on Sept 26th. I will post the points asap.
Steve "Kandyman"
Sunday, August 29, 2010
AZIKC Race 7 Update
The 7th race of the 10 Race AZIKC Series Championship was held on Sat. August 28th at F1 Race Factory. Maybe it should be called, "Tony (the Tiger) Rolfson Karting School as teacher Rolfson went to the chalkboard and wasted no time getting class started with the rest of us being his sleepy eyed students.
With nine "students" in attendance including newcomer Josh Walker aka "Strawberry Seasons" Mr. Rolfson set fast time in the 3 lap qualifier. Everything went well for all but one. John Ahrens picked a strong steed to race in but was denied from the get go with a malfunction of the transponder and with 3 laps in the record books the rest of the field waited patiently to see if a re run of the qualifier would be in order. It was not. John traded karts for one that would record his times and he started from the back of the field. If it wasn't for bad luck John would not have any luck at all. With a collective sigh we all assumed Ahrens day was done and boy, were we wrong. With great determination and his Dad there for "Parent/Teacher" day young Ahrens pitted early then hit the books with a vengeance. By the time the school bell rang for the day John Ahrens went from sitting at the back of the classroom to near teachers’ pet area (3rd place) within 72 laps of GP Track racing. Wow!!! Even though he didn't catch teacher Tony or class assistant Keith Sears the last podium spot was occupied by a very happy student kart racer John Ahrens.
That was not the only great racing to be found during the course of this monthly 72 lap endurance race. With only 9 karts on the 1/2 mile GP track there was plenty of real estate and groups of two or three karts found themselves within striking distance of each other and until one kart broke off to do the mandatory 20 second pit stop it was nose to tail or side to side lap after lap. That's the way it was for one two pack of Team Titanium & Peter Liwanag. With Charles Crowe taking the first stint for Team Titanium, Crowe and Liwanag spent the first 36 laps, inches from each other and battling for 3rd place position.
Liwanag peeled off first to do his pit stop which left him now behind Team Titanium. Next Crowe brought the Team Titanium kart to the pits for the only team to do a driver change and with Steve Lattanzi now in the kart and waiting for the 20 second clock to run out they knew that coming out of the pit was going to put Liwanag back into the racing for position crosshairs of Team Titanium. Low and behold there he was and the fight for position was on. Even though Liwanag put up a good fight Lattanzi not only gave him a love tap as he went by but was able to steadily pull away for the remainder of the race.
This was a bit of a feat as a critical component within the braking system failed and Lattanzi spent the last 12 laps or so with his left foot tucked up behind the brake pedal to keep the kart from slowing down and the brake pedal from flopping forward rendering it as useless as trying to eat an apple with no teeth. Driving a kart with no brake potential and a left foot cramping up is a lesson in prayer and patience with a bit of pain management thrown in for good measure. This was an unusual situation. The Sodi karts have been incredibly reliable from day one of purchase and the top shelf mechanics at F1 keep it that way. Thanks Pat, Josh and now Matt. I wouldn't trade my job with you for all the tea in China. Too many parts and too much to know and remember. Thanks again.
Bill Hunter, Josh Walker, Matthew L and John Pappagallo also gave the spectators something to cheer for as they stayed pretty close to each other for most of the race. And the dreaded Black Flag was not displayed at all this day. Now for the results....finally!
Finish Order: Tony Rolfson...Keith Sears... John Ahrens...Team Titanium (Charles Crowe & Steve Lattanzi)...Peter Liwanag...John Pappagallo...Matthew Lamanilao...Bill Hunter...Josh Walker
Even though it was a small showing the select few had a great race and added points to the quest to be the best. See all and more of you for the next 1 hour AZIKC race on Sat Sept 25th. Check in between 9/9:30 with qualifying to commence approx. 10am. Points update soon.
