FINISHES THIRD IN
125cc DIVISION

RED BLUFF, CA - Kyle Larson, the 12 year old ParkerStore pilot from Elk Grove, CA, again showed why he is a force to be reckoned with in the high-powered outlaw sprint karts as he won the A-Main event in the Open Intermediate Division in his first ever 500cc race inside the Pauline Davis Pavilion at Red Bluff Saturday night. In the 125cc division Larson again had a very good night as a third in the A-Main was the only finish that prevented him from completing a sweep of the program. Dry track conditions due to blustery winds entering the building made passing difficult for all divisions later in the day.

When the day started Larson’s plan was to run his 125cc ParkerStore QRC Factory Outlaw Sprint Kart only. However, at sign-in he was informed that Open Intermediate driver Amanda Reinolds, subbing for Jacob Park, was feeling ill and would not be able to compete. The diminutive 70 pound lead foot was found to be much too small to fit in the Reinolds mount so the decision was made to put Reinolds’ 500cc engine on Larson’s backup 125cc kart.

Once the conversion was complete Larson timed in seventh quick (9.490) of 23 karts, just missing the trophy dash. He lined up on the outside of the front row of the first heat, took the lead down the back straightaway, and went on to win the ten-lapper.

In the A-Main Larson found himself starting in the fifth position, behind the inversion that included the four fast qualifiers. At the drop of the green Larson settled into fifth. On lap three point leader Chadd Noland, running in second place, spun in turn two collecting third and fourth place runners Christopher Phillips and Brett Hamilton. For the restart Larson found himself in 2nd behind first time Oregon visitor Stephanie Rotarius. With the race again underway Larson applied heavy pressure on the lady racer until on lap 15 Rotarius bobbled exiting turn two. Larson jumped on the opportunity and carried his ParkerStore Grandpa George powered rocket by Rotarius and went on to a 2.5 second victory in the 20 lapper.

In the 125cc division Larson regained fast time (9.149) this week as the last race saw him miss the top stop for the first time this Red Bluff Winter Indoor series season.

For the heat race Larson started outside the second row of the first heat. By lap three he was in second and passed leader Andrew Cumpton on a lap six restart. Larson took his ParkerStore QRC kart the ten lap distance and captured the victory.

In the six lap trophy dash Larson started sixth in the fully inverted lineup. On the first attempt at a start Larson and Dillon Silverman got together in turn two to bring out a yellow flag. Silverman had to pit for a water leak before rejoining the field. This moved Larson into the second row outside spot for the restart. With the race finally underway Larson sped around his competitors down the back straightaway and pulled away to a convincing ½ lap win in his ParkerStore Banke powered ride.

The main event saw Larson start in the sixth position. By lap three he had moved through very tight quarters to settle into third place. Derek Copeland grabbed the lead at the start and found Silverman camped on his bumper. The trio battled lap after lap on the bottom groove only track. Larson tried everything he could short of bumping to get by Silverman and eventually finished third to Copeland by a scant 4/10 of a second in the 20 lapper. Although he finished third, once again Larson set the fastest single lap time of any kart, opens included, in the main event.

At the end of the night the young ParkerStore chauffer said, “Track conditions made it pretty difficult to pass in the mains tonight. That kind of hurt me in the 125 main but it didn’t matter in the open intermediate main. Second, third and fourth spinning in front of me helped move me up and then I knew if I kept the pressure on Rotarius she might make a mistake. I think she knew I was there and I was ready when she bobbled. I have to thank my regular crew, my dad and Sean Sheppard, and Amanda’s dad, Mike Reinolds, for the great set up on the kart after changing over from the backup 125cc. I really appreciate the power of the Grandpa George Motor provided by the Reinolds. We have a couple of weeks off for Thanksgiving and when we come back December 4th I will have my own ParkerStore Open Intermediate kart ready and we’ll probably finish out the season in both divisions.”

Race: November 20, 2004
Photos courtesy of Jack Waterman