In our 11th year of points championship racing at Galletta's Greenhouse's Go-Kart Speedway
Sundays from June-August & Saturdays from September-October, and summer Fridays at Oswego Speedway.
We race exclusively with limited-modified 5hp Briggs and Stratton flat-head motors all with affordable 100% stock parts.
 

VOTE FOR THIS SITE:

Oswego Speedway
Where we've attended countless races and race dirt go-karts weekly Fridays:

 

Oswego Speedway Mixed-Class Dirt Track Exhibition:
Friday, August 18th, 2006 (One 20-lap Heat and 40-lap Feature)
The mixed-class exhibition at Oswego Speedway last Friday was an unusual one, as the clay surface was seriously rutted up in portions and nearly all of the expensive "racing" go-kart classes wussed out. This left the mixed class (which consists of our Galletta's 5hp class and a mixed OHV class that consists of Mark Miller, Mike Billion, and several others) as one of the only classes willing to navigate the bumpy track. Getting the benefit, we ran a longer heat and a grueling 40-lap feature! The 40-lap race was a fun event to behold, and a grueling one to participate in, as the field shuffled a great deal from start to finish thanks to the ruts and jumps that made the fastest groove harder to find.

As the picture shows, Wesley James "TrOgre" Stevens (in the Galletta's#4) got the win, shown above with a batch of defeated foes behind him. Ogre inherited the lead when Mike Billion (OHV #57) flipped on top of polesitter Matt Stevens (Galletta's #3) while going for the lead. The two battled back and forth throughout and worked their way back up. In fact, Mike flipped his kart two times during the event, which probably cost him a win. Ogre went unchallenged for most of the event, as a distant second was Brian Bortel (#15). Eric Raponi spent most of the race in 3rd, but on the last lap, he got loose and it enabled Matt Stevens (#3) to get him for 3rd, and Chris Stevens (in the Galletta's #7 because his Galletta's #8 had a gummed up carb) to tie him for 4th. Chris now has three ties in three weeks of go-kart racing, which is an anomaly in terms of statistical probability. Mark Miller (OHV #00) and Mike Billion were right there behind them in a competitive bumper-to-bumper race.

(LEFT) Chris Stevens won the August 4th feature there, and (RIGHT) Matt Stevens won the August 11th feature to make it son, son, father wins in the last three weeks at Oswego Speedway. However, Oswego races don't count towards our regular points standings. Last Sunday's race at Galletta's (and our updated points standings) is seen below.

Galletta's Go-Kart Speedway 2006 Event #10 results:
Sunday, August 13th, 2006 (Two 10-lap Heats and 50-lap Feature)


(LEFT) Heat #1 was won by pole sitter Jason Mills (in the Meynes #38), challenged by Matt "Mush" Stevens (#3).
(RIGHT) Heat #2 was won Ogre (#4), who got by Ed Meynes (#43) after Ed crashed into Rob Jimenez (#5) and maintained the lead, though bent his brake pad into his drivewheel. Strangely, Chris "ChrusherComix" Stevens (#8) got two ties in two weeks, as he and Ed passed the finish line in a dead heat and tied for 2nd, with Rob close behind.

Race Index:
2006 #10
2006 #9
2006 #8
2006 #7
2006 #6
2006 #5
2006 #4
2006 #3
2006 #2
2006 #1
2005 Final
2004 Final
1995-2003 N/A

 
A great evening of hard racing action was in store for the Galletta's Go-Kart association. This week, we decided to try something new. For years, everybody has complained about the large amount of cautions, usually due to new, inexperienced racers only running for their 1st or 2nd time. The learning curve usually means that they spin out a lot, wreck a lot, stall a lot, and make "rookie" mistakes. Many times these drivers never come back and we never see them again. But when they come back again and again and get better every race, they start to compete and have fun. This is how most of the regular competitors all started, and the best drivers out there now made a lot of mistakes early on and then got better, with only a few exceptions. So this week, we made "cautions count" for the 1st 40 of 50 laps (the final ten had to all be green). This (combined with the fact that the drivers all got there early) enabled the event to get done much quicker than usual. While we need to get a few wrinkles out (like, for example, stopping the field when there is a dead kart), we think we're on the right track.


