Galletta's Karting Club

The 2nd Annual Oswego Speedway Dirt Classic at Oswego Kartway on September 4th, 2008 – ALL KART DIVISION VIDEOS!

The below playlist has the Classic feature events 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 and Jr. Champs on 8/28/2008 and postponed the feature events to 9/4/2008.

The above video playlist is an upload of the DVDs. Here is the menu to the DVD set that the above video is from. You can watch in its entirety or use the menu to see where you need to skip to the particular chapter you are seeking.

Again, the above video playlist is a lower resolution upload of the DVDs. For a higher quality, consider purchasing the 2-DVD set, which is approximately 4 hours & 25 minutes and contains Time Trials for all divisions, WKA Medium B-Main, WKA Junior 1, WKA Junior 2, Quarter-Midgets, WKA Medium, SWD Galletta’s Gas Stockers, WKA Heavy, Open, OHV Gas Outlaws, and WKA Champ kart Classics. All in high-quality 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen video, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Surround Sound, and two camera angles of nearly all of the action. As bonus material, the disc also contains a race-by-race recap of the 2008 Galletta’s Karting Club season (so far) between 5/8/2008 through 8/21/2008. Below is the menu of the DVD contents. DVD set is $10 in person, $13 by mail.

The Galletta’s Kart Club 2008 Volume #15 & 16 2-DVD Set – THE 2008 OSWEGO KARTWAY CLASSIC:
The 2-DVD set to this event is around 4 hours & 25 minutes and contains Time Trials for all divisions, WKA Medium B-Main, WKA Junior 1, WKA Junior 2, Quarter-Midgets, WKA Medium, SWD Gas Stockers, WKA Heavy, Open, OHV Gas Outlaws, and WKA Champ kart Classics. 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen video, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Surround, and two camera angles of all of the action. Plus, a bonus recap of the 2008 Galletta’s Karting Club season leading up to the Classic between 5/8/2008 through 8/21/2008. DVD set is $10 in person, $13 by mail.  Price $10.

Now while we are happy to do videos for all of the divisions, here is the more in depth coverage of what this website covers…

Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at Oswego Kartway
THE 2ND ANNUAL OSWEGO SPEEDWAY DIRT CLASSIC
Single-Wheel-Drive Gas Stocker Flathead Kart (AKA Galletta’s) Division:

On THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, 2008, the Galletta’s Karting Club participated in THE OSWEGO KARTWAY‘S 2nd ANNUAL DIRT TRACK CLASSIC at THE OSWEGO SPEEDWAY, and the local inventors of Single-Wheel-Drive Gas Stocker racing and inspiration for the founding of the Oswego Kartway itself; Wes, Matt, and Chris Stevens sweep the top three spots in the Gas Stocker Classic for the 2nd year in a row (but not without some controversy on the final lap).

8/28/2008 – 1-WD Gas Stocker Flathead Time Trials (AKA Galletta’s Division)

Though the karts kicked off Classic Weekend’s racing action originally scheduled for AUGUST 28th, 2008, it was the rain that took center stage after the conclusion of the time trials.

Spoiler Alert: It was Dick Dann won the 3-day Classic Weekend pass with his fastest gas-powered kart time of the night–although some of the division were concerned as Dick used a raptor racing carburetor, while all other carbs are Fun Power carbs. We figured we would allow it because Dick was heavier than all of the other drivers, but were concerned that he did not get permission from the other drivers before showing on race day (Galletta’s Club adjusts the rules only with agreement of all active drivers, and it’s something Dick did not request before attempting).

The Classic itself was postponed to September 4th, 2008 due to rain-showers, seen below.

9/4/2008 – 1-WD Gas Stocker Flathead 2nd Annual Classic (AKA Galletta’s Division)

Spoiler Alert: For the 2nd year in a row, the founders of the Galletta’s Greenhouse Backyard Karting Club & Speedway (and also Jim Losurdo’s inspiration for beginning the Oswego Kartway when he first visited our track and raced with us in 2005), swept the top-3 podium positions, just in a different order from last year. The racing itself was good and intense, with Matt Stevens working over pole-sitter (via time-trail winner) Dick Dann for the lead until Dann’s tire started going down and spun. Matt then held strong on the rest of the field (putting distance between himself, Wes Stevens, Chris Stevens, Russ Hockey and Chris Stockham) and looked to be on his way to a relatively unchallenged victory (as he usually has in regular season Oswego Kartway races for the past three seasons of 2006, 2007, and 2008). However, a dusty track led to an extreme anomaly over the flags… and then a controversial final lap to both the race itself AND our club’s involvement with the track.