Thanks, Steve "Kandyman"
With nine "students" in attendance including newcomer Josh Walker aka "Strawberry Seasons" Mr. Rolfson set fast time in the 3 lap qualifier. Everything went well for all but one. John Ahrens picked a strong steed to race in but was denied from the get go with a malfunction of the transponder and with 3 laps in the record books the rest of the field waited patiently to see if a re run of the qualifier would be in order. It was not. John traded karts for one that would record his times and he started from the back of the field. If it wasn't for bad luck John would not have any luck at all. With a collective sigh we all assumed Ahrens day was done and boy, were we wrong. With great determination and his Dad there for "Parent/Teacher" day young Ahrens pitted early then hit the books with a vengeance. By the time the school bell rang for the day John Ahrens went from sitting at the back of the classroom to near teachers’ pet area (3rd place) within 72 laps of GP Track racing. Wow!!! Even though he didn't catch teacher Tony or class assistant Keith Sears the last podium spot was occupied by a very happy student kart racer John Ahrens.
That was not the only great racing to be found during the course of this monthly 72 lap endurance race. With only 9 karts on the 1/2 mile GP track there was plenty of real estate and groups of two or three karts found themselves within striking distance of each other and until one kart broke off to do the mandatory 20 second pit stop it was nose to tail or side to side lap after lap. That's the way it was for one two pack of Team Titanium & Peter Liwanag. With Charles Crowe taking the first stint for Team Titanium, Crowe and Liwanag spent the first 36 laps, inches from each other and battling for 3rd place position.
Liwanag peeled off first to do his pit stop which left him now behind Team Titanium. Next Crowe brought the Team Titanium kart to the pits for the only team to do a driver change and with Steve Lattanzi now in the kart and waiting for the 20 second clock to run out they knew that coming out of the pit was going to put Liwanag back into the racing for position crosshairs of Team Titanium. Low and behold there he was and the fight for position was on. Even though Liwanag put up a good fight Lattanzi not only gave him a love tap as he went by but was able to steadily pull away for the remainder of the race.
This was a bit of a feat as a critical component within the braking system failed and Lattanzi spent the last 12 laps or so with his left foot tucked up behind the brake pedal to keep the kart from slowing down and the brake pedal from flopping forward rendering it as useless as trying to eat an apple with no teeth. Driving a kart with no brake potential and a left foot cramping up is a lesson in prayer and patience with a bit of pain management thrown in for good measure. This was an unusual situation. The Sodi karts have been incredibly reliable from day one of purchase and the top shelf mechanics at F1 keep it that way. Thanks Pat, Josh and now Matt. I wouldn't trade my job with you for all the tea in China. Too many parts and too much to know and remember. Thanks again.
Bill Hunter, Josh Walker, Matthew L and John Pappagallo also gave the spectators something to cheer for as they stayed pretty close to each other for most of the race. And the dreaded Black Flag was not displayed at all this day. Now for the results....finally!
Finish Order: Tony Rolfson...Keith Sears... John Ahrens...Team Titanium (Charles Crowe & Steve Lattanzi)...Peter Liwanag...John Pappagallo...Matthew Lamanilao...Bill Hunter...Josh Walker
Even though it was a small showing the select few had a great race and added points to the quest to be the best. See all and more of you for the next 1 hour AZIKC race on Sat Sept 25th. Check in between 9/9:30 with qualifying to commence approx. 10am. Points update soon.
Thanks, Steve "Kandyman"
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
F1 Summer League Wrap up Report Race # 6
Well the Austin Kipp stranglehold on top points for the week has finally been broken by none other than, "Mr New Race Suit" the honorable Keith Sears!
Even though Kipp took top time for the nite in the qualifier then went on to take top spot in his heat and started from the pole in the main he was patiently chased by Sears in the main and about halfway thru had Sears pass him to take not only the lead but lay down a concrete blistering lap time on Track 2 c/w of 24.009!!! Congratulations Keith Sears on your well deserved win in the 6th race of 8 in the 2010 F1 Summer League Series Championship.
