Galletta's Karting Club

Thursday, September 28th, 2008 at Oswego Kartway:

Join us on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 2008 for  THE OSWEGO SPEEDWAY‘S 2nd ANNUAL DIRT TRACK CLASSIC at OSWEGO KARTWAY. Originally scheduled for AUGUST 28th, 2008, we were rained out and postponed. Now, while this website covers the Galletta’s Greenhouse Karting Cub, when we are at the Oswego Kartway, we also record all classes whenever possible. Here are the time trials to the 2nd Annual Oswego Speedway Dirt Track Classic — all chassis/motor/weight/age divisions! 

The 2nd Annual Oswego Speedway Dirt Classic Time Trials at Oswego Kartway on September 4th, 2008 – ALL DIVISIONS!

The below playlist has the time trials to EVERY Karting division (including WKA Medium B-Main, WKA Junior 1, WKA Junior 2, Quarter-Midgets, WKA Medium, 1-WD Galletta’s-type Flathead Gas Stockers, WKA Heavy, Open, 1-WD OHV Gas Animal Outlaws, and WKA Champ kart Classics). The event was split into two evenings due to rain showers that set in after the time trials on 8/28/2008 and postponed the feature events to 9/4/2008 (except the Jr. Champs, who did get their Classic in before the rain shut the rest down).

All classes time trials!

Though the karts kicked off Classic Weekend’s racing action behind Oswego Speedway’s back grandstand, the rain took center stage after the conclusion of the time trials. Hence, the rest of the show has been postponed until 9/4/2008. More info is on the official OSWEGO KARTWAY website. If you want to race, we have TWELVE karts, and SEVEN of these were available to be rented and raced in our Classic race per qualification (2-3 are still open). If you had a helmet, a neck brace, and full body coverage (no exposed skin), you can still try to race! We rent for next to nothing (especially if you help us truck the karts from Galletta’s to Oswego). However, only a handful did show. There will be no racing at Galletta’s for Labor Day Weekend due to Oswego Speedway Classic Weekend. Here is our time trial chart from 8/28/2008 and our starting grid for our Classic:

Starting Grid & Time Trial Chart for the
2008 Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Kart Classic:

Pos.	Name (Kart Piloted)	Lap 1	Lap 2
1	Dick Dann* (Dann #86)* = Used a raptor carb, illegal under Galletta’s Backyard Karting Club rules.	9.305	9.233
2	Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #33)	9.477	9.491
3	Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8)	9.559	9.668
4	Wes “Ogre” Stevens (Galletta’s #4)	9.796	10.158
5	Buddy Cottom (Galletta’s #7)	9.830	9.956
6	Russ Hockey (Hockey #00)	10.509	10.168
7	Gary Miller Sr. (Miller #24)	10.257	10.357
8	Melissa Gabel (Galletta’s #80)	10.483	10.684
9	Larry Phillips (Phillips #04)	10.607	10.603
10	Chris Stockham (Galletta’s #9)	10.730	10.700
11	Mike Phinney (Galletta’s #6)	11.037	Stalled No Time
12	Shadow Russell (Galletta’s #2)	11.710	12.481
13	Kaleb Anderson (Galletta’s #1)	11.755	12.134
14	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #0)	No Time	No Time
15	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #3)	No Time	No Time
16	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #5)	No Time	No Time

* = #86 Used a raptor carb, illegal under Galletta’s Backyard Karting Club rules. Our karts are all 5hp flathead motors with “Fun Power” 1990s style carbs to regulate top speed and keep expenses down. It is our “plate”. The club let it go on this one occasion, but the carb will no longer be allowed after this race. If we did start now, we would essentially be similar to WKA/NKA karts and the prices would increase beyond what most club drivers wish to invest and our speeds on our house track would be dangerous (Oswego’s track is puny in comparison and therefore keeps speeds down no matter how much horsepower or gearing you have).

Because our Classic was rained out (except for the Junior “Champ Kart” Class) and postponed for the following week, we decided to score the time trials as a separate “Feature” event and score a 35-lap points set for it. This means that Dick Dann gets his first Oswego Kartway feature win by scoring the top two fastest times of the night in any gas-powered go-kart, either 5hp or 6.5hp, followed by Matt and Chris Stevens (with the 6.5hp karts getting scores interlaced between, and not officially recorded on this site). As a side note, and as we predicted, Galletta’s Kart Club alum, Kyle Reuter, got the overall fastest time in his Medium WKA kart. By winning the 5hp gas division’s time trials, Dick also won the 3-day pass to Classic Weekend, which means that the trophies will be what we will be racing for on our postponed date of September 4th, 2008!

