Galletta's Karting Club

Saturday, 10/14/2023 – In the first race held since “Buddy The Galletta’s Greenhouse Patrol Kitty” passed away, we had some pretty good racing, helped by some big track guest drivers such as SBS driver AJ Larkin, Supermodified driver Tyler Thompson, and a couple more with all sorts of local racing experience joining us for some short but sweet 20-lappers (only 25 each with cautions)! Devon Tonkin won the 1st 20-Lapper in the Galletta’s Racing #93 (but sadly left before the Victory Pics were taken), and Chris Stevens won the 2nd in the Galletta’s/R&C Sushi Racing #4. The only bad thing about these is with so few laps, we don’t earn as many points as usual, but beggars can’t be choosers — our race attendance has been struggling on and off for years and we are grateful we had enough people to finally run some!

But first, we take a moment to remember…

Buddy arrived on the scene as a young stray cat sometime in the Winter of 2013. He overcame some initial shyness and quickly became a good buddy to everyone around the greenhouse, including customers who would enjoy petting him while shopping and buying their plants. He took a big liking to Matt and followed him everywhere like a lost puppy. He also became somewhat semi-famous on this website, as he began posing in Victory Photos starting as early as this race in 2013, and can be seen in many afterward. He would hide when the karts were rolling, but as soon as the engines stopped, he would run over to the winners and pose. He was a VERY smart, loyal, affectionate, and sweet cat, and can be seen on and off in Victory pics between 2013-23.  Here’s just a few:

However, he may have missed his human daddy too badly, as he got very sick with an unknown respirational illness during Matt’s week-long family vacation to Disney World, which was the longest he was ever away from his daddy in his ten years with us. Buddy died within minutes of his return when his daughter Sarah excitedly picked him up and very tightly squeezed him. He panicked and passed on the spot. It was a sad day.

Buddy is buried just inside the infield at the Start/Finish Line so that his remains can be in every Victory pic until we stop doing it.

Website delays…

A combination of myself (the website operator, video editor, point statistician, and racer Chris Stevens) being busy with work and family functions, along with the website having some issues that the host took some time to resolve, we were a bit late updating our race page and points tallies to our Twin 20s from Saturday, October 14th, 2023. 

I apologize that the page is not fully done, but we have the raw video and updated point standings for your viewing for the time being:

Helmet cam

Rear Turn (Unedited Stationary Cam)

FINAL ORDER OF FINISH

20 Lapper #1 Finish:

1. Devon Tonkin #93
2. Matt Stevens #33
3. Chris Stevens #8 / #4
4. Tucker Wells #6
5. Tyler Thompson  #2 / #78
6. Steve Larkin #5
7. AJ Larkin #9 / #83
8. Melissa Stevens #19

20 Lapper #2 Finish:

1. Chris Stevens #4
2. Matt Stevens #74
3. Tucker Wells #6
4. Tyler Thompson #78
5. Devon Tonkin #93
6. Steve Larkin #5
7. AJ Larkin #83
8. Melissa Stevens #19

2023 Points at Galletta’s Greenhouse Speedway (after October 14th, 2023)

BONUS COVERAGE – Raw Points Work:

Week’s Points Tally