Twenty Three hot shoes showed up to compete and we even had a Shifter Kart racer from the land of Big Hats. Austin, Texas is where David Heroef calls home and he was in town and looking for some exciting indoor karting for the nite and heard about F1 thru the grapevine so he moseyed on in and gave it a whirl. Very different was the words heard most often as he struggled to locate the grip he was accustomed to racing outdoors with glue like sticky tires on an asphalt surface. He was also heard to exclaim, "This is real racing"! Take note Randy Q!!!
Top Ten Qualifiers: Austin Kipp...Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Bryan Weaver...Robert Neumann...Keith Sears...Chaz Baca Jr...
Eric Dickinson...Charles Crowe...Ryan Barnicle
Josh Lambeth got to qualify all alone and was given the move over flag 3 times because he was in his own way!
Heat Group # 1 saw a lead-follow exercise between Steve Lattanzi & Keith Sears with Lattanzi leading the way until the white flag waved. That set Sears in motion to pass Lattanzi for the lead but only to have Lattanzi charge right back in the next corner to take it back. Going into the last right hander and at the stripe Sears made another daring move and as Lattanzi went wide to cross the finish line Sears dove down low and almost stole the heat win from Lattanzi. The gap over the stripe was 1/1000th between them. What a finish! A round of bumping knuckles capped the victory.
The Dreaded Black Flag made an appearance last nite. And the winner was.....to be continued?!?!?!?? Must have something to do with his last name as it can be considered a Black Flag infraction. A visit to the pits for some strategy planning by Bryan Weaver was the order of the day/nite.
Heat Group # 1 Finish Order: Steve Lattanzi...Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding...Don Angel...Ryan Barnicle...
Kyle Tatman...Doug Smith...Dana Lanzano...Bryan Weaver.
Heat Group # 2 had Austin Kipp trying to run away with the show and Justin Bayles desperately holding off Chaz Baca Jr for most of the race until a minor slip up by Bayles had Baca Jr squeaking by and saying see you later alligator. Baca Jr ran out of laps in his pursuit of top spot taken once again by Kipp. Was that Bayles trying to modify the steering wheel with his hand? Justin, who do you think you are, Bruce Lee?
Heat Group # 2 Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Chaz Baca Jr...Justin Bayles...Charles Crowe...John Gilles...Robert Neumann...Rees Candee...
David Verhoef...Kelley Ryan...Jason Aviles...Chris Kautz...John Vanderway
Now for the heavily pointed Mains.
"B" Main goes out first so that collectively they can get home at a reasonable hour to reflect on their performance of the nite and have some warm milk before gentley slipping into a restful slumber. Some of the racers did not slip away calmly and I'm sure were up all nite sticking pins into Voodoo Dolls resembling their advisary of the nite. The quest for the # 1 finishing spot in the "B" Main got a little bumpy as no less than five or six racers had a shot at the top of the order. Bryan Weaver worked his way thru the field and had Rees Candee, John Vanderway,Ryan Barnicle,Kyle Tatman and A Nice Italian Boy by the name of Kelley Ryan to contend with. Italians have red hair and freckles, right? Weaver made it work and Candee was right there to the end.
Rees Candee is our resident filmmaker of the highest order and is never without a funny quip or action that tends to lighten the mood should it go dark.One of the most positve influences in the house week in and week out. You make it fun, Rees, don't ever change.
"B" Main Finish Order: Bryan Weaver...Rees Candee...John Vanderway...Kyle Tatman...Kelley Ryan...Ryan Barnicle...Jason Aviles...Dana Lanzano
Doug Smith...David Verhoef...Chris Kautz
"A" Main racers now step into very warmed up karts and line up up for the standing starts that goes instantly downhill from the drop of the green flag. Lattanzi starting second behind Kipp see's second place slip away into the first corner but battles back immediately but can only muster getting back into third. Sears drove like he just robbed a bank and the cops were hot on his trail. He stayed in second for as long as he could stand it then passed Kipp for the lead and went on to eventual victory. The other battle was between Bayles & Baca Jr who can't seem to pull away from each other race after race. Both have become "Master's of the Tight Line" so passing is like trying to push rope thru a sewing needle. Good Luck with that.
