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Welcome! We are a Karting Club that invented and races extremely affordable 5hp, Single Wheel Drive "Gas stocker" karts for a Points championship every summer at Galletta's Greenhouse Karting Speedway and a Gas Stocker division at Oswego Speedway's Clay Kartway. We also record weekly dirt karting classes in the Oswego area and make them available on DVD! Join us racing by either building your own or renting one of our team backup karts. Or just watch in person, or by buying our DVDs. Please read on and learn more about our extremely affordable brand of highly competitive racing!
Why spend $3,000-$7,000 on a go-kart when you can spend $300-$700 on
one and have the same exact fun racing in a competitive points
series? Especially in this economy! Race a Galletta's Gas Stocker
race kart for a fraction of the cost and all of the excitement - AND
keep your hard earned-money!
WHAT IS A GALLETTA'S GAS STOCKER KART?
A Galletta's Go-Kart, AKA a Single-Wheel-Drive "Gas Stocker" racing kart is a revolutionary way of karting. Many people see a karting (or carting) race and think of exceedingly fast WKA-type methanol karts that cost thousands of dollars and can go
50-90MPH, or the cheaper "clone" series, which only saves money on an
engine, as it still forces you to purchase a costly chassis and strict
rules of "organized racing." Or they think of a couple hundred dollar "Yard Kart" which is designed specifically for kids to drive around a yard or dirt trail at 15-25MPH, and not
built for racing. But a Galletta's Gas Stocker is something completely different and unique. Almost a hybrid blend of the two - an affordable
and versatile racing kart! How? Being homemade and with simple set of
rules (designed to eliminate typically expensive WKA-type racing parts
and methanol) that, because it is built to do so, can navigate slightly bumpier terrain than a methanol kart, run on gas,
go 40-50MPH
due to strict limits on expensive racing carburetors, AND be set up for racing purposes. With all due respect, although
the WKA-type karts are fast, they have a LOT of money invested into such a small vehicle
and can be expensive to field a competitive one. It goes the same way in bigger
auto-racing classes too. Richer teams always have a leg up. But this isn't how we want to race,
and we have never raced that way in our racing club's nearly two decade
history. We want affordability AND fair competition
by making every single part affordable. Hence, we invented the Single-Wheel-Drive Gas Stocker. What is it? Here are some outlines:
Our unique
One-Wheel-Drive system separates us from all
other racing classes. It is the reason why we turn right instead of
left. We do it for three reasons (1) it is far more affordable and
easy to maintain than 2-Wheel-Drive setups, (2) our home track at
Galletta's has a slight incline and sharp turns that favors
turning right over left, and (3) a 1-WD kart corners better turning
right than a 2-WD kart corners turning left. While some may think
turning right is the "wrong way" or that we are "retards"
for racing that way (quotes are not our words, but theirs), but the
people who say these simpleton things need only to think of road
course races and then apologize to handicapped people. After all,
when we see grown men spend $3,000-$7,000 on a go-kart and mock us
for spending $300-$700 and getting all the same exact race results
for a fraction of the investment, we believe that the people who say
such things about us should seriously consider themselves a part of
the group that they mocked, and should grow up. Here is a close-up
of our system, which is similar in design to a yard kart - and the
reason we have erroneously been called "yard karts" before -
but far more durable than a typical yard kart:
Gearing (Clutch, sprocket, chain):
Unlike super-tuned and
precise WKA-esque flat karts which race on asphalt or high-grade clay that
only well-funded speedways can afford to utilize, racing on backyard speedways like
Galletta's means your kart must be more durable, yet can still race on
smooth surfaces as well. We use 40/41 chain with
a 10-tooth clutch and 60-tooth sprocket. This is the best gear for our
home track at Galletta's, and most of us keep that same gearing for when
we have traveled to
away tracks, or else changing several karts over twice a
week every week (which we used to do) would get quite tedious. We don't use traditional and
mass-produced racing sprockets because they are too fragile to be used
on most backyard speedways like Galletta's. Odd that some flat-kart
classes have looked down on us in the past, as our karts are more
durable, more affordable, completely original, and every bit as competitive as
"cookie-cutter" karts that
cost four to ten times as much just to even field let alone field
competitively. See our
website for more
details.
