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"2009 Daytona Champion"

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3-7-09

The first stop for the month of March was to visit Highway 24 in Richlands, North Carolina. This was an event to remember Sue Watkins and was labeled The 1st Annual Sue Watkins Memorial Race.

The weather was sunny and in the 80's. The largest crowd that the facility has ever seen which lead to a long day and a short night.

We unloaded the Phantom ICON powered by P&P Speedshop in fine fashion. It appeared very early that Zach would be up and on the wheel as we set fast times in both practice sessions. In qualifing we had a set back with a karter spinning which caused a caution that would not allow us to complete our laps. However he still was able to Qualify outside Pole.

As Zach began the race from the outside pole he was able to take the
lead before going into turn 1. As he lead back to the stripe a caution came out for a spinning kart and to have a restart. Again restarting from second Zach took the lead going into turn 1. Once again the caution was displaced. On the restart Zach was able to take the lead and this time with no caution. While battling back and forth with track champion Katilyn Alphin, Zach was able to drive away only to have his lead taken away with another caution. The two battled over the second half of the race with a few more cautions. With 4 laps remaining the motor began to skip as the fuel level was getting low. While coming to the white flag the caution was displayed once again for a spinning kart. With a green, white, and checkered flags coming and little to no fuel it would be difficult to hold off the field. On the restart Zach was on his game and got an excellent start. The engine sputtered through turns three and four and shut off after the checkered flag for the WIN. Good thing the race was over. Zach had to push the kart from turn 1 all the way to the scales as the fuel was out.

Great job Zach on your well deserved WIN... We had the firestones working.

Our next stop will be a trip to Margarettsville Speedway to compete in the North Carolina Maxxis Dirt Series. This will be a 5 race point series that will be rewarded by money and an invitation to Maxxis National Race in Neeses, SC.

            Zach DOUBLES at Margarettsville

This week on the schedule brought us to Zach's favorite place to race, the North Carolina/Virginia Money Series race at Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, NC. Here Zach would be racing two classes which included JR1 Lite and Heavy.

Once on the track in practice and completing 5 laps the Phantom ICON Powered by P&P Speedshop seemed to have the speed that would be needed to compete. Zach bested the 13 kart field by three tenths in Lite to hammer the Pole. In heavy Zach qualified outside pole missing by one tenth.

While starting the race from the pole this does not guarantee success. However on this day it was the recipe that we needed to Win. Zach was able to stay out front for the entire race to lead wire to wire. There were heavy challenges from Devon Dodson, however the racer was true to his word and stayed in the draft until the last 5 laps where they would then race for the win. Devon would be challenged by Zachary Taylor for second and with Zachary Taylor getting by him late in the race to finish second. While they raced for second this enabled Zach to drive on for the WIN.

Next up was the Heavy race. While starting on the outside pole Zach would have to settle in the fifth position. Zach made his way to third in just a couple of laps and raced there until 5 laps to go. At this time Zach was able to pass Zachary Taylor for second and had Carson Wright in his sights. Over the next two laps Zach would pilot his ICON to the bumper of Carson Wright. There he would ride until the white flag. Coming off turn two on the last lap Zach found the bottom and beat Carson to turn three and would come off Turn 4 with the chekered flag waving to complete the Daily Double.

                      Zach Wins AKRA National
                                           &
                         BURRIS MONEY SERIES

Our next race weekend on the schedule would bring racing in 2 seperate states with lots of travel in between.

The first stop of the weekend we were to compete at Capital City Speedway in Ashland, VA for the AKRA Nationals. As Zach started the day fast in practice and would show that we would be contenders. However in qualifying the kart would be too tight and Zach was only able to qualify 4th and 5th for the 2 races.

In the first feature Zach would start on the outside of the second row and quickly find he way to second. From there he would find the lead going into turn 1 and from hold on until the finish. On the last lap Spencer Davis attempted to make a move on the high side, for it not to stick allowing Zach to cruise on to the WIN.

In the second feature Zach had to go from the fifth starting position. From there he would work his way to second only to need a caution to allow the field to bunch back up. Jesse Riggins had built a large lead that would be too much to overcome. Battling a loose kart, with 2 to go, Zach slipped in Turn 3 allowing Dylan Jackson to go by thus regulating Zach to finish third.

On Sunday we then traveled to Hunterstown Speedway in Pennsylvania to compete in the Burris Money Series. This would be our first trip North to race. We unloaded fast and would find our way to the top of the leaderboard by the end of qualifying. Starting the race from the pole would be all he needed to cruise on to the Win.

Zach would like to thank the Ryan Montgomery family, Spencer Davis Racing, and Mike Dickerson from SBR for set up help and support. We look forward to coming North again to compete.



                       ZACH Doubles at PDKS

Selinsgrove Speedway

On Sunday the express train visited Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove Pennsylvania for the first PDKS race of the season. With 417 entries we knew it would be a long day. Hats off to the PDKS for getting all classes completed very timely even with 2nd round qualifying for many classes. They definitely have a First Class Series.

Zach would unload his P&P Speedshop Phantom ICON and be fast off the trailer setting times that would be extremely competitive come qualifying time.