"A" Main Finishing Order: Keith Sears...Austin Kipp...Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Charles Crowe...Eric Dickinson...
Robert Neumann...Don Angel...John Gilles...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding
Next meeting of the Kart Leaguers Extrodinaire is Tuesday August 31st. Check in between 6/6:30 and qualifying starts 7pm or so.
This will be Race # 7 and we should have the 2010 F1 Fall League schedule dates by then. Thank You all for taking your valuable time and resources to do this.
More seat time you ask? The 7 Hour Team Enduro is Sunday Oct. 3rd... 12 noon to 7 pm. Online sign ups currently under way. $333.00 Entry with 3 on team $111.00 + tax each with a chance to win your money back and a trip to your favorite Massage Parlour!
Thanks, Steve "Kandyman"
Even though Kipp took top time for the nite in the qualifier then went on to take top spot in his heat and started from the pole in the main he was patiently chased by Sears in the main and about halfway thru had Sears pass him to take not only the lead but lay down a concrete blistering lap time on Track 2 c/w of 24.009!!! Congratulations Keith Sears on your well deserved win in the 6th race of 8 in the 2010 F1 Summer League Series Championship.
Twenty Three hot shoes showed up to compete and we even had a Shifter Kart racer from the land of Big Hats. Austin, Texas is where David Heroef calls home and he was in town and looking for some exciting indoor karting for the nite and heard about F1 thru the grapevine so he moseyed on in and gave it a whirl. Very different was the words heard most often as he struggled to locate the grip he was accustomed to racing outdoors with glue like sticky tires on an asphalt surface. He was also heard to exclaim, "This is real racing"! Take note Randy Q!!!
Top Ten Qualifiers: Austin Kipp...Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Bryan Weaver...Robert Neumann...Keith Sears...Chaz Baca Jr...
Eric Dickinson...Charles Crowe...Ryan Barnicle
Josh Lambeth got to qualify all alone and was given the move over flag 3 times because he was in his own way!
Heat Group # 1 saw a lead-follow exercise between Steve Lattanzi & Keith Sears with Lattanzi leading the way until the white flag waved. That set Sears in motion to pass Lattanzi for the lead but only to have Lattanzi charge right back in the next corner to take it back. Going into the last right hander and at the stripe Sears made another daring move and as Lattanzi went wide to cross the finish line Sears dove down low and almost stole the heat win from Lattanzi. The gap over the stripe was 1/1000th between them. What a finish! A round of bumping knuckles capped the victory.
The Dreaded Black Flag made an appearance last nite. And the winner was.....to be continued?!?!?!?? Must have something to do with his last name as it can be considered a Black Flag infraction. A visit to the pits for some strategy planning by Bryan Weaver was the order of the day/nite.
Heat Group # 1 Finish Order: Steve Lattanzi...Keith Sears...Eric Dickinson...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding...Don Angel...Ryan Barnicle...
Kyle Tatman...Doug Smith...Dana Lanzano...Bryan Weaver.
Heat Group # 2 had Austin Kipp trying to run away with the show and Justin Bayles desperately holding off Chaz Baca Jr for most of the race until a minor slip up by Bayles had Baca Jr squeaking by and saying see you later alligator. Baca Jr ran out of laps in his pursuit of top spot taken once again by Kipp. Was that Bayles trying to modify the steering wheel with his hand? Justin, who do you think you are, Bruce Lee?
Heat Group # 2 Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Chaz Baca Jr...Justin Bayles...Charles Crowe...John Gilles...Robert Neumann...Rees Candee...
David Verhoef...Kelley Ryan...Jason Aviles...Chris Kautz...John Vanderway
Now for the heavily pointed Mains.
