MOON’S FULLER THAN FULL: Some people do not believe in superstitions, and those of us who do try not to temp those demons. In auto racing, superstitions have run deep for many years -- such as the color green. A race car with green on it is called a “HOO-DO WAGON” . Until Steve Kinser came out with the color green on his car, you would rarely see green race cars. Maybe that is why Steve has not won the WOO championship as much since?
Another superstition around race cars is peanuts. You can go to football games, baseball games, and almost any other sport and get peanuts -- but go to an auto race, and most likely they do not even sell peanuts in the stands.
However, the most-feared thing of all regarding superstitions around auto racing is “THE FULL MOON!” Well, as Grandpa Dave sat in his chair on Saturday morning reading the paper and watching the morning show, Good Day Sacramento, they started talking about the “Once in a lifetime Full Moon that would be seen that night!” Allen Pierleoni of the Sacramento Bee called it -- “THEMOON’S FULLER THAN FULL” -- explaining that, “The brightest and largest full moon of the year occurred Saturday night and it mostly obscured a simultaneous meteor shower spawned by dust left by Halley’s comet as it circles the sun.”
Well, unlike the color green and peanuts around the race car -- which can be controlled -- there is nothing you can do regarding the Full Moon – except, like Grandpa Dave put it, just hope it is for someone else! Grandpa Dave would not talk about the full moon that was to light up the night sky -- in hopes that if not talking about it, it would pass over and not cast its demon on the NVS Team. But what happen this night will be remembered -- the phenomenon of the Full Moon deserves respect and some type of sacrifice from this day forward.
The first sign happened even before the sunset and the moon appeared. Jodie took to the race track for qualifications. After setting fast time last week, Jodie qualified 15th in the field.
But the real thing started well after the sun set in the West and the “Fuller than Full Moon” had risen up over the Eastern horizon and in full bloom.
In the 250 Intermediate A-main, the race had its first yellow. As the karts were going down the back straight-away in preparation for the green flag, Emily Williams ran over Ryan’s right rear tire -- both karts came to a stop, and a third kart also stopped with them. With only wing damage to both Ryan and Williams, they were now at the back.
From that point on it was wide-open mayhem for Ryan, as he attempted to run back up to the front -- finally ending the race, as he spun out in Turn One on the last lap and bent the rear frame rail of the kart -- backing into the wall.
Jumping into the 500 Open Intermediate, the hope was that the Full Moon had taken it’s bite out the NVS Team and would move on to other competitors -- or even up the road to the Bradway Memorial, but no such luck! It became clear that full moon was out for the NVS Team, and there was nothing that could be done about it.
Starting 9th Ryan moved into 4th. On a single-file restart, as Ryan got on the gas, he must have spun the tire too much. Ryan spun out all by himself and landed “stopped” in the infield. Going back to the rear of the field was not a good sign.
Ryan was the fastest kart in the field -- but he was battling “an uncontrollable force!” Ryan was making the last lap passes on several karts when Jessie Coldwell, who was running second, got the Full Moon curse and hit the wall just before going into Turn Three --starting a series of spins. Ryan did not see Jessie and hit him at full speed.
Both drivers appeared okay -- but the second kart in the NVS stable was junk -- two in one night! NEVER DOUBT THE POWER OF SUPERSTITION -- NEVER!!!
2012 POINT RACE #1
Chico, CA
April 28, 2012
Not counting the Beginner Box Class, 128 teams arrived at the famed 0.2136 mile Cycleland Speedway for the start of the 2012 summer season. The field would consist of 21 box stock drivers, 18 250 intermediate drivers, 40 500 open drivers, 36 sportsman drivers and 13 500 intermediate drivers.
The weather was a perfect 85 degrees with a slight breeze which made for great conditions, as the NVS team made final adjustments on the karts before qualifying.
250 INTERMEDIATE: Ryan qualified the 4D QRC, Oroville Cycle KTM outlaw kart at 11.633 and a speed of 66.102 mph -- good for quick time for the class.
With quick time the 4D kart was positioned on the third row outside for the start of the night’s 250 Intermediate Trophy Dash. Ryan wasted no time moving up in the field. He went from 6th to 2nd in just a lap and a half -- finishing just behind Michael Kofoid.
Starting 6th in the A-main, Ryan again moved from 6th to second in just two laps, as the yellow flag came out. With pole setter Jessie Colwell leading, Ryan stayed as close to him as possible down the front straight; and as they entered the first turn, Ryan dropped to the bottom for the slide job and made it stick. Jessie came off the turn and dropped under Ryan and pulled along side coming off the turn. Logan Seavy, driving the 1B kart, also dropped to the bottom of the track -- making it three-wide coming off the turn. When it looked like disaster for Ryan, who was on the outside next to the wall, Ryan held his ground and throttle down -- pulling away from the two. Ryan led the third lap, as they came to the start finish. Ryan dominated the race from then on for the win.
