Welcome to Kolby Araki Racing

 

                  

 

June 27, 2010

 

 

The 2010 International Kart Federation Sprint Grand Nationals are all but a memory now and in the end, Kolby did what only a handful have been able to accomplish in their karting career. Kolby earned his second National title as a senior driver on the last day at Willow Springs International Kart Track obtaining his expert status.  Kolby competed in the KPV4 division amongst other veteran experts and this raced proved he was a deserving candidate for the status. 

 

Kolby began his day with a decent qualifying run putting his PKS, Grand Products Topkart in P4.  A little problem with the engine tuning kept him from running for his second Eagle (pole position) for the week.  Knowing that there was some areas to gain, Kolby was pretty confident that he could run with the front three, Nick Johnston, Brett Felkins and Robby Harryman.  The heat race pretty much was a follow-the-leader affair but Kolby was able to move around a Harryman to finish in P3 which would help setup his bid for the main win.  There was still some work to do as Kolby had to struggle to keep pace with Johnston and Felkins with Harryman and Matt Johnson (Kolby’s teammate) in tow the whole race was well.  Kolby and his dad went to work making a few changes to the chassis and gearing.

 

The main would be all about the start and making sure anyone who jumped in to the lead was not able to get way.  The senior drivers all understand this and do very little passing early to maintain the pack.  At the green, Kolby latched onto Johnston bumper into turn one and they came out P1 and P2 with Harryman in P3, Felkins then Johnson.  Then it was follow-the leader as Nick lead the way.  Kolby made a mid race attempt for the lead in turn 7 but Johns was too quick and smart to let Kolby go.  The top three soon gain a one second gap on Johnson who now was passed Felkins for P4.   As the laps wound down, it looked like Kolby had a little more as he would lose ground to Johnston but was able to close the gap pretty easy.  With one to go, everyone knew to watch turn seven where all the late breaking moves were made.  As they entered, Kolby made no attempt at the pass and it looked like he just didn’t have what it was going to take to win the race.  Then in turn eight, Johnston entered the corner, Kolby darted to the inside brushing  Johnston’s read bumper sending him just a touch off his line.  Kolby came off high and Johnston tried to cross Kolby over and they dragged raced down the back shoot with Harryman right behind. As they entered turn nine, Kolby was on the high side with the preferred line and it was all about the Topkart brakes at that point.  Kolby drove into the corner as hard as he could knowing that Johnston and Harryman would have to try to get slowed up on the dirty part of the track.  The two sailed by entering the corner, Kolby crossed them over and beat both of them to the line.  It was one of the best finishes of the week and appropriately the last race of the event.

 

“I’m still not sure how all that worked, but I knew if Johnston was able to make his kart stick down there I wasn’t going to win and he would have deserved it.  But it worked.”  Kolby explained afterward.

 

Kolby wished to express his sincere thanks to the many people who helped him prior, during and after the event.   Kolby’s sponsors, uncle Glenn at PKS Kart Supplies, Mike Tetrault of Grand Products, Jesus Vasquez of P1 Engines, Scott Gordinier of Douglas Wheels, his mom and dad of Graphix Plus, Art and Rod Verlengiere of RLV, Shane Perry of Primerica, the Runyan Family of Raging Bull Motorsports, Brad Espinoza of Espo Paint, and Don Clark of Bakersfield.  Kolby would also like to thank all the families and friends that make up Team PKS, Zane Smith for allowing him to use his KPV engine, Matt Johnson for all his advice and leadership, and specially Brittney Kearney for all her help on that wonderful Wednesday when they won the Senior PRD all on their own.  Many thanks to the IKF team, Willow Springs, TiMi Promotions and all the volunteers for putting on a great event.

 

 

June 23, 2010

 

Kolby Wins on Day 1 of the IKF Nationals

 

Kolby headed down to the Nationals at Willow Springs Raceway a few days early to help out his Uncle Glenn,waiting for his day to race which would be Friday the third day of the event.  Sometime between Clovis and Bakersfield, Kolby decided he wanted to run all four days.  With a little help from some friends, we were able to make it happen and he entered the Senior PRD class with 21 other drivers tonight.  Kolby was at the track pitting for himself and getting advice from a very busy Uncle Glenn and new team mate Matt Johnson.  Using some knowledge he learned over the several years of racing, Kolby put his P1 Engine powered Topkart on the pole.  Then proceeded to win the heat and the main event. 

 

Kolby would like to thank the Runyan Family of Raging Bull, Shane Perry of Primerica, Don Clark, PKS, Graphix Plus, P1 Engines, Grand Products, RLV, DWT, Espo Paint, and all his friends for making this happen.

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of B's Photos

 

 

                       Kolby 2008 Junior Super Sportsman                                        2009 Mini Sprint

                                    Photo Courtesy of MLP Imaging                                                                Photo Courtesy of Brent Westrick