Pipkin brothers put pedal to medal in Tulare kart race
TULARE – The Pipkin kart racing team of brothers John and Brian were at it again on the 1/10th mile dirt oval in Tulare earlier this month as both finished in the top of the pack.
While 13-year-old John took the checkered flag in the Junior 2 category, eight-year-old Brian survived a scare to take third in the Junior 1 class.
By virtue of a blind draw, John started his first 15-lap heat race in fifth position. He was able to pass both high and low to claim second place. In the second heat race, he started in the sixth position and once again weaved his way through traffic – improving to the top spot.
In the 20-lap main event, the RMC Engineering, Siderits Cabinets-sponsored kart started from the pole position and never looked back. John maintained his position by protecting the inside line and rode to victory.
Brian began his first 10-lap heat race in third position and gained one spot to finish in second. In the next heat race, he started in second and, as he has routinely done before, passed the leader on the outside for the win. For the 15-lap main event, the Junior 1 driver lined up on the outside of the frong row. He wasted no time and passed the leader on the fifth lap again using the outside line. On lap 11, the AGI, SKD Development-sponsored kart got tapped from the rear and spun. But Brian regained control to finish third.