Matt Stevens (in his Galletta's #3) got a clean sweep of the weekend's racing, as he added his 4th Galletta's win of the year after also winning his 2nd feature at Oswego Speedway on Friday. Matt showed that a little balance and tire-pressure was all that he needed to resume his complete dominance over the field, as he bobbed and wove through the close battles and near-wrecks to then blow the field away after passing Ogre late. Ed Meynes lost a tire on his #43 and jumped into the Galletta's/Pitsley #10, and again showed that all of the rental karts are potent at Galletta's by taking the entire field except for Matt, then blowing the drivewheel tire and settling for a DNF. (LEFT) Chris was stuck for half of the race with a sticking throttle, surviving for 3rd behind his brother Matt and the steadily improving Dick Dann (#86 and his racing header - though the pic shows that Chris almost had him here with a couple of laps to go if his throttle didn't stick). Dick showed that bigger guys can still compete in 5hp flathead motors and don't need OHVs and Raptors, as he ran a strong 2nd. (RIGHT) The DVD menu.

VIEW THE DVD! DVD is available for $3-$5.
All pics are internet-reduced, low-resolution screenshots from the DVD. DVDs are $5 each, but if you pre-order and buy multiple discs we can discount to $3 or less depending on how many one orders. On average of 2+ hours of action on every disc, two camera angles, and packed with tight racing and spectacular flips and crashes right in front of the cameras! And this week, partially announced by Colin Miller! Cameras operated by Uncle Gene Galletta, Rungnapha "Au" Stevens, and captures are all optimized for the website by Chris "ChrusherComix" Stevens for free, so please give your thanks and buy a DVD! Nobody makes a profit at Galletta's (rental money goes into kart parts and usually comes out of mostly Matt's thin pocket), except the people who come and steal things from us. Now missing is a $70 Iron-Man watch (that we have used to time trial the karts over the past several years) and this week's 50/50 money points fund! Add that to missing beach chairs, owed rental money, owed money for parts, and missing rental money! Thanks to the thievery and continued reports of ungrateful visitors bitching, whining, and fighting - especially those who don't pay rent and stick us with bills for their broken karts, I probably won't be doing this website or DVDs much longer, and if property owner Mary Stevens emerges from the house to lay the law down, there may never be any more racing here at Galletta's... so, thanks thieves and Welforce-whiners!

August 13th, 2006 50-lap Feature Final order or finish:

DNF = Did Not Finish Feature.
DNS = Did Not Start Feature (though qualified in Heat).

2006 Galletta's Go-Karts Point Standings
After 10 feature events from 6/11/2006 thru 8/13/2006:

POINTS SCORING SYSTEM IS IN RULES SECTION!
Each heat and feature is started in a handicap order, reversed from points-per-event (low-to-high).
Inexperienced drivers with less than 10 races and wreck-prone drivers start in the back regardless of points.
Points are scored based on finishing positions in heats and features (with bonus points for each feature lap in the top 3 spots).

NEXT WEEK'S HANDICAPPING ORDER:

PPR Rank	Average Points Per Event	Events	Feature Wins	Name & Go-Karts Piloted  * = Track Championships
20	89.06	8	0	Rick Meynes #9, #1
19	90.50	2	0	Phil Hall #7
18	93.50	2	0	Kenny Meynes #18
17	93.56	8	0	Jason Mills #38, #0, #6, #7
16	94.67	3	0	Josh Schute #05
13	96.75	6	0	Nick Dann #02, #0, #6, #1, #10, #05
12	98.45	10	0	Fast Flyin' Flippin' Freddy Collins #2, #7
11	102.38	8	0	Dick Dann #86, #0, #1, #02
9	103.88	4	0	Oscar Berry #11, #7
7	111.05	10	0	Robby Jimenez #5, #05
10	103.17	6	1	Gary Miller Sr. #24, #0
8	106.00	4	1	Barrelin' Brian Bortel #15
6	111.50	10	1	Wesley "Ogre" Stevens #4, #0, #6, #05
4	121.17	9	1	Ed Meynes #43, #10
3	124.10	5	0.5	Billy Kuykendell #6, #1, #05
2	127.20	10	1.5	Chris "Chrusher" Stevens #8, #10, #5***
1	141.80	10	4	Matt "Mush" Stevens #3, #6, #1*******
27	49.00	1	0	Jim "Gimme-my-money-back!" Jelliffe #7
26	65.50	2	0	Derek Woodworth #6, #0
25	67.80	5	0	Howard Seabrook #28, #1
24	68.50	2	0	Andy Ouderker #16
23	77.00	1	0	David Hartpewe #7
22	83.00	1	0	Gary Miller Jr. #6
21	89.00	1	0	Dalton Crouch #05
15	95.00	1	0	Brad Jones #6
14	95.00	1	0	Brandon Carvey #7
5	113.00	1	0	Kenny Williams #7, #05

