Welcome to the HISTORY PAGE of the Outlaw Kart Series!

(Click on any thumbnail-photo to see a larger view)

The series dates back to 1986 which is when the track was constructed and was based on the principle that we are all here to have fun. The goal was to keep the entire field of drivers competitive. This insures close side by side racing which is fun for drivers and fans alike. We are a "not for profit" organization and we do this strictly for fun.

In 1993 we had a group of youngsters that we called the packing class. They had stock engines that ran on gas and we let them pack the track after we watered it. Towards the end of the year they were all complaining that they wanted to go faster. So we let them run methanol which is the same fuel that the Outlaws run but they still had to run the stock carburetor unlike the huge carb the Outlaws use. This was OK for awhile but they still wanted to run with the Outlaws so in the off season we decided with safety in mind to equip all the karts with a roll cage and a five-point seat belt harness. This would go into effect at the beginning of the 1994 season. This has been instrumental in preventing injuries and allowed all drivers regardless of age or their abilities to race together in the same class. With the few rules we do have most are geared towards keeping the competition close and keeping the races fun and safe.

Over the years we have experimented with many different engine parts trying to get an engine to last the whole year. Since we run 100 or more laps per night this was a huge task. With the help and experience of fellow racer Mark Warner we were able to learn what it takes to make our engines powerful and last. Every part in our racing engine is made specifically for racing. Because of earlier piston fatigue we have switched exclusively to Burris pistons which have held up to the test of time without any failures. We wish Burris made all the parts in our engines. Another of the biggest reasons we have been able to extend the life of our engines is the use of Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil, which has proven to be the best lubricant we have ever seen. The Outlaw grind cam shaft, along with the large carburetor that takes two fuel pumps to supply enough methanol to keep it running are the main items that help us to produce a lot of horsepower.

Most of our races are held on our own private 1/8 mile clay oval track where the average lap times are between 13.00 to 14.00 seconds per lap and not less than 5 drivers have turned laps times in the 12.90’s.

In 1994 we switched from running daytime races where it was difficult keeping moisture in the clay to running our races in the evening. By running in the evening the clay wouldn’t dry out as fast, which made the track tackier and led to better grip and faster speeds. The first race that we held under the lights was in August of ‘93.

In 1994 Barefoot Sportswear printed up our first Tee-shirts and we have added to our list of merchandise each year since to include tee-shirts, sweatshirts, polo-shirts, hats, coffee mugs and beverage coolers. We are continually adding to our collection and all items are for sale. Check out the MERCHANDISE Page to get your souvenir today.

In 1994 we also added food to the menu thanks to Pizza Shack 1. Requests for food grew and so did our menu thanks to Abe’s Restaurant, Oscar Mayer Wieners, and Furnal’s Hilton Big-M and of coarse Mary Smith our food Queen.

In 1997 Ryan Printing provided us with a great weekly program that allowed us to highlight our drivers and sponsors and to keep our race fans informed.

In 1997 the Outlaw web site was established. Bob Burroughs became our volunteer webmaster and continually updated the racing results, calendar and news through the end of the 2001 season.

In 1998, thanks to LaMont Trophies, we were able to make Victory lane much more exciting with the addition of a work of art we call our Feature Winner Trophy.

On September 9, 1995, we completed construction of our pace truck. We decided to try what was to be our first ever 50 lap Feature race which was to have a mandatory half way caution that would give us another opportunity to let Alex Smith, only nine years old at the time, show off our new pace truck. Our first 50 lap Feature event was won by Brandon Pickett and turned out to be a weekly endurance test for all. History has since proven it to be the most difficult of all races to win. A race that demands mechanical, physical and mental stamina just to finish.

In 1994 we started a tradition of having an annual Sponsor Appreciation Night race. A night where we step it up a notch and try to out do what we did the previous year as our way of saying thank you to all our sponsors.

On Sponsor Night in ’96 we had our first celebrity match race which included Empire Super Sprint driver Mike Lauterborn, Big Block Modified driver Gil Tegg, and Sportsman Modified driver Rob Culmone, all starting up front with a mix of Outlaw regulars close behind in this 20 lap race. The race was a lot of fun and was won by Gil Tegg in the #4 kart. In ’97 we reformatted the match race to include four celebrity drivers starting in the first two rows with two Outlaw Kart Series drivers starting in the last row. The lineup consisted of Rob Culmone in the #12 kart on the pole with Nascar Late Model driver Dan Mason in the #28 kart finishing out the front row. The second row had Gil Tegg in the #4 kart along with Sportsman Modified driver Andy Vargo in the #8 kart. The third row was made up of Magic Shoes Mike Kaiser and Fly’n Bill Ryan both Outlaw regulars. The race was a 10-lap dash and was won by Gil Tegg with the Outlaw drivers close behind in second and third. John Kucko WROC-TV Sports Director was the honorary P.A. Announcer of our 50 lap Feature that night which lived up to all our expectations as far as excitement goes.

