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One hundred and forty-two drivers showed up to usher in the 30th Anniversary running of the Red Bluff Outlaws.  For dozens of young drivers and new-comers to Red Bluff this was the first time they had ever hit the dirt in the historic venue.  And for some, like Donny Ritcheson, who has been racing with the Outlaws practically since its inception, it was like a homecoming.  For the first-timers, we sincerely hope their first experience of the Outlaws was a fun and exciting one. 

Despite having nearly a seven month hiatus from the tight bullring racing at Red Bluff, there was some remarkable racing. Many drivers had raced all summer at various tracks – some for points championships, others for fun and to keep from getting rusty.  For others this was the first time back in the seat since way back in March when the West Coast Nationals were held in Red Bluff. 

The Open Division swelled in ranks to 40 karts which meant the program included 5 fever-pitched heat races, and a D through A Main, something we’ve not seen for awhile.   The premier class welcomed back longtime veterans, like Beau Perkins, Ryan Foster, Steven Gannon and Pistol Pete Johnston.  These seasoned drivers wheeled their rides like they had grown up on the track, which indeed, they practically had; each logging 20 or more years of racing with the Red Bluff Outlaws.  There were also a lot of new faces to the top class of karts. Several  drivers moved up into the ranks of the Open Division who had raced the 250ccc Intermediate Division last year and racers who usually run their local tracks, like Cycleland, Southern Oregon and Lakeport, Ukiah, came out to take the challenge of the tight oval.

Speaking of veterans, Beau Perkins had a great opening night.  Starting out his day by clocking an eighth place qualifying lap he went on to win his heat race over Dean Bare and Klint Simpson and would see the end of his come with a victory in the A Main Feature Event.  And what a race that was. 

These racers raced like each were on the final lap of championship night going for the gold.  There is always an urgency on opening night to try to get a good jump on the season by gaining a strong points position early on.  But this year it seemed to bring the drivers to a fevered pitch – who made the most of track conditions in some of the hardest-charging, side-by-side racing possible.

Standout performers were Kenny McArthur (subbing for Tyler McCain), and Ryan Foster who both had to climb the alphabet soup all the way from the D Main to the A Main.   Foster set Fast Time with a screaming 8.425 second lap.  In the BOTH the D and C Mains and in the B Main second and third to rookie Open driver Cameron Bartlett’s win. Kenny McArthur also managed to squeeze in the coveted Trophy Dash win over Michael Tarter and Zack West.  Foster’s night ended mid-race in the A Main with a spectacular flip coming out of turn four. (Video of the crash coming soon) and McArthur wrangled a 7th place finish for his night which included well over 100 laps of the toughest racing imaginable.  Kenny McArthur, who now attends college in San Luis Obispo was only in town for a short time and unfortunately won’t be racing the entire season with us.

Open heat race winners included: Daniel Becker (with yet another incredible paint scheme) in Heat One, Andrew Cumpton in Heat Two, Beau Perkins in Heat Three, Zack West in Heat Four and ‘Music Man’ Shane Graham in Heat Five.

The Sportsman Division has returned stronger than ever. Twenty-two drivers signed in for opening day, many who had never raced at Red Bluff, or who were novices to the sport – all which made for some fun and exciting action.  Another track veteran, Andy Cumpton shot to the top of the qualifying round with an 8.650 second circuit. He, his family and team all are sporting some amazing new graphics by Pistol Pete Johnson and ‘Locked and Loaded Graphics” featuring a winged truck insignia set against truck graphics in a mesmerizing design. Heat Two saw Donny Ritcheson win over Evan Johnson and in the third and final heat Jasen Webb (another long-time Outlaw) took the opening night win.  The Trophy Dash hardware ware was taken home by Even Johnston who took to Victory Lane with his family and team.  Darin Spencer won the B Main and transferred to the A along with Mahoney, Felix Barbo and Sal Calderon.  Jasen Webb won the Feature A Main over 2009 Cycleland Track Champion Kevin Gaines.

Intermediate 205cc Divsion also grew to a strong 24 kart count.  Many Box Stock drivers from last season graduated to the extremely powerful division. Jeremy Doss started his season strong with setting fast time at 8.373 seconds – Wow, even faster than NASCAR racer Ryan Foster and many other Open Division drivers sporting 500cc motors. 250cc rookie Morgan Sandhagen, coming off a great summer season at Cycleland, set second fast and Logan Seavey third.  Three heat races were posted to accomodate the number of karts.   Brittany White, coming off a great season in 500cc’s Oregon, won Heat One, long-time RB Outlaw Casey McClain claimed victory in the second and Tanner Thorson took the win in the third.  Trophy Dash time saw the Seavey Brothers, Tyler and Logan, pitted against Jeremy Doss, Casey McCalin and Red Bluff 250 rookies Morgan Sandhagen and Chase Majdic.  McClain took the hardware home for that race.   In a stacked B Main Majdic took the victory towing with him transfer drivers Doss, T. Seavey and Brenna Johnson.  The A Main had some incredible racing with James Edens taking an early lead which he held to the checkered flag. Tagging in a strong second was Eden’s friend Tony Rossi and Jake Morgan. 

