Galletta's Karting Club

WEEK IN OSWEGO DIRT KARTING 2008 VOLUME #12:

It was Forbidden! But then they booted us, so….

 All karting classes (WKA Junior, WKA Medium, WKA Heavy, Gas 5hp/6.5hp, Open, and Champ) were recorded. You can buy the DVD to view all of the racing festivities to this week. At Oswego Kartway on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 had another full night of racing with many kart divisions (two WKA Juniors, WKA Mediums, WKA Heavy, Open, Gas Stocker & Champ). AND… FIGHT NIGHT AT OSWEGO SPEEDWAY!

First up, per usual, this website covers the karting class invented at Galletta’s Greenhouse in the early 1990s – the 1-WD Gas Stocker kart, the hybrid mix of a yard kart and a racing kart. Durable and affordable like a yard kart and fast and race-ready like a WKA kart. This week was a conundrum. the 5hp flathead Gas Stockers only having 4 able drivers in attendance, and the Gas 6.5hp OHV Outlaws only having 6 drivers, we took a page out of the WKA Juniors book and raced two races in one to make for a bigger and more exciting show,  yet still get our own motor types separate points and wins. This is the only solution for the “right-turn” classes, as they have two vastly different motor types, but not a lot of people show up for race day today.

The heat was dual-won by Buddy Cottom (Galletta’s #7; 5hp) and Eric Raponi (in his #83; 6.5hp OHV). They were followed by Joe Hayden (2nd in 6.5hp), Missy Berry (3rd in 6.5hp), Dave Melfi (4th in 6.5hp), Matt Stevens (2nd in 5hp), Chris Stevens (3rd in 5hp), Oscar Berry (5th in 6.5hp), Peggy Melfi (6th in 6.5hp), and Russ Hockey (4th in 5hp) pulled off with a clogged carburetor. Raponi blew his drive-wheel tire on the last lap and the #83 had to sit for the night, so he used the Galletta’s #9 in the feature. Larry Phillips was in attendance after the heat, but he injured his eye while working on his kart and did not start the feature.

The feature saw lots of close, back-and-forth racing throughout. Missy Berry led most of the feature race and was challenged on every lap by Buddy Cottom before Missy spun, collecting Buddy and several karts crashed into them. Missy and Buddy had to go to the rear, and Joe Hayden led the rest of the way. The Feature was then dual-won by Joe Hayden (in his #5; 6.5hp OHV) and Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8; 5hp).

8/7/2008 Gas Stocker Final order of finish:
1st in 6.5hp: Joe Hayden (Hayden #5)
1st in 5hp: Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8)
2nd in 5hp: Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #3)
2nd in 6.5hp:  Missy Berry (Berry #64)
3rd in 5hp: Russ Hockey (Hockey #00)
3rd in 6.5hp: Peggy Melfi (Melfi #66)
4th in 5hp: Buddy Cottom (DNF Galletta’s #7)
4th in 6.5hp: Dave Melfi (DNF Melfi #22)
5th in 6.5hp: Oscar Berry (DNF Berry #71)
5th in 5hp: Eric Raponi (DNF Galletta’s #9)
6th in 5hp: Larry Phillips (DNS Phillips #04)

THURSDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN AT OSWEGO KARTWAY –
THE LIL’ O BS RING “TRACK OUT BACK” OF OSWEGO SPEEDWAY:
Meanwhile (unlike the others who have 1-5 kart races that bore all but immediate family), the two gas motor classes agreed to get two shows out of the way at the same time and put on a good show, while other methanol classes didn’t quite show as much class and made some spectators leap onto the track! A fight broke out between the track operator, the families of some WKA-Junior drivers, and spectators who apparently were friends of the track operator! …

LOWER-RES:

^ Lower res.

HIGHER-RES:

^ Higher res.