"B" Main goes out first so that collectively they can get home at a reasonable hour to reflect on their performance of the nite and have some warm milk before gentley slipping into a restful slumber. Some of the racers did not slip away calmly and I'm sure were up all nite sticking pins into Voodoo Dolls resembling their advisary of the nite. The quest for the # 1 finishing spot in the "B" Main got a little bumpy as no less than five or six racers had a shot at the top of the order. Bryan Weaver worked his way thru the field and had Rees Candee, John Vanderway,Ryan Barnicle,Kyle Tatman and A Nice Italian Boy by the name of Kelley Ryan to contend with. Italians have red hair and freckles, right? Weaver made it work and Candee was right there to the end.
Rees Candee is our resident filmmaker of the highest order and is never without a funny quip or action that tends to lighten the mood should it go dark.One of the most positve influences in the house week in and week out. You make it fun, Rees, don't ever change.
"B" Main Finish Order: Bryan Weaver...Rees Candee...John Vanderway...Kyle Tatman...Kelley Ryan...Ryan Barnicle...Jason Aviles...Dana Lanzano
Doug Smith...David Verhoef...Chris Kautz
"A" Main racers now step into very warmed up karts and line up up for the standing starts that goes instantly downhill from the drop of the green flag. Lattanzi starting second behind Kipp see's second place slip away into the first corner but battles back immediately but can only muster getting back into third. Sears drove like he just robbed a bank and the cops were hot on his trail. He stayed in second for as long as he could stand it then passed Kipp for the lead and went on to eventual victory. The other battle was between Bayles & Baca Jr who can't seem to pull away from each other race after race. Both have become "Master's of the Tight Line" so passing is like trying to push rope thru a sewing needle. Good Luck with that.
"A" Main Finishing Order: Keith Sears...Austin Kipp...Steve Lattanzi...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Charles Crowe...Eric Dickinson...
Robert Neumann...Don Angel...John Gilles...Josh Lambeth...Scott Lodding
Next meeting of the Kart Leaguers Extrodinaire is Tuesday August 31st. Check in between 6/6:30 and qualifying starts 7pm or so.
This will be Race # 7 and we should have the 2010 F1 Fall League schedule dates by then. Thank You all for taking your valuable time and resources to do this.
More seat time you ask? The 7 Hour Team Enduro is Sunday Oct. 3rd... 12 noon to 7 pm. Online sign ups currently under way. $333.00 Entry with 3 on team $111.00 + tax each with a chance to win your money back and a trip to your favorite Massage Parlour!
Thanks, Steve "Kandyman"
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
F1 League Race # 5 Wrap up
After last weeks F1 Race Factory Summer League "Bump/Push Fest" a pre race driver meeting was assembled and Race Director John Ahrens went over the trials and tribulations of the "Black Flag" enforcement rule. No Contact,no problem,anything else looked upon as a "Black Flag" infraction and for the most part the adherence to the rule was a dramatic improvement to the previous week. Enough said
Moving on to the positive action in race # 5 of the 8 race summer series we saw some exciting racing across the board in Group 1 & 2 of the heats.
Group 1 had the likes of "On the Move " Austin Kip takes down another win with Steve Lattanzi struggling to stay within striking distance of Kipp and keep Jason Burstein in the rear view mirrors. John Gilles, back from his Sturgis m/c trip managed a 4th place finish and up and coming indoor karting "Superstar" Matthew Lamanilao rounded out the top 5. Matthew has stepped into this indoor kart racing with both feet and is the one to watch as week to week his performance does nothing but improve. If only he could catch the break he needs and not get turned around by some "bonehead" in a red race suit. I plead guilty your honor and want to plead for his forgiveness...again. I see another FREE race in your future. This is starting to get expensive!
Another racer that deserves honorable mention is one of the taller racers in our fold by the name of Josh Lambeth. He qualified 2nd in his group and started the Group 1 heat race in 3rd but the kart he drew was not to his liking and he spent the rest of the heat trying to stay afloat but met the same fate as the Titanic and sunk far into the depths of a watery field. Disappointment was the word of his nite. A 9th place finish was so unfair.
