The Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing and the Jennings County Outlaw Karting have released their schedules for the 2019 racing season.
Tim Reed from Hope, one of the co-promoters, along with Tim Smith of Columbus, run the Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing, which will run 14 points events this year at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds commented on the upcoming season.
“We have a few new things in the works for 2019. We have our open practice day on March 30th and 24 races scheduled with a memorial weekend special and the Midwest dirt classic will return,” Reed said.
“We are offering a points system with payoff in a few classes that we have sponsors for. We are working toward more sponsors for all the classes, but haven’t secured moneies for all of them yet. But our group is doing their best to get it together. We are working with the fair board on getting clay hauled to rebuild the 1/5 track in the center of the 1/4, but we are having difficulty finding the clay and the means in which to get it there. We are looking forward to 2019 in a big way.”
Of the 24 events scheduled, 14 of those will be points-paying events. A competitor will be allowed to “drop” two of their worst finishes throughout the season. Racers needing more information on the 2019 season or those that are interested in track or class sponsorship can contact Reed at 812-603-8704.
The Jennings County 4-H Fairgrounds in North Vernon will be the setting for the 2019 season Jennings County Outlaw Karting group that will run on Sundays. Clayton Perry of North Vernon heads up the return of go-karts to the venue that hosted events for several years.
“Our goal original goal with opening the Jennings County Fairgrounds back up was to give everyone that are interested in the Outlaw Karts in Indiana a weekly track to run at. But by popular demand, we are going to add a few more classes so there is hopefully a class everyone can run in that wants to run with us,” Perry said.
“By doing that we are going to combine the Predator Youth champ A and Predator Youth champ B to just Predator Youth Champ ages 5-10 to cut the number of classes down. We are going to add the following weekly classes: Jr. Clone Champ, Sr. Clone Champ, Jr. Clone Flatkarts and Heavy Clone Flatkarts.
“Class, engine, tire and ages rules will be updated and posted soon. I want to thank everyone for the interest, and be sure to like our Facebook page to stay up to date on rules and schedule.”
Open practices scheduled for March 17, 24 and 31. All classes welcome to practice. Start times and pit pass prices will be announced in the future.
The season-opener at North Vernon will be on April 7.
“Thanks to Ebbing Auto and Right Auto Parts both of North Vernon the Open Outlaw Karts will now pay $1,000 to win on April 7. From second on back will be 100 percent payback with a $25 entry fee. As we continue to look for sponsors, we will try to raise the payout through the field,” Perry said.
For those interested in racing at North Vernon this year and for those looking at sponsorship availabilities can contact Perry at 812-346-3082.
The 2019 Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing schedule begins with the March 30 open practice, with racing scheduled for April 6, 13 and 27. The month of May will see racing on the 4th, 18th, 24th and 25th (Memorial Day weekend two-day show). June race dates will be on the 8th, 15th and 29th. The July fair race date is to be determined. Other races in July will be on the 20th and 27th.
The month of August has scheduled dates for Aug. 3, 10 and 24, with Aug. 30 and 31 set for the Midwest Dirt Classic, which will be a two-day event. The month of September will have two races which are scheduled for Sept. 7 and 28. October will be the final month of racing at Columbus with dates set for Oct. 5, 12, 29 and 26.
The 2019 Jennings County Outlaw Karting schedule shows a minimum off 21 races and is available on its Facebook page.
Pierce wins in Arizona
Bobby Pierce, the reigning Jackson 100 winner at Brownstown Speedway, won the late model feature event on Jan. 5 at Arizona Speedway in San Tan Valley, Arizona. The event kicked off the 2018 Wild West Shootout for dirt late models.
Pierce edged out Hall-of-Fame driver Scott Bloomquist by a few inches for the victory. Brandon Sheppard finished third, followed by Cade Dillard and Brandon Overton. Completing the top 10 were Earl Pearson Jr., Hudson O’Neal, R.C. Whitwell, Tony Toste and Garrett Alberson.
Pierce made it 2 for 2 in the Wild West Shootout, leading all but the opening lap in taking the $5,000-to-win feature event on Wednesday. Brandon Overton chased down Pierce, but could not make the pass in the waning laps.
Scott Bloomquist finished third, followed by Cade Dillard and Brandon Sheppard. Chase Junghans led the rest of the top 10, with Chris Simpson, Earl Pearson Jr., Ricky Weiss and R.C. Whitwell rounding out the top 10.
Martinsville’s Hudson O’Neal was the fast qualifier on Wednesday might and was running in the top five when he broke a J-bar on the final lap of the 30-lap race.
Godsey back in Australia
Former Edinburgh resident Joe Godsey kicked off the 2019 USA Invasion into Western Australia, getting off to a great start on Tuesday. The third-generation racer set a track record and finished second in the opening race at Perth Motorplex in Perth, Western Australia. The event marks the second straight year that Godsey, a three-time track champion at Brownstown Speedway, has represented the United States in racing down under.
After a setting a new mark in time trials, Godsey went on the finish second to Hall-of-Fame racer Billy Moyer. Moyer was making his debut in Australia and held off Godsey for the win, which was the 836th of his racing career. Godsey, the grandson of Hall-of-Fame driver Ray Godsey of Bedford, won the 2014 and 2015 modified track titles at Brownstown to go with his 2016 late model track championship at the Jackson County Fairgrounds race track.
