The Great American Shortcourse GAS series held round 4 & 5 June 10-11 at the Victorville, CA Fairgrounds. Breaking from tradition of running both events in the day, GAS held Round 4 under the lights with Round 5 held the following day. Having an evening event helped bring in the fans who were treated to some fast shortcourse racing. The series will take the summer off and come back Oct 7 in Primm, NV at the shortcourse venue there.
Myan Spaccarelli again came to the checkers first on Sunday. Brock Hanmer was the second finisher. Brian Cannon was third across the line with Thomas Madigan fourth.
After a rough showing on Saturday night Zachary Drapkin held off a late charge by Gunner Kennedy for the win on Sunday. In the opening laps Jaden Uribe was pressuring Drapkin but looked to go off course and suffered a flat. Another driver with tire problems was Lorenzo Bonacci who also pulled off shortly after, but like Uribe, would return after the brief time out. When Bonacci came back on he was physically ahead of Kennedy who was able to pass him in turn one. Then Kennedy set his sights on Drapkin but never found any clean air, so he created some on the final corner, cutting inside in a move that maybe required a little extra track he pulled up alongside the rear of Drapkin but had to settle for second under the flag. Third was Lorenzo Bonacci.
Jason Weller dominated the Production Turbo UTV / Production 1000 / Youth 1000 event again on Sunday. The event had its share of action as Cody Hodgson, while running second, flipped violently after Chase Hill made in air contact with his rear bumper. Hodgson walked away but was not able to return to action. A few laps later George Llamos rolled out of contention in turn three. This put Dominick Benites into second overall behind Weller and first Production 1000. So On the podium it was Jason Weller taking the Turbo class win with Oliver Golding second. In the Production 1000 it was Dominick Benites winning with Chad Williams second and Connor Barry third.
Most of the action in the Modified Kart event Sunday was again between Dane Culver and Ashton Williams. Culver held a comfortable lead for several laps before Williams was able to close up and shadow his every move. Just before the white flag was to fly Williams spun in turn four relieving the pressure on Culver who took the win. Travis Jones and Hailey Berry both drove past Williams taking the final podium spots.
In the Weller Racing SR1 action again it was Cory Weller taking the win. Weller had to earn the win as Paul Obrien came on strong early and was in position should Weller make a mistake. Another battle raged for third place between Larry Hayes and Anthony Ochoa. These four provided many almost moments but when the checkers cam out it was Weller winning, Paul Obrien second and Larry Hayes holding off Ochoa.
Carson Smith again topped the Limited Buggy / 1600 Desert Buggy podium on Sunday. During the race Smith found Travis Howard a serious threat as Howard was able to take the lead from him. Once out front Howard was able to to pull a short distance but before he could get comfortable Smith closed the gap and eventually made the pass. At the checkers it was Carson Smith first Travis Howard second and Matthew Somody third.
In the Mini Stock action one could say everything went Robert Orr’s way while last year’s Champion Anthony Csuzi had everything go wrong. Csuzi first got off track in turn one dropping him to fourth. He was able to make a charge towards the front but then spun in turn four. But wait, there is more. Next Csuzi lost a wheel in turn three. So while all this was going on Robert Orr was able to drive comfortably to the checkers. Finishing second was Brent Veenstra and Anthony Csuzi was awarded third.
On Sunday Jayden Manchester got out front early in the JR 2 Kart race and left a tight pack of five racers battling for second place. Taylinn Pike was in front of the pack but as they were often three wide in turns it was hard to see who would exit up front. After a couple of laps Brody Glaze took over the second spot and seemed to have the position in hand until Mikey Childress tapped his rear bumper on the final turn allowing Childress to grab place. Brody Glaze did get the final podium spot.
In round 5 Jake Hill took the early lead but had Brixton Wirt glued to his rear bumper. These two pulled away from Luke Vail in third. Once racing started after the yellow Wirt was able to get around Hill for the lead. At the checkers Brixton Wirt held off the pressure of Jake hill provided for the win and third was Luke Vail.
Ian Torfi again jumped out early in the AM Ortega J1 Kart action and headed straight to see the checkers fly. Brixton Wirt was a close second and Samuel Gibbs was third.