At Galletta's Backyard Karting Club, we
self-police. Chris and Matt have had an agreement since childhood to
race fair and even. From 1990-2005, our motors were 100% box stock
flathead motors. We are all family and friends, and all honest
sportsmen. We do not cheat, and in our 15 years of racing, we have
never once needed to tear-down or tech one motor. and we have only
had a couple of isolated instances of dishonest drivers who tried
racing "race-tuned OHV" motors in our "stock flathead motor" races.
Because of this, we expanded to shaved or milled heads between
2005-07, and then adapted race cams in 2008-up. Over the years we
have developed the following motor rules, which we now hold firm
with these rules to keep costs and speeds down, and they are
extremely easy to follow and afford.:
MOTOR BLOCK:
- Briggs & Stratton “New style” 1990s-and-up style Flathead motor
Box stock block. No porting or reinforcements allowed to
the block without approval of all active regular Galletta's karters or as
described: Bores are allowed, (A) a bore for renewed life and (B) is approved by
Matt and all regular competitors. (C) You may go in every block and clean out the casting
obstructions and imperfections out with a Dremel tool. Honing is allowed. No Galletta’s Team Karts have blocks
altered in any other way. Obviously, overriding the governor is allowed. It's
essential in a race. You can do it yourself, but if you need help, see Matt, as
he has prepared and/or tuned all motors in our club. And ask anybody - when Matt
tunes the motor, you are going to fly and compete for wins that day.
CARBURETOR & GAS TANK:
- Briggs & Stratton Box Stock 1990s-and-up style carburetor and
tank. This carburetor is also known as a "Fun Power" carb, and it is a
most important staple of our club, as it is our "plate" or speed regulator
because they do not have adjustable jets. One and all are the same. The jet is box stock/standard and fixed. Absolutely ZERO
alterations allowed unless a casting imperfection is found, whereas it can be
drilled (see Matt on how to do it and keep it spec, as he has worked on dozens
of them over the years). Drilled carbs are banned, and we have never had one
person use them so please do not be the first. Raptor or other
racing carbs are banned due to expense. (This rule makes for a VERY
even race and saves you and all of us A LOT of money.) There will be NO exceptions to this rule, as it is the
best way to maintain speeds AND KEEP COSTS DOWN. If your carb does
not work well, take it to Matt and see if he can fix it. If it does not
work, then we will look into finding you one that does work, or show you how
to fix it. Most "slow" stock Briggs 5hps are due to bad, clogged or
miscast carbs. Let Matt help you in getting them run. Some may not
want to race because of this reason (some people only trust their own work and
others feel like someone's always out to screw them - that's NOT how we run). But this is how we keep prices
down and speeds regulated. Therefore it is essential. These carbs are the only
reason that we go 35-50MPH instead of 55-70MPH, AND it allows us to run 200 laps
(around 27 miles) on one tank of pump gas on our home track. Beat that.
RODS:
- Rods must be:
- (a) Box-Stock with vinyl dippers, OR
- (b) a Briggs & Stratton Raptor III Rod (for durability/engine
safety) are allowed. Box-Stock oil dippers are banned due to
durability issues. Billet rods are discouraged due to cost, but not
banned. No Galletta's team karts use them, visitors can use them if heavy.
- (c) Drivers weighing over 250 lbs. may use a billet rod. To keep costs down,
they are not recommended for lighter drivers because we do not set up our motors
to need them like a WKA-esque or Open motor need them. Raptor rods or vinyl
dippers work fine for our motor rules.
- Anything else must be explained and approved by all active regular
drivers and kart owners.
