Drivers ready to bite at Rattlesnake

Rubbing and swapping paint returns to Rattlesnake Raceway.

The 2013 season raises the green flag at 4 p.m. Saturday featuring the return of the popular Kart series followed by a points racing at 6 p.m.

The oval dirt track underwent numerous upgrades in the offseason, according to Lahontan Auto Racing Association board member Aaron Benham. Construction crews fixed the retaining walls along the oval and moved the lightpoles from inside the track to the outside.

The poles were moved, Benham said, to provide more space and better conditions for Outlaw Karts, which race in a smaller oval inside the track.

In addition, more seats were added to the grandstand and the track secured several promotion events.

The kart series, meanwhile, was a popular hit with fans and younger racers last season. This year, the class will run in all but five events at Rattlesnake, Benham said, who will also drive the 25c car in the Hobby Stock division.

“We want to get the kids to race more because they are the upcoming drivers for the big cars,” he added.

The track will also hold numerous big events such as Octane Fest (June 3-8), the King of the West Series (June 7-8 and Aug. 31-Sept. 1) and the annual Fourth of July race with a fireworks show coupled with the Ironman Challenge. The season concludes Sept. 21 with a points race and a demolition derby. The Dirt Track Championships run Oct. 12-13.

2012 recap

Pete Olsen captured the Hobby Stock points title after he secured his sixth consecutive win of 2012 the season.

Olsen overcame and held off Chris Neal by 15 points (482-467) to lock up the championship. Neal placed fourth, while Aaron Benham took second to capture third place in the overall standings with 457 points. Neal, however, won the Dirt Track Championship for the Hobby Stock class in October.

In the Gen-X division, Al Bishop the points championship over Shawn Hartzell (503-494). Hartzell, though, nipped Bishop for the Dirt Track title by one point, 79-78.

Jake Holland overcame Wade Lumsden to win the IMCA title. Shawn Natenstedt took home the Dirt Track Championship.

Scott Hammond ran away with the Rat Mods title over Mark Rios (499-405). Lee Ketten eked out the Dirt Track title over Maurie Williams, 76-75, while Tim Wearin was third with 74.