Thirty Box Stock Drivers signed-in for opening day for the 30th Anniversary.   These are the future stars of motorsports. Looking back through the archives of the RB Outlaws to the estimated 5,000 drivers who have raced with us, the number of drivers, crew people, promoters and such who have gone on to extremely successful careers in motorsports is stagger.  And each year the Box Stock and Beginner Box Stock drivers just get faster and more talented. Many of this season’s Box Stock roster are rookies who have moved up from the Restrictor Plate division to the much faster division.   Returning driver, Brian McGahan Jr. started his season strong by running a 9.4 second lap to take fast time qualifying position.  This is a lap time that only a few years ago would have been pleased an Open 500 division driver – and now is the benchmark for the Box Stocks !

Four heat races were slated for the field with Emile Williams taking the win in Heat One, Rookie Tyler Brown in Heat Two, last year’s RBO Beginner Box Stock Champion Michael Kofoid in Heat Three and Carley Dougherty taking the win in the fourth.  Making his debut in the Box Stock division at Red Bluff, Tanner Carrick in the beautiful #55T won the Trophy Dash over hard-charging Brandon LaChance and Colby Cate.  A five kart C Main was won by Kyler Pucket over Adam Favors and Jess Cumpton.  The A and B Mains were some of the best, cleanest races of the night.  Ren Eberhart sporting a new number, now #14, took the win in the B Main and behind him Tanner Carrick, Brad Hysell and Hollis Shane Thackeray followed through as transfers to the A Main.  Ryan Robinson, known as “Lil’ Feed” took his #11 B&S Racing Engine kart to Victory Circle in the first round of racing for what he is hoping will be a championship season.  Brandon LaChance once again took bridesmaid spot with a second place position over Michael Kofoid, Brian McGahan and Emilie Williams, who despite having clocked the fastest lap of the race finshed fifth.

There is nothing more heartwarming than to watch the novice Beginner Box Stock drivers take to the track for their very first race. The knowledge that any one of these youngsters could be the next Jeff Gordon, Steve Kinser, Danica Patrick or even more famous will make just about anyone smile. For many parents this is a milestone.  Their child has perhaps always dreamt of being a racer and this is the the beginning of the fulfillment of that dream.  They know that the skills their children will learn will stay with them throughout their lives. Not just driving skills, but life skills: good sportsmanship – the fundamental basis of competition, communication skills, social peer interaction and so many others which will help strengthen their characters and provide a solid foundation for their development. 

As part of this racing experience young racers are often placed into situations which require and garner mature reactions.  These learning experience build skills which will benefit them throughout life.  To  name a few, public speaking – while being interviewed or accepting awards, gracious winning, gracious losing, cooperation and teamwork are all part of a very adult world, and these kids will have an advantage over their peers. With this said, we at the Red Bluff Outlaws hope that your experience will be rewarding on many, many levels.

Speaking of skills, this was a night for a lot of drivers to show their driving talents.  Starting early in the day Angelo Cornet in his #55 kart set the fastest lap time out of the giant 22 kart class.  It took four heat races to get all the drivers placed for their main event starting positions.  Heat One was won by first time RB driver Dawson Hammes who held off Fast Timer Cornet for the whole race: a super start for the young driver who tows in from Marysville.  Brad Dolin started his stellar night off with a win in his heat race over Jayden Bartlett and Colton Raudman.  Returning Outlaw Erik Nelson in his N-Hobby #10 kart won Heat Race 3 over hard charging Bailey Martin.  Heat Race Four saw Tyler Rodgers lead the pack to the checkered tagging in Andrew Garcia and VJ Stewart. 

Trophy Dash lineup featured returning Beginner Box drivers which leveled the field and made for a sweet finish for Brad Dolin who continued his winning streak for the night.   There were three main events, a C main with 6 karts, the B with 12 karts, and the A Main with 12 of the best driver from the evening.  The C Main was a great race – here were some very novice drivers out competing in a very real race. It was Blake Carrick, brother to Tanner Carrick, who took the win in his Hilber’s Inc. sponsored kart tagging in his 4 transfer mates, Gavin Cate, Chelsea Blevins and Carter Able.  Chelsea, in her deep blue kart, was one of many standout drivers of the night as she skillfully moved thru traffic and gained speed on each circuit, belying the fact that this was her very first race. Another young lady, Lexi Raudman also was on the move. With only half a season of prior experience with the RB Outlaws she took her kart to the front of the pack in the B Main and stayed there holding off VJ Stewart and Gary Thackeray to take the win.  In the A Main it was all about Brad Dolin who took to the lead early and held it strong, pulling away from second place driver Bailey Martin by a good lead while Tyler Rodgers and Angelo Cornet battled for the 3rd and 4th spot behind them.  Dolin made the win with room to spare and set his position at the top of the points chart for the first round of the season.  A fantastic job by all these young drivers – Keep up the Good Work !!

Next week – WOW … Halloween !! – We are going to have a Halloween Parade – a Costume Contest with trophies for the Best Costumes – Scary and Funny ! – A Trick-or-Treat Dash thru the pits and MORE !! – So, everyone come dressed up, decorated and have plenty of Treats – or you might just get the Tricks !!

Please report mistakes, oversights and errors in this article to Jack Waterman jack@jwwebs.com