In lite qualifying Zach would set fast time knocking Spencer Davis from the top spot. In Heavy qualifying Zach would find another couple tenths and captured his second Pole of the day.

Starting the race from the pole Zach would battle with Spencer Davis for the lead. Trading the lead back and forth would allow other competitors to stay close. While Spencer would fall back a caution closed the field back up. Zach would hold off Spencer to win.

In heavy Zach would battle with Spencer again. Trading lead twice then Zach would stay in line to seperate from the field. With 5 to go Zach slipped in turn 4 allowing Spencer to get away. From here Zach would have his work cut out to get back to him. Closing in each lap, Zach got a run off turn 2 and beat Spencer to turn 3, this move would allow us to come off turn 4 with the checkers waving.

We would like to thank Ryan Montgomery and family, Spencer Davis Racing, Mike Dickerson, and PDKS Staff.

The express train will be heading to compete in the VDKA at Capital City, Ashland VA on Saturday. Then on Sunday we will head to Margarettsville Speedway to compete in WKA Nationals.

ZACH WINS
WKA National

at Margarettsville Speedway

On Sunday the express train visited Margarettsville Speedway for the Bordeaux Dyno Cams WKA Nationals.  Zach would unload the P&P Powered Phantom ICON ready to race.

Zach would qualify on the outside Pole just missing the pole. From there he would take the green flag. Taking the green flag Zach would beat the pole sitter into turn 1 and take a commanding lead. At the halfway point Zach would manage a 2 second lead. Zach would lead wire to wire for the WIN.

We would like to thank TS Racing and Vega Tires for the tires. Also Houston Smith and family for the great day.

Zach will be taking the next weekend off for Mothers Day. The following weekend we will be at Amelia Motor Raceway for the VDKA race on Saturday then on Sunday we will travel to Greenwood Valley Action Track in Pennsylvania for the second PDKS event.



                     Zach WINS in Hunterstown, PA

On Fathers day Zach competed in the Burris Money Series in Hunterstown, Pennsylvania. This was stop three of the five race schedule.

Zach would back up his fast practice time by putting his P&P Speedshop powered ICON on the Pole.

Starting from the pole Zach would show the way early running fast laps. At halfway a caution would wave erasing a 7 second lead. On the restart Zach would again power away and go on for his third win and extending his points lead.

Next week, Zach will compete in the VDKA Series at Margarettsville, North Carolina.

                       Zach WINS in Mardela

For the July 4th Holiday Weekend we decided to stay close to home and compete at the track where it all began years ago. It was the first place Zach competed in Junior 1. We have been on the road and have not competed there for over 2 years. Mardela Speedway was having a Money Race and it seemed to be a good fit to break out our new '09 ICON. Since our last visit the track has become larger and has new promoters. Along with our new kart this would mark the first time Zach would compete in Junior 2.

We would spend Friday night testing his new ride. It appeared that Zach would be competitive at the new level as he set fast time in practice. After making some chassis changes we would continue to look for more speed.

On Saturday, heat races were to set the field for Sundays Money Race.  Using the pill draw, Zach would start second. At the start, Zach would get a great start and beat the filed into turn 1 setting the early pace. The only thing that would slow him down would be the caution flag. Zach went on to win the heat race which would enable him to start from the pole on Sunday.

On Sunday, a few additional karters would show up to race. Starting from the Pole, Zach would get a huge jump on the field. Again the only thing to slow him down was the yellow flag. Once the race settled in and after a few yellows his main competition would be the #4 of Aaron VanVorst. The two would finish one and two with Zach taking the Win.

Zach will be competing in the PDKS in Shippensburg, PA on Sunday.

                  Zach Thanks Local Racers

Zach will be sitting out the next few weeks with two broken wrists. While at camp he fell from rocking chair and broke both wrists with one requiring surgery. We are looking to be back at the track by October. Until then we will continue to go to the tracks and see friends.

Zach would like to give a special thanks to Dylan Adams and Devon Dodson. Dylan substituted at Hunterstown Speedway for the final Burris Money Series event. Dylan was fast right out of the trailer. He would back up his fast time in practice with landing on the Pole. From there Dylen would battle each lap going back and forth with another karter. With just a few laps remaining Dylan went beneath to pass for the lead and spun himself instaed of the leader. With the caution out Dylan would restart last. He would then make it exciting going to second with one lap remaining. Coming off turn 4 Dylan went high and driving around the leader for the WIN.... Thanks Dylan.

Devon drove in the PDKS at Shellhammers. We would find speed early. However we qualified 5th only .05 off front row. From there he would be competitive. Once racing to third he would track the leaders down following them across the line to finish third.

Our next race will be a VDKA event at Amelia. Then onto Margarettsville Speedway to complete the NC/VA Series.

After these events Zach should be getting his cast off and hopefully clearance from his doctors to get back into the seat.


                      Thanks to Spencer Davis

Special THANKS to Spencer Davis and Spencer Davis Racing for substituting for Zach at VDKA in Amelia, VA.