500 OPEN INTERDEDIATE: Ryan qualified third quick with a time of 11.570 and a speed of 66.462 mph.
Ryan and the 4D QRC, Oroville Cycle kart lined up in the second row outside in the 500 Open Intermediate Trophy Dash. Ryan moved into second and held his position, following Jessie Colwell to the checkered flag.
Again starting 6th in the field, Ryan seemed to be on his game, as he quickly moved into second place. As Ryan was running down Kiefer Winter, who started on the front row and who was leading the race -- Ryan jumped the cushion in Turn 4 and spun sideways – coming to a stop. Jessie Colwell and others could not miss him, and a three kart pile-up occurred.
Going to the back, Ryan quickly started moving through the field. Two karts got tangled up and Ryan turned hard left to avoid them. By just inches Ryan made contact with them. Ryan’s kart again spun around and came to a stop; however, this time he had lost his chain and would not be able to restart.
JODIE: Jodie had second quick time for the night in the Box Stock Class, as she powered her QRC, Morrison Concrete kart to a time of 13.041 and a speed of 58.965 mph on the 1.2136 mile clay oval.
Jodie started 5th in the Trophy Dash; and as the laps went by, Jodie had moved into third. With only two laps to go the two leaders made contact in Turn Three. Jodie moved past them and went under the yellow fag as the leader. On the restart Jodie maintained the lead, and she won the Trophy Dash.
Starting 5th in the A-main, Jodie moved into third and ran most of the race at that spot. Tanner Carrick made a move on the outside of Jodie with just a lap or two to go. Jodie finished 4th in the A-main.
*Driver's of the Decade 360 Racing - Same Criteria as 410 Points* 1. Andy Forsberg - The Auburn driver completely dominated the decade when it came to local winged 360 racing. Forsberg won 38 times while earning four Civil War Tiles, 2000, '01, '06 and '07. He was also the 2000 Placerville Speedway track champ. Of his 38 wins, 11 of them were Civil War Main Event wins, the most of the decade. In 2006, he won 10 times between Placerville and Civil War. Add into the mix his two Chico titles driving a 410 and he collected seven Championships in 10 years.
2. David Robinson Jr. - "Powerfeed" was a force to be reckoned with in the early part of the decade. He won the Civil War Title in 2004 and back-to-back Placerville Titles in 2003 and '04. Most of his success came aboard the Family and Friend x1. Along the way he scored 21 wins, six of them being Civil War triumphs. Even more impressive was that at the start of the decade he was racing 410's for Mike Sala's #19. He was out of racing in 2006, '07 and '09. He was still the second best of the decade with our formula despite only racing for six of the ten years with the 360 series.
3. Sean Becker- One of the most notable Outlaw Kart racers of all-time in California Oroville's Sean Becker put together a strong decade in the 360 winged sprint car ranks bringing home a pair of Civil War Series titles, which included 11 total wins with the series, as well as a pair of weekly victories at the Placerville Speedway. Those two weekly wins at Placerville were major triumphs for Becker however, as they came in the $5,000-to-win Mark Forni Classic on back-to-back years in 2008-'09. Other highlights for Becker included winning the 2009 Pacific Sprint Cup and the Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals in 2009 at Silver Dollar Speedway.
4. Mike Henry- Always known as one of the toughest 360 drivers in the west Sacramento's Mike Henry won the Civil War Series title during back-to-back years in 2002-'03 and picked-up the Placerville Speedway championship in '02 as well. Henry scored four Civil War victories and five Placerville weekly victories throughout the decade.
5. Greg DeCaires - One of the most consistent racers in California, DeCaires started the first years of the decade racing without a wing. In 2002, DeCaires came back home in part with Lee Lindgren's #94 and the Kumar #1k. Greg scored 11 wins, three of them Civil War victories from 2002 to 2009. He scored two championships at Placerville Speedway in 2006 and '07. In 2005, he won his lone Civil War Title driving for John Taylor. These past two years he has teamed up with Mark Remund and drove the #39.
6. Colby Wiesz - The Colfax driver accumulated 17 wins during this past decade with seven of those being Civil War victories. Wiesz recently picked up back-to-back championships at Placerville Speedway driving for John Taylor. Outside of Taylor's car, Wiesz can usually be found in the family owned #21.
7. Roger Crockett- One of the strongest performers during the decade was Roger Crockett, who won a total of 22 main events split between Civil War and Placerville Speedway competition. Highlights for Crockett included claiming a pair of Pacific Sprint Cup wins at Silver Dollar Speedway and two Tribute to Al Hinds victories in Placerville. He also scored multiple preliminary night victories at the Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals and won the Silver Cup at Silver Dollar in 2009. The only thing keeping Crockett from a higher ranking is the fact that he did not claim a championship during the decade in California.
8. Billy Wallace - Grass Valley driver Billy Wallace had an amazing year in 2001. He won seven times that year on his way to the track championship, the second of his career. He has a total of 11 wins throughout the decade, four of them coming at Civil War events.