On Sponsor Night in ’98 we had our first Powder Puff race. In practice for this race, scorekeeper Abby Boddy took out the #4 kart for practice and rolled it coming out of turn two on her first lap. She then asked if she could try it again and went on to win the race. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was here and was a very entertaining attraction for all in attendance that evening. The Mercy Flight Central Helicopter was scheduled but had to turn back because of severe thunder storms to our south.

Sponsor night '99 was packed with great racing action with Spikes, the Rochester Red Wings mascot doing a great job entertaining the kids. We had 13 participants for our annual Sponsor Night Powderpuff race and it was very exciting to say the least. Fortunately there was no damage that couldn't be repaired. Alex "the announcer" Smith was the winner with Jon "the flag man" Boddy a close second after having started from last place, which was the penalty for being the only male driver in the race. George Lazor and his group of speedway motorcycle racers put on a great show for the fans. The Mercy Flight Helicopter put on a spectacular aerial display right in front of the grandstand and then landed in the center of the racetrack so everyone could get a close up look. Josie Waverly did an awesome job singing the National Anthem and then gave the command for the Outlaw drivers to start their engines for the start of the 50 lap Feature. We were able to give Mercy Flight Central a check for $1753.14 that was the total collected from our second annual Mercy flight Raffle. We were also proud to be able to give the Hilton Fire Department $412.00 which was raised through our nightly raffle program. For more on the Outlaw Kart Charity Raffle Program visit the RAFFLE Page.

Sponsor night has continued to be the highlight of each year with the 2000 and 2001 seasons sponsor nights activities bringing us follow up visits from Spikes, Josie Waverly and other guests along with some great powderpuff action. We had return visits from the speedway cycles not to mention the great racing action provided by the Outlaw Karts. In 2000 Mercy Flight returned with the helicopter and gave our photographer (Amy Cole) a ride, which led to some great pictures from high above the racetrack. In 2001 the Mercy Flight helicopters were grounded due to the terrorist attack of September 11 on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon. However, Bill Bross from Mercy flight was on hand again to accept the check for funds raised in our yearly raffle.

PAST SPONSOR NIGHT WINNERS

'95 Patrick Smith

'96 Shawn Bassett

'97 Keith Smith

'98 Mike Kaiser

'99 Mike Kaiser

'00 Brandon Pickett

’01 Bill Ryan

In 1998 Alex Smith changed jobs and became our P.A. announcer and continues to do a marvelous job. Taylor Smith took over as the official pace truck driver at 8 years of age. In 2000 Taylor began practicing to become a driver in his own go-kart so Jordan Smith at age 8 started practicing driving the pace truck. By the end of the 2000 season the transition took place with Taylor piloting his own #21 kart and Jordan becoming the Official Pace Truck driver.

Just to make things a little more interesting we do a road show now and again. Our first one was held back on August 15, 1992 at Limerock Speedway, near Caledonia NY. This was our pre-rollcage era and we ran twin 20 lap features that were won by Bob Floyd and Dave Hafner.
In 1995 we traveled to Bliss International Speedway twice, a relatively new asphalt oval track in Bliss NY. Our first time there on July 16th was probably the hottest day of the year and we ran old worn out dirt tires and still got so much bite we had a hard time keeping our left side tires on the track. We had a lot of fun and ran twin 25 lap features which were won by Rich & Lorrayne Vargo.
Our second trip to Bliss that year was on September 24th and both races were won by Vic the Quick Burroughs and was highlighted by Andy Vargo’s flip in the middle of the backstretch.
In ’96 we went to Limerock the 25th of May which was only our second race of the season and were by far the bumpiest twin 25 lappers we’ve ever done. Vic the Quick won the Dash for Cash race and the Feature races were won by Ben Floyd and Paul Bassett, both first time Feature winners.
We went back to the asphalt at Bliss on the 16th of June where the Features were won by Vic The Quick and Lorrayne Vargo and we saw rookie Bill Ryan take a roll in turn two. Our next trip to Bliss that year was on the 1st of September and the twin 25’s were won by Shawn Bassett and Rich Vargo. 1997 took us back to Bliss once on August 24th. We took with us Gil Tegg driver of the Hooters Big Block Modified and put him in the #23 Kart of absent driver Vic Burroughs. We ran triple 25 lap Features and Gil finished second in just about every race he ran with the wins going to Shawn Bassett, Steve Mills, and Patrick Smith. In ’98 we went back to Bliss on the 8th of August with a total of 17 karts. It was a lot of fun for most but we saw rookie Gary Mayer lose control of his kart and provided the crowd with the best triple axle / tear the fence down flip they’ve ever seen. Gary walked away without a scratch but took advantage of the attention the track nurse was providing. Both of the twin 25 lap features were won by Magic Shoes Mike Kaiser.
We returned to Bliss International Speedway on Sunday, August 22, 1999. We decided to format our races the same way we do at home with Mike Kaiser winning the DASH Race, Rookie Brian Norton winning the B&L Wholesale Supply B-Main Race, and Mike Kaiser demonstrating how good his kart was on the asphalt by winning the 50 lap Feature Race.