[2009 Update: After this incident, I was asked by track operator Jim Losurdo to not sell any DVD of this incident, nor put it on YouTube. Originally, I was not going to release this Oswego Speedway/Oswego Kartway fight video, and two versions of this week’s DVD were produced – one with it (done before he asked) and one without it (made after he asked). In fact, I did not release it for a full year and only a few people ever saw it. I had no intention to, and respected the wishes of the operator. However, I changed my mind due to the massive amounts of disrespect and threats directed towards us by people who were either drivers and/or officials at the track. Did I go back on my word? As a response for did they towards myself and everyone associated with us. How?

In January 2009, our 1-WD flathead class was banned from Oswego Kartway with no reasonable or legitimate explanations given, followed by mockery and name-calling from people who represent the Kartway.  We were barred despite the following facts: (1) never having a fight; (2) always obeying all rules and never intentionally causing a wreck despite others that raced in our class not doing the same; (3) never having a potentially serious accident; (4) between three full seasons in 2006, 2007 and 2008 – documented on this website and our DVDs – bringing an entire class of paying customers almost every week – which was between 5-15 karts every single week and each and every one paying full entry fee prices; (5) self-policing ourselves very well; (6) providing full race videos – two angles of every race; (7) giving free promotion to the Oswego Kartway for three full years on our website, our business, and word-of-mouth; (8) creating a logo and website banner for their website – which the webmaster and track operator agreed to pay me for, never did, used it for one whole season on their website, Speedway publications  stickers and trophies – then replaced it with a new one right after I requested payment.

Only two reasons were given for  our class being barred. (1)  Steve Gioia said we aren’t covered by their insurance – later retracted; (2) we did not attend a January 2009 meeting in Oswego in the middle of a snowstorm and with (a) Matt and his wife out of town bowling; (b) Chris and his wife celebrating their anniversary; (c) we found out on short notice, asked around, and could not get replacement people to represent us (d) we had attended these meetings only one year before – 2008 – where stock rules were agreed to – gas 5.0hp flatheads were allowed only shaved heads and all other parts had to be box stock and gas 6.5hp OHVs had to be box stock, no race parts or shaved heads, but the track operator then intentionally sold the 6.5hp OH karts Gas Animal parts because he hated Matt and Chris for the fact that they win a lot (and why wouldn’t they with 15-20 years experience racing karts and most of the others only had 0-5 years experience???). Then, the track operator and a few friends decided to mock and threaten the Galletta’s Karting Club – especially founders Matt and Chris – for almost a whole year on two web-boards and probably more. The fact was that the track operator – a confirmed cheat, belligerent to advice or constructive criticism,  incapable of having rational, calm discussions, and one who went back on his word to keep our class gas stock and sold race parts to some of the people racing in our class – booted us out because he did not personally like us and this website’s reporting of the facts (good or bad) – and he cut us make room for a 2-WD clone class. That’s it. The character of the way the track is operated is dishonest and nobody in the Galletta’s Kart club would spend the time and money needed to make our class 2-WD clone. Our class was created to be an affordable alternative to organized karting, and we have accomplished that for around a decade and a half now. We still stay the way we are and race on our own backyard speedway and tracks who allow us to run our 1-WD gas stockers. The entire factual story is re-capped here. Now, back to the race.]

The entire video is around 2 hours, 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen video, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Surround, and two camera angles of all of the action.  Price $5.

This is why I personally believe that putting kids in $3,000-$6,000 go-karts set up to go 30-70mph is a risky idea and smaller kids should probably run limited box stock until they are old enough to take the speeds and potentially punishing wrecks. But, that’s just me. I’ll leave it at that, as this website specializes in the Galletta’s Kart Club (18-and-up club, although we’d open a regulated gas stocker club for kids with interest), we’ll cover the Gas Stocker/”Super Yard Kart” portion of the event below:

2008 Gas Stocker Kart Point Standings at Oswego Kartway  
After 10 events at Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2007 -thru- 8/7/2008
[This points total does not include 6.5hp exclusive races, nor the one race with all 6.5hps except Matt in a 5hp. The 6.5hp racers have a separate points race that we don’t have on record]:

Rank	Driver	Karts Piloted	Motor Type	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Events	Heat Wins	Feature Wins
1	Mighty Matt Stevens	Galletta’s #33, 3	5hp Flathead	933.00	93.30	10	4	3
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens	Galletta’s #8, 4	5hp Flathead	872.00	87.20	10	1	2
3	Russ Hockey	Hockey #00	5hp Flathead+	758.00	76.80	10	0	0
4	Joe Hayden	Hayden #5	6.5hp OHV Handicap	600.00	83.33	7	0	3
5	Eric Raponi	Raponi #83 (OHV), Galletta’s #9 (5hp)	6.5hp OHV Handicap,5hp Flathead	557.00	79.57	7	5	0
6	Dave Melfi	Melfi #22	6.5hp OHV Handicap	527.00	75.29	7	0	2
7	Oscar Berry	Oz #11, 71	5hp Flathead, 6.5hp OHV Handicap	471.00	67.29	7	0	0
8	Dick Dann	Dann #86	5hp Flathead+	397.00	79.40	5	0	0
9	Wes “Ogre” Stevens	Galletta’s #4	5hp Flathead	255.00	79.40	3	0	0
10	Gary Miller Sr.	Miller #24	5hp Flathead	215.00	71.67	3	0	0
11	Buddy Cottom	Galletta’s #7	5hp Flathead	215.00	107.50	2	1	0
12	Wavin’ Nick Dann	Dann #68	5hp Flathead+	209.00	69.67	3	0	1
13	Mike “MC” Howell	Galletta’s #6, 9	5hp Flathead	185.00	92.50	2	0	0
14	Melissa Gabel	Galletta’s #3	5hp Flathead+	90.00	90.00	1	0	0
15	Missy Berry	Oz #68	6.5hp OHV Handicap	88.00	88.00	1	0	0
16	Larry Phillips	Phillips #04	5hp Flathead+	85.00	85.00	1	0	0
17	Peggy Melfi	OHV #66	6.5hp OHV Handicap	84.00	84.00	1	0	0
18	Ken Lindsley Jr.	Galletta’s #6	5hp Flathead	75.00	75.00	1	0	0
19	Ken Lindsley III	Galletta’s #1	5hp Flathead	69.00	69.00	1	0	0
20	Joe Miller	Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead+	65.00	65.00	1	0	0

NOTE: This points total does not include 6.5hp-exclusive races, nor the one race with all 6.5hps except Matt in 5hp. The 6.5hp racers have a separate points race that we currently don’t have on record. I wouldn’t know how to combine both totals feasibly, although technically it could be possible, though the 6.5hps have raced one more race than the 5hps.

