Galletta's Karting Club

8/31/2014 – 19th Annual Labor Day 50-Lapper Postponed to Monday due to Driver Unavailability

8/31/2014 UPDATE – Due to a severe lack of drivers (3), and camera operators (0), our Saturday, August 30th 2014 race was postponed a few days for Monday, September 1st, 2014. Race will be scheduled for 5:00pm for rookies, with veterans to follow (if no rookies, veterans will instead start at 5pm). If we have less than 8 drivers, it may not be a points show, but we plan to race with at least 6, even if it is a non-points race. So come on time, race will start without you, and should finish before dark barring anything unforeseen (also, in an attempt to speed the show along, we will have repair timeouts after dark in a trial run to see if it helps us with earlier finish times). In an alleged racer city like Oswego, with alleged “karters” wrapping up their itty-bitty 50-lap Classics (lutz) and Labor Day/Classic weekend done, one would think we’d have more drivers show up? Did your nutsacks shrink? Come on up! We are THE most affordable motorsport racing class in the area (fast, competitive, feature-winning karts usually cost around $200 used, and arrive-and-drive karts for $20 if you don’t have your own or just want to try it out). The most affordable kart division and there are no fees – just pay your kart’s gas and parts as you go. Hope to see you there.

9/1/2014 – 19th Annual Labor Day 50-Lapper stolen by Matt Stevens in Galletta’s #1

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st, 2014, OSWEGO, NY –  Once again, the most talented, most affordable, longest-running, deepest and overall best kart race in Oswego on Labor Day weekend didn’t happen at the local pay track in back of the Speedway. After all, their “Classic” is traditionally 50 laps with a 10 kart max on a tiny track filled with karts that cost more than a grand to compete with, let alone win. Nope. It happened at Galletta’s, where our WEEKLY race is longer than their Klassic, our track limit is 24 karts (come on up and put butts in kart seats!), the karts cost only a few hundred dollars and are all set up to compete for feature win on any given weekend by the multi-time champ, and when we DO race our Klassic, it is 200 laps on a track TWICE as big. Talk about bang for your buck! But why aren’t their butts in seats? Due to a severe lack of drivers (3?!), and camera operators (0), our Saturday, August 30th 2014 race was postponed a few days for Monday, September 1st, 2014 at 5:30pm. Pushing the date back meant that it wound up being a good 8-kart feature (remember, our for-points race cutoff is usually 8, however we have a 24 kart limit and often 10+ karts that sit at trackside waiting for drivers to race, but apparently, they’d rather spend a few grand and get last place in a 5 kart/5-minute race in back of the big track. Huh? Really? Sad, but true!). You may think that the karts look a bit beat, but put yourself in one of our races and try not to be impressed. Unless being a bit of a dandy is your thang. In that case, keep racing at the pay track exclusively in the missionary position, pretty bois. U DO IT FOR R OUR LULZ.

Regardless, the 8-kart show Monday saw 1st year driver Keith Raymond lead early on (in the Galletta’s Greenhouse #5) before drive system problems parked the kart, ending his bid at his 1st career feature win. Chris Stevens then inherited the lead (in the Galletta’s Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/Oswego Price Chopper R&C Sushi Bar #4) and looked like he was going to take his first win in over a whole calender year. But on a late-race restart, Chris lost traction in turn 1 and Matt Stevens used that opportunity to put the oft-unused Galletta’s Greenhouse #1 into victory lane, something that it rarely gets a chance to do since usually only raw rookie renters run it (again, another lesson that our karts are all of very close and near-equal ability – it’s the driver skill and a bit of luck that determines the outcome). During the post-race photos, Chris was a little peeved to see that while he has a bald slick on his drive-wheel tire, the #1 had a treaded tire on the drive-wheel! Something we ruled against in 2008 due to racing on both Oswego dirt tracks at the time. Oh that tricky, underhanded lil’ Mr. Matty-Joey! As if the most wins of all karters in Oswego wasn’t enough? Maybe this is why the small horde of pay track drivers epically puss-wuss out year after year and don’t try to take him on? Sheesh! There may be penalties involved for this one. Stay tuned by reading on below!

