New Bullring Track Proves To Be A Big Hit For Humboldt Outlaw Kart Racers

#42c Chayce Smith, winner of the box stock main

Eureka, CA (August 26, 2018) – The highly anticipated debut of the new 1/8-mile dirt venue took place this past Saturday at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds. It was an exciting afternoon for all involved as a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the action on the track took place at the start/finish line. The new track’s location on the fairground’s property took the place of the previous rodeo arena giving Redwood Acres and outlaw kart racers their own permanent bullring track. The Mill Yard sponsored the racing action which not only celebrated a new beginning of racing in Northern California but also the hard work and dedication of many volunteers who helped made the track become a reality.

Chayce Smith took the victory in the Champagne Attorney Service beginner box stock division. The feature event got off to a slow start with two multiple-kart incidents on the initial two restarts. The third restart saw Smith jump to the race lead and he never looked back. At the finish it was Smith taking the win over Jack Myer, Danica Kinsey and Aaliyah Mitchell.

The Williamson Financial Group box stocks had a nice turnout of karts which necessitated two heat races. Grant Williamson won the first heat while Timmy Walters took the second. Dylan Combest had issues in his heat which prevented him from finishing but that did nothing to slow him at the start of the main event as he led early over Brady Osborne. Derrick Kessler, Jr. was able to maneuver to the lead just as a spin by Sonya Osborne slowed the field. Combest got a great restart and took the lead back from Kessler, Jr. Austin Bartholomew was beginning to make his way to the front as he entered third place in the middle stages of the race but a spin off turn two ended his chance at victory. Combest led the restart and was able to pull away from the pack while second on the back shuffled from lap to lap. At the finish it was Combest winning over Janice Walters. Brady Osborne was third with Mitchell Matteoli fourth and Williamson fifth.

The new raceway looked to be a better fit for the faster Wes Green Landscaping 125/250cc karts. Landen Green has been the dominant driver in the division and he was able to easily transition from the 1/8-track the karts previous raced on to the new track with a win in the heat race. Wyatt Burns briefly led the main event but a spin off turn two gave Green the lead. Nobody had anything for Green who was able to pull away from the pack of Maleesa Miles, MKinzy Uselton and Burns who traded second position several times. Green was able to bring it home first at the finish over Burns and Uselton while Miles was fourth but unable to finish the race due to mechanical issues.

Like the 125/250cc karts, the NorCal Automotive 500cc/open karts seemed to take to the new track very well. Tony Miles held on to take the heat race victory. The feature proved to be a battle of survival as every driver in the event seemed to have one mechanical issue or another. Miles looked to have the victory sewn up in the late stages when Dax Williamson was forced into the pits. Williamson was able to return and took the lead when Miles had issues with his kart. Miles returned and the two settled the race for the victory on the track. Miles jumped into the lead on the final restart and was able to beat Williamson to the finish. Gary Foster was third with Jordan Miclette fourth.

Nick Ford took the heat race victory in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake old fart karts. Chelsea Champagne jumped to the lead in the feature and was able to pull out to a substantial lead. Ford was likely her primary competition but he got hooked up with the hay bales off turn two which cost him almost a full lap to the leader Champagne. Ford ran as hard as he could as he was able to get by Sabrina Kinsey and Amanda Harp but without the aid of a caution he was unable to make up ground on the leader. Champagne cruised to the win over Ford, Harp and Kinsey.

Two competitors from Redwood Acres Raceway’s Legends division raced in the Miclette Family Racing pure stocks with point leader Chris Lawrence and Leonard Ward racing for the afternoon. Ward was able to take the heat race victory. Unfortunately, one of the competitors Ryan Ahrens had issues in the heat and was unable to start the feature race. Ward took the lead at the start of the main event and looked to have the race well in hand. A spin in turn four took Ward out of the lead and putting Lawrence up front. That was all Lawrence needed as he was able to lead from the restart to the checkered flag for the victory. Pete Miclette took second with Ward placing third.

