Recently I was strolling thru the Red Bluff Outlaws’ website and I noticed that the links page is really lacking. Many of the links no longer are valid, or are out of date, and there are dozens of sites that I know should be on there which aren’t.  This led me to recall that long ago I had planned on creating a comprehensive directory of all Outlaw Kart tracks in the country.  Now, years later, of course that has to be a list of international tracks as well.  So, I’m looking for everyone’s help to help me build this directory.

If you know of Outlaw Kart tracks that aren’t currently listed on the Red Bluff Outlaws website, PLEASE send information about the unlisted tracks to jack@jwwebs.com .

If possible, include location, contact information, website, etc.. etc.

Thanks for all your help in advance

Dec. 13, 2008 Red Bluff, CA
A Memorable Memorial Race Night

The Red Bluff Outlaw Sprint Kart drivers returned to the “Bristol-Banked Bullring” this past Saturday to continue the points battle, as well as race in honor of Mr. Gary Jacob. The winners of each division’s Feature Events were awarded beautiful obelisks with an inscription commemorating the race. But, some people may not know who Gary Jacob was and why we honor him with this annual event.

Who was Gary Jacob?
Gary Jacob was one of the most influential personalities ever involved with spreading the word about the sport of Outlaw Dirt Sprint Karts. He passed away several summers ago from a heart attack while attending a driver’s meeting in Tulare.  For many years he tirelessly wrote news articles and stories about the Red Bluff races which were printed in newspapers, magazines and journals nationwide.  Gary was a man who knew everything about grassroots racing, and if didn’t know for sure he would find out for you.  He attended hundreds of races each year.  Not only the Outlaw Karts but Sprint Cars, Stock Cars, Drag Races and more. Each week Gary would write extensive stories and articles about these races for the press.  This humble and unassuming man was never paid for his enormous efforts for the sport which he managed to promote while also working a full-time job.

This year’s race, despite falling on another full moon evening, was a spectacular display of Outlaw Kart driving skills. 40 drivers signed in for the Open Division – whose winner not only got the obelisk trophy, but will also have their name engraved on the beautiful perpetual trophy.  Young Seth Nunes – “the boy who could fly” witnessed from last week’s spectacular flip, clocked in with the fast time of the night with an incredible 8.210 second circuit around the steeply banked dirt oval. Steven Gannon and Brian McCain were close behind taking second and third quick times.  There were 5 heat races run to accommodate all these drivers. Daniel Thorson took the first heat win of the night edging out last week’s A Main winner Tyler Schaaf. Heat Two saw the start of John Michael Bunch’s big night as he won his this heat over Steven Gannon and Tyler McCain.  Heat Three was smoothly championed by veteran Beau Perkins. Mr. Perkins is in his 20th consecutive season of racing the Red Bluff Outlaws.  Heat Four was won by rookie Shane Graham, the ‘Flyin’ Fiddler.’  Heat five was a hard fought battle between Ryan Foster and David Tarter, but it was the #35 of Tarter that took the checkered first. 

The lineups of the Main Events were set which included a all the way back to a D main. Kenny McArthur and Stephani Yannazzo tapped the one-two spots over Keith Bloom and Bill Lyons in the D. Lyons took a nasty flip last race but returned with some sparkling new equipment that brought him a transfer spot to the C Main.  Fast time setter Seth Nunes started his climb thru the letters from the C Main which he won over Zach West and Rowdy McClenon.  Nunes, though a rookie in the Open Division here at Red Bluff, took the Open Division Championship at the Southern Oregon Speedway over this past summer.   As last week the B Main was stacked with top talent. Pete Johnston won the race over Daniel Becker and Andrew Cumpton and Camron Millard, while brothers, Danny and Jeremy Andreasson hung on for the last transfer spots.

Pete Johnston, the highest ranked driver in the Burris National program won the Trophy Dash over Foster and Daniel Becker. When time came for the Feature Event, John Michael Bunch held on from pole to checkered as the rest of the gang battled behind him.   Tyler Ritcheson and Brian McCain followed Bunch under the final flag.

