So race #8 of 10 in the monthly AZIKC race series was not a
sell out but never the less a good race with a first timer to the podium stand.
Chris Wynne has steadily ramped up his driving style to the point of capturing
the last step on the podium aka 3rd Place in race #8 of 10.
Congratulations Chris! The heated on track battle between Chris Wynne and
Kyler Repella was the one to watch and Repella even though placed his kart on
pole to start the race, indicated the kart changed personality during the
course of the race and wasn’t the same kart that started the race. As you can
see adapting to a changing kart has it’s merits. Wynne also posted a faster lap
time of 51.885 over 2nd place finisher Team Rasin Neustein (Jason
Burstein) but did not put enough of those fast laps together to make a run at
second. Burstein ran the entire race solo as his teammate was mysteriously
missing.
Chaz Baca Jr once again proves no matter what you throw his
way he will get to the front. Baca qualified 3rd to start the 72 lap
race on the ½ mile GP track layout. Maybe it was the c/c/w direction that
worked against Repella or in favor of Baca Jr. Looked like pit strategy was a
deciding factor. This win also comes on the heels of Chaz Baca Jr wrapping up a
winning season on the PKRA outdoor kart track in the World Formula division.
Congratulations x 2 Chaz. Is there anything you drive you
don’t win at?
There was one misstep by newcomer to the AZIKC series, Craig
Moore, with a pit stop that had him leaving Track 1 pit by way of cutting thru
the Track 2 pit. Not only was that a dangerously risky move but one that cost
Moore a Black Flag penalty that was compounded by the fact that he
completely bypassed the timing line on his way out onto the track prior to
being called in to serve the Black Flag penalty. By race end Craig was 3 laps
down and promises to consume 2 bottles of 5 Hour Energy drink instead of 1, pre
race, next time. I will be providing him with a Garmin GPS too!
Team Hunter Killer (Bill Hunter/John Pappagallo) were on the
move with a late race charge that saw them in Hunter Killer mode and sneaking
up on Team Titanium (Keith Sears/Steve Lattanzi) who were in a drive to stay
alive and in 6th place after qualifying 9th. Bill Hunter
was the predator and Steve Lattanzi was the target but “lucky Lattanz”i managed
to stay ahead by the time the race came to a close and not a moment too soon.
Lattanzi was never happier to see the white flag followed by the checkered and
the race declared complete. Earlier Mike McClaran was glued to the rear bumper
of Team Titanium but contact between McClaran and Team Hunter Killer took
McClaran off the bumper of Team Titanium and was last seen falling back to
finish 8th.
Post race the celebration continued with the most amazing
cake I have ever seen in person and put together by Noelly for Charles Crowe
who as of today is 44 years young. It was a shame to take a knife to all that
hard work of 9 hours and a cake worthy of it’s own TV show on the Food Network.
Everything on the cake was edible and not a scrap was left behind. That wasn’t
a cake we just ate it was a masterpiece of artistry beyond anything that could
have come out of my own kitchen. WOW! Thanks Noelly/Charles and family for
sharing that with all of us. Visually stunning and mouth watering delicious.
Happy Birthday, Charles!!!
Back to the race results:
Finish order from Race #8 with Overall in points/with total
points w/o drop:
Chaz Baca Jr…1/248
Rasin Neustein…4/191
Chris Wynne…12/120 ( missed 3 races)
Kyler Repella…2/213
Charles Crowe…9/137 (missed 2 races)
Team Titanium…3/202
Team Hunter Killer…7/148
Mike McClaran…6/160
Team Green…8/147
Greg Gillum…11/124
Craig Moore…30/20 (only 1 race )
Tony Rolfson who was 5th in points overall
decided to retire from the series after winning it 4 years.
Team F-Bomb has also sidelined their AZIKC run and were top
10.
The next AZIKC race will be held on Sunday Oct. 28th
at 7pm on the ½ Mile GP Track c/w.
Make your plans to be here. It’s the most fun you can have
with a helmet on.
Keeping the Rubberside Down,
Steve "Kandyman" Lattanzi
Team Titanium of Octane Raceway
Competition Director
Offsite Specialty Events Coordinator
Lead Instructor for the Raceology 101 Jr Kart Racing School
317 S. 48th Street . Phoenix,
AZ 85034
(d) 602-427-4416 / 602-302-7223 (t) 602-321-2035(m)
Visit us online @ www.OctaneRaceway.com
Octane Raceway - 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.
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