Another race is still on the schedule for the 2018 Humboldt Outlaw Karts season on Saturday September 17th. HKR officials are also hoping to add an addition event before the year is over. For more news and information on the Humboldt Outlaw Karts, visit www.HumboldtOutlawKarts.com or www.facebook.com/HumboldtOutlawKarts/

New Track Will Provide New Challenge For Outlaw Kart Drivers

Eureka, CA (August 23, 2018) – It’s been a long two months for outlaw kart racers in the Humboldt County area. The most recent race occurred all the way back on June 21st during the Redwood Acres Fair. The delay between then and this Saturday was for good reason as this weekend’s Humboldt Outlaw Kart races will be the dawn of a new era for outlaw kart racing in the area.

A brand-new permanent 1/8-mile track has been built in place of the fairgrounds’ old rodeo arena which is in the southwest portion of Redwood Acres, adjacent to the BMX track. The previous 1/10-mile dirt circuit was located in the infield of the 3/8-mile paved Redwood Acres Raceway oval. However, other motorsport events necessitated the track having to be restored throughout the year. The new track will be to the benefit of racers and fans and the new, bigger track will provide a new challenge for the drivers. The Mill Yard will be presenting this Saturday’s races and all six divisions will be participating.

The beautiful new outlaw kart bullring would not have been possible without the hard work and support of numerous people. Thank you to Ryan Ahrens, Nick Green, John Jameson, Kevin Jameson, Jamie Jorgensen, Jordan Miclette, Casey Mitchell and Ryan Walters for their dedication to not only seeing the new track come to fruition but for going above and beyond in making it a place we can all be proud of. Humboldt Outlaw Karts would also like to thank our division sponsors Champagne Attorney Service for the beginner box stocks, Williamson Financial Group for the box stocks, Wes Green Landscaping for the 125/250cc karts, Fortuna Wheel & Brake for the old fart karts, Miclette Family Racing for the pure stocks and NorCal Automotive for the 500cc/open karts. Also a huge thank you to Wes Green Landscaping, Steve’s Septic Service, Eureka Payments, John’s Used Cars And Wreckers, Automotive Workshop & Fabrication and The Mill Yard for sponsoring the Humboldt Outlaw Kart races.

Gates for this Saturday’s event open at 10:00 AM. Mud packing will take place at 2:30 PM with racing starting at 3:00 PM. For more information on this weekend’s exciting action, visit Humboldt Outlaw Karts’ website at www.HumboldtOutlawKarts.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com/HumboldtOutlawKarts/

Packed House For Driver Appreciation Night At The Acres

Eureka, CA (August 19, 2018) – After a near month-long summer break, racing returned to Redwood Acres Raceway. The grandstands were filled with excited fans of all ages for Anderson Logging Driver Appreciation Night at the Races. Before the action took place on the track, fans were able to meet their favorite drivers in all of the divisions at the 3/8-mile paved oval. Track officials also hosted a donation drive for victims of the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires. Nearly $1,500 was donated with those donating $10 receiving a complimentary ticket to the season ending Fall Spectacular on September 8th. The night proved to be a memorable one for many reasons as the racing on the track was extended past the 11:00 PM curfew.

For the first time this season, the Thunder Roadsters were in action for a full-slate of races. The race was a late addition to the event and was held in honor of Paul Peeples, Sr. who recently passed away. Peeples was a long-time participant at the raceway and served as crew chief for his son Paul Peeples, Jr.’s Thunder Roadster. A memorial lap in his honor was held before the trophy dash race. Alan Olson was the winner of the trophy dash and heat races. Jett Taylor was the leader of the first lap of the 25-lap main. Lap tow saw Olson gain the advantage before David Henderson was able to get under and past for the lead. Henderson’s time up front only lasted another circuit as Paul Peeples, Jr. was able to take the lead. The front trio of Peeples, Henderson and Olson ran nose-to-tail all race long with nobody seeming to have any advantage over the other. A late caution flag seemed to give Peeples the extra he needed to go on and take the victory over Henderson, Olson, Tommy Payne and Taylor.

