crowd-pleaser

Big crowd turns out for go-cart races on Sat.

Spectators turned out in force for some racing excitement over the weekend.

The first annual Battle at the Beach Outlaw Kart Race at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds on Saturday had the rodeo arena filled to the rafters as people came to watch go-karts racers do their thing.

“It went way over my expectations,” said Brad Bergquist, one of the event organizers. “It was packed and everyone I talked to said that they enjoyed it.”

Locals who did well at the race included Crescent City resident Bailee Jones, 13, who has been racing karts since she was only 6 and has won a number of out-of the area events. She took first place in the 250 cc division against racers from 12-17-years old.

Kevin Chandler, 8, of Crescent City, won the open box division.

John Michael Bunch of Paradise won the headliner race and earned a $500 prize for his top finish.

The go-kart races covered a wide range of ages and divisions, from young kids to adults zooming around the  track.

Hemmingsen Construction donated its equipment and a crew to help get the track ready in five days.

Bergquist recalled numerous Fourth of July events in Crescent City when he was growing up, including go-kart racing, which ended about 15 years ago .

He said that he thought there was a niche to be filled for entertainment like this a few days before the Fourth of July. Bergquist said the race was an entertaining, affordable form of entertainment and a great way to help celebrate the holiday wekeened.

Bergquist hopes to make this race an holiday annual tradition. He hopes the excellent attendance and reaction bodes well for future editions of the race.