KEY:
Handicap Class #1: Winless veterans (inverted PPR)
Handicap Class #2: Feature winners (inverted PPR)
Handicap Class #3: Inexperienced rookies (inverted PPR)

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We are planning on racing earlier every Sunday for the rest of the summer, so drivers, please come to the track earlier, possibly around 4-5pm (or call Matt for details). Why this never happens is beyond us. It is impossible from June-July due to greenhouse work, but late July-October, the racing should start in the afternoon. Also, a reminder is that we always race Saturdays in the Fall (when Oswego Supers stop Saturdays and NFL football starts un Sundays). Thanks!

Our races take place at:

Galletta's Greenhouses
60 County Route 20
Oswego, NY 13126-6512
(315) 343-0879
Need directions? Here's a Google Map!

POINTS SCORING SYSTEM FOR GALLETTA'S GO-KARTS RACES:
 

Pos.	10-laps	20-laps	25-laps	30-laps	40-laps	45-laps	50-laps	70-laps	130-laps
1	20	54	68	82	110	124	140	192	362
2	18	51	65	78	105	118	134	182	346
3	16	48	62	74	100	113	128	174	330
4	14	45	59	70	95	108	122	166	314
5	12	43	56	66	90	103	116	158	298
6	10	41	53	62	85	98	111	150	284
7	9	39	50	59	81	93	106	142	271
8	8	36	47	56	77	88	101	136	258
9	7	33	44	53	73	83	95	130	243
10	6	31	41	50	69	78	90	122	230
11	5	29	38	47	65	73	85	115	217
12	4	26	34	44	61	68	80	110	204
13	3	23	31	41	57	63	75	105	191
14	2	20	28	38	53	58	70	100	178
15	1	17	25	35	49	53	65	95	165
16	1	14	22	31	45	48	59	90	149
17	1	11	19	27	40	44	53	85	133
18	1	9	16	23	35	40	47	80	117
19	1	7	13	19	30	35	41	75	110
20	1	5	10	15	25	30	35	70	100

10-lap race is heat. All others are "Feature Events". Kart Classic is 130-laps (as of 2005).
In Feature events, bonus points are awarded as follows:
1st place = 1.0 point every lap
2nd place = 0.5 point every lap
3rd place = 0.5 point every lap
(3rd place is only awarded bonus points with 11 or more karts.)
Classic has never had awarded points for laps led (may change).

  Carting Comment Board:

Powered by TagBoard Message Board

Name URL or Email Messages(smilies)

Facts, Questions & Answers, Basic rules, regulations, and prices:

What do we race?: We race 5hp engine Go-Karts clockwise on a dirt oval track. Although it's a dirt track, we race very much like asphalt cars because of the stagger and smoothness of the track (sliding the karts in the turns usually slows you down and breaks the hubs, so we aim to keep the karts straight in the turns). We race clockwise (instead of the usual counter-clockwise) because this way the engine is located on the outside of the kart leading to greater speeds and less sliding in the corners.

When do we race?: We run on a weekly basis, which is almost always Sunday (afternoons and evenings) from June through September, and then usually Saturdays from September through November (weather permitting) every year. We race virtually every weekend from June through October. We occasionally race two times per weekend and/or during the weekdays, depending on weather, holidays, local events, and racer attendance. We also race Friday evenings at Oswego Speedway during the Summer (that schedule and more info located here).

How fast do you go?: Approximate speed is probably around 35-40mph in the straight-aways. We purposefully do not use specialized racing parts (except the safer nylon dippers) and don't want to modify the motors to go much faster because we are looking to keep costs low and the safety high. We could easily make them faster, but it would go against our policy of affordable and safe backyard racing and enter us into a racing kart category. We race mostly 1990s-and-up Briggs flatheads (the ones with newer style carb/tanks) with almost entirely stock parts and minor modifications. More below.

Where do we race?: The dirt speedway in back of Galletta's Greenhouse on County Rt. 60, Oswego, New York, USA, and also at Oswego Speedway's dirt track, located behind the back grandstand/camping area.

How do we race?: Every race begins under a handicapped start (Points leaders and race winners in the rear with low-points racers in the front in opposite order of points-per-race and 1st-timers in the back), and race length can vary between 20-50 laps for regular season races and up to 130+ laps for our "Classic Championship" race that usually occurs in late September.

