7/15/2012: Twin 30s Night - The Brian Finally Got One 60

Posted on July 17th, 2012 by ChrusherComix Studios

SUNDAY, JULY 15th, 2012: Brian Galletta - one of the original members of the Galletta's Karting Club - got his first feature win in eight years by winning the 2nd 30-Lapper in his Plattitude #287 (chassis built by Randy Platt, motor by Matt Stevens). And even though Dave Spanfelner, Matt Stevens, and Chris Stevens all almost took the win in the first feature, it was Melissa Stevens who evaded several spinning and wrecking karts to take it in her Scissor's-n-Fur #19. Facebook discussion on the victory photos are here (Galletta's Karting Club Facebook) and here (Brian Galletta's Facebook). As for the race, here is MORE...

DVD Highlight YouTube Video

Posted on Summer 2012 by ChrusherComix Studios

7/15/2012's 30-LAP FEATURE #1 | 6-KARTS:

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Oddly, we only had SIX drivers show! Two regulars had other plans scheduled and gratefully told us that they did, while two other regulars never told us why they did make it. A handful of old buddies who want to try the racing out didn't make it, and then, a newbie keeps putting off his debut. And the twenty or so people who told us over the phone and on facebook over the past three or four months how much they can't wait to race with us.... are nowhere to be seen or heard from on race day. So, only six competitors. We'll have make-up races for the vets who missed a race, but for the 17th consecutive season, it is pretty much already clinched that nobody will ever displace Matt and Chris from the first two spots on the World Points Championship of 1-WD Gas Flathead karting series. And this is one reason why - in addition to being very experienced and talented racers with well-maintained karts under their butts, they never miss one race on any track their division races at. Period. For seventeen years. Now, usually, we will not race with so few people, but when we do, we get in some great point-getters, such as Twin-30s or 50+ lappers. We elected for more Twin-30s.

Brian Galletta has raced with Chris and Matt since the 1990s. He is the oldest active member of the club (where's Jesse Vivlemore, one of the other original club members?), but his career has been marred with close-calls and breakdowns while looking mighty fast (the 2003 Klassic was a case of him being the 2nd-fastest time trialer to Chris, but he broke down late in the race) and only one career regular feature win to date (early in the 2004 season). Here, Brian passed TWO people on the initial start of the race and charged off to a commanding lead. However, due to his messed-up tie-rods and spindles - which he's been working on for a while now - he spun out TWICE, once while in the lead (to fall to third) and then twice to put it in the pits to work on the front end for the 2nd feature. Unlike missionary-position bumper-karts, we don't buy a new chassis at the slighest hint of irregular handling or a lack of speed - we fix them and compete.

START: Pos. | Driver (Karts driven) | 2012 Wins Eric Woolworth (Galletta's Greenhouse #2) {NR} David Spanfelner (Galletta's Greenhouse #6) {NR} Brian Galletta (Platt-itude #287) Melissa Stevens (Scissors N Fur #19) Chris Stevens (Galletta's/Chrusher.com #74) Matt Stevens (Ruggio #02) [4 Wins] OPEN KARTS: Open kart (Galletta's #0) Open kart (Galletta's #1) Open kart (Galletta's #3 - reserved as Matt's backup) Open kart (Galletta's #4 - reserved as Chris' backup) Open kart (Galletta's #5) Open kart (Galletta's #7) Open kart (Galletta's #8 - reserved for Chris' backup) Open kart (Galletta's #9) Open kart (Galletta's #33 - reserved as Matt's backup) Open kart (SNF #80 - reserved for Melissa's backup) Open kart (Platt-num #187 - not ready to race; blown motor) {NR} = Newbie; Inexperienced Rookie

Matt Stevens drove the Ruggio #02 (formerly the Nick Dann #68/AJ Nason #35) by request of its owner Billy Ruggio, as he could not make it for the race and he wanted Matt to hook it up on his week off of racing. Hook it up he did, as he was as fast as he usually is. Also, Chris Stevens finally was able to drive his Chrusher.com #74 kart (the former Joe Hayden #5/Dick Dann #6 kart - seen here driving it wingless due to last-minute adjustments) in a feature, as Matt finally found time to work out the handling issues that it had. Here are some additional video clips from different angles of the race uploaded by one of our competitors, Eric Woolworth: After Brian dropped out, the race was a fierce one between leader Dave Spanfelner and challengers Chris, Matt and Melissa Stevens. The three passed each other back and forth while challenging DS, but other than few close calls (one lap, Matt passed Dave, but a lil' tap from the #6 helped the #02 over), nobody could get around DS. However, late in the race, DS went a little too high in turn 1, hit a loose patch, spun and collected Chris and Matt. Guess who that left in the lead? Melissa Stevens, who was seeking to keep her record of at least one feature win person alive since she started racing in 2007. And she did, pulling away from the pack without anybody in front of her slowing her down!