The first main event for the Compass Community Credit Union roadrunners was initially run backwards. An early incident in turn three involving Allison McCarty brought out the red flag when she hit the water barrels. When racing resumed, Nick Ford and Tim Ratzlaff continued their season-long duel, battling for the race lead. Ford was able to prevail to take the checkered flag over Ratzlaff, Lindsey Zito, Jennifer Murrell and Steve Paiment. The second feature was a replay of the first with Ford and Ratzlaff fighting all race long for the lead. On the last lap, the two were neck-and-neck going into turns three and four while coming upon Murrell. Ratzlaff got into Murrell sending her into a spin. Although he crossed the line first, officials awarded Ford the win. Ratzlaff was scored second followed by Amanda Lohr, Steve Paiment and Murrell.

Malessa Miles was the winner of the Bandolero trophy dash while Ethan Imperatrice was the heat race winner. Lane Anderson held the lead the first two circuits. Going into turn one on lap three, Imperatrice made a move under Kimberling for position. The two appeared to get hooked together and both went into the turn two tire-barrier hard. Thankfully both drivers were unharmed. The rest of the race was a runaway for Anderson as he was able to win by well over 10 seconds. Miles finished second ahead of Trey Daniels and Kadence Mace while Kimberling was credited with fifth.

Bethany Rapp held on for the victory in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber trophy dash. Brandon White was subbing for Jim Redd for the evening and he took the heat race win. Rapp and Sam Brown traded the lead in the first two laps of the main event before White took over. On lap nine, Roach moved into the top spot. Roach and White fought tooth-and-nail for the lead for the remainder of the race. Roach was able to hold off White’s furious challenges to take the checkered flag. Brown placed third followed by Rapp and Doug Way.

The NorthCoast Lighting and Electric Legends division trophy dash was taken by Chris Lawrence. Former bomber division champion Leonard Ward made his debut in the Legends this season and took the win in the first heat race which featured a last lap wreck that took Tyler Krupa and Katina Baker out of action for the main event. Tyler Peach took the second heat win. Ward quickly moved to the lead of the main event and looked like a division veteran, leading in dominant fashion. Brent Mack and Tyler Peach battled hard for the second position all race long. Mack held the position until lap 10 when Peach moved to second. Ward had his hands full with both drivers in his mirror in the closing laps. Coming to the white flag, Ward got loose off turn four and spun into the infield. Peach took the lead and was able to hold off Mack’s late charge to win. Aiden Daniels finished third with Colby Furia and Kylie Daniels taking fourth and fifth.

The Fifth Annual Murrell 500 trophy for the Humboldt Hydroponics was on the line for the evening. Brett Murrell won the dash with heat race winners being Gary Kleintobe and Brett Murrell again. Trevor Eacret led lap one but Brian Murrell, Jr. took over on lap two. Murrell, Jr. had his mirror full with Eugene Palmer and Brett Murrell following right in his tracks. A caution flag flew when Rick Estes’ front bumper fell off on the front straight. Racing resumed and Brett Murrell was able to get second from Palmer. The two brothers staged a fantastic duel for the lead until lap 15 when Scott Taylor got high in turns one and two and ended up in the tire barrier. The incident, coupled with the other incidents in other divisions forced track officials to declare the race official giving Murrell, Jr. the win and the crown as Murrell 500 champion for the next year. Brett Murrell was second over Palmer, Eacret with Taylor taking fifth due to scoring reverting to the previous lap.