9. Joey Magaruh - During the mid 2000's, Joey Magaruh was as good as it gets in 360 racing. He won nine times between 2004, '05 and '06. In 2005 he was crowned the Placerville track champion. Three of his wins were during the Civil War Series. He has had his most success in his #47 along with the Flachman #55 and the Rick Williams #6
10. Kyle Hirst - Kyle Hirst is the second driver to make the top ten list without a championship. The Sacramento area racer Kyle Hirst claimed five Civil War wins and three victories in weekly competition at Placerville Speedway during the decade. Included in those triumphs are the $5,000-to-win Mark Forni Classic and in 2006 the $3,000-to-win Tribute to Al Hinds in '07 at Placerville. Other highlights in addition to those are a Pacific Sprint Cup win at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2008 and a pair of Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals prelim victories in '05 & '06.
Point totals (1 point for win, 3 points local title, 6 points traveling series) 1) Andy Forsberg 65 38 wins, 4 Civil War Titles, 1 Placerville 2) David Robinson Jr. 33 21 wins, 1 Civil War Title, 2 Placerville 3) Sean Becker 25 13 wins, 2 Civil War Titles 4) Mike Henry 24 9 wins, 2 Civil War Titles, 1 Placerville 5) Greg DeCaires 23 * 11 wins, 1 Civil War Title, 2 Placerville 6) Colby Wiesz 23 * 17 wins, 2 Placerville Title 7) Roger Crockett 22 22 wins 8) Billy Wallace 14 ** 11wins, 1 Placerville 9) Joey Magaruh 14 ** 11 wins, 1 Placerville 10) Kyle Hirst 8 wins
* Tie Break #1 awarded to Greg DeCaries because of his Civil War Title
** Tie Break #2 awarded to Billy Wallace for more Civil War wins, 4 - 3.
*** Tie Break importance went to championships, then civil war wins.
Nine year old Ryan Robinson of Foresthill, California is ready to roll for the 2010 Red Bluff Outlaws racing season
FORESTHILL, California — Nine year old Ryan Robinson of Foresthill, California is ready to roll for the 2010 Red Bluff Outlaws racing season. The exciting indoor series for outlaw kart racers of all ages begins this Saturday, October 24 at the Pauline Davis Pavilion located on the Tehama County Fairgrounds.
For Robinson, the weekend season opener is far from the first time the youngster will be the behind the wheel of a race car. Since he was just four years old, the second generation open wheel racer is already making a name for himself with two National titles under his belt. Ryan is following in the footsteps of his father, David “Powerfeed” Robinson Jr. Before stepping out of the driver’s seat to focus on Ryan’s dream, Robinson was a championship driver of karts, mini sprints, midgets and full sized sprint cars. David is best known for his multiple titles at Placerville Speedway and the Civil War Sprint Car Series, a level that young Ryan will undoubtedly reach in the coming years.
After claiming the Red Bluff Box Stock Rookie of the Year title and fourth place finish in the point standings season, Robinson is ready to race for another driving championship this season behind the wheel of his #11 Box Stock Outlaw Kart owned and wrenched by his supportive father and family.
Prior to his Rookie of the year title last season, Robinson has a long list of accolades to his name at such a young age. He has competed in three solid Red Bluff Outlaw season’s with a limited schedule during the summer months.
During his first “full”season in Red Bluff competition, Robinson earned the season Hard Charger Award in the Beginner Box Stock class during the 2005, 2006 racing season. That same year he proved he has the passion of winning in his genes when we became the 2005-06 West Coast National Champion. Robinson followed suit the following season to win back to back titles.
In addition to his second championship title, Robinson won the Red Bluff Yamaha Perpetual Trophy during the 2006-07 season. He advanced to the Box Stock division last season and drove his way to fourth in the point standings to claim the rookie title.
While maintaining straight A’s in grade school, Robinson is making the grade in open wheel racing as well. During his four years of racing he has claimed 23 A feature victories which is a 30 percent winning percentage when tallied with the number of events in which he has competed.
Saturday marks the opening of the 2010 Red Bluff Outlaw Racing Season that competes into the new year annually, rain or shine under the roof of the Pauline Davis Pavillion. Each event beings at 1 p.m. with practice that is followed by qualifying for each division. Main events begin weekly at approximately 6 p.m.
The competition draws youngsters of all ages and many adults, including two time Civil War Champion Sean Becker who continues to hone his smooth driving skills annually in the series while mentoring many of the young drivers. For additional information on the Red Bluff Series visit www.rboutlaws.com.
Ryan Robinson would like to recognize his sponsors for the season to come including Papa Chuck, Roseville Precision, Inventory Sales, Personal Touch Graphics, Morrison Concrete, BNS Machine, Burris and Sandy’s Natural Nails. Watch for additional news on Ryan Robinson and his quest for the 2009-2010 division championship at various racing sites as well as his own webpage coming soon.
This article is a production of Sullivan Images Media Services in conjuction with the Robinson Family and photographer Jack Waterman of JW Web Design and Photography. For information on such media services contact Bill Sullivan at sullivanimages@sbcglobal.net
For Sponsorship Information
Call David Robinson
at 916-539-5953
Or E-mail: drobinson@gotorpi.com