FINAL: Pos. | Driver (Karts driven) | 2012 Wins Melissa Stevens (Scissors N Fur #19) [1 Win] Matt Stevens (Ruggio #02) [4 Wins] David Spanfelner (Galletta's Greenhouse #6) {NR} Chris Stevens (Galletta's/Chrusher.com #74) Eric Woolworth (Galletta's Greenhouse #2) {NR} - DNF Brian Galletta (Platt-itude #287) - DNF Retcon Make-Up Race Credit: Timothy Galletta (Galletta #54) = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Billy Ruggio (Galletta's #0) [R] = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c) [R] = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Joe Sereno (Galletta's #5) = Credit from 8/26/1012 Retcon Make-up race {NR} = Newbie; Inexperienced Rookie DNF = Did Not Finish

7/15/2012's 30-LAP FEATURE #2 | 6-KARTS:

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As usual, when we have a twin-30, the first is handicapped via inverting the field by first (1) 2012 wins, then (2) career wins, and finally (3) 2012 points-per-race, as all of our non-Klassic races are started. Without time to add-up and calculate the points, we invert the field from the finish of the 1st, minus the inverted 2012 feature winners in the back. Our unique system has provided us many winners in our class, and prevents one man absolutely dominating. Even leading-winner Matt has not percentage-wise dominated the division as much as some drivers on the other local tracks have thanks mainly to this sytem. With a more traditional handicap system - such as Oswego's - Matt would win more (he basically starts last in almost every race he enters minus first-time rookies who need to start in the back or Klassic when he time-trials up front, while other systems would start him mid-pack and sometimes even in the front). This not only shows how close our racing is, but also how good Matt is at winning often despite starting in last almost every race.

START: Pos. | Driver (Karts driven) | 2012 Wins Brian Galletta (Platt-itude #287)  Eric Woolworth (Galletta's Greenhouse #1) {NR} Chris Stevens (Galletta's #4) David Spanfelner (Galletta's Greenhouse #6) {NR} Melissa Stevens (Scissors N Fur #19) [1 win] Matt Stevens (Galletta's #0) [4 Wins] OPEN KARTS: Open kart (Ruggio #02) Open kart (Galletta's #2) Open kart (Galletta's #3 - reserved as Matt's backup) Open kart (Galletta's #5) Open kart (Galletta's #7) Open kart (Galletta's #8 - reserved for Chris' backup) Open kart (Galletta's #9) Open kart (Galletta's #33 - reserved as Matt's backup) Open kart (Galletta's/Chrusher.com #74 - reserved as Chris' backup) Open kart (SNF #80 - reserved for Melissa's backup) Open kart (Platt-num #187 - not ready to race; blown motor) {NR} = Newbie; Inexperienced Rookie

With inverting the initial feature's finish (minus the 'already-4-wins-in-'12' Matt in the very back), Brian Galletta starts on the pole with his fast kart and with only 30-laps to win. Matt this time elected to run the #0, which plays some significance into the fact that he used it to beat Brian a few weeks earlier. Brian again was a rocket in his #28 (built by Randy Platt in 2011 with a Galletta's rental motor), and he finally saolved the handling issue, as he was even faster and more responsive than he has been. Chris was able to move up to 2nd and began reeling him in until the throttle cable snapped and he accepted a -5pt. penalty to hop into another kart (his starter kart, the Galletta's #8) and then rocketed to third in a few laps. For the rest of the race, it was Brian hlding off Chris and Matt for the rest of the show. But this time, Brian picks up the win - his first regular feature win since 2004!

FINISH: Pos. | Driver (Karts driven) | 2012 Wins Brian Galletta (Platt-itude #287) [1 WIN!!!] Chris Stevens (Galletta's #4; 8) Matt Stevens (Galletta's #0) [4 Wins] David Spanfelner (Galletta's Greenhouse #6) {NR} Melissa Stevens (Scissors N Fur #19) [1 win] Eric Woolworth (Galletta's Greenhouse #1) {NR}Retcon Make-Up Race Credit: Timothy Galletta (Galletta #54) = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Billy Ruggio (Galletta's #0) [R] = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c) [R] = Credit from 7/29/2012 Retcon Make-up race Joe Sereno (Galletta's #5) = Credit from 8/26/1012 Retcon Make-up race {NR} = Newbie; Inexperienced Rookie DNF = Did Not Finish

2012 Point Standings after 7/15/2012's Event

For the Galletta's Karting Club's World Championship of 1WD Gas Flatheads held on Galletta's Greenhouse Backyard Karting Speedway for the 2012 season to date, scored in this manner. Our complete All-Time Points Standings from 2000-to-'the-last-completed-season' are found on this webpage, our division's complete 2006-08 standings on Oswego Speedway's lil' Kartway on this page, and our 2000-to-'the-last-completed-season' wins are on this page.At season's end, the current totals will be added into the below:

Pos. (Last Week)	Name (Go-Karts Piloted) [Most drivers have clickable Driver Profiles]	Total Points (Place)	Average Points Per Feature	2012 Events	2012 Features	2012 Heat Wins/ Entered	2012 Feature Wins	Career Feature Wins (2000-up)	Years Pro at GKC
1st	Master Matt Stevens (Galletta's #3,33, 0, 1, 02)	1,029.5	128.69	6	8	1/3	4	108	17th
2nd	Chris "Chrusher" Stevens (Galletta's #8, 4, 74)	951.0	118.88	6	8	1/3	0	58	17th
3rd (4th.)	Brian Galletta (Platt-num #287) t	803.5	103.67	6	8	0/3	1	2	6th
4th. (5th.)	Melissa Stevens (Scissors 'n Fur #19, 80)	747.5	93.44	6	8	1/3	1	6	6th
5th. (6th.)	David Spanfelner (Galletta's #9, 7, 6)	725.0	90.63	5	8	1/3	0	0	®
6th. (3rd.)	Tim Galletta (T-Galletta #54)	685.0	114.17	5	6	1/3	1	7	4th
7th.	Eric Woolworth (Galletta's #2, 1)	675.5	84.44	5	8	0/3	0	0	®
8th.	Justin Galletta (Galletta's #7)	523.0	104.60	3	5	0/1	1	2	2nd
9th.	Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c) t	508.0	84.67	5	6	0/4	0	0	®
10th.	Bill Ruggio (Ruggio #02, Galletta's #6)	503.0	83.83	5	6	0/4	0	0	®
11th.	Joe Sereno (Galletta's #5)	469.5	93.90	3	5	1/2	0	1	2nd
12th.	Doug Bradford (Galletta's #0, #1)	257.0	85.67	3	3	1/2	0	0	®
13th.	Eric Sereno (Galletta's 6)	176.0	88.00	1	2	1/1	0	0	®
14th.	John Galvin (Galletta's #6)	74.0	74.00	1	1	0/2	0	0	®
15th.	Trevor Jock (Galletta's #9)	72.0	72.00	1	1	0/2	0	0	®
16th.	Randy "Bobandi" Platt (Galletta's #2)	69.0	69.00	1	1	0/1	0	5	5th

Key: @ = Used Make-Up Retcon Races (Heat race scored as if raced in the back of a previously missed feature) T = Used Time-Outs (3 per driver per season; 5-10 minute break/repair blocks; can be rolled-over to Klassic) L = Raced Light in handicap kart; Point penalty & warning only, no harsh DQs. ® = Rookie (Inexperienced beginner with less than 1 full season at Galletta's) Notes: Scoring: Point scoring scale is found on our scoring page in addition to our rules page, heats are bonus points, and more bonus points are awarded for each lap run in 1st place (1 point per lap) and 2nd & 3rd place (0.5 points per lap) for regular-season feature races and Klassic 200 (not for heats and Fall Bonus Races). Starts: Regular season race starts are handicapped via inverting (a) feature wins and (b) points-per-race. 2nd of a Twin-30 start is inverted from the 1st finish, minus winners are still inverted . Klassic is started via time-trials. VISIT THE 2000-2011 GALLETTA'S WINS & POINTS STANDINGS, TALLIED AFTER EACH COMPLETED SEASON

<- Last Race 7/8/2012 Twin-30s /11-Kart Races!

Next Race-> Scheduled for 7/22/2012  7/29/2012 45-Lap / 11-Kart race!

Handicap start for next race

....is scheduled for today at 5:45pm. There will be heats (some heats will also count as make-up races for those who have missed one or more races this year), and then the feature event(s?). Handicap for this race goes as follows – first by inverted wins, then by inverted Points-Per-Race (PPR): Group #1: No Wins: 1st. Bill Ruggio - 83.8 ppr (0 wins/0 all-time) 2nd. Eric Woolworth – 84.4 ppr (0 wins/0 all-time) 3rd. Adam Lytle – 84.7 ppr (0 wins/0 all-time) 4th. David Spanfelner – 90.6 ppr (0 wins/0 all-time) Group #2: Past Winners without '12 win: 5th. Joe Sereno – 93.9 ppr (0 wins/1 all-time) 6th. Randy Platt – 69.0 ppr (0 wins/5 all-time) 7th. Chris Stevens - 118.9 ppr (0 wins/58 all-time) Group #3: 2012 Winners: 8th. Melissa Stevens – 93.4 ppr (1 wins/7 all-time) 9th. Brian Galletta - 103.7 ppr (1 wins/2 all-time) 10th. Justin Galletta – 104.6 (1 wins/2 all-time) 11th. Tim Galletta – 114.1 ppr (1 wins/0 all-time) 12th. Matt Stevens – 128.7 ppr (4 wins/108 all-time)