8/7/2016 – Keith Raymond and Josh Arnold Split the Twin-30s!

 photo WP_20160807_22_21_27_Pro-Keith-and-Josh-win-twins.jpg

Sunday, August 7th, 2016, Week 9 – Did the floodgates finally open last week? Finally we got some new faces in Victory Lane, and anybody watching the races is seeing how close and intense the action is! Keith Raymond executed a precise pass on leader of 29 laps, Jason King to take the 1st feature, stealing what would have been King’s 1st career win. Then it was a 1st-time winner, Josh Arnold, leading all 30 laps of feature #2, holding off some challenges from Jason King, Keith Raymond and the Chris Stevens/Matt Stevens/Kelly Miller points leader trio en route to his 1st career feature victory (Josh did win a 2015 Fall all-rookie race, but this was his 1st regular, veteran points race win). Points will be up as soon as they are tallied, and the complete race video is posted both above and on YouTube here.

Makeup Race / Rookie Heat

  1. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #0) – scored 13th in 7/2/2016 45-Lapper
  2. RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #43)
  3. Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
  4. Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
  5. (DNS – Practice) Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)

 photo 2016-08-07-03h50m08s971.jpg

1st 30-Lap Feature – START:

1. Jason King (King Racing #12)
2. Josh Arnold (Arnold #93)
3. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #0)
4. Kevin Galletta (Galletta Bros. #28)
5. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
6. Matt Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #33)
7. Chris Stevens (GallettasGreenhouse.com/Chrusher.com/OswegoSushi.com #4)
8. Kelly Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)
9. Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
10. RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #43)
11. Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
12. Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
13. DNS (Practice) Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)

 photo 2016-08-07-03h50m36s594.jpg

 photo 2016-08-07-03h55m31s964.jpg

Keith Raymond executed a last-lap pass on Jason King to rob him of his 1st career feature win! King had led all 29 laps before the perfectly timed precision pass. Wow.

1st 30-Lap Feature – FINISH:

1. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #0)
2. Jason King (King Racing #12)
3. Josh Arnold (Arnold #93)
4. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
5. Kevin Galletta (Galletta Bros. #28)
6. Chris Stevens (GallettasGreenhouse.com/Chrusher.com/OswegoSushi.com #4)
7. Matt Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #33)
8. Kelly Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)
9. Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
10. Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
11. DNF – RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #43, #2)
12. DNF – Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
13. DNS – (Practice) Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)


2nd 30-Lap Feature – START:

1. Josh Arnold (Arnold #93)
2. Jason King (King Racing #12)
3. Kevin Galletta (Galletta Bros. #28)
4. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
5. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #0)
6. Kelly Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)
7. Matt Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #33)
8. Chris Stevens (GallettasGreenhouse.com/Chrusher.com/OswegoSushi.com #4)
9. Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
10. Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
11. DNS – RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)
12. DNS – Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
13. DNS – (Practice) Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)

 photo 2016-08-07-03h54m26s892.jpg

Josh Arnold impressively led all 30 laps to his 1st career feature win. The top three in points were all bumper-to-bumper in back of him, but Chris got loose in the final turn trying one last pass attempt on Josh, Kelly got slowed behind the #4 and Matt almost got both Kelly and his brother, but Chris recovered and barely held him off. Kelly lost a spot in the exchange. Last second place changes like this are critical to the points when we’re this close, and I do believe this is the closest top-3 in points at this point of the season in our 21 year history.

2nd 30-Lap Feature – FINISH:

1. Josh Arnold (Arnold #93)
2. Chris Stevens (GallettasGreenhouse.com/Chrusher.com/OswegoSushi.com #4)
3. Matt Stevens (Galletta’s Greenhouse #3)
4. Kelly Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #9)
5. Keith Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #0, #1)
6. Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
7. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
8. DNF – Jason King (King Racing #12)
9. DNF – Kevin Galletta (Galletta Bros. #28)
10. DNF – Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
11. DNS – RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)
12. DNS – Melissa Stevens (Scissors n’ Fur #19)
13. DNS – (Practice) Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Notes
0
12
93
0
28
33c
33
4
9
5
43
1
19
Twin 30-Lapper #1:
1
12
93
0
2
12
93
0
3
12
93
0
4
12
93
0
1†
5
12
93
0
6
12
93
0
7
12
93
0
8
12
93
0
28
33
33c
4
9
5
2
1†
19
43>2
9
12
93
0
10
12
93
0
11
12
93
0
12
12
93
0
13
12
0
93
1†
14
12
0
93
15
12
0
93
16
12
0
93
28
33c
4
9
33
2
5
1†
19
5
17
12
0
93
18
12
0
93
19
12
0
93
20
12
0
93
21
12
0
93
22
12
0
93
23
12
0
93
24
12
0
93
33c
28
4
9
33
5
1†
2
19
2, 5
25
12
0
93
26
12
0
93
27
12
0
93
1†
28
12
0
93
29
12
0
93
30
0
12
93
33c
28
4
33
9
5
1†
2
19
Points
96
91
87
83
79
75
71
68
65
61
57
53
Twin 30-Lapper #2:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Notes
0
93
12
28
33c
0
9
3
4
5
1dc
2
19
1
93
12
0
1dc
1 out
2
93
12
0
3
93
12
0
28
28 out
4
93
12
0
5
93
12
0
6
93
12
0
4
3
5
9
33c
28
1dc
2
19
33c, 9
7
93
12
0
8
93
12
0
9
93
12
0
4
3
5
9
33c
28
1dc
2
19
light
10
93
12
0
11
93
12
0
12
93
12
0
13
93
12
0
14
93
12
0
15
93
12
0
16
93
0
12
17
93
0
12
0 out
18
93
12
4
9
3
5
33c
1k
28
1dc
2
19
0>1k
19
93
12
4
20
93
12
4
21
93
12
4
22
93
12
4
23
93
12
4
24
93
12
4
25
93
12
4
12 out
26
93
4
9
3
5
33c
1k
12
28
1dc
2
19
27
93
4
9
28
93
4
9
29
93
4
9
30
93
4
3
9
1/0
5
33c
12
28
1dc
43/2
19
Feat 2
96
91
87
83
79
75
71
68
65
61
57
53
Feat 1
87
75
71
68
96
65
83
91
79
61
57
53
1st
30
0
0
0
2
0
0
29
0
0
0
0
2nd/3rd
(30)
15
(13)
6.5
(1)
0.5
(4)
2
(43)
21.5
0
0
(26)
13
0
0
0
0
Makeup
63
18
16
20
Penalty
-5
-5
Total
228
172.5
158.5
153
256.5
(x2)
158
154
201
144
138
129
106

SCORING NOTES:

  • Due to a scoring error, this week’s race counts as 35 lap chart instead of 30 lap chart. My mistake means everyone earned a few more points (write it off to counting cautions).
  • As of August 1st (this week’s race), no more makeup points for drivers outside of veterans with at least either one career feature win and/or top-10 in current/active season’s points. There is not enough time and mental energy for me to handle too much point digging/awarding otherwise.
  • Keith Raymond and RJ Mayman each used mid-race kart changes, which is a -5 point penalty.

RACING RULES CLARIFICATIONS:

Two occasions last race came up where drivers weren’t 100% sure of the rules, and Chris and Matt hate making mid-race judgement calls because when they did so in the past, some drivers/spectators accused them of having conflict of interest. [Side note to a few occasions in 2006-2010: A false accusation, because we follow the rules, not just rules to help ourselves. When I personally challenged the accusers to watch the hundreds and hundreds of hours of our races available in our DVD library (and now YouTube) and find a single point where Chris and Matt didn’t obey rules, I would personally give them $100. Several years have passed and not one claim has been made).] Most rules at Galletta’s follow most short track racing rules, and most drivers do understand basic racing rules, but we do have occasional exceptions. Here are a few that came up this past race:

START/RESTART:

After the conclusion of the 1st feature, cornerman Brian Galletta warned Keith Raymond that one of his restarts was questionable, and felt that he passed Adam Lytle and Kevin Galletta before he was legally able to. In reviewing the video, it does not appear that Kevin was passed before the leader’s front bumper crossed the pylon in turn 4… BUT, the video was obstructed and did not conclusively show whether or not he was in the process of passing Lytle before the pylon. Brian, being cornerman with a clear view, did have the right to throw a yellow and give a warning. Regardless, this is a reminder/warning to all drivers, as you can be penalized in hindsight even if it was not stopped live, although you will likely receive a warning on your 1st offense. Here it is:

  • Leader sets the pace on starts and restarts. However, this does not mean the leader can just blast the gas and leave everyone in the dust, unable to mount a challenge. He cannot go too fast, because the guys in the back are a half track behind before they even hit the throttle. . He should be in caution speed in turn 3, and the apex of turns 3 & 4, he may begin to get harder on the throttle. If he is too fast in the back stretch or 3, drivers in the rear are unfairly out of the action and it hurts the competition, so flaggers or other drivers can request a restart with one warning. 2nd warning, he will be sent to the rear.
  • With the exception of our big races (the 200 Lapper, for example, which starts double-file), starts and restarts must be single file until the leader’s front bumper passes the pylon in turn 4. All drivers should be anywhere from a few inches to less than a kart length in back of the person in front of them (any more and there is too much space between causing a spaced out restart, any less and you’re bumping, and potentially causing an accident or crashing with the guy in front of you if they start to wreck). You MUST stay single file before the leader’s front bumper crosses the pylon, and if you are not in file, you could be disqualified. If a pass is executed BEFORE then, they will receive a warning and a restart will be done. 2nd offense they are sent to the rear. If it is caught on video after the race but missed live, there may be point penalties enacted during scoring.
  • If it is caught on video after the race but missed live, there will be point penalties enacted during scoring.

TANGLES DURING CAUTION AND KEEPING OR LOSING YOUR SPOT:

After the race’s conclusion, Kelly Miller wondered why he didn’t get his spot back after tangling with Adam Lytle and coming to a stop during the 2nd feature. This brings up a good time to discuss the rule, which some drivers did not know. Here it is the rule:

If a driver wants to challenge losing his position during a caution, bring it up with Chris and Wes and we will either ask the officials and active drivers who saw it live, or else stop the race to review the camera footage.

  1.  If a driver comes to a stop on the track to avoid, spins to avoid, or goes off the track to avoid a prone kart, and does not hit any barriers, nor flips, he will get his spot back, but if nobody saw it live, we may have to review the video.
  2. If a driver kept going with zero to minimal contact with the prone kart, and the kart ahead did not wreck from any contact with the driver in question, he will get his spot back, but if nobody saw it live, we may have to review the video.
  3. If a driver makes significant contact (a light brush or light contact is passable; but one’s riding bumper, hooked tires or bumpers, or effectively assisting in a spin out that would not have happened otherwise, is not) and either keeps going or comes to a stop, they are part of the accident and must go to the back. This is why one should refrain from riding someone’s bumper. If they spin or go off track, the chances you go with them are extremely high, as you have nowhere to go, and are considered part of the accident.

Sometimes it’s a judgement call, and sometimes the spun driver must be questioned (did the contact make him wreck or was he already losing control before the contact? Sometimes the line is so razor thin that one cannot properly judge, especially if the camera view is poor and/or not enough impartial witnesses). No matter what, all decisions can be penalized after the race when the race is being scored and the video is being reviewed, so always be as honest and truthful as possible in on-track close-judgement calls.


2016 World 1-WD Gas Flathead Backyard Karting Championship Point Standings

After the 6/12/2016 – 8/7/2016 Races:

Place
Last Week
Name (Go-Karts Piloted)
®=Rookie *=Makeup Feature T =Timeout k=Kart Change
Total Points (Place)
Average Points Per Feature
Features
Feature Wins
Win %
Heats Won/
Entered
Years Pro at Galletta’s
All-Time Feature Wins
1st
2nd
Chris Stevens (Galletta’s #8, 4, 0)
1311.0
109.25
12
3
25%
0/3
21st
80
2nd
1st
Kelly Miller (Galletta’s #7, 43, 9)
1301.5
108.46
12
2
17%
0/3
8th
5
3rd
3rd
Matt Stevens (Galletta’s #33, 3, 74)
1286.5
107.21
12
3
25%
0/3
21st
132
4th
4th
Josh Arnold (Arnold #93, Galletta’s #78) k
1135.5
94.63
12
1
8%
2/3
1st
1
5th
5th
Jason King (King #12J, Galletta’s #9, 43)
1071.0
89.25
12
0
0%
3/3
1st
0
6th
6th
Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c, Galletta #28) k
974.5
81.21
12
1
8%
0/3
5th
6
7th
7th
Kevin Galletta (Galletta Bros. #28) ** t
910.0
75.83
12
1
8%
0/2
3rd
3
8th
9th
Keith Raymond (Galletta’s #0, 6, 1) **** kk
890.5
89.05
10
1
10%
0/0
3rd
4
9th
8th
Mike Patak (Galletta’s #9, #2, #7, #43) **
736.5
81.83
9
0
0%
0/2
1st
0
10th
10th
Melissa Stevens (Scissors ‘n Fur #19)
706.0
58.83
12
0
0%
0/3
9th
8
11th
11th
David Hall Jr. (Hall #29, Galletta’s #1) k
595.0
85.00
7
0
0%
1/2
1st
0
12th
12th
Lee Gleason (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5, 2) *
451.0
90.20
5
0
0%
0/2
®
0
13th
13th
Mike Chrisman (Galletta’s #5)
441.5
88.30
5
0
0%
0/0
1st
0
14th
14th
Chad Crouse (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5, 9) *
260.0
65.00
4
0
0%
0/1
®
0
15th
15th
Eric Woolworth (Woolworth #78)
247.0
61.75
4
0
0%
0/1
5th
5
16th
16th
Taylor Barlow (Galletta Bros. #42, er, p)
216.0
54.00
4
0
0%
0/0
®
0
17th
17th
Kristina McCann (Galletta’s #2) ®
169.0
56.33
3
0
0%
0/0
®
0
18th
N/A
Ken Town (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
158.0
79.00
2
0
0%
0/0
®
0
19th
18th
Noah King (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5) *
150.0
75.00
2
0
0%
0/0
®
0
20th
19th
Nick Roffo (Galletta’s #43)
147.0
73.50
2
0
0%
0/0
1st
0
21st
20th
David Hartpence (Galletta’s #1, 2)
141.0
70.50
2
0
0%
0/1
1st
0
22nd
N/A
Daniel Connors (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1)
138.0
69.00
2
0
0%
0/1
®
0
23rd
N/A
RJ Wyman (Galletta’s Greenhouse #43, 2) k
129.0
64.50
2
0
0%
0/1
®
0
24th
N/A
Griffin Miller (Galletta’s Greenhouse #2)
112.0
56.00
2
0
0%
0/1
®
0
25th
21st
Joe Sereno (Galletta’s Greenhouse #5)
110.0
55.00
2
0
0%
0/0
3rd
5
26th
22nd
Mark Raymond (Galletta’s Greenhouse #1, 6)
109.0
109.00
1
0
0%
0/2
®
0
27th
23rd
Tony Cimilluca (Galletta’s #6)
93.0
93.00
1
0
0%
0/0
1st
1
28th
24th
Daniel Springer (Galletta’s Greenhouse #43)
87.0
87.00
1
0
0%
0/2
®
0
29th
25th
Nick Metcalf (Galletta’s #6)
53.0
53.00
1
0
0%
0/0
®
0
30th
26th
Michael West (Galletta’s #6)
45.0
45.00
1
0
0%
0/0
®
0

NEXT WEEK’S HANDICAP:

Handicap Driver Name * = Makeup Races
Average Points Per Feature
Features
Feature Wins
Heats Won/ Entered
All-Time Feature Wins
1st Chad Crouse *
65.00
4
0
0/1
0
2nd David Hartpence
70.50
2
0
0/1
0
3rd Mike Patak **
81.83
9
0
0/2
0
4th David Hall Jr.
85.00
7
0
1/2
0
5th Mike Chrisman
88.30
5
0
0/0
0
6th Jason King
89.25
12
0
3/3
0
7th Lee Gleason *
90.20
5
0
0/2
0
8th Joe Sereno
55.00
2
0
0/0
5
9th Eric Woolworth
61.75
4
0
0/1
5
10th Tony Cimilluca
93.00
1
0
0/0
1
11th Kevin Galletta **
75.83
12
1
0/2
3
12th Adam Lytle
81.21
12
1
0/3
6
13th Keith Raymond ****
89.05
10
1
0/0
4
14th Josh Arnold
94.63
12
1
2/3
1
15th Matt Stevens
107.21
12
3
0/3
132
16th Kelly Miller
108.46
12
2
0/3
5
17th Chris Stevens
109.25
12
3
0/3
80
18th Melissa Stevens
58.83
12
0
0/3
8
19th Returning Past Veterans
20th N00bs/Rookies