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| March 29, 2006 News |
| Race Report: WKA Gold Cup West - Grange |
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 | Jr. 2 Animal drivers put on a great show for the opening round of the Gold Cup West
(Photo: Chris Koch) |
The first leg of the 2006 WKA Briggs and Stratton Gold Cup West at Grange Motor Circuit on March 18-19 is in the books. Karters endured chilling 40 MPH winds blowing during Saturday practice and a brief hail storm on Sunday before the Main events. There was scattered sunshine through out the rest of the weekend. Even track regulars, Jerry Henderson and “Lucky” the stray pit dog sought shelter from the elements. As always So-Cal Sprinters the host club ran a flawless event. I am sure the free Hot Cocoa and Coffee was much appreciated by the racers and there crews. The track was dry all through practice, qualifying and the heat races on Sunday. A 20 minute hail and rain storm pelted the track during the break before the main events. The WKA officials made the right decision to keep the karts on there slick tires.
The first group up for the challenge of the wet track was the Jr. Animal Super Sportsman. The kids did a great job with the conditions they where given. The final score was Koch 0, Eric Manuel 3, Jeff Maunel 4, Wallace 7, Janes 8. No, this wasn’t a judged Drifting competition, this was the spin count for the racers. It also was the finishing order. Koch although was sideways more than once never came all the way around. The two Manuel Brothers pounded each other from flag to flag as usual. John Wallace and Taelor Janes showed great poise on the wet track. This was Wallace’s first run in as divisional race, good job John. The Jr. 1 Drivers did not take the green flag in the main and took there heat race finish. It was Ryan Lauer walking a way with first followed by Kyle Blum in second.
Next out on the now drying track was the big boys, Sr. Briggs World Formula Heavy.
Pole sitter Eric Nelson showed great Kart control in his flag to flag win. The heated second place battle took place between the father and son act of Kaiser and Kaiser. Mathew prevailed with the second place finish. The other father and son act of Sharpe and Sharpe battled it out in the American Sportsman Trophy dash. Robert Shape took that win.
With a now partial dry track the Jr. 2 Briggs World Formula took the green. Santa Maria regulars Jake Dursang and Daylan Coffey continued the back and forth fight they started in the heat race. This time it was Coffey coming out on top. Chris Lewton took the last podium spot over Taelor Janes. Taelor raced in two classes, watch out boys.
The popular Burris F-200 class was added for the 2006 Briggs and Stratton Gold Cup West. In a move that showed great cooperation between BNSS, WKA and the Gold Cup West. These groups have demonstrated differences can be put aside to do what is right for karting and its participants. As expected, once the green flag fell on the F-200 there was one heck of a race. Steve Clark, Kurt Burris and Jerry Henderson fought the entire main event. There where several position changes though out the race. But the 91 kart and Clark prevailed over the old pros. Burris took second over Henderson by inches at the line.
The final class to take to the Grange Motor Circuit would be the always competitive Briggs World Formula Light. They took the green and all went in turn two wide. Things sorted out nicely by the second lap. There where three battles for the top positions. For first position it was brother against brother. Travis Lowe held his big Bro David off for the entire race. There was never more than a half of a kart length separating them. For third position it was girls against the boys. So-Cal Sprinter’s Hillary Jones and Johnathan Miller traded positions form start to finish. Hillary prevailed. For fifth position it was the North against the South. Santa Maria Karter Ian Graves held off So-Cal Sprinter Valerie Ercse for the spot.
After Grange the quest for the coveted Danny Mc Keever Fast Lane Racing School ride is a dead heat. Eric Nelson, Steven Clark and Travis Lowe all scored 208 points in the first race.
So that’s the way it is done at the WKA Briggs and Stratton Gold Cup West, hard racing and everyone having a good time. Two others had a good day. David Lowe won the new Briggs World Formula package valued at $1000. Oh yea, “Lucky the Pit Dog” found a ride to a new home in one of the competitors motor home. The series will travel to Las Vegas on May 21.
Full results can be seen at the WKA Gold Cup West website (www.goldcupwest.com) |
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