Air Breathers:
- (A) Briggs & Stratton Box stock air breathers. Drilled air holes
allowed.
- (B) Racing breathers discouraged, especially for drivers under 200
lbs.. No Galletta's team karts have them. You may use them if nobody
else minds, but we do not enforce or ban any. We just think of them as cheaper
to go with the stock ones, so we make them the staple.
- (C) They now sell "Fun Power" Air filters in karting supply places, which are
legal if you wish to have one, especially drivers over 200 lbs..
Cams and weight ratios:
All of the "Arrive-and-drive" Galletta's-type karts are around the same weight.
We usually put lighter drivers in heavier ones and vice versa. For lighter
drivers, we put weight on them to get them to our standard weight ranges, seen
below. We also handicap heavier drivers with certain race cams. Now, all cams must be "NON-SLAPPER" Cams. Cams that are currently in use
and for weight bracket are:
- (A) Briggs & Stratton Box stock cam allowed for drivers
between
approx. 100-130 lbs.
- (B) Dyno 94-SS “hot stocker” cam is allowed for drivers between approx. 165-220 lbs.
- (C) Dyno 98-3 cam is allowed for our heavier
drivers over
approx. 210-220 lbs.
- (D)
Dyno SS-03
cam is allowed for our heavier drivers over
approx. 225-275 lbs.
For drivers around 220 lbs.-and-up, see Matt, you can have a bigger cam
with approval.
We do experiment with drivers that are so heavy that they cannot compete with
the others. Anything else must be explained and approved by all active
regular drivers and kart owners, and if approved via a vote of ALL
active drivers and kart owners, possibly tested , and if approved, then then implemented into the rules. If your cam is a "slapper" cam that needs block reinforcement, then you
use at at your own risk and we would consider it illegal unless you are a
super-heavy driver over say 275 lbs. or so. Our club is flexible and with this
power-to-weight system, our racing is inclusive and more competitive than ever.
We don't like 5-10 classes of 1-8 karts, we prefer 1 class of 10-20 karts.
That's real racing, and our rules allow for that.
Coil:
- Briggs & Stratton box stock coil. No Galletta’s team karts contain
hot coils. Anything else must be explained and approved by all
active regular drivers and kart owners.
If you don't know, it probably is a stock, so we'll allow it.
Flywheel:
- Briggs & Stratton box stock flywheel. No Galletta’s team karts
have 3-4hp flywheels. Anything else must be explained and approved
by all active regular drivers and kart owners. If you don't know, it probably is
a stock, so we'll allow it.
Crank:
- Briggs & Stratton box stock crankshaft allowed. Single or dual
bearing allowed. Most of our Galletta's Team Karts are standard, no
bearings, but some of the motors are single-bearing, some dual-bearing. We have
no set rule against it, as it doesn't increase speed, just increases life of the
motor. We have no ruling for or against crankshaft types, but all
changes must be explained and approved by all active regular drivers
and kart owners.
If you don't know, it probably is a stock, so we'll allow it.
Piston/Rings
- Briggs & Stratton Piston allowed. Pistons/rings should be box
stock standard. Boring/replacements allowed after excessive wear.
(.10, .20. .30 are only allowed as the motor wears, as each motor
has a life cycle.) We have no firm rules in this department, but no
secrets; all changes must be explained and approved by all active
regular drivers and kart owners.
If you don't know, let Matt check it, but it probably is a
stock, so we'll allow it.
- Heads
Heads must start as a Briggs & Stratton box stock 5hp or 4hp head,
and…
- (A) Head may be shaved for extra horsepower. All Galletta's Karts
have hand-shaved heads via sandpaper and drills, shaving it very deep and
porting the head. We allow this because it is an exceedingly cheap way to
increase horsepower. Professionally
machined heads are discouraged due to cost, but they are not illegal. Matt will assist all
head shaves for free, or do one exactly the same as all 12+ Galletta's Team Karts
and visitors if you pay him for his labor. As with all things in our racing
club, if you try something different, you must have it approved by all regular drivers,
but we'll probably allow it.
