Round 2 Race Report

The 2^nd Round of the Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series was held last weekend at Grange Motor Circuit.  The Series Point Leader coming in Mike Marino looked unbeatable during practice.  His kart was running well and he was as aggressive as always.  As the green flag dropped on the 1^st Heat Race Marino drove himself to the lead with Brian Smith and Jake Pfeiffer rounding out the top 3.  Marino will never have any competition in the race and lead every lap before winning the race.  Pfeiffer would spin his kart off track on lap 2 at the end of the very long straightaway.  That would end his chances of catching the leaders.  Smith would end up in 2^nd. 

 

Before the 2^nd Heat race, the Reaper mechanics worked hard on the kart set up for Smith trying to find him some speed comparable to Marino.  As the 2^nd Heat began, Marino took the lead with Smith hot on his tail.  Pfeiffer worked himself back to 3^rd about 2 kart lengths off the leaders.  Smith ran directly behind Marino for the first 10 corners before he found an opening and pounced on it.  Smith moved to first and started to drive away.  At the end of the long straightaway, Pfeiffer took his kart off the track for the 2^nd race in a row on lap 2.  Smith’s kart was noticeably faster in the 2^nd Heat and drove away from the field to win the race and end Marino’s dominance of this series.  Marino would end up in 2^nd.

 

As the field was set for the Main Event, the Reaper crew worked hard on Marino’s and Pfeiffer’s karts to help them now catch the speedy Smith.  As the Main started it looked as though the changes helped Pfeiffer and Marino.  Smith from the Pole took the lead, but Pfeiffer was able to overtake Marino for 2^nd place.  Marino would only stay behind Pfeiffer for a few corners before he made his move for 2^nd Place and set his course back towards the lead.  Pfeiffer’s bad luck would continue as coming off the final turn on Lap 1 he broke a throttle cable which put an end to a disappointing day.  Marino would drive to within 3 kart lengths of Smith, before Smith found some more speed to drive away.  Unfortunately the Main was less than exciting as Smith would dominate and win his 2^nd race in 6 days and first win in the Reaper Series.  Marino would hang on for 2^nd.

 

The series finale is scheduled for May 18^th and it is a three driver race for the Championship and the full race sponsorship that comes with the Championship.  Even though you may not be able to win the Championship, you can still come out and race with us at the final event.  Contact steve@reaperindustries.com for info our to sign up.   

The road to California Speedway started to be paved yesterday as Round #1 of the Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series was held at Grange Motor Circuit.  For those of you who are new to this site, Reaper Rentals is giving out a full race weekend sponsorship to the Series winning driver of this 3 race series.  The sponsorship is for the Tri-C Grand Prix that is being held at the 1.9 mile infield road course at California Speedway (aka Auto Club Speedway) in Fontana, CA and will bring Pro Drivers from around the Country to this one of a kind race.  The Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series is only for drivers who have never raced before so even you can enter.

 

The race day belonged to Mike Marino who swept both Heat races and the Main Event in only his 3^rd time driving a racing kart.  Heat 1 started with a first turn spin by Abhisht A.S. (1^st time in a racing kart).  All of the other drivers avoided him and Brian Smith (2^nd time in a racing kart) held the lead for the next few turns.  Marino would then pass Smith and drive away with the win.  Smith had Jake Pfeiffer (5^th time in a racing kart) hot on his tail for the rest of the race but would hold on for 2^nd with Pfeiffer rounding out the Top 3.

 

Heat two saw Jake Mottram (3^rd time in a racing kart) spin in turn 1 followed by Marino slamming the side of his kart into Mottram.  This catapulted Abhisht to the lead with Smith in 2^nd, Pfeiffer in 3^rd and Jason Young (1^st time in a kart) to 4^th.  Marino bounced off Mottram but kept running.  Lap after lap he passed karts until catching the leader on lap 4.  Abhisht would get loose exiting turn 13 and Marino would pounce on the mistake to take over the lead.  Smith too would pass Abhisht there and move the once leader to 3^rd.  Marino would drive away with the win, but Smith, Pfeiffer and Abhisht would exchange positions for the remainder of the race with Smith finishing in 2^nd, Pfeiffer in 3^rd and Abhisht in 4^th.