Dane Nissen was fast time for the Mid-City Motor World Super Six Challenge Series late models with a 16.009. Luke Hall took the win in the first heat. Heat two was dominated by Mic Moulton but on the last lap his car began smoking heavily and leaking fluid on the track. His issue allowed David Henderson to slip past to take the win and earn pole position for the 60-lap feature. Henderson used pole position to his advantage as he jumped to the lead at the start of the NorthCoast Lighting and Electric main event. Thankfully only one caution slowed the race as the feature started right at the 11:00 PM curfew. The first 20 laps saw Henderson fight off Nissen for the lead while Shawn Andrews and Moulton raced for third. Moulton moved to third on lap 24 and slowly reeled in the two leaders.

As the race neared its conclusion, it appeared as though Henderson began to struggle more and more with his car, particularly off the fourth turn. With 10 laps remaining things really began to heat up. After a several lap back and fourth fight, Moulton maneuvered his way past Nissen to second. Moulton was all over Henderson in the final handful of laps with Henderson doing everything within his power to hold off Moulton’s charge. With two laps remaining, Moulton dove inside Henderson going into the first turn. The two drivers touched with Moulton racing to the lead. Henderson tried his best to catch up and return the favor in turns three and four but couldn’t pull it off. At the finish it was Moulton taking the win over Henderson, Nissen, Andrews and Kenny Demello.

Only one race remains on the 2018 schedule for Redwood Acres Raceway and that’s the Fall Spectacular Saturday September 8th. Championships will of course be decided on the night in all divisions. The Thunder Roadsters will return while the North State Modified Series will also be joining the action. The season will conclude with the annual Dennis Wendt Memorial Fall Spectacular 100 for the late models. More information on the event and everything going on at Redwood Acres Raceway can be found on the track’s website www.RedwoodAcresRacing.com or by visiting RAR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RedwoodAcresRaceway/

Junior Ace Video Reporter Joins Redwood Acres Raceway Staff

Eureka, CA (August 14, 2018) – Redwood Acres Raceway is proud to announce a special new staff member who will be using his talents to provide insight from a unique point of view. Seven-year-old Jacob Lawrence, who will be eight in the beginning of September, will be RAR’s new Junior Ace Video Reporter for the final two races of the 2018 season and into the future.

With his own initiative and the help of his family, Jacob started his own YouTube channel JacobsTV in July. Jacob interviewed several drivers during the most recent race on July 21st and also interacted with drivers in the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour earlier this month. Jacob’s interviews quickly became a big hit amongst drivers and fans thanks to his enthusiasm and creativity. His perspective will give fans of all ages a chance to view the drivers and the races at Redwood Acres Raceway from a new and unique point of view.

Jacob’s passion for motorsports was inherited through his family. His father, Michael, better known to local race fans as Cheeseburger, raced at Redwood Acres Raceway for several years. Lawrence won the 2012 championship in the Roadrunner division and another track championship in the Bomber division in 2013. His two track titles, in two different divisions, puts his name alongside Randy Olson, Rusty Olson, Glenn Shewry, Mic Moulton, Otis Stabler and Paul Peeples, Jr. as the only drivers who’ve been able to do so since the Acres was paved in 1988.

Jacob’s position as the official Junior Ace Video Reporter for Redwood Acres Raceway will begin this Saturday for Driver Appreciation Night at the races, presented by Anderson Logging. You can find Jacob’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHkJEPGF6uzH1SlRLptpjg or follow him on Facebook www.facebook.com/JacobsTVY/

Two Weekends Of Racing Left At Redwood Acres Raceway

Eureka, CA (August 13, 2018) – After a near month long break racing returns to Redwood Acres Raceway this Saturday night. Anderson Logging will be presenting the annual Driver Appreciation night at the 3/8-mile paved oval. With the 2018 season quickly coming to an end and championships on the line, fans should not expect anything less in every race in all of the Acres’ divisions.