On to Group 2 where we saw Justin Bayles start from the runner up position and within 2 or 3 laps get by Chaz Baca Jr and proceed to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field that tried in vain for 30 laps to get by the always tough Baca Jr. As luck would have it Baca Jr also drew the same kart Lambeth just struggled with in Group 1 heat but was able to hold off, except for a late race pass by Kyler Repella, who had to give it back??? and Baca Jr went on to take 2nd in Group 2 heat by a miracle with Kyler Repella...Bryan Weaver, and Keith Sears rounding out the top 5.
Top 6 in each Group moved into the "A" Main and bottom 6 moved into the "B" Main which was run 1st.
With "A" Main regular Eric Dickinson on pole in the "B" Main the action was sure to be behind him as he took of from the start and never looked back but was able to wave to our resident "Scoresheet Master" Mitch Hayden who was in attendance to witness the "Dickinson Domination Race" This race Josh Lambeth liked his kart draw and finished a respectable 2nd with Team Titanium member, Charles Crowe right behind him in 3rd place. The race of the nite was between newcomer Jason Aviles,all the way from Tucson Kyle Tatman, and get there early Scott Lodding. That by far was one of the best midpack battles ever with all three cleanly trading places lap after lap until the very end. Every small mistake saw a position change and right up to the very last lap you were holding your breath. Aviles 4th, Tatman 5th and Lodding 6th. Great racing and no dreaded Black Flag made an appearance!
"B" Main Finish Order: Eric Dickinson...Josh Lambeth...Charles Crowe...Jason Aviles...Kyle Tatman...Scott Lodding...Douglas Smith...Kelley Ryan...Ryan Casillas...Dana Lanzaro...John Vanderway...Chris Kautz
The "A" Main started off with Austin Kipp on pole and some of the fastest competitors right behind him. Hmmm, I think I saw a bead of sweat or was that a tear trickle down his cheek? None the less green flag flys and off we go trying our best to stay up with the "Kippinator". The battle between Justin Bayles, Chaz Baca Jr and Steve Lattanzi lasted all of 10 laps when the turbochargers of Bayles & Baca Jr kicked in and they left Lattanzi wondering where they went? Kyler Repella was closing in on Lattanzi lap after lap and before the race was over contact between Lattanzi and Lamanilao left Lamanilao wondering how that just happened and Repella licking his chops as he drew closer to taking 4th away from Lattanzi. Wasn't to be. Meanwhile the fight for 2nd place was being waged and Bayles was able to keep Baca Jr at bay and in 3rd overall. Jason Burstein had kart trouble and was able to limp the kart home last but kudos for not giving up even though he was far off the pace and ended up 4 laps down. Good job, Jason.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Steve Lattanzi...Kyler Repella...Keith Sears...Bryan Weaver...John Gilles...Don Angel...Robert Neumann...Matthew Lamanilao...Jason Burstein
Congratulations to Austin Kipp with another check in the win-win box and scoring max points. Best time of the week goes to Chaz Baca Jr with a 29.195 on Track 1 c/w.
We'll be back next week same place, same time for F1 Summer League Race # 6. See you all then. Titanium Members intro party with bagels/coffee and racing this Sat from 9am until 11am. Your Titanium shirts will also be handed out then. Thank You and see you all next week.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
Moving on to the positive action in race # 5 of the 8 race summer series we saw some exciting racing across the board in Group 1 & 2 of the heats.
Group 1 had the likes of "On the Move " Austin Kip takes down another win with Steve Lattanzi struggling to stay within striking distance of Kipp and keep Jason Burstein in the rear view mirrors. John Gilles, back from his Sturgis m/c trip managed a 4th place finish and up and coming indoor karting "Superstar" Matthew Lamanilao rounded out the top 5. Matthew has stepped into this indoor kart racing with both feet and is the one to watch as week to week his performance does nothing but improve. If only he could catch the break he needs and not get turned around by some "bonehead" in a red race suit. I plead guilty your honor and want to plead for his forgiveness...again. I see another FREE race in your future. This is starting to get expensive!