Spencer would unload the ICON very fast in practice showing plenty of speed. Spencer would back up his practice speeds setting on both poles. Spencer would go on to lead wire to wire in both events to take both wins. These wins will get Spencer closer to the 100 mark on the season.

Zach will go back to the surgeon again this week for another examine. Hopefully he will get the other cast removed allowing him to compete in the coming weeks.

The next two weeks we will be at Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsvile, NC to compete in the North Carolina/Virginia Money Series and VDKA. Both of these events are rain make ups.

                                "Back in the Seat"

It has been a long few months since Zach has been able to get behind the wheel. He has seen many different racers in his kart, and now it is finally time to get back in the seat.

After having a tune up at a local track, Zach would climb into his ICON to begin the fall racing season at Margarettsville Speedway in North Carolina.

Zach would begin the weekend racing in the VDKA series and the goal for this day was simple....get comfortable in the seat and scuff tires. In doing do Zach would secure second place in the final points standings and prepare for a run at the North Carolina/Virginia Championship on Sunday.

On Sunday Zach found early speed and qualified 3rd in JR 1 Lite. Knowing winning the championship in this class would be difficult the goal was to maintain second in the standings. Zach went on to follow Spencer Davis around the speedway making it a 2 kart race at the end. Zach would take a shot coming off turn 4 and would come up short at the line to Davis.

In the JR 1 Heavy race Zach went into the day with a slim points lead. We would qualify on the pole. Taking the green flag, Zach was able to lead until a lap kart bottled up the field. Once the karters came through the lap kart we would find our way back in sixth. However, Zach would take one kart at a time and find his way back to the lead. Losing the lead for a couple of laps, Zach would settle in to second place. With the flagman showing 2 to go, Zach would make the final pass and lead the field back to the white flag.  While 4 karts were battling for second, Zach was able to drive to win and sealing the CHAMPIONSHIP and the leather coat.

Zach will be taking the next week off, then its a long stretch of races through October.


                      Zach "Doubles" at AMR

This weekend we visited Amelia Motor Raceway in Amelia, Virginia.  This was a special event for what was called Girls-n-Gears. Girl scout troop would travel and compete for a badge on prepared karts. Zach would be competing in both Purple and Blue Plate since it was a special event.

The field would be lined up for heat races by a pill draw. Zach would draw high numbers and begin both races in last place. In the purple plate race Zach would race his way to second place finishing behind Trevor Wells. In blue plate action again starting from last place Zach would get to the lead and go on to win by 2 seconds.

Starting on outside pole in purple plate, Zach would take the lead before entering turn 1. From that point he would lead wire to wire building a 15 second lead and going to the the win.

In blue plate, Zach would pilot his ICON from the pole. Zach jumped to a early lead and never looked back. Zach was able to race to a 16 second lead and making it a double win for the evening.

Special thanks to Walt Barnes for all the help.....running the same kart in two classes with little break in between would have been even tuffer without your help.

At this time we are not certain of plans for the upcoming weekend. We will be keeping an eye on the weather to see which event we will be attending.

Zach WINS Tommy Boger Memorial

Woodleaf Speedway held a Memorial Race for one of there own, Tommy Boger. The weather would be cold and damp.

Zach would pilot the Tim Fishel powered ULTRAMAX EXCENTRIK kart prepared from Ultramax to the victory. This would be the first opportunity to drive the kart and it sure was fast.

Special THANKS to Tim Fishel, Kevin Bishop, and Joe Wright for all the support at the track and in the shop.

Zach will be again piloting the Tim Fishel powered ULTRAMAX EXCENTRIK kart prepared by Ultramax in Florida over the Christmas break.  We will go to Christmas in Dixie, AKRA, Daytona International Speedway for the WKA National, then onto the Holiday Classic at Possum Kingdom.

Stay tuned for race results from these venues.

ZACH WINS 3 out of 4

Zach started his weekend of in Margarettsville, NC to compete in the North Carolina/Virginia Money Series. The day would start with fuel issues. After changing everything but the driver we would get things going, however it was after qualifying. Zach would pull off in each qualifier settling for 11th in each event. Making changes after qualifying and finding our fuel had moisture Zach would find the speed we were lacking. Starting at the rear Zach would go through the field battling his way through the pack. Coming to a few laps to go Zach was second and looking for the leader. However the chekered flag would wave before we were able to run him down. In the second race Zach would again start in the rear, however this time making his way through the traffic quicker. Once to third the two leaders had a straight away on hom. Zach would run them down passing for second in turn 1 and taking the lead coming out of turn 2. From there Zach would go on to WIN by 3.2 seconds.

Our next stop was in the morning in Selinsgrove, PA. Here Zach was back behind the wheel of his Tim Fishel powered Ultramax with little rest. Zach would qualify second for lite and set fast time in heavy. Starting on the outside Zach would take the lead on the first lap and go on to WIN by 12 seconds. In heavy Zach would pace the field from the Pole. Zach held on early to the lead then the tires fired and he would go on to WIN by 9 seconds.

Zach would like to thank Tim Fishel Motorsports, Team Ultramax, Jammer Clutches, and SPL Lubes for all the SUPPORT.

Please stay tuned as May will be a race filled month.