- Weights:
From 2000-2008, we did not have an official weight requirement,
though we experimented, we could not make an official rule because being
forced to race bigger motors at Oswego Kartway (and we tried to stay light
to compete).
In the past, the average driver weight was between 140-190 lbs., and the
karts were between 145-165 lbs., and we'd try to keep heavier drivers with
lighter karts and vice versa and hence it averages out fairly close. But with heavier drivers (mainly those over
200 lbs.), for the 2009 season and beyond, we institute special rules and at least a median
weight requirement and no longer race against bigger motors in our point
system. Now, heavier drivers are allowed a bigger cam and a power gear, while
lighter drivers are not. Also the lightest drivers are weighed down to a
minimum. The result has been a huge increase in different
winners at Galletta's,
and easily the most competitive class to go along with being the most
affordable. Between 2007-08 we allowed heavier drivers headers and certain race cams,
and we've
considered raptor carbs for drivers over 260 lbs., but since they are
expensive, we will decide against them unless the heavyweight driver needs
them to compete and it is approved by all active drivers. We are open to
active drivers voting rules in and out, and run with what the majority
decides. Discuss it with us anytime.
-Chassis/Frames:
At Galletta's, we use (as explained above) a
single-wheel-drive setup that turn right (clockwise) on dirt oval kart
tracks. They don't sell pre-fabricated racing chassis like that; Another
oddity that makes us unique is that all of the karts in our class are
homemade, hand built (or rebuilt from a yard kart or racing kart) chassis. We have no "cookie cutter"
frames in our class whatsoever, although some of our drivers have
pre-built frames, all are completely re-built for racing in our class.
It's a build-it-and-race-it type rule. We are open-wheel only, which
forces each driver to race cleaner to avoid accidents; no bump-and-grind
type racing in our class; you pass clean or you lose. Bumpers and nerf
bars are not banned, but nor are they mandatory.
Rules are subject to change, and do so with
both a majority vote of active regular drivers and the
suggestion of track operators. More in our extended
rules & racing etiquette section.
Motor types at Galletta's Karting Track and SWD 5hp Gas Stocker Event: - Any motor
type can race in their own class if they have enough karts with equal motors to support. However, at Galletta's Karting Speedway, we only have one regular motor class - the Briggs & Stratton 5hp Flathead Gas Stocker stated above. - All OHV (Over Head Valve) motors, or WKA-rules methanol motors are both illegal to run against Gas Stocker Flathead motors under Galletta’s Karting rules
under the same scoring system and same checkered flag, though they may run their own division
on the same tracks (and do at Oswego
Kartway), or even race the same race but score them separately and each
motor class gets its own winner.
QUESTION:I have a
different brand of Gas Stocker Motor (a different company, different
horsepower rating, ect.), and I'd like to race with you guys on your
track and/or tracks that you travel to. What can be done?:
We have nothing against anybody who prefers a different type of motor.
Our particular favorite, the Briggs & Stratton 5 horsepower flathead, is
no longer being produced. The Overhead Valve motor is what most
companies produce. This is completely understandable if you want to buy
a brand-new motor, as we stick to mostly slightly-used Briggs 5hp FHs.
The answer is yes you can race with us with a different motor. However,
you will not be counted in our particular Galletta's points system. A
separate scoring system can be arranged for you with similar or
identical principles, but the main Galletta's point scoring system is
under the above listed Galletta's Gas Stocker motor rules until
otherwise noted. However, any motor used must stick to identical
principles: It must stay stock parts, modifications must have a strict
limit set, it must run on pump gas, and it should remain in the spirit
of equalized competition. For example: If you take a different motor and
you are much slower than the average Galletta's 5hp kart, then you need
to get the motor up to par. If you take a different type of motor and
you are a beginner and you are blowing away 15-to-20-year karting
veterans in Galletta's 5hp kart, then perhaps you overdid it and your
horsepower rating is a bit too much. If you take a different motor and
you are right in the thick of the pack competing with everybody and any
wins are hard-earned and highly competitive, then we got it just right.