9/1/2014 – HEAT ONE

Brian Galletta’s magical mystery musical kart search continues, using his 3rd or 4th or 5th or more different kart in recent races.

START:
1. Brian Galletta (Galletta #54)
2. Kevin Galletta (Galletta #28)
3. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
4. Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)

Heat one went to Brian Galletta in his Galletta #54, holding off his brother Kevin and Adam Lytle.

FINISH:
1. Brian Galletta (Galletta #54)
2. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
3. Kevin Galletta (Galletta #28)
4. Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9) 

9/1/2014 – HEAT TWO

START:
1. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
2. Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
3. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse/R&C Sushi/Chrusher.com #4)
4. Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s Greenhouse #78)
-. * Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)

* = Earned makeup race credit.

Heat Two went to Keith Raymond, who drove the Galletta’s Greenhouse #5 instead of his usual ride (his own #88), which had carb problems. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/Price Chopper Sushi #4) scored 2nd, holding off Matt Stevens (in the Galletta’s Greenhouse #78b, the former Woolworth/Matott kart). The track was deemed to be too dry and loose after the two heats and got a quick water before the feature event.

FINISH:
1. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
2. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse/R&C Sushi/Chrusher.com #4)
3. Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s Greenhouse #78)
4. Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
-. * Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)

* = Earned makeup race credit.

9/1/2014 – 50-LAP FEATURE EVENT

Polesitter Keith Raymond looked game enough for his 1st feature win of his rookie campaign by setting a fast pace to the early going and keeping veteran Chris Stevens safely in 2nd. The two pulled away from the rest of the pack on every restart, and looked like a sure bet to score the top two spots. However, a chain popped off on the #5, ending’ Keith’s bid to be the 4th driver to put the #5 in victory lane this season (as Matt Stevens, Randy Platt, Kyle Reuter did 3 weeks in a row and Chris Stevens narrowly missed it a 4th week by getting a close 2nd). Keith then hopped into the Galletta’s #0, another fast Galletta’s rental that often goes unused […because, well quite frankly, most karters and wannabe racers in the Oswego area don’t have the balls nor skills to race with us. And racing on itty-bitty cutie lil’ kiddie kartways don’t count, son. If you think it does, tru us. We’re waiting].

START:
1. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
2. DNS – Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
3. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse/R&C Sushi/Chrusher.com #4)
4. Brian Galletta (Galletta #54)
5. Kevin Galletta (Galletta #28)
6. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
7. Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
8. Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)

DNS – Did not start, Because started too late.

After that, Matt “The Attack Dog” Stevens got up to 2nd in the oft forgot Galletta’s Greenhouse #1 and pressured Chris, who was seeking his 1st feature win in over a year (an uncommon, yet not unheard of drought for Chris, the only other human on the planet who has ever beaten Matt in an annual points chase that consists of 19 years, three of which he swept on both of Oswego’s dirt kart tracks).

While it looked like Chris was going to finally break through to victory lane, a late-race restart provided Matt an opportunity. The #4 was loose going into turn 1, but Chris’ experience enabled him to save the kart from hitting the outer wall. But that is all the window Matt needed, as he snuck by Chris and held a surprisingly fast pace in a kart that is available for rent nearly every weekend at Galletta’s and goes unused. This again proves how many pussy karters there are in Oswego – Matt will give them a kart that he could win in and they still don’t show. You can race in back of a famous speedway all you want, but your karting street cred is laughable until you win at Galletta’s – the Rucker’s Park of Central NY karting.

FINISH:
1. Matt Stevens  (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
2. Chris Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse/R&C Sushi/Chrusher.com #4)
3. Brian Galletta (Galletta #54)
4. Jon Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)
5. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5, 0)
6. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
7. Kevin Galletta (Galletta #28)
8. DNS – Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)

NOTE: I have NO idea how the score board messes up sometimes, but it messes up sometimes. We ran 61 laps instead of 50. Wes, pay the f*** attention. Regardless, bonus points added (counts as a 60 lap instead of a 50 lap race) due to the mistake.