However, as seen in the above chart, THREE fast Galletta’s karts were brought to the track, were not rented, and are still open.  Apparently no living human being in the Oswego area is brave enough or has enough competitive spirit to race them. Odd considering that (1) this region is filled with thousands of race fans, (2) these three are all multi-time feature-winning karts that Matt or Chris could pilot to a victory on any given night, and (3) two of them won Galletta’s Klassics, which has only been won by three humans and five different karts on the planet (Matt, Chris, and Wes Stevens) out of dozens of competitors in the race’s 13-year history. Not even drivers from the other (what we call) “cookie cutter cart” classes. Well, except one… kudos to Chris Stockham, as he is the only driver going to race in several divisions; WKA Medium, WKA Heavy, SWD 5hp Gas Stocker, and Champ kart features! What an admirable feat! Too bad we don’t have more drivers willing to try so many classes like he is doing.

If you want to rent one of our karts at Oswego’s Classic for the first time, we have a TWELVE KART TEAM and only five guaranteed seats filled!!! (UPDATES: Seats ARE being filled, but if need be, we will have the time trials and/or a B-Main to cut the field down). If you want to race, or even get more info, then call (315-343-4281 or 343-0879; ask for Matt or Chris), or send me a quick note. To rent our karts, the fee will depend on your kart racing experience, Galletta’s Karting club experience, your ability to drive the kart without wrecking others or spinning out, and help with bringing the karts to and from the track. $10 would be the standard fee, but if you help us out and won’t wreck the karts, Matt can work out a cheaper deal. Please note the following:

1. You must have a full-face helmet, neck brace, and full skin coverage (gloves, long sleeves & pants).
2. All karts entered in the Gas Stocker event must be pump-gas fueled 5hp Briggs & Stratton engines.
3. You must qualify to run the Feature via Qualifying Time-Trials (and/or B-Main?).
4. Under both Oswego Kartway and Galletta’s Karting Club rules, if you cause three cautions (especially those that involve wrecking other drivers) in the Oswego Classic, you will be black flagged and have to leave the track.

Oswego’s entrance fee for a driver will be $35. Prizes for the top three include trophies and Oswego Speedway Classic Weekend tickets. We are hoping for at least 50 laps (like last year, though we could go probably over 150 without a refuel), but there is a chance that we are limited to 40 or 35 laps due to so many classes. I seriously hope this is not the case as it would be a monumental bummer for all of the regulars who want at least 35-40 laps for a regular feature and more than 50 at the least  for the Classic). We would volunteer to go either first or last if it meant that we get at least 50 laps; and this would include the fact that cautions count (and those who are found guilty of being responsible for 3 cautions or is found to be a hazard to themselves, other drivers, the karts, or the track, they will be black flagged and must leave the racing surface). Our class has had the least amount of cautions over the last few weeks and believes that they earned at least a 50 lap Classic. Now for updated points!

2008 Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Kart Point Standings:  
After 13 events at Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2007 -thru- 8/28/2008.