The Sportsman Division had a great night of exciting racing as they did double homage for the event.  Not only was it the Gary Jacob Memorial Race, but the entire division paid tribute to long-time Outlaw Sprint Kart supporter and crew chief of Kevin Gaines, Mike Goodhew. Mike passed away this last week after a valiant battle with cancer.  Four drivers made the 4-abreast memorial lap in his honor.  The A Main event was won by Mike’s close friend Scott Burgess.  It was an emotional and thrilling win for Scott who pulled some high-g-force victory spins to celebrate.  For more than half the race Greg Yannazzo looked to have it zipped-up but a heartbreaking mechanical failure forced his kart to slow as the rest of the pack flew by.  Shortly after that Demo Mittry flipped hard in the front straight demolishing his kart and the rest of the laps were frantic dashes towards the front.  Fast Time of the night was set by Brandon Williams with a 8.421 second lap. Todd Boyd came in second with an 8.633 second trip.  The two heats for the class were won by Scott Burgess over Yannazzo and in the second heat Demo Mittry over Darren Spencer. 

In the 250cc Division Tyler Seavey set the pace for the other 21 karts with an 8.238 second lap. Three exciting heat races ensued with Tyler’s younger brother Logan Seavey winning the first over Wyatt Pruitt.  The “Reno Rocket” Tanner Thorson nabbed the win over “Bombshell” Mallorie McGahan in Heat Two and Jeremy Doss hung on to win Heat Three over the hard charging Camron Bartlett. From the B Main only the top four transferred to the feature event, Jake Morgan, Tyler Seavey, Trevor Tennison and Keyler Heinze.  It was Camron Bartlett who took home the beautiful obelisk memorial trophy as evidence of his win over James Edens and Casey McClain in the A Main Event.

And the Box Stocks – the amazing Box Stocks, raged some of the fiercest races of the night.  The drivers, their crewchiefs and engine builders are really learning to master the power potential in the Subaru sealed motors.   Proving this was Chase Majdic who not only set fast time with a 9.551 second lap, but also went on to win the Feature Event and earn himself his second Gary Jacob Memorial Race obelisk in as many years.  Four heat races were pitched for the 25 kart field with the winners being Brad Hysell (winner of last week’s A Main Event), Trenton LaChance, Tyler Rockwell and Brenna Johnson.  All this talent was narrowed down to only 2 main events. Morgan Sandhagen topped the transfers from the B which included Colby Cate, Brian McGahan and Lane West.  Flying in under the feature event final flag behind winner Majdic were Lane West, Tyler Rockwell, Jake “The Snake” VanBoekel and Morgan Sandhagen who was back to tame the track that sent her for a scary flip just last week.

Beginner Box Stock – If you want to talk about talent, these little guys and gals are just amazing. Many of these young racers hit the dirt for the first time just a few short months ago, and they are competing against youngsters who have years of racing under their belts and they are doing quite well keeping up the pace.  We had 22 future stars turn-up for the Gary Jacob Memorial race this year.  Michael Kofoid set the benchmark lap at 10.319 seconds.  Four heat races were slated to handle the big pack and they were won by Michael Kofoid just over rookie Beau McDowell who has taken to dirt racing like a fish to water and has become a force to reckon with.  Angelo Cornet won the second heat just ahead of Dustin Heath as Colton Abel came out top-dog in Heat Three over Hollis Shane Thackeray and Tanner Carrick.  And Tyler Brown won the Fourth Heat over tough competitor Blake Johnson.  Tyler Brown nabbed yet another Trophy Dash win out-racing Angelo Cornet.   B Main winner Derek Stone along with runner’s up Tyler Rodgers, Bennett Gooch and rookie VJ Stewart transferred to the Feature Event.  This was one wild, exciting race with Tyler Brown, Blake Johnson and Dustin Heath all swapping spots at the front of the pack as the rest of the karts sliced and diced behind them.  Brown looked to have the advantage for the race until something went awry and he wasn’t able to make the turn out of three and flew full force into the concrete wall.  A bit dazed and frustrated by the ignominious end to his winning run, Tyler walked away from the wreck like a true champ.  This allowed a fresh battle to begin with Dustin Heath sitting at the front of the pack.  A few laps later Colton Abel got the handle on the lead over second place finisher Blake Johnson and Dustin Heath went on to hold a respectable third place finish.