Now to the 19th Annual Season Gas Flathead Karting World Championship at Galletta’s Greenhouse Backyard Speedway Points!

2014 Gas Flathead Karting National Championship &
2014 Galletta’s Greenhouse Karting Speedway Point Standings

(As of completion of 9/1/2014’s race event. N00bs who raced makeup races and didn’t return awarded 20 bonus point heats each. Kelly Miller, the only returning veteran who scored a makeup race the prior to last weekend, was awarded said points.)

Position Last Week	Name (Go-Karts Piloted) [Hyperlinked Borders have Driver Profile] ®=Rookie *=Makeup T =Timeout (*$ makup not cashed)	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Feature	Features	Feature Wins	Win %	Heats Won/Entered	Years Pro at Galletta’s	All-Time Feature Wins
1st	Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #3, 33, 74, 6, 5, 2, 1)	1,624.50	124.96	13	4	31%	0/7	19th	123
2nd	Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8, 4, 0, 5)	1,514.50	116.50	13	0	0%	1/7	19th	70
3rd	Melissa Stevens (Scissors ‘n Fur #19, 80)	1,377.00	105.92	13	0	0%	3/7	8th	7
5th	Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)	1,281.50	98.58	13	2	15%	1/7	3rd	3
6th	Keith Raymond (Galletta’s #1, 6, Raymond #88) ® **	1,219.00	93.77	13	0	0%	2/7	®	0
4th	Kelly Miller (Galletta’s #7, 9)	1,198.50	108.95	11	1	9%	0/5	7th	3
8th	Brian Galletta (Plattnum-Galletta #42, 28, 54) *	923.50	102.61	9	1	11%	1/6	8th	7
7th	Kevin Galletta (Plattnum-Galletta #28) *	918.00	102.00	9	1	11%	1/4	2nd	2
9th	Eric Woolworth (The Raven #88, 78/02)	680.50	113.42	6	2	33%	0/3	3rd	4
10th	David Turner (Plattnum-Turner #43, Galletta’s #9) ® *	478.50	95.70	5	0	0%	1/2	®	0
22nd	Jon Raymond (Galletta’s #9, 6, 1, 0) ®	251.00	125.50	2	0	0%	0/3	®	0
11th	Kyle Reuter (Galletta’s #5)	170.50	170.50	1	1	100%	0/0	6th	5
12th	Alex Bennett (Galletta’s #9, 2) ® (*$)	159.00	79.50	2	0	0%	0/0	®	0
13th	Randy Platt (Galletta’s #5)	152.50	152.50	1	1	100%	0/0	5th	7
14th	Clifford Crowe (Galletta’s #1) ® (*$)	143.00	71.50	2	0	0%	0/0	®	0
15th	Chris Larkin (Galletta’s #9) ®	141.00	141.00	1	0	0%	0/2	®	0
17th	Chad Combs (Galletta’s #9, 2) ® (*$)	132.00	132.00	1	0	0%	0/2	®	0
18th	Mike Harrington (Galletta’s #1) ®	132.00	132.00	1	0	0%	0/2	®	0
19th	Eddie Bristol (Galletta’s #42) ®	128.00	128.00	1	0	0%	1/2	®	0
16th	Grover Sixberry Jr. (Galletta’s #2) ® *	120.00	60.00	2	0	0%	0/1	®	0
20th	Tumor Matott (Galletta’s #1)	101.00	101.00	1	0	0%	0/0	2nd	1
21st	Matthew Daniels (Galletta’s #1) ® (*$)	91.00	91.00	1	0	0%	0/1	®	0
23rd	Rookie N00b from 8/10/2014 (Galletta’s #1) ®	61.00	61.00	1	0	0%	0/1	®	0

Onto the next race on 9/27/2014->

Post-Race Notes:

8 drivers in a race ain’t bad. We’ll take it most weeks. Still one of the biggest karting classes in the area and our cut-off to count for points on regular season occasions. But once again, it could’ve been more. As yet again, the butt-hurt quit-bug struck. Again? Yes. Again.