Either way, if speeds can be equalized, and the motor brands aren't
forced to compete for the same points and the same checker, then they
can be allowed to compete on the same track. We've tried this before to
some success, although it needs fine tuning. We have also tried
competing against each other, and this absolutely cannot work, as it
breeds hard feelings and creates an atmosphere ripe for cheating. This
is one of the things that the Galletta's Kart Club is very stern about.
(1) No fighting, (2) no cheating, (3) no intentional or grossly
negligent wrecking, and (4) affordable / equalized / tough competition.
That's what all racing should be, but it is what was guarantee.
Regardless, we
occasionally encounter arrogant snobs, rude ignoramuses, and
mindless bashers online and at tracks who race WKA-type methanol karts and look down upon us. We hear it all the time when they say, "They go the wrong way" or
the ignorant "But they're just yard karts!"
and (yes, we've seen and heard it) accusing us of being retarded. The reasons why are mostly due to disrespect and a lack of understanding about this class which we invented
in the early 1990s and what we are trying to do. A grass roots racing division built
from scratch, our karts are purposefully set with rules to keep the karts affordable, safe, and highly competitive. In addition, with our "gas stocker" rules, we can get MANY more laps off one tank of gas than they can get with a tank of methanol. This means, like The Tortoise and the Hare, a WKA kart could win a sprint race any day, but a Gas Stocker would win a marathon every time,
proven with our Annual Galletta's Klassic, which has been 100, 150, 175,
and 200 laps over the past few seasons. Our class offers diversity and
originality. Other classes... well, honestly, they all look alike, other
than colors and numbers. When it comes down to it, our class offers more
winners, closer competition, and often times better overall shows than
the other classes, proven by countless DVDs that were produced in
2007
and
2008 of our karts on the same tracks as our more expensive
counterparts, putting on equal-to-better shows (higher kart counts,
closer racing, and more photo finishes) for a fraction of the cost.
Also, drivers in our class also do well in every other class they try.
And real racers race anything, not just the most expensive thing money
can buy. If you disagree, you are living proof to all of those
'dumb-redneck-racer-fan' jokes that so many people tell. And we always
note that the mockers are either people on the outside looking in, or
just jealous losers. So before you mock, learn a little something, and
give it a try. You might win, you might lose, but you will respect what
we do at the end of the day.
And for all of the extra cost of a WKA kart, watch us race on the same track as them, and with an unbiased opinion, tell us who gets the most competitive racing and the most speed out of their dollar? The answer will be obvious to all but the actual WKA-driver or their immediate friends and family. Our races are usually more competitive, can race 3-wide
far more often, can corner better because of our single-wheel-drive setup, and are
only around one second slower than most methanol karts on a small track such
as Oswego Kartway (except maybe the WKA Medium weight division).
You
are talking hundreds, if not thousands of dollars cheaper, and just for a
little extra speed out of a kart. We aren't bashing the more expensive forms
of racing, but we are using some apologetics; in other words, defending our brand of racing with facts and evidence against those who do not understand what we do and look down upon us
(and we have seen and heard it countless times). Especially when the veterans and inventors of the
Galletta's Kart Racing club have nearly 20 years of karting experience and a
huge win percentage on two tracks to prove their skills, including never
losing a points standings or championship on two tracks every single year.
Someone (the webmaster
who never paid me for my graphic art work that they used for a full
season on the website, promotional items, stickers, and trophies) once asked us on
the Oswego Kartway webboard: Why all the hate?