Saturday night will be bittersweet for many drivers, crew members and fans as it will be the first race at RAR since the passing of Paul Peeples, Sr. Peeples was a fixture on the track and in the pits at Redwood Acres Raceway for well over 40 years, going back to the days the speedway was a dirt track. In recent years, Peeples was crew chief of his son Paul Peeples, Jr.’s Thunder Roadster. In his honor, the roadsters will be racing this weekend for the first and only time in 2018. Prior to the start of Saturday night’s event, all drivers in the Thunder Roadster division will make a memorial lap in memory of Peeples.

It appears as though Nick Ford’s hold on the championship points lead in the Compass Community Credit Union roadrunners is very firm. He leads second place Lindsey Zito by 68 points. Tim Ratzlaff has been Ford’s biggest competition all year long and is third in points. Misfortune prevented him from starting several races which has likely prevented him from being neck-and-neck with Ford in points. His 73-point deficit to the leader is likely insurmountable. Two rookies round out the top five in Amanda Lohr and Ronny Crump. Only one point separates the two but unfortunately, they are well out of the running for the track championship.

Only three points separate first and second in the Bandolero division. Lane Anderson holds the lead but Aiden Kimberling has been consistent all year long and is second. Kadence Mace is third in the standings, 47 points behind Anderson. Malessa Miles sits fourth and 15 points behind Mace. Fifth place is Trey Daniels.

Chris Lawrence has been on point since the 2018 season started at the Acres. His numerous victories and consistent up-front runs have garnered him a 48-point advantage over Tyler Peach. Aiden Daniels has been very impressive in his rookie effort and he is third in the points. Katina Baker is also new to the Legends division at RAR and she is fourth, 20-points behind Daniels. Brent Mack is fifth and only a point behind Baker.

Jim Redd has been the points leader in the Fortuna Wheel & Brake bomber division almost literally since the year started. Second place Wyatt Roach had a late start to his season and has done everything possible to chip away at Redd’s lead. The gap between the two going into this weekend is 48 points. Sam Brown has been able to settle into the bomber division this year and has a third place in the standings for his effort. Division veteran Ryan Walters holds the fourth slot with Chris Naughton in fifth.

The fight for the Humboldt Hydroponics Mini Stock title features an oddity in the standings. Brian Murrell, Sr. has a 32-point lead over Eugene Palmer, a gap that is almost unheard of in the highly competitive division. Scott Taylor is always one of the top drivers to beat in his second year in the division and even though he’s still looking for his first feature win, he still has an outside chance at the championship as he is 49 points behind Murrell, Sr. Trevor Eacret won his first main earlier this season and is fourth but out of the running for the title. Nick Ford has the fifth position in his possession. This weekend’s mini stock feature will be the Fifth Annual running of the Murrell 500. The winner of the 25-lap race will earn the perpetual Murrell 500 trophy. Brett Murrell is the current Murrell 500 champion having won the 2017 running of the event.

In spite of Mic Moulton’s dominance in the Mid-City Motor World Super Six Challenge Series late model division, his lead over second place David Henderson is a close 12 points. Dane Nissen as been a front-runner all season long. Unfortunately for Nissen, he was unable to compete in the June 9th event otherwise his 66-point deficit to Moulton would be much closer. Kenny Demello is 97 points behind Moulton in fourth. Marty Walsh is fifth, 101 points behind the leader.

Before the racing action starts on Saturday’s Driver Appreciation Night, fans will be able to make their way onto the front straight to meet their favorite drivers and get an up-close look at all of the race cars in all of the divisions. The grandstands will open at 5:00 PM with the meet and greet starting at the same time. Fans will have over an hour to interact with their local short-track heroes as racing will begin at 6:30 PM.

RAR will also be hosting a donation drive for those who have been affected by the devastating Carr and Mendocino Complex fires. Fans who make a $10 donation will receive a complimentary ticket good for admission to the season-ending Fall Spectacular on Saturday September 8th.

For more information on this weekend’s special event, please visit Redwood Acres Raceway’s official website www.RedwoodAcresRacing.com or find the track on Facebook www.facebook.com/RedwoodAcresRaceway