I don't have a kart. Can I still go karting?: YES! The track owns 9 Karts (3 that we personally race and 6 that we rent out to anybody). They are all competitive and can win any given race with an experienced driver at the wheel. Every engine and kart has won a race at the track, and all are potent and have a solid chance of winning. Several of our friends/co-competitors also have extra karts and may rent them to you. We had as many as 18 karts on track in 2005 and expect in excess of 20 this season. More if you've never been here and join us.

What kind of engines do you run: Our featured class of karts all have 5hp Briggs and Stratton flat-head 4-cycle motors and prefer them to be 1990s-and-up that have the updated carbs. For example, ours are mostly Fun Power, I/C, and standard. We allow simple modifications, but no racing parts (except affordable nylon dippers), as this makes the racing too expensive. We may change this rule in the future when the engines and parts become unavailable, but for now, all of our established competitors race with 5hp flathead Briggs and Stratton motors with shaved heads. For the foreseeable future, we have plenty of motors and parts, and even more found on ebay when in need.

What are the allowed modifications to the motors?: Allowed modifications are as follows: Overriding the governor, Shaved heads (newly allowed in 2005 in order to defeat OHV cheater karts that we were forced to suspend). When the engines get older and worn, we do allow bored-cylinders up to .010/.020/.030 over. But we recommend this ONLY for older engines that have been worn considerably.

Restrictions on the motors?: We currently do not allow after-market racing parts, such as special racing crankshafts, cams, carburetors, springs, and so on. This is to keep speeds both extremely safe and affordable. Even without, we get around 35-40mph in the straights. (We do allow nylon dippers and "Raptor" integrated dippers, as we had a problem with stock metal dippers breaking and causing internal damage). This may change in the future with a vote of the active drivers and track owners and the pricing. The reasons for not running bigger horsepower motors are listed below.

I have my own kart. Can I race?: YES! Others are invited to bring their own karts and race them at Galletta's. The only qualification is that they must be 5hp motors and they cannot have illegally modified racing parts. Stock flathead 5hp Briggs are the norm, though we modify them and will help you do the same. The track owners and mechanics can help you set up your kart to the exact modifications that everybody else runs. All engines should be approved by the track owners and mechanics, but as long as it's a 5hp and aren't illegally modified (as said above), you will almost certainly be allowed to race. We have had trouble with OHV motors, and for now, they are extremely frowned upon. Regardless, they must be a 5hp, no stickers removed. You can buy any go-kart in a yard sale or store, and with minor modifications (governor spring, shaved head, stagger, chain, and tire tips) you could be racing the same day and can be competing to win the very next race.

Can I buy a kart off of you?: We can build you a kart for a price. We are very affordable, mainly because we love racing so much, that we want more people to race against! We can also help you find motors and parts, or help you fix motors, karts, and parts that you may believe are junk (until we get our hands on them).

How much does it cost to race?: To rent one of our karts, the standard 40-lap race is $15. This is extremely affordable and a great price. It's often said by visitors to be the most fun they've ever had for $15. If you have your own kart, the entrance fee for a 40-lapper is $5. Longer races are slightly more. The fees cover parts, repairs, kart maintenance and track maintenance. This is a non-profit, race-at-your-own-risk, recreational operation and all of the money goes right back into the track and karts. Prices may vary depending on costs, race length, points race prize entry, and track/kart volunteer work.

How much does it cost to watch?: It is 100% FREE to watch the races, though you may be asked to participate in a 50/50 ticket contest which will be drawn after the contest's conclusion (50% of the funds will go to the points standings prize purse, the rest to the winning ticket holder). We also occasionally have cookouts before or after race time.

Do you have prizes to the winners/top-runners?: We debate doing this. It would depend on drivers and spectators putting money into a fund, and so far we've only had limited support. Last year (2005), we attempted a points fund, but at year's end, the top 5 winning visiting drivers all owed more money in rental & repair fees than winnings, so no money was handed out. This is a non-profit, recreational-only organization. However, if enough of the drivers are serious about competing, come to nearly every race, and we have enough drivers and spectators putting enough money into a points fund, we will have year-end prizes. This is our intention, but it needs the support of more people. More likely, we will have a visitors-only points fund, as the home team (Matt, Chris, and Wes) have the most experience, attend every race, and are usually running in the top 5 of every race and only the most experienced drivers can compete with them on a regular basis.

What are the racing rules?: We have standard general racing rules that most racetracks follow in order to keep the racing as safe, fair, and as competitive as possible. Basic rules at most tracks will almost all be exactly the same here, but hard ramming and intentional bumping is not permitted at all, though straight bumper-to-bumper contact is allowed (usually only in the straights) provided that it does not cause an accident. We're not NASCAR, and any bump that causes an accident will be penalized (rear of the field). You will be asked to sign a waiver that frees the track owners of responsibility to any injuries sustained while racing on our property. Our track is recreational, race-at-your-own-risk-only and we do not have nor offer insurance for racers. If you are racing hazardously, you will be asked to leave. In over ten years of racing, we've never had a serious injury (just some scrapes and bruises at most) because we have safety standards and frown upon rough racing. Safety first on our track. For an expanded/more complete list of rules, here is the rules, regulations, and driver agreement section of the website, which is updated as needed.

Is there a weight limit with the drivers and karts?: There is no weight limit for our drivers. However, weight does play a role in your ability to win. If you weigh between 120lbs. and 200lbs. you should be both physically strong enough and physically light enough to be competitive immediately, and - with a little patience and experience - good enough to win a race. We have had many different winners within this weight range, and the past track champions ranged between 135lbs.-160lbs., which would make your potential optimal. However, if you weigh more than 200lbs., you will have likely trouble winning with most of our rental karts, but you can still have fun racing and will be able to make a lighter frame to be more competitive. In some sports, size is good. In small-engine racing and horse racing for example, it's often a hindrance. We are developing and allowing lighter frames for heavier drivers, which may remedy this minor problem, but bigger motors for heavier drivers proved to be too problematic with everybody racing 5hps getting angry about the fairness of allowing some people to compete bigger motors, as it defeats the purpose of equal competition.)

You race 5hps now? Why not 5.5hp or 6.5hp or more anymore?: We were temporarily allowing 5.5hp motors for some of the heavier competitors until some of them began to cheat and race larger motors with the stickers removed (a 6.5hp OHV or 7.5hp OHV is nearly identical to a 5.5hp OHV Briggs to the naked eye), as well as allegedly illegally modifying them with expensive racing modifications and parts. Hence, to keep the competition equal AND affordable, we have instituted a 5hp-only rule until further notice. This may change in the future depending on engine and part availability. However, we are considering different classes for 5.5hp and up. This will depend on the amount of people we could get for each class and amount of people volunteering to work on the track. However, the track karts are all equally-matched 5hp engines, and that is our featured class.

News: We race a class of 5hp karts at the dirt track in back of the Home of the Supermodifieds, Oswego Speedway and possibly on other local go-kart tracks. This website in particular is currently devoted to the racing on this particular track, but this may change depending on our points system and schedule. You can contact us with offers and ideas.

Can I see your races?: Yes. We have DVDs and VHS tapes of our races if you wish to see them. Contact us if interested in either racing or buying a DVD for $5-10 each (one to four races on any given disc with competitive action and spectacular accidents!) Contact Christopher "ChrusherComix" for info and pricing.

Can I email the track owners?: Yes. You can contact Matt or Chris, brothers/owners/racers. Matt is the head mechanic, so inquire with him for questions go-kart specifications.

Can I get updates and communicate with all of the drivers?: To receive updates about the races, the website, or just to e-mail fellow drivers and friends at our track, just join our free Galletta's Go-Karts e-mail group, with any email account and you'll be connected to Chris, Matt and all of the other drivers, friends and spectators who have joined! It's moderated & 100% Spam free!

DVD is available for $5.: Galletta's Go-Karts DVDs feature at least two heats and feature, and occasionally multiple features from two cameras in the pits and the race-tower. Only $5 each, $3 each for racers & track helpers, or free via trade for your own tape/DVD of the races!

DVDs are available for $5 each via money order, cash, check, or paypal/credit card
The more you buy, the cheaper they will be for everybody:
 

Website, information, artwork, and photo captures by Christopher Galletta-Stevens (AKA ChrusherComix)
and are all copyright © 1995-2006 Galletta's Go-Karts and Chris ChrusherComix. Cameras operated by Uncle Gene Galletta and Rungnapha "Au" Stevens, and captures are all optimized for the website by Chris "ChrusherComix" Stevens for free, so please give your thanks and buy a DVD! Website designed/maintained/updated by Christopher "ChrusherComix" Galletta Stevens.

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you

This website is designed to be best viewed at 1024 x 768.
Visitor page loads since November 2005 (after the finish of the 2005 season):