Why you don't want to institute rules to make your class more
competitive and allow 6.5hp OHV motors to run with your 5hp FH
motors? While his overlord, the Kartway founder, has always known
about our rules (since before he even built his track) and
continuously denies, lies, and claims we don't have or follow rules.
Gee, are they really that dumb? Let's examine:
Galletta's HAS rules, as seen above
and on
this webpage,
and has ALWAYS had rules. Dunces, the rules have been posted here
since before your tiny and overpriced track even existed, so every
time your spout a lie, it conclusively proves how you are either
ignorant or a liar. Since our founding in the early 1990s, we were
exclusively 5hp box stock gas flathead motors. Over the years --
with all active drivers in the club agreeing to and abiding by them
-- our rules have evolved to add competition (heavier drivers
allowed more horsepower, cams, headers, and gearing, while lighter
drivers weighed down to a median weight), while keeping costs as low
as humanly possible. From
1990-2004, our rules were even more easily defined before outside
groups started altering them. In that period, we had ONLY BOX STOCK
5 HORSEPOWER FLATHEAD ENGINES that ran on GASOLINE. ONLY. We also
experimented with weight, but we never stuck with it because most of
our races were close and highly competitive, with the more
experienced drivers scoring more wins than the rookies and
first-timers (seems like common sense, right?). We now have
new rules with a minimum weight. Why different now you ask? *Sigh*
Time for another history lesson:
As stated, once we are all box
stock gas 5hps. Then, in 2004-2005, a few guys
came along and invaded our track with 5.5hp OHV (and 6.5hp OHVs
pretending to be 5.5hps). On a trial basis, we allowed them, as it
meant 12-16 kart races instead of our usual 7-12 karts. However, we noted that
nobody in a 5hp could compete with that extra 1.5hp (unless the
bigger motored karts broke, or made "rookie" mistakes that the
lighter and more
experienced 5hps could capitalize upon). To answer, we altered our
rules (majority vote of all active 5hp drivers) and allowed the
smaller 5hp motors to shave (or mill) their heads, which then
started a 1-upsmanship war between the two motor classes. To keep
our class affordable and stock, we stopped racing the two different
motors together, and invited the others back with 5hp-only and a
weight rule, or still race on our track in their own OHV class
separately. Since we
held to our existing rules and requested that they race 5hp
flatheads only against us, they stopped racing at our track and
dubbed themselves, "The Outlaws." We had no hard feelings
against them, just used different motors.
However, there are a handful of
people-most importantly the Oswego Kartway Track Operator-who believe that a 6.5hp "Outlaw-type" motor and a 5hp
"Galletta-type" kart can compete together, simply because they both
turn right and aren't governed by WKA rules. When Oswego Kartway opened in 2006 and we
started racing there, track officials have repeatedly tried to
change our karting club's rules via forcing us to race against the
bigger 6.5hps or not race at all. For short periods in 2006, 2007 and
2008, the engines appeared to be mildly equalized to the outside
observer. But it wasn't truly, as the "too-much-horsepower" vs.
"too-light" over and over again; the war going back and
forth but never utterly equalized nor fair for all drivers involved. However, the 1-upmasnhip games resumed
AGAIN, and now neither
OHV or Flathead motor clubs are box stock as originally intended.
They are now all tweener engines somewhere between 'box stock' and
'racing.' A no-man's land where it is difficult to find newcomers to
join unless we help them set their motors up (which we do to anybody
who asks). Again... it was a fight between the two divisions, with one saying,
"The Galletta's karts are way too light!" and the other saying, "The
Outlaw karts have way too much horsepower!" In mid-2008, the decision was
made to split the classes after it was revealed by multiple sources that the "Outlaws"
were using "Animal" parts and fuel additives, which is utterly
overkill because the flatheads do not use Raptor parts (except for
the rod), and no additives. Weight or no weight, it was too much,
especially mixed with unsportsmanlike conduct such as post-race
mockery as added insult to injury. Though both sides agreed to this split, the Outlaw class
proceeded to mock the Galletta class, even when they raced in
separate races.