Now for the written review of the racing action:

The Classic was started via the order of our time-trials held on August 28th, 2008. However, two that qualified could not make it due to work (Buddy Cottom and Gary Miller Sr.), so our field was two shorter than it would have been. Fastest-time that night went to Dick Dann, who – much to the surprise of all the other drivers in the class – debuted a Raptor Carburetor, which was not previously approved by the Galletta’s Karting Club rules committee (all other carbs are Briggs box stock 90s style fixed carburetors).

This YouTube clip is a low-resolution rundown of the Gas Stocker Feature (The DVD has the complete races from every division in high quality audio and video).

Early leader Dick Dann (Dann #86) was pressured by the undisputed World-Class king (and 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Defending Points Champion) of the Gas Stocker Karts, Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #33) for four laps before Dick spun in turn 4 due to the loose track. Matt then led until lap 17, where his brother Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8) caught him in lapped traffic and made the pass. He was followed through the hole by Wes Stevens (Galletta’s #4). Chris led until Matt was able to pick off both he and Wes. On a late restart, Chris attempted to pass Matt but went too high, and Wes passed him. Matt slowly pulled away and led unchallenged until the events of the final lap….

This YouTube video shows our confusing Gas Stocker finale from two camera angles. On the white flag lap, a corner-man throws the yellow, probably because the dry and dusty track conditions made the white flag look yellow. Leader of the event, and defending 2007 Oswego Gas Mixed-Motor Track Champion and 2008 Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Points Leader Matt Stevens had a large lead, but when seeing the yellow, slowed up. 2nd-place runner Wesley Stevens and 3rd-place runner Chris Stevens also saw it and slowed. However, the checkered flag waved, and Wes Stevens then put his hand down and gunned it across the finish line, passing Matt by a bumper at the stripe. Matt, who did not see a checker, and had no idea that the checker could be thrown during a caution, was confused, and then utterly speechless and devastated when the track announced that Wes Stevens, who led zero laps, was declared the winner. By the time everybody figured out what happened, Wes was having his picture taken and the WKA Heavy class was fired up and ready to roll. Matt expressed his disappointment on this Oswego Kartway message board thread here, which led to a few nice comments and a few nasty ones. In the end, however, Wes, Matt, and Chris still all swept the top-3 spots in the Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Kart (formerly “Racing Yard Kart”) division Classic for the first two years, and Wes gave the 1st-place trophy to Matt (though he rejected it on principle), so in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

Final Order of Finish for the 2nd Annual
2008 Oswego Kartway “Gas Stocker” Kart Classic:

Pos.	Name (Kart Piloted)	Laps Completed
* Tie 1	Wes “Ogre” Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #4)	45
* Tie 1	Matt Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #33)	45
3	Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #8)	45
4	Russ Hockey (Hockey Motorsports #00)	45
5	Chris Stockham (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)	45
6	Melissa Gabel (Galletta’s Greenhouse #80)	44
7	Larry Phillips (L&K Small Engine #04)	44
8	Mike Phinney (Galletta’s Greenhouse #6)	43
9	Shadoe Russell (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)	43
10	Kaleb Anderson (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)	30
11	Dick Dann (Dann Destroyer #86)	20
12	Buddy Cottom ** (Galletta’s Greenhouse #7)	0
13	Gary Miller Sr. ** (Gary Miller Racing #24)	0
14	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #0)	0
15	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #3)	0
16	No Available Driver (Galletta’s #5)	0

* = Matt Stevens was leading by a large margin on the final lap and saw a yellow flag from a corner-man going into the final corner and slowed. He was never passed under green, and only passed under a simultaneous yellow/checker at the finish line by his dad Wes Stevens, who was announced the winner on the track and presented the trophy and Victory Lane picture. The top three or four karters all saw the yellow (which wound up being a false one, as no wrecks or spins occurred) and slowed, making the finish anti-climatic. For this special circumstance, the Galletta’s Points system will count it as a tie, splitting the points and the win equally between Matt & Wes.
** = Buddy Cottom & Gary Miller both missed the show due to work. Since they paid and qualified their karts on the previous Thursday, they are still awarded points and placement (with earned starting order as finishing order). Shameful that the Kartway did not refund them. Common with such folks.

2008 Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Kart Final Point Standings:  
After 14 events at Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2007 -thru- 9/4/2008 Classic.