Another racer that deserves honorable mention is one of the taller racers in our fold by the name of Josh Lambeth. He qualified 2nd in his group and started the Group 1 heat race in 3rd but the kart he drew was not to his liking and he spent the rest of the heat trying to stay afloat but met the same fate as the Titanic and sunk far into the depths of a watery field. Disappointment was the word of his nite. A 9th place finish was so unfair.
On to Group 2 where we saw Justin Bayles start from the runner up position and within 2 or 3 laps get by Chaz Baca Jr and proceed to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field that tried in vain for 30 laps to get by the always tough Baca Jr. As luck would have it Baca Jr also drew the same kart Lambeth just struggled with in Group 1 heat but was able to hold off, except for a late race pass by Kyler Repella, who had to give it back??? and Baca Jr went on to take 2nd in Group 2 heat by a miracle with Kyler Repella...Bryan Weaver, and Keith Sears rounding out the top 5.
Top 6 in each Group moved into the "A" Main and bottom 6 moved into the "B" Main which was run 1st.
With "A" Main regular Eric Dickinson on pole in the "B" Main the action was sure to be behind him as he took of from the start and never looked back but was able to wave to our resident "Scoresheet Master" Mitch Hayden who was in attendance to witness the "Dickinson Domination Race" This race Josh Lambeth liked his kart draw and finished a respectable 2nd with Team Titanium member, Charles Crowe right behind him in 3rd place. The race of the nite was between newcomer Jason Aviles,all the way from Tucson Kyle Tatman, and get there early Scott Lodding. That by far was one of the best midpack battles ever with all three cleanly trading places lap after lap until the very end. Every small mistake saw a position change and right up to the very last lap you were holding your breath. Aviles 4th, Tatman 5th and Lodding 6th. Great racing and no dreaded Black Flag made an appearance!
"B" Main Finish Order: Eric Dickinson...Josh Lambeth...Charles Crowe...Jason Aviles...Kyle Tatman...Scott Lodding...Douglas Smith...Kelley Ryan...Ryan Casillas...Dana Lanzaro...John Vanderway...Chris Kautz
The "A" Main started off with Austin Kipp on pole and some of the fastest competitors right behind him. Hmmm, I think I saw a bead of sweat or was that a tear trickle down his cheek? None the less green flag flys and off we go trying our best to stay up with the "Kippinator". The battle between Justin Bayles, Chaz Baca Jr and Steve Lattanzi lasted all of 10 laps when the turbochargers of Bayles & Baca Jr kicked in and they left Lattanzi wondering where they went? Kyler Repella was closing in on Lattanzi lap after lap and before the race was over contact between Lattanzi and Lamanilao left Lamanilao wondering how that just happened and Repella licking his chops as he drew closer to taking 4th away from Lattanzi. Wasn't to be. Meanwhile the fight for 2nd place was being waged and Bayles was able to keep Baca Jr at bay and in 3rd overall. Jason Burstein had kart trouble and was able to limp the kart home last but kudos for not giving up even though he was far off the pace and ended up 4 laps down. Good job, Jason.
"A" Main Finish Order: Austin Kipp...Justin Bayles...Chaz Baca Jr...Steve Lattanzi...Kyler Repella...Keith Sears...Bryan Weaver...John Gilles...Don Angel...Robert Neumann...Matthew Lamanilao...Jason Burstein
Congratulations to Austin Kipp with another check in the win-win box and scoring max points. Best time of the week goes to Chaz Baca Jr with a 29.195 on Track 1 c/w.
We'll be back next week same place, same time for F1 Summer League Race # 6. See you all then. Titanium Members intro party with bagels/coffee and racing this Sat from 9am until 11am. Your Titanium shirts will also be handed out then. Thank You and see you all next week.
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
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