On one final occasion in 2008, we took a cue from
the WKA Jr. 1 and Jr. 2 classes at Oswego when we tried to mix the
classes under the condition that each class would race on the same
track at the same time, but two different point series and two different winners (OHV
Outlaw and Flathead Galletta's), . However, the Outlaws then voted
the Galletta's class out of even this compromise, and then resumed
their mocking of the Galletta's class in person and also (rather
cowardly so) as anonymous posters on the Oswego Kartway forums. The
Outlaw Class has since apologized and we have accepted. We harbor no
hard feelings, and would love for them to race on our track in a
separate series. Our problem no longer is with these guys... it is
with one very stubborn man who controls the fate of Oswego
Speedway's small dirt track.
However, Oswego Kartway track
operators seem to again try to force the two motor types together
for 2009. Why? WKA doesn't allow
flatheads (Raptors) to race OHVs (Animals), so why Oswego Kartway
does is irrational and illogical. We've tried it in 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, and 2008, and it didn't work once, so why still try?
Because the two classes got comparable time trial times and there
aren't enough "Outlaws" to make the minimum? Again, it is heavy and
powerful vs. light and quick. On the same track, they don't mix
fairly, and one side always has the 1-up. The same tired old
argument again and again. "Too light" vs. "Too much horsepower."
Because Matt wins too much and he's one of the lightest guys? Well,
the minimum weight rule should solve that, right? It's also highly illogical and hypocritical that now the same track
is making "box stock" clone motor classes when the same officials
forced us to stray from our original box stock rules by forcing us
to race bigger motors!
So, in fairness, we'll call it
as we see it: OK... we'll race against 6.5hps Outlaws the
same day that we see WKA Champs race WKA Medium and/or Heavy
flat-karts all race together. Or "Opens" vs. WKA Champs. Or Jr. 1,
Jr. 2. and Jr. Champs all run the same time. Or, when we see no
other 1-3 kart classes out there. Otherwise, it is what it is...
discrimination against our karting league, which has brought 6-12
paying customer karters to your track every single week since 2006.
Does the truth hurt?
The only mistake that we ever did was to allow bigger motors to race
with us. It stops now. We didn't even have a problem with racing at
the same time but scoring separately, but no more different motors
going head-to-head.
The history lesson is ended,
and as a final solution, all active
Galletta's drivers have elected to solidify and stick to our rules as seen above.
In short, it is: 1-WD, Pump gas only, Raptor rods, shaved heads,
100% Box Stock 90s-style carbs, and certain pre-approved Dyno Cams.
In addition, for 2009, we will have a minimum weight rule (the best
medium weight between all driver/kart combos will be the absolute
minimum weight allowed, and any below it will result in a
disqualification, above it will be allowed headers). We planned to institute one in 2007 and 2008, but
forced to run against 6.5hps, our lighter weight was our only saving
grace against such power differential. No more "horsepower" vs.
"light" duels. The Galletta's Karting Club is equal-motor 5hp
exclusive with a minimum weight rule, and it doesn't race on any
track that discriminates against us and forces us to race bigger
motors, or (laughably) weighs down people every time they win.
Period.
(...and I bet the people who
needed to read it just conveniently glazed over it, and keep trying
to force us to race against bigger motors.
We'll see.)
Yep. We saw: Since then, the
irrational and belligerent Oswego Kartway track operator since
banned our kart class for some very weak and refuted reasons. The
whole story is covered on these
message board pages. It is really unfortunate that the Oswego
Speedway has such an irate person controlling one of its operations.
He is representing them poorly. (And to
those who call us cry-babies, nutjobs, mommies-boys, and whiners,
in addition to breaking our skulls with sharpened shovels, then please say that to our faces or continue hiding under rocks.)