Rank	Driver (Galletta’s Kart Club veterans have clickable driver profiles)	Karts Piloted	Motor Type(s)	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Events	Heat Wins	Feature Wins
1	“Mighty” Matt Stevens	Galletta’s #33, 3	5hp Flathead	1216.00	93.54	13	4	4
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens	Galletta’s #8, 4	5hp Flathead	1125.00	86.54	13	1	2
3	Russ Hockey	Hockey #00	5hp Flathead	979.00	75.31	13	0	0
4	Joe Hayden	Hayden #5	6.5hp OHV Handicap	600.00	83.33	7	0	3
5	Dick Dann	Dann #86	5hp Flathead	571.00	81.57	7	0	1
6	Eric Raponi	Raponi #83,Galletta’s #9	6.5hp OHV Handicap,5hp Flathead	557.00	79.57	7	5	0
7	Wes “Ogre” Stevens	Galletta’s #4	5hp Flathead	536.00	89.33	6	1	1
8	Dave Melfi	Melfi #22	6.5hp OHV Handicap	527.00	75.29	7	0	2
9	Oscar Berry	Oz #11, 71	5hp Flathead,6.5hp OHV Handicap	471.00	67.29	7	0	0
10	Buddy Cottom	Galletta’s #7, #5	5hp Flathead	460.00	92.00	5	1	0
11	Gary Miller Sr.	Miller #24,Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead	365.00	73.00	5	1	0
12	Melissa Gabel	Galletta’s #3, 80	5hp Flathead	223.00	74.33	3	0	0
13	Larry Phillips	Phillips #04	5hp Flathead	217.00	72.33	3	0	0
14	Wavin’ Nick Dann	Dann #68	5hp Flathead	209.00	69.67	3	0	1
15	Mike “MC” Howell	Galletta’s #6	5hp Flathead	185.00	92.50	2	0	0
16	Missy Berry	Oz #68	6.5hp OHV Handicap	88.00	88.00	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
21	Chris Stockham	Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead	61.00	61.00	1	0	0
22	Mike Phinney	Galletta’s #6	5hp Flathead	57.00	57.00	1	0	0
23	Shadow Russell	Galletta’s #2	5hp Flathead	53.00	53.00	1	0	0
24	Kaleb Anderson	Galletta’s #1	5hp Flathead	49.00	49.00	1	0	0

* = Note on motors: The gas 6.5hp motors (dubbed “Outlaws”) raced with 5hp motors for part of the season until neither motor side could agree on rules. Every week would be an argument over “those guys have way more horsepower than us” vs. “those guys are way lighter than us.” No middle ground could be reached, not even racing a 2-in-1 race with two winners and two points systems in one race. When they started using Animal takeout parts, they officially disqualified themselves from the “Gas Stocker” rules. Once the Galletta’s Karting Class was a 100% box stock 5hp Briggs motor class (1990-2004) until these whiners showed up (2004-2005) and refused to race unless they were allowed bigger motors. “Waaaah, waaa, I eat and drink too much and I can’t beat someone only 10-30 lbs. lighter than me, so give me a 1.5hp bigger motor and also let me put racing parts in them so that they get 10 horsepower, waa, waa! Jimmy, they won’t let me race with them and use a bigger motor, waa, waaa!” A whiney complaint that they used from 2004-2008, where track officials forced us to race them, discriminating against our rules and our box stock flathead rules that we created. As of 2008, whiners wanting to drive box stock clones are, as usual, nowhere to be seen when we race with our cheaper-than-box-stock motor class, just because we turn right instead of left. Man, so much whining, so little racing. Anyway, we will no longer race with crybabies who only use bigger motors than us or whine that we turn *”Gasp! They’re different! They turn RIGHT?!* and could never dream of beating us with the same motors and weight because of our near two decades of karting experience. Face it… a cheater is always a loser, but what’s worse is a “sheriff” who encourages cheating, then gets pissed when someone calls it out. Their points are counted in only the races where both 5hp & 6.5hp motors raced in the same race, but excludes one race where Matt raced a 5hp against all 6.5hps and defeated them. They also have their own points separate and not listed here.

2008 Gas Stocker Kart TOTAL Point Standings of Oswego County, NY 
After 20 combined events at both Galletta’s and Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2007 -thru- 8/28/2008.

