WKA: Delaware Dirt Divisional report

Sussex County Racers claim half of 16 classes offered at Delaware Dirt Divisional

DELAMAR, DE-Sussex County kart racers swept half of 16 classes offered at round three of the WKA Delaware Dirt Divisional Series Saturday (June 8) at US 13 Kartway in Delmar. One hundred and forty-one regional racers entered the Sam Yoder & Son Quality Meats of Greenwood, DE sponsored Divisional Series race where points are also transferred to racer's national ranking.

Seaford, DE based Hammer First State Speed powered Shadow kart pilot Austin Hubbard led the way dominating Briggs Junior Sportsman-1classes, Heavy and Lite, with perfection. From Heavy's pole Hubbard led nine-racers flag-to-flag finishing 2.895 seconds before Tyler Bare.

"The Shadow kart was kind of loose, but we still got it done and the Hammer First State Speed motor ran really good, it's one of the best I've ever had," the 10-year-old double winner credited after his first trip to victory lane.

Delmar, DE based Cameron Mattox was third across the finish line followed in the top five by Nick Hughes and Lewes, DE based Brandon White.

Hubbard's wire-to-wire win in Briggs Junior Sportsman-1 Lite ended 2.819-seconds ahead of White. "The kart was a lot better than last time and Hammer's motor ran good and that's about it," Hubbard shrugged.

Mattox made third and was trailed in the top five of eight by Michael Scott and Hughes.

Hubbard finished second in Briggs Junior Sportsman Champ to White. His older brother Matt piloted a new Shadow2X-1 racing chassis into victory lane beating points leader Jordan Watson to the stripe by 1.303-seconds. Charles Short was the top qualifier, but Hubbard and Watson quickly took their battle for the front way ahead of the 10-racer field falling behind them.

"The kart was hooked up," said the 12-year-old winner. "Hammer's motor had plenty of ponies and it was like a rocket ship and I owe it all to Hammer and my crew."

Short was third across the finish line followed by Nick Helgason and Randy Hill.

White notched his first Briggs Junior Sportsman Champ win with a1.041-seconds finish line advantage over Austin Hubbard. After building a comfortable lead in the second half White's cushion was cut by the race's only caution that waved on the white flag lap. White led the two-lap shoot out and held on as Hubbard threatened from close behind.

"The Illusion kart ran good and the Moon Power motor ran perfect," said the 9-year-old winner. "This is great I can't believe I won my first divisional in just three starts."

Bridgeville, DE based racer Randy Wroten won Briggs Limited Heavy ending a perfect ride just 0.799-seconds ahead of Alfred Macmioni. Macmioni and Salisbury Maryland racer Bryan Bradford hounded Wroten's Taz Powered 1997 Phantom racing chassis for 20-laps before Wroten took the checkered flag.

"I had a loose kart, but I guess loose is fast today," Wroten said. "I want to thank Taz Power Racing Engines and I want to thank God for his blessing."

Ethan Stoeckel, of Greenwood, DE piloted his WKRP Racing Engines powered Stinger kart with perfection in Briggs Junior Sportsman-2 Lite finishing 1.28-seconds ahead of Brooks Smith. Fellow Greenwood driver Erika Hearn trailed in third followed by TJ Henry and Lee Hurlock for the top five of 10.

"The kart was set up great thanks to my dad and my Pop Pop and Walt Ramsey's motor was perfect," the 12-year old racer credited.

Seaford, DE based Rick Huffman was first across Briggs Super Heavy's finish line followed by Allen Ford, Bryant Renfro, Alan Collins and Buddy Mears.

Saint Mary's County, MD competitor Charles Vallandingham posted a pair of wins starting with Stock Medium where his Robinson Speed Shop powered Olimpic kart led the 13-racer field flag-to-flag ending with a 1.706-seconds advantage over Ryan Donavan. "I want to thank Marc Mode from Olimpic karts he's been a big help this year, Robinson Speed Shop for a great motor and my brother-in-law Jeff, my father-in-law Lynn and my son Tyler who helps in the shop," said Vallandingham who tightened his grip on the points lead with his second win of the season.

Matt Mowbray, Richie Hornsby and HP Speed Shop powered Nuclear kart pilot Chad Hayes.

Vallandingham's second win was a narrow 0.285-second victory over Jamie Lewis in Briggs Stock Heavy. "The kart ran great again and the motor had a lot of power," Vallandingham credited after his second win, "That was a very intense race and it was just a combination of every thing that got us here. I was sweating the last caution, it made me nervous, but help is the major thing and I again want to thank my brother-in-law and father-in-law for their help."

This time Grotto Pizza backed, Milford, DE based Matt Jester finished third and was followed in the top five of 11 by Hayes and Robinson Speed Shop Team driver Bryan Bradford.

Bloxom, VA based Charles Short scored his first Junior Restricted pole and went on to win the feature with a comfortable 1.126-seconds advantage over defending champion Jordan Watson of Milford, DE. Matt Hubbard hustled into the initial lead before Short's Walt Ramsey powered Stinger kart took charge of the 13-racer field.

"The kart handled great and Walt Ramsey's motor had lots of power," credited the 15-year-old winner.

Austin Hurley handled third and was trailed in the top five by Randy Hill and Matt Hubbard.

D&G Kustom backed, Clements, MD based Jason Brown bagged Briggs Senior Champ's checkered flag from the pole finishing 1.535-seconds ahead of Willie Stanley. Brown led the 10-racer field through two cautions, the last one with just two laps left, before scoring the win.

"I wasn't happy to see the last caution," admitted the Robinson Speed Shop powered Ultramax kart pilot. "I'm just glad we got the kart working good tonight because it was junk earlier in the day."

Steve Danko, Jason Cahall and Daniel Garren rounded out the top five.

Morris Racing Power Phantom Nemesis kart pilot Wayne Fields, of Wyoming, DE, was first across Briggs Senior Stock's stripe taking the win with a whopping 4.460-seconds advantage over Sharptown, MD based Robinson Speed Shop Team Driver Thomas Adkins.

"Tires are the name of the game," credited the Land Preparation & Excavation/Morris Karts & Parts/ARBILL/Welch's Lawn & Garden sponsored winner. "The kart handles perfect and the motor was awesome.

Ralph Moore, Ronald Trice and Terry Patchett rounded out the field.

Bryant Renfro bagged the new Briggs Animal win just 0.995-seconds ahead of pole winner Mike Mowbray.

"These Animal motors are the coolest thing I've ever driven and I want to thank Ronnie Robinson for that and my dad for all of his help," said the Renfro's Hill Top/Robinson Speed Shop/Manchester Auto Parts backed winner.

Chad Reed, Pat McWilliams and Christina Kin claimed the third through fifth out of seven.

"We worked on tires all day and found something that worked, said Salisbury, MD based Jamie Lewis after his Hammer First State Racing Motors powered Shadow kart crossed Briggs Controlled's stripe 1.725 seconds ahead of Matt Layton.

Adkins was third across the stripe followed by Robert Morrison and Kirk Harrington.

Pittsville, MD pilot Richie Hornsby handled Briggs Stock Lite's 12-racer field finishing 1.027-seconds ahead of Vallaningham who was followed in the top five by Matt Mowbray, Ryan Donovan and JP Gates, Jr.

"The kart felt good from the beginning and just got better," Hornsby said. "I want to thank my dad first, Kevin Colborn for the motor and all the guys that help me out."

Delaware Divisional Series racers still have three races remaining on their 2002 season schedule. They will return to US-13 Kartway July 13th, August 17th and September 28th.