Grueling action at NTK By Janice Bond (PR2DAY) DENTON, TEXAS - Sunny skies and warm weather made for excellent track conditions for a starting field of over 50 karts on Sunday, March 23 for the North Texas Kartway. Early in the day, the O & H Products sponsored Junior Super Sportsman class was a thrilling nose to tail race among the young karters, with the top four karts of Austin Gaddy #32, Ansel Gaddy #33, Sean Owens #12 and Nicky Boulle #44 battling for position in the first qualifier. Austin Gaddy got the lead at the green flag and kept it until brother Ansel passed him at the half way mark and took the checkered. The final race was won by Ansel Gaddy followed to the line by Sean Owens with Austin Gaddy taking third. It was near disaster at the start of the first qualifier for the Junior 80cc Shifter class when #88 Brandon Timte jumped the back tire of Brittney Masters in the #21b kart just as the green flag dropped. Timte took the win with Masters following in third place. Timte went on to take the class win in the final race. In the Junior One Lite class sponsored by T & L Concession, Blake Masters driving kart #18, had contact with another kart in turn 2 of the second qualifying race, sending him flipping and landing upside down in turn 7. Amazingly he walked away. #16 Devin Mauk claimed yet another victory in the final race of this class. The late afternoon changing track conditions and close racing proved to be a handful when KAM Karting Supply/Rotax Max karter, Jeff Vonrosenberg (#11) was launched in the air on the first lap of the second qualifier, sending the rookie flying backwards out of turn 2 and landing wheels down in turn 6. Fortunately, he was able to get back in the race, but finished in the back of the pack. The final race was spectacular with 12 karts starting and several rookies in the field. All eyes were glued to the action on the track. The competition was grueling for Justin Melton #21 who ultimately won the final race. As usual, the Kart Connection/CRC Racing sponsored 125cc Shifter class with its heart-stopping standing start, was a crowd pleaser. In the 125cc Shifter Pro class, Tim Silence, a paraplegic put forth a valiant effort in the true spirit of racing. Although Silence didn't have a podium finish, he's quite a racer and amazing to watch. The close action on the track, and no injuries to karters made for a super day at the races. All in all, it proved to be one of the track's best events thus far this season. The next race is scheduled for April 6. For more information on the North Texas Karters schedule visit their website at www.ntkarters.com. For more information on PR2DAY and its promotional advantages please visit the website at www.pr2day.com. See you at the track! RESULTS (March 23, 2003) Kid Kart (North Texas Karters): 1.) Evan Brown #22, 2.) T.J. Michael #8, 3.) Kristen Morgan #81, 4.) Brandon Shaw #27, 5.) Alex Tartaglia #10 Junior I Light - 2 Cycle (T&L Concession): 1.) Devin Mauk #16, 2.) Clay Settles #81, 3.) Gabriel Bargas #22 Yamaha Junior Sportsman Lite (O&H Kart Products): 1.) Ansel Gaddy #33, 2.) Matt Winnett #57, 3.) Lindsey Adams #11 Junior Super Sportsman (Sefcik Racing Solutions): 1.) Ansel Gaddy #33, 2.) Sean Owens #12, 3.) Austin Gaddy #32 Yamaha-Dap (Maxwell Paper Products): 1.) Jereme Wellborn #12, 2.) Ken Harding #88, 3.) Dan McKinney #64 Senior Super Sportsman (Dynamic Trophies & Award): 1.) Wes Heslor #82, 2.) Billy Dison #88, 3.) Doug Foisy #65 80cc Shifter: 1.) Matt Martin #2 Junior 80cc Shifter (Freeburn): 1.) Brandon Timte #88, 2.) Donovan Schrum #91, 3.) Cory Phelps #6 125cc Shifter Lit Expert (CRC Racing): 1.) Eric Baldaccini #5, 2.) Cort Hadley #19, 3.) Harry Baldaccini #11 Rotax Max (KAM Karting Supply): 1.) Justin Melton #21, 2.) George Minchillo #71, 3.) Bob Schabel #92 Bracket Three: 1.) Clay Heldman #66, 2.) Nathan Thompson #41 Bracket Six: 1.) Dave Morrison #20, 2.) John Hale #19x Bracket 4: 1.) Michael Arkin #42