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| #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/