Rank	Driver	Karts Piloted	Motor Type(s)	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Events	Heat Wins	Feature Wins
	2008 Oswego Kartway Track Champion:“Mighty” Matt Stevens	Galletta’s #33, 33, 3	5hp Flathead	1428.00	102.00	14	4	4.5*
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens	Galletta’s #8, 4	5hp Flathead	1318.00	94.14	14	1	2
3	Russ Hockey	Hockey #00	5hp Flathead	1119.00	79.93	14	0	0
4	Wes “Ogre” Stevens	Galletta’s #4	5hp Flathead	728.00	104.00	7	1	1.5*
5	Dick Dann	Dann #86	5hp Flathead	669.00	83.63	8	0	1
6	Joe Hayden	Hayden #5	6.5hp OHV Handicap	600.00	83.33	7	0	3
7	Eric Raponi	Raponi #83 (OHV), Galletta’s #9 (5hp)	6.5hp OHV Handicap, 5hp Flathead	557.00	79.57	7	5	0
8	Buddy Cottom	Galletta’s #7, #5	5hp Flathead	548.00	91.33	6	1	0
9	Dave Melfi	Melfi #22	6.5hp OHV Handicap	527.00	75.29	7	0	2
10	Oscar “I Blew Another Motor” Berry	Oz #11, 71	5hp Flathead,6.5hp OHV Handicap	471.00	67.29	7	0	0
11	Gary Miller Sr.	Miller #24, Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead	447.00	74.50	6	1	0
12	Melissa Gabel	Galletta’s #3, 80	5hp Flathead	357.00	89.25	4	0	0
13	Larry Phillips	Phillips #04	5hp Flathead	335.00	83.75	4	0	0
14	Wavin’ Nick Dann	Dann #68	5hp Flathead	209.00	69.67	3	0	1
15	Chris Stockham	Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead	193.00	96.50	2	0	0
16	Mike “MC” Howell	Galletta’s #6, 9	5hp Flathead	185.00	92.50	2	0	0
17	Mike Phinney	Galletta’s #6	5hp Flathead	169.00	84.50	2	0	0
18	Shadoe “The Shadow” Russell	Galletta’s #2	5hp Flathead	159.00	79.50	1	0	0
19	Kaleb Anderson	Galletta’s #1	5hp Flathead	149.00	74.50	2	0	0
20	Missy Berry	Oz #68	6.5hp OHV Handicap	88.00	88.00	1	0	0
21	Peggy “Last Place Yee-Haw” Welfi	OHV #66	6.5hp OHV Handicap	84.00	84.00	1	0	0
22	Ken Lindsley Jr.	Galletta’s #6	5hp Flathead	75.00	75.00	1	0	0
23	Ken Lindsley III	Galletta’s #1	5hp Flathead	69.00	69.00	1	0	0
24	Joe Miller	Galletta’s #9	5hp Flathead	65.00	65.00	1	0	0

* = Win: The 2008 Oswego Kartway Gas Stocker Classic ended under caution on the final lap, and has a controversial finale. Matt Stevens was leading by a large margin and saw a yellow flag. He never passed under green, and only passed under a simultaneous yellow-checker by Wes Stevens, who was announced the winner on the track. For this special circumstance, the Galletta’s Points system will count it as a tie, splitting the points and the win equally between Matt and Wes, although the track officially named Wes Stevens as the winner.
Notes on motors: The gas 6.5hp motors (who dubbed themselves “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, as they voted us out of the 2-in-1 race system because of an alleged and mysterious “controversy” and “whining.” 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 won. They also have their own points separate and not listed here… oops, nope, never mind, Oscar threw it away between blown motors and crashes. 😉

Additional pictures from the 2008 Oswego Kartway Classic!:

And Kevin Doty has additional snapshots of all of the winners (and some of the karts) on his website here. 

BONUS: OHV Outlaw Classic at Oswego Kartway

2008 OHV Outlaw Classic on YouTube

The OHV Outlaws used to race with us, but due to a disagreement as to motor/weight rules (FH Galletta’s saying, “You got too much motor and kart width, so we need to get lighter!” vs. OHV Outlaws saying, “You’re too light and quick, so I need more motor!” arguments that went on from 2004-08), they raced their own class. Joe Hayden dominated it in his #5 using what was believed to be an Animal OHV motor. Way to go, Joe–but… glad we didn’t have to face that engine! (The kart itself was later sold to Dick Dann and then Chris Stevens, where it has been rebuilt into the Galletta’s Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/R&C Sushi #74… and Matt is terrorizing drivers with it to this day!)

Chris and Matt’s Favorite Driver Wins the 2008 Oswego Speedway Classic 200

Chris Stevens and his wife Rungnapha (AKA “Aou”) after their favorite active driver won the 2008 Oswego Speedway Classic 200 in a Supermodified on its maiden voyage on the track. Matt and Chris have been big Didero fans since the early 1990s.

Post-Classic — We have been BANISHED from Oswego Speedway!

