Desert Park Raceway, Reno, Nevada
May 14-15, 2005
by Chris Scribner
IKF Region 11 stormed through Reno Nevada this last weekend with 175 entries. The highlight of the weekend was the announcment of pro sponsorship from Corse Kart, Fastech racing, and Panavise for two of the Premier Sunday classes, National Cup (Parilla) and Pro 80 shifter. $1000 purses for each class for the top 5 at the Region 11 finale in Dixon.
For the first race this year, Region 11 was not hampered by weather, although was threatened with rain Saturday morning, and just after racing completed Sunday. Reno Kart club, one of the finest tracks in the Nor-Cal region, provided a great show in just about every class this weekend.
Hometown boy Cody Kay got an easy one in Jr. 1 Briggs as did C.J. Mooeyham in Jr. 11 Briggs. Parilla Masters was another yawn as another hometown boy of Graeme Frasier put Steve Slacks in second for the first time this season. Neil Alberico won another in Jr. Puma Sportsman but the real racing started in Sr. Superbox. Brian Hicks got fast time but the racing was between Mike Botelho and Chris Scribner.ÊLead Changes throughout the heat and the main sometimes twice a lap. In the end it wasÊBODYLINE'S Chris Scribner getting the win sticker and Botelho second. Thomas Merrill got the win in Sr. Animal Briggs and Dan Pellizzon in Briggs Masters. Jr. Comer kept everybody on the fence as Cody Kay, Jimmy Greco, and Brendan Phinny all were battling for the win the whole race. With two laps to go Phinny made a power move for second on Greco and the last lap did it again for the win on Cody Kay. Alex Shutte displayed his talents in Jr. 80 Shifter for another win. However, the race of the weekend was Jr. Sportsman. Invader driver Dylan Albiani and Emmick driver Alexander Rossi fought hard for fourteen laps. With over twenty lead changes, four of those were in the last lap. The last turn before the checkered Albiani stuck it in for the win. In Shifter 80 Limited, crashes allowed Mike Wright get out front early to bring it home in relaxing fashion.
Sunday the competition was equally entertaining. Brice Clark was the winner in Sr. Superbox heavy as was Alexander Rossi in Jr. Superbox. Mark Nason had command on 80 Shifter Masters however there were races throughout the field providing a great show. Awesome race in Formula 80 Pro but when all was done it was Eric Shutte that raced the hardest. The headlining race was Parilla Sr. 18 karts showed up and qualifying was tight. Top ten were all within a second. However, Jess Peterson was showing off his new Scribner Plastics bodywork claiming fast time and winning both the heat and the main in a dominating performance. Greg Zink got the win in ICC and PH Giffels won 100cc Parilla for the second time in a row. Next race for Nor-Cal IKF is June 4-5 at the Stockton Motorplex in Stockton California.