Rank	Name & Karts Piloted (5hp flathead stock unless otherwise noted.  This points total does not include several 6.5hp-exclusive races at Oswego.)	Total Points* (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Events	Heat Wins	Feature Wins
1	“Mighty” Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s #33, 3, 1)	1951.00	121.94	16	4	6
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens (Galletta’s #8, 4, 5)	1835.00	114.69	16	3	3
3	Russ Hockey  (Hockey #00, Galletta’s #9, 5)	1435.00	95.67	15	2	0
4	Buddy Cottom  (Galletta’s #6, 1, 7)	977.50	139.64	7	2	1
5	Dick Dann  (Dann #86)	934.00	103.78	9	0	0
6	Wavin’ Nick Dann  (Dann #68, 86, Galletta’s #5, 1, Miller #24)	840.00	105.06	8	1	1
7	Gary Miller Sr. (Miller #24, Galletta’s #0)	819.50	102.44	8	1	0
8	Melissa “Low-Groove ” Gabel(Galletta’s #3, 33)	819.00	117.00	7	0	0
9	Flyin’ Ryan Coleman  (Galletta’s #9, 7, Miller #24)	743.50	148.70	5	2	2
10	Joe Hayden (Handicap 6.5hp+ OHV #5)	600.00	85.71	7	0	3
11	John “JP” Stepien (Galletta’s #0)	587.50	146.88	4	1	0
12	Mike “MC” Howell  (Galletta’s #5, 6, 9)	584.00	116.80	5	1	0
13	Eric Raponi (Handicap 6.5hp+ OHV #83, Galletta’s #9)	557.00	79.57	7	5	0
14	Dave Melfi (Handicap 6.5hp+ OHV #22)	527.00	75.29	7	0	2
15	Oscar Berry (Berry #11)	471.00	67.29	7	0	0
16	Larry Phillips (Phillips #04, Galletta’s #9, 7)	315.00	105.00	3	0	0
17	Wes “Ogre” Stevens (Galletta’s #4)	255.00	85.00	3	0	0
18	Gary Miller Jr. (Miller #24)	147.50	147.50	1	0	0
19	AJ Russell (Galletta’s #6)	142.00	142.00	1	1	0
20	Jeff Tetro (Galletta’s #2)	124.00	124.00	1	0	0
21	Flippin’ Fred Collins  (Galletta’s #2)	119.50	119.50	1	0	0
22	Rob Clarke (Galletta’s #6)	113.00	113.00	1	0	0
23	Missy Berry (6.5hp OHV #64)	88.00	88.00	1	0	0
24	Peggy Melfi (6.5hp OHV #66)	84.00	84.00	1	0	0
25	Ken Lindsley Jr.	75.00	75.00	1	0	0
26	Ken Lindsley III	69.00	69.00	1	0	0
27	Joe Miller	65.00	65.00	1	0	0

Welcome! We are a Karting Club that races affordable “Gas stocker” karts for a Points championship every summer at Galletta’s Greenhouse Backyard Kartway and a Gas Stocker division at Oswego Speedway‘s Clay Kartway. Please read on and learn more about our extremely affordable brand of highly competitive racing!

The Galletta’s Go-Karting Club was founded by brothers Matt and Chris Stevens in the early 1990s when they modified yard karts for racing purposes. They are the inventors of “clockwise 5hp flathead gas stocker kart” racing, and have a 13-kart race team that includes several backup karts available to be rented and raced at both Galletta’s and Oswego Speedway all summer. Invented with specifically “gas stock 5hp motor” rules so that a person doesn’t have to spend thousands of dollars to race in extremely competitive racing events, the class grows in talent and competition every single year. Join us by building your own kart for around $500 or rent one of our team karts on Summer Thursdays or Summer Sundays in Oswego, NY!

 
The Oswego Gas Stocker Kart Club races at Galletta’s Greenhouse Kartway & Oswego SpeedwayKartway.

Due to the fact that the karts are so affordable and the oldest veterans have been racing for nearly two decades, it is one of the most difficult karting divisions to win at. You can’t outspend your opponent due to our gas-powered stock-only rule, so you must out-race them and out-setup them. In fact, nobody has ever defeated Matt & Chris in the open challenge: race a stock 5hp flathead and stop them from scoring 1st & 2nd in a points season. Though hundreds of people have tried in hundreds of races since the early 1990s, Chris and Matt have scored 1 & 2 every year. Prove your skills against the winningest karters in the local area AND you won’t even have to spend a lot of money to get started!We dare you to try! Sound like fun? Read on, explore the website, and join us!

 More Galletta’s Go-Karting flips, crashes and tight racing carting highlights on:

YouTube And the complete and high quality races found on this site and YouTube can be purchased in our Galletta’s Go-Kart DVD store!

Comments, questions, and additional info with Galletta’s Kart Club drivers and officials can be found on our new message boards. ->

Click Here for Facts, Questions & Answers.