Rank	Name & Karts Piloted (Galletta’s Veterans have profiles. *5hp flathead stock unless otherwise noted. This points total does not include several 6.5hp-exclusive “Outlaw” races at Oswego. $ =- Guaranteed Oswego Starts in  Galletta’s Karts.)	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Combined Events	Heat Wins	Feature Wins
1	“Mighty” Matt Stevens $ (Galletta’s #33, 3, 1)	2391.50	119.58	20	4	7
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens $ (Galletta’s #8, 4, 5)	2274.50	113.73	20	3	4
3	Russ Hockey  (Hockey #00, Galletta’s #9, 5)	1816.00	95.58	19	2	0
4	Buddy Cottom $ (Galletta’s #6, 1, 7, 0, 0, Phillips #04)	1402.50	127.50	11	2	2
5	Dick Dann  (Dann #86)	1188.00	99.00	12	0	1
6	Gary Miller Sr. (Miller #24, Galletta’s #0, 9)	1099.00	99.91	11	2	0
7	Melissa Gabel $ (Galletta’s #3, 80, 33)	1084.00	108.40	10	0	0
8	Wavin’ Nick Dann  (Dann #68, 86, Galletta’s #5, 1, Miller #24)	908.00	100.89	9	1	1
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 “M Fn’ C” Howell  (Galletta’s #5, 6, 9)	584.00	116.80	5	1	0
13	Larry Phillips (Phillips #04, Galletta’s #9, 7)	575.00	95.83	6	0	0
14	Eric Raponi (Handicap 6.5hp+ OHV #83, Galletta’s #9)	557.00	79.57	7	5	0
15	Wes “Ogre” Stevens $ (Galletta’s #4)	536.00	89.33	6	1	1
16	Dave Melfi (Handicap 6.5hp+ OHV #22)	527.00	75.29	7	0	2
17	Oscar Berry (Berry #11, Handicap 6.5hp #71)	471.00	67.29	7	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 #67)	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.  (Galletta’s #6)	75.00	75.00	1	0	0
26	Ken Lindsley III (Galletta’s #1)	69.00	69.00	1	0	0
27	Joe Miller (Galletta’s #9)	65.00	65.00	1	0	0
28	Chris Stockham (Galletta’s #9)	61.00	61.00	1	0	0
29	Mike Phinney (Galletta’s #6)	57.00	57.00	1	0	0
30	Shadow Russell (Galletta’s #2)	53.00	53.00	1	0	0
31	Kaleb Anderson (Galletta’s #1)	49.00	49.00	1	0	0

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, but yet you can be instantly competitive for just a couple hundred dollars IF you’re a good driver. 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. But it’s not just them you have to race. Our regular drivers are all talented and experienced. You can 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! Make your own or rent one of our racing team karts. 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. ->

Galletta’s is a backyard karting track that does not charge anybody to watch or race (though we ask for clay donations). If you want to rent a fast Galletta’s 5hp Gas Stocker Kart on Oswego’s dirt karting tracks, then inquire! There’s always at least one or more karts open and waiting to be raced! Bring your own 5hp gas stocker kart or rent one of ours and join us! We usually run 8-12 kart races weekly, but we’d love to have more on both tracks that we race at, so we ask for more people joining us. Experienced drivers or beginners? It doesn’t matter, you can race! Interested? Call us up! Plus, everybody is getting tuned up for the Oswego Speedway Classic weekend at Oswego Kartway. Did you ever think that you could be racing at the famed Speedway on Classic weekend? You can, and for VERY affordably. Rent one of our karts for $20 a week (averaging around 100-130 laps of action on two different Oswego tracks), or we’ll help you buy or create your own for just a few hundred dollars. Call us up or email us and find out more details.

Want to join us? We invite drivers (either people to rent our karts and/or with their own 5hp karts) to join us and race at Oswego and Galletta’s. We have our own motor class at Oswego now, but still need regular drivers to fill the karts.  If anybody is interested in filling a kart on Thursdays at Oswego ($5 to rent for 10 lap heats and at least a 25 lap feature plus Oswego track entrance fees) or Sundays at Galletta’s ($20 for a 10 lap heat and at least 45-lap feature), just contact us. At Galletta’s, it is free to bring your own kart (though we accept $3-5 clay donations). NEW SPECIAL DEAL: If you rent a Galletta’s racing kart for $20 at Galletta’s on a weekend race (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday), then you can also drive it at Oswego the same week (a Thursday or Friday) for free (just help us load up or truck the kart)! Why allow someone to race our karts for free at Oswego? Because we are seeking new drivers on BOTH tracks after a transitional period of some retiring veteran drivers, some drivers jumping to different (more expensive) divisions, and lack of new developing rookies, and Oswego already has a entrance fee to consider anyway. We want more drivers, and we’ll cover your gas if you race with us at Galletta’s on Sundays. You will not ever get the opportunity to sit in a racing vehicle of any type and be given a competitive car for a more affordable price than a Galletta’s 5hp race. Go ahead and try your own for anything less.  Now the season recaps…

Click Here for Facts, Questions & Answers.

Click here for Basic rules, regulations, and prices.

Our karting club’s home track is located in back of:

Galletta’s Greenhouses
60 County Route 20
Oswego, NY 13126-6512
(315) 343-0879 or (315) 343-4281
Need directions? Here they are!

Please visit Galletta’s Speedway racer/co-founder/co-owner Chris “Crusher Comics” Stevens’s other websites that include my cartoons, comic books, children’s book, and family greenhouse: