Mini-Car Racing Gets Underway In Logandale

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Mini-engines were revving and the tires were spinning at the northeast corner of Clark County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 18. It was opening day of the Southern Nevada Racing Association with a whole slew of young drivers eager to race on the new racetrack created for the purpose.

As early as 8:00 am, youth drivers were checking in and getting registered for the event. But some choppy weather on Saturday morning caused a delay as a short tempered storm whipped through before the scheduled start time of 10:00 am.

“You can’t make the weather work around the race, but we just have to work around it,” said race announcer Kasen Kolhoss.

SNRA President Jeff Hobbs looked at the bright side. “The weather helped pack the dirt down so the racers were able to get better traction and less dust in the air,” he said.

The race consisted of two heats per racing class and then a championship for the final race. Offered in the races were Flatkarts, Quarter minis, Mini Moderns, and Mini Dwarf cars.
“This was an exciting day,” said Hobbs. “The kids had fun and we were able to celebrate the beginning of the first racing season in Moapa Valley.”

A majority of the drivers were first timers in the racing scene and found the first race of the season to be a learning experience. While most of the fans were family or close friends of the racers, there still was over 30 people watching. One such person who was working pits for his grandsons was Mike Layne of Las Vegas.

“I grew up racing and now my grandsons are,” said Layne. “I get to pass it down to them and keep it in the bloodline. It is really a family sport and teaches these kids a lot of skills and things they will need in life.”

The results of the races were as follows:
The Red Plate Main Race Isaiah Brown took 1st place, Dillon Layne took 2nd, Hunter Mullin 3rd, Robert Featherstone 4th and Hunter Layne 5th.

In the Blue Plate Main Race Cole Layne took 1st. Dallin Evans 2nd, Aeden Hobbs 3rd and Wyatt Layne 4th.

In the 212 Flat Kart Main Race Jeffrey Jensen was 1st, Lincoln Evans 2nd, Michael Stevens (DNF) 3rd, Taiven Katich (DNF) 4th and Jashua Gozales (DNF) 5th.

In the Mini Dwarf Main Race class, Justin Carney took 1st place.
“We didn’t have as many drivers as we have registered because a lot of drivers are working on getting their vehicles race-compliant,” stated Hobbs. “So next one we will have more racers.”

The next race is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 at the Fairgrounds, registration starts at 8:00 am and racing at 10:00 am.

Hobbs and SNRA wanted to express thanks to Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Bob McCormick, Jacon Jensen, Alex Bernal, and Kirk of Valley Metalworks, and so many more. As well as all of the volunteers.

“I have never, in 10 years of doing this, had so much support in building and running the track and races,” Hobbs said. “It’s crazy! I am used to doing everything myself.”

For more information on the racing season, visit www.LVQM.webs.com.