1998 was the year we designed a driver’s point system. The point system was based largely on a ballot where each driver was to vote for his or her fellow drivers that they considered best in a number of different categories. This rewarded the most fun, most sportsmanlike and most helpful driver but not necessarily the driver that won the most races.
Our Awards Banquet is held each January at Carmestro’s Restaurant in Hilton with a full buffet dinner and awards ceremony. Music videos of the years racing action and crashes make the evening quite enjoyable and along with all the awards that are handed out the top 5 drivers in the final points standing are rewarded with their own personal music video prior to receiving their top 5 trophy. The racing videos add a tremendous amount of excitement to the banquet and are possible due to the hard work of Dave Baker of Best Memories Video Productions.

Past Outlaw Champions:

1998: Bill Ryan

1999: Bill Ryan

2000: Patrick Smith

2001: Bill Ryan

For a complete list of award winners from each year, please visit the POINTS page.

We have a great group of dedicated volunteers that help make it possible for us to race, have fun and do it in a family atmosphere. We have had many dedicated volunteers throughout the years and we would not have been able to accomplish what we have without each and every one of these dedicated people.

Thankfully so, we have attracted many different sponsors that have helped us to increase our level of success and we can’t stress enough, their importance to our Series. We ask that you support those companies that support The Outlaw Kart Series.

On February 11, 1999 Outlaw Kart television became a once a month ritual. The first Thursday of each month on Cable channel 12 the Outlaw Karts were on at 7:00 PM for a new one-hour episode of racing excitement. This continued for 40 episodes with the last airing on May 2, 2002.

With the donation of raffle prizes from many of our sponsors and other organizations, we have been able to host a yearly raffle to benefit Mercy Flight Central along with weekly raffles to benefit many different local charitable or non profit organizations. With each raffle we give 100% of the money raised to the designated charity. This has been a very gratifying experience and would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and those of you that participated. Since the start of our raffle program four years ago in 1998, we have raised just shy of $20,000 for Mercy Flight and many local charitable organizations.

1999 brought us the first ever Special Friday Night Race which just happened to be on Friday the 13th of August and was truly "ONE WILD NIGHT". We had Rochester Raging Rhino's mascot "Rex the Rhino" on hand to work the crowd, and George Lazor put on a wild Speedway motorcycle demonstration which everyone in attendance was thrilled over. The Main event "50 lap Feature" was littered with yellow flags and was seen by one of the largest crowds of the year. The field of drivers scrambled as the leaders, Mike Kaiser and Dave Baker, crashed in turn four with only 8 laps to go. This set up a shootout between Vic "the Quick" Burroughs, Patrick Smith, and Shawn Bassett, and after a knockdown dragout fight to the finish the race was won by Vic "the Quick".

Our new yearly Friday night Special race continued in August of 2000 with a Celebrity match race, speedway motorcycle race and plenty of great racing action with Bill Hafner edging out Patrick Smith for the feature win. Mother Nature tested us in the August 2001 event with an all day rain that let up just in time to get the track packed and ready for racing. And then - - - - just as the green flag was to drop to open the hot laps, the ceiling fell and resulted in our only drown-out of the season.

At the end of the 2001 season Patrick Smith (track owner, promoter etc.) decided to put the Outlaw Kart Series on hold in an effort to focus his efforts on trying to pursue a job in the racing industry. Patrick’s love for racing and his natural ability of putting together such a fun racing series has led him to expand on his experiences and successes gained over the past 15 plus years and use them to take his love of racing to a higher level.

For now, this is the end of the story. Perhaps it is the beginning of a new story. Stay tuned as any news on the future plans of the Outlaw Kart Series will be posted on the INFO page.