Our regular count would usually be a driver or two or three higher, but in a sad, yet somewhat highly puzzling turn of events, veteran Supermodified racer, multi-time Super Stock champ and 2013 Galletta’s Klassic 200 champion Kelly Miller reportedly decided to quit the club forever on Saturday. What? The same Kelly Miller who LOVES racing with us, always talks about how much fun he has racing with us, how much time we put into making the competition extremely close, how big of a thrill it is to win a race here, how utterly amazing it was to win the 2013 Galletta’s Klassic 200, and always says he greatly appreciates all the effort Matt and Chris put forth to make the races – karts, track, points and website – go? Yes. Huh?! Why?

He claimed that he lost a ride at Oswego Speedway’s Classic Weekend because we decided to postpone Saturday’s race (with only 2 willing drivers) to Monday (with a healthy count of 8 willing drivers). Since there is no race of any real meaning at the Oswego Speedway on Saturday (we all know the real race happens on Sunday there and there was no race on Monday… okay, okay… KIDDING. Maybe a handful of SBS guys could hang with us. Maybe. But the ones who tried thus far. Yeah… mostly not so hot…). Well… it is odd in many ways, as (1) we would NEVER stop one of our drivers from racing at any Oswego Speedway event if they could (and would postpone our event if need be), and (2) we have always had a flexi-schedule to work around the best date for both weather and driver count. Always. And he knows that. We aren’t a pay track, we race for the fun and the competition, and we have that flexibility. Wow. Only at Galletta’s, can we bend over backwards to help our drivers race and get thrown under the bus *even when we get zero profit and in fact lose money on every single race when only a few drivers show and race for free*, while pay tracks get 70-100 karts, take a LOT of their money, herd them on the bullshit bullrings, 5-10 minute races, herd them off, get the F out, if you have a problem with it the track operator will threaten to fight you and call you names. But at least you get to spend a few grand lookin’ all pretty and say you raced in the parking lot of the real track, right? And get into the newspaper that what seems to be less and less people subscribe to (or so we’ve been told)! Nice. Kelly knows that we bend over backwards to help our limited few club drivers, and has always claimed to like this scheduling flexibility and willingness to help our guys race about us in the past, but apparently… not this particular time. Wow. Thanks guys.

On a side-note, we’ll always wish for Kelly to reconsider – as this club prefers good drivers racing with us, but won’t beg him to. He’s just one of hundreds of people who raced with us and stopped, or even thousands of people in our area who could race with us, and have fun racing with us. Yet… how come we struggle to get a handful of drivers out? If Oswego-area drivers stopped having butthurt and newphagism and showed up at Galletta’s on race day, we could have the biggest, baddest kart race in the state. Period. But we struggle to get 8 people. Some say it’s because we start late, some say it’s because we call timeouts, we know some don’t because we turn right instead of left (those, I honestly call complete and total idiots), and some don’t race because we have 1-WD gas motors and their overpriced 2-WD racing karts (1) couldn’t even handle our track, (2) think that doing well at a local pay track will fetch them a big track ride [er, not without funding and serious sponsors, son],  and (3) they don’t know how to cheat in our class like they do in theirs. And, in the end, I believe the #1 reason that some don’t show because they know they can’t beat Matt and Chris on a consistent basis or even touch them in a points series. Whatever the case, if people showed here on race day, none of the pay tracks with old drunk wannabes and parents living vicariously through their children could muster up enough talent to do squat with all those guys on the track. But… damn… seriously… what is wrong with you people? Why is it that butthurt never ever gets better for the countless souls who raced with us in the past and quit, and all the others who never try it because they puss out every week happy to race like cutsie pie pretty lil’ dandibois on a widdy biddy twack. Awww….. LULZ all around. Damn butthurt and snobbery.

– Chris (and while Matt would NOT be so harsh, and does NOT approve of how I state it on the website… he doesn’t disagree with the overall sentiment of what I said. He sees it too through the years.)

*FLUSH*

Onto the next race on 9/27/2014->