racer

If you were to encounter a pretty, petite blonde named Samantha Schultz in the hallways of Carson High, your first thought might be “cheerleader.” You certainly wouldn’t think “racecar driver,” but Schultz just became the first female track champion in the Strictly Stock division at Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville. The ironic thing is that at 17 she doesn’t have her driver’s license yet, and is driving on a learner’s permit.

Alpenglow Sports has teamed up with Tahoe Cross Country to present the first-ever Lake Tahoe Nordic Festival Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. All events are free, open to the public and take place at Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City, California. A full schedule of events is available at www.tahoenordicfestival.com.

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation at Lake Tahoe has opened registration for the 2012 – 2013 competitive and development ski and snowboard programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online and at the HSSF building.

With Nov. 16 as its opening day, the countdown is on at Heavenly Mountain Resort. From intense competitions and events to the return of the halfpipe, excitement is stirring at Lake Tahoe’s largest winter playground.

The Tunnel Creek Cafe up at Incline Village is now open! Max Jones and Patti McMullan, who currently own and operate Flume Trail Bikes at Spooner Lake, have recently opened a new cafe at Tunnel Creek Station. The cafe is located on Tunnel Creek Road near the old Ponderosa Ranch which was used for filming the 1960s television western Bonanza. More importantly though, the Tunnel Creek Cafe is at one end of the world famous Flume Trail.

It was a night of yellow flags, red flags, restarts, darkness, and fantastic racing at Fernley 95A Speedway on Saturday, August 18. Eighty-five entries in six racing divisions were on hand, plus eight Outlaw Karts.

The weather was hot, and so was the racing action at Fernley 95A Speedway last Saturday night. The Hobby Stock division led off, with Tom Haxall of Verdi taking the lead from pole and building a margin over Sun Valley’s Rick Miller and Jake Baker of Reno. Carl Barlow of Silver Springs, who won from the back of the field two weeks ago, wasted no time charging through the field to second place. Newcomer Haxall didn’t realize that the track rules call for racing back to the yellow, so when the first caution came out for two cars spinning in turn two, he lost the lead to Barlow.

Saturday night’s racing program at Fernley 95A Speedway started off with every car present on track for a tribute to fallen racer Tommy Teters, who passed away recently. Teters’ sprint car took one last lap and the checkered flag.

The two biggest topics in the racing world this past week have NASCAR fans fired up. The first event was the surprise reversal of the penalties levied against Hendrick Motorsports and the 48 team at Daytona. While Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook reversed the ruling of the three-member appeals panel on points and suspension penalties, he let the $100,000 fine for crew chief Chad Knaus stand. He modified the suspensions for Knaus and car chief Ron Malec to probation.

This weekend saw two more tragedies for the motorsports world with Nevada connections.

Most people have already heard about or seen the video replays of the horrific IndyCar crash in Las Vegas on Sunday that claimed the life of two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon.

The same day, off-road racer Rick Huseman was killed in a plane crash in California after taking off from North Las Vegas.

By Aimi Xistra-Rich
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation has opened registration for the 2011 – 2012 Alpine, Freestyle, Freeride and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Lake Tahoe foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office. Those who register and pay in full now will receive the early registration pricing; prices increase $100 on November 1, 2011.

Full 1/4 mile, outlaw style drag races will be held at RENO FERNLEY RACEWAY on August 12th and 13th. Outlaw Races hearken back to the early days of drag racing before sanctioning organizations and rules. It's "Run What You Brung" and open to all comers. This year’s annual event is called SMOKIN HOT DRAG RACES and expected to attract hundreds of competitors from Reno Nevada and adjacent markets.

A couple of months ago I wrote about 76 year old Midget racer J.R. Williams. At the other end of the age spectrum is Carson City native Conner Ford, who is working his way up the racing ladder at t...

Due to space limitations, last week's update on Gardnerville Outlaw Kart racer Tanner Thorson's season didn't make the paper. Thorson, who recently turned 15, made his 360 wingless sprint car debut...

Local drivers fared well at Reno-Fernley Raceway's season opener last Saturday night. Vuki Wilson Jr. of Carson City took the checker in the Hardtop Meteor (the division formerly known as Dwarf car...

The Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation at Lake Tahoe has opened registration for the 2010-2011 Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard Programs. With a variety of options from the One-Day Program to the Full-Time Competitive Program, the Foundation has something for all ages and levels of skiers and riders. Registration packets are available online, at the HSSF building, or by calling the HSSF administration office.

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Reno racer and University of Nevada journalism student Dallas Colodny is driving in the NASCAR Auto Club Late Model series at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California. Colodny started at the tail end of the field (13th of 14 cars) last Saturday due...