1/2009 UPDATE – OUR DIVISION BANNED FROM OSWEGO KARTWAY FOR NO LOGICAL OR RATIONAL REASON, CITES PERSONAL BIAS AGAINST US AND RESORTED TO CHILDISH NAME-CALLING AGAINST US IN THE PROCESS: 
However, this event appears to be the final race for the Galletta’s Karting Club at Oswego Kartway. The reason is that the track operator “Jimmay” James Losurdo banned our 1-WD  Gas Stocker class from competition at the Oswego Kartway because he personally does not like us – called us whiners and stated, “Matt will never again win another race at MY track!”. Odd and irrational, considering that we have (1) an established and highly affordable class (2) which has fully supported the track bringing 6-15 karts (with paying customers) per week ever since it’s inception [in 2006],(3) gave free promotion and countless ideas to, (4) produced weekly DVDs of their events for two years,(5) created uncompensated and unpaid logos and banners for [that were used on the website, on all of the victory stickers, and above shown trophies for a full year], (6) never verbally or physically fought at, (7)never had one severe crash or injury at, and (8) raced at despite the track operator’s irrational refusal to acknowledge our simple point scoring and motor rule set. The ban is yet to be answered neither logically, fairly, calmly, nor rationally by the track operator, who replaced us with a fledgling clone class named “Pro Stock” , which is again a strange contradiction because we were stock 5.0-hp clone motors from 1995-2008 (with only allowed mod: shaved heads from 2005-08) until Jimmy forced us to heavily modify them to race against bigger motors (6.5-hp OHV with Animal take-out parts) on his track in the last two seasons. The man, in our humble opinion, is a double-minded, self-contradictory, hot-headed, temper-tantrum prone, and easily-angered person, thus making him an incompetent track operator. In our opinion, the track would likely be a much larger success if not for him holding it back with his irrational anger, illogical rules, rash judgments, and belligerently barking at and kicking out everybody to whom he has even a minor disagreement with. Don’t believe us? Look where he called us many angry & childish names while booting us. You can read about his rants and discuss the situation in this large message board thread here. He did not act like a professional track operator should. All comments, debate points, and opinions on all sides are welcome, and will not be deleted. We believe in freedom of speech & debate. The Galletta’s Kart club will race on our own backyard speedway track and all local tracks that allow us our simple rule set and points system formula in the following seasons. We will not be back at Oswego until the track operator has been replaced by a more level-headed and reasonable person, which would not be very difficult considering the facts. Thank you for your support, and see you at Galletta’s and any other track other than the Oswego Kartway. The whole story is found here. Now back to the rest of our 2008 season at Galletta’s:

2008 Gas Stocker Kart TOTAL Point Standings of The Planet  
After 21 combined events at both Galletta’s and Oswego Kartway from 5/8/2008 -thru- 9/7/2008.

Rank	Name (& Karts Piloted) All Motors are 5hp Gas Stockers. 6.5hp “Outlaws” are removed, wins given to highest-scoring 5hp. Regulars have clickable driver profiles.	Total 2-TrackPoints (Place)	Average Points Per Event	Total Events	TotalHeat Wins	TotalFeature Wins
1	“Mighty” Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s #33, 3, 1, 2)	2815.50	127.98	22	4	11.5*
2	Chris “Chrusher” Stevens  (Galletta’s #8, 4, 5, 7)	2618.50	119.02	22	3	5
3	Russ Hockey  (Hockey #00, Galletta’s #9, 5)	2241.50	101.98	21	2	0
4	Buddy Cottom  (Galletta’s #7, 6, 1, 0, Phillips #04)	1490.50	124.21	12	2	2
5	Melissa Gabel  (Galletta’s #80, 80, 33)	1397.00	116.42	12	0	0
6	Gary Miller Sr. (Miller #24, Galletta’s #0, 9)	1343.00	103.31	13	2	0
7	Dick Dann  (Dann #86)	1206.00	100.50	12	0	1
8	Larry Phillips (Phillips #04, Galletta’s #9, 7)	847.00	105.88	8	0	0
9	Wavin’ Nick Dann  (Dann #68, 86, Galletta’s #5, 1, Miller #24)	840.50	105.06	8	1	1
10	Flyin’ Ryan Coleman  (Galletta’s #9, 7, Miller #24)	743.50	148.70	5	2	2
11	Wes “Ogre” Stevens  (Galletta’s #4)	728.00	104.00	7	1	1.5*
12	John “JP” Stepien (Galletta’s #0)	587.50	146.88	4	1	0
13	Mike “M Fn’ C” Howell  (Galletta’s #5, 6, 9)	584.00	116.80	5	1	0
14	Gary Miller Jr.  (Miller #24, Galletta’s #6)	366.50	183.25	2	0	1
15	Chris Stockham (Galletta’s #9)	193.00	96.50	2	0	0
16	Mike Phinney (Galletta’s #6)	169.00	84.50	2	0	0
17	Shadow Russell (Galletta’s #2)	159.00	79.50	2	0	0
18	Kaleb Anderson (Galletta’s #1)	149.00	74.50	2	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	Ken Lindsley Jr.  (Galletta’s #6)	75.00	75.00	1	0	0
24	Ken Lindsley III (Galletta’s #1)	69.00	69.00	1	0	0
25	Joe Miller (Galletta’s #9)	65.00	65.00	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 winning-est 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!