 

The Main saw Marino take the lead in turn 1 and never look back.  Smith fell into 2^nd, with Pfeiffer in 3^rd, Mottram in 4^th and Abhisht in 5^th.  Smith and Pfeiffer battled hard every lap of the Main, never having more than 4 kart lengths between them.  On lap 7 Pfeiffer would pass Smith for 2^nd and hold it the remainder of the race.  Smith would end up finishing in 3^rd.  Mottram and Abhisht would race hard as well passing Mottram for 4^th.  With 2 laps remaining in the race Abhisht would spin off of the track.  This gave 4^th back to Mottram and he would hang on to it.  Abhisht would end up in 5^th. 

It's Time to Sign up to Race

If you want to be in the Rookie Racing Series you HAVE to sign up and pay your first race fee's.  I can't emphasise enough that there are only 6 guaranteed spots and the first six get them.  Only 4 drivers have paid so far, so if you haven't paid and you plan to race, you need to contact steve@reaperindustries.com ASAP.  Once the 6 spots are paid, they are guaranteed in the race.  Everyone else will be hoping to get in with the 2 Wild Card spots.  As of writing this, there are 2 guaranteed spots left and 2 Wild Card Spots.  There are 7 drivers who have not yet paid who have indicated that they plan to race.  I don't want you to get left out.  Sign up today.  

Getting Ready to Race

This past Saturday Reaper Rentals had a group of drivers at Grange Motor Circuit practicing for the Rookie Racing Series.  Judging by the progress of the drivers, the racing in the series should be fierce.  Due to a scheduling conflict Round #1 of the Series has been moved to Saturday March 30, 2013.  Just to clarify, there are only 6 guaranteed spots for this series.  You can claim a guaranteed spot by being one of the first 6 to pay.  If you are not one of the first 6 to pay we have 2 Wild Card spots.  These spots are being set aside so that if you did not get a guaranteed spot you can register without paying.  Then the Monday before the race date, we will put all of the registered names in a hat and draw out two.  Those two will be notified and if they can pay that day they can enter the race.  Otherwise we will draw another name and give them a chance.  We already have 4 prepaid drivers for this series so if you want a guaranteed spot, you need to register ASAP.  It is anticipated that we will have 10 drivers hoping to get 1 of the 2 Wild Card spots.

Practice Date Announced

In anticipation of the first race in the Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series, Reaper Rentals is offering a 50% discount on its driving school.  You can purchase the "Rookie Package" for just $150.00 and the class will be held at Grange Motor Circuit, the location of Round 1 of the racing series.  This gives you a full day in a racing kart with both on track and in classroom instruction from Pro Kart driver Stephen Huelsman.  Contact steve@reaperindustries.com for more info or visit www.reaperrentals.com 

Welcome to the Reaper Rentals Rookie Racing Series Blog

Welcome to your first racing series.  This blog will give you all of the information that you need to race with your fellow rookie drivers.  This is the only series that lets nonkart owners and 100% rookies race in high speed gas powered racing karts against drivers at your same level.  These are the same karts that Pro Kart drivers race every weekend.  Not only are you racing and having fun, but you are in a Championship series that will put one of you in a Pro Kart Race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.  Whether you race indoor karts all the time or have never been in a kart at all, this series is made for you.  No drivers will be allowed in this series if they have competed in a full season of club level kart racing, so all drivers will have a fair chance of winning. 

Click on the page links across the top of this blog for more information.  Prior to Race #1 Reaper Rentals will have a practice day at the race track for all interested drivers at a deeply discounted price.  This will help you get ready for your first race.  Additionally, anyone can schedule one on one instruction with Pro Kart racer Stephen Huelsman.  As with all of Reaper Rentals events, all you have to do is show up with closed toe shoes.  Reaper Rentals provides all of your safety equipment, karts, crew and beverages.  Contact steve@reaperindustries.com for more info or to get practicing.

See you at the track!