We race weekly all summer at
Galletta's Greenhouse Karting Speedway (a not-for-profit, race-at-your-own-risk, recreational-use backyard dirt oval track), and Oswego Kartway, a small clay oval located in back of its parent track, the famed paved oval (and Home of the Supermodifieds), Oswego Speedway. Take a look at our two-track total in points for the 2008 season between May and September!
The Galletta's Go-Karting Club was founded by brothers Matt and Chris Stevens in the early 1990s when they modified yard karts for racing purposes. They are the inventors of "clockwise 5hp flathead gas stocker kart" racing, and have a 13-kart race team that includes several backup karts available to be rented and raced at both Galletta's and Oswego Speedway all summer. Invented with specifically "gas stock 5hp motor" rules so that a person doesn't have to spend thousands of dollars to race in extremely competitive racing events, the class grows in talent and competition every single year. Join us by building your own kart for around $500 or rent one of our team karts on Summer Thursdays or Summer Sundays in Oswego, NY!
Due to the fact that the karts are so affordable and the oldest veterans have been racing for nearly two decades, it is one of the most difficult karting divisions to win at, but yet you can be instantly competitive for just a couple hundred dollars IF you're a good driver. You can't outspend your opponent due to our gas-powered stock-only rule, so you must out-race them and out-setup them. In fact, nobody has ever defeated Matt & Chris in the open challenge: race a stock 5hp flathead and stop them from scoring 1st & 2nd in a points season. Though hundreds of people have tried in hundreds of races since the early 1990s, Chris and Matt have scored 1 & 2 every year. But it's not just them you have to race. Our regular drivers are all talented and experienced. You can prove your skills against the winningest karters in the local area AND you won't even have to spend a lot of money to get started! We dare you to try! Make your own or rent one of our racing team karts. Sound like fun? Read on, explore the website, and join us!
More Galletta's Go-Karting flips, crashes and tight racing carting highlights on: YouTube And the complete and high quality races found on this site and
YouTube can be purchased in our
Galletta's Go-Kart DVD store!
Comments, questions, and additional info with Galletta's Kart Club drivers and officials can be found on our new message boards. ->
Galletta's is a backyard karting track that does not charge anybody to watch or race (though we ask for clay donations). If you want to rent a fast Galletta's 5hp Gas Stocker Kart on Oswego's dirt karting tracks, then inquire! There's always at least one or more karts open and waiting to be raced! Bring your own 5hp gas stocker kart or rent one of ours and join us! We usually run 8-12 kart races weekly, but we'd love to have more on both tracks that we race at, so we ask for more people joining us. Experienced drivers or beginners? It doesn't matter, you can race! Interested? Call us up! Plus, everybody is getting tuned up for the Oswego Speedway Classic weekend at Oswego Kartway. Did you ever think that you could be racing at the famed Speedway on Classic weekend? You can, and for VERY affordably. Rent one of our karts for $20 a week (averaging around 100-130 laps of action on two different Oswego tracks), or we'll help you buy or create your own for just a few hundred dollars. Call us up or email us and find out more details.
Want to join us? We invite drivers (either people to rent our karts and/or with their own 5hp karts) to join us and race at Oswego and Galletta's. We have our own motor class at Oswego now, but still need regular drivers to fill the karts. If anybody is interested in filling a kart on Thursdays at Oswego, or Sundays at Galletta's ($15 for a 10 lap heat and at least 45-lap feature, $10 for just renting at Oswego, and $20 to rent one at both Galletta's and Oswego), just contact us. At Galletta's, it is free to bring your own kart (though we accept $3-5 clay donations).
Our karting club's home track is located in back of: Galletta's Greenhouses 60 County Route 20 Oswego, NY 13126-6512 (315) 343-0879 or (315) 343-4281 Need directions? Here they are!
Galletta's Greenhouse & Karting Team 60 County Route 20 Oswego, NY, USA 13126-6512 Telephone: (315) 343-0879 or (315) 343-4281 (Ask for Matt or Chris only!) Directions