The season championships at Riverhead Raceway (NY) for Bandoleros took place on Sunday, October 20. Will Sipala (Outlaws), Tyler Oxee (Bandits), and Mackenzie Ulmet (Beginners) won features. Sipala (Outlaws), Reid Halpin (Bandits), and Daxx Halpin (Beginners) won the season championships. Race recaps are below as provided by the track.
Winning his fifth race in nine starts propelled Will Sipala of Manorville to the 2024 Bock Auto INEX Bandolero championship, the first of his young career. Newcomer Michael Barry broke to the early advantage in the 15-lap contest before a lap 2 caution flag waved, When the green reappeared to start the third lap Will Sipala made a successful crossover maneuver to take the lead, but one lap later Barry returned the favor reclaiming the lead for lap 4. Undaunted, Sipala roared right back to lead lap 5 and all the remaining laps in his Riteway Automotive Center Outlaw earning the 7th win of his career. Michael Barry of Patchogue was runner-up in the Grease Garage Motorsports entry, Thomas Grattan of Southold placed third in the Sophie’s Rest Outlaw.
After coming so very close to a first career win earlier in his freshman campaign with the Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Bandits, second generation talent Tyler Oxee of Pelham earned his first career win in a 15-lap event. Oxee zipped right our front when the green light winked on, chased at first by Brooke Meyer for six cycles. On lap 7 John Alaimo passed Meyer for the challenger’s role and was closing on leader Oxee when disaster struck as smoke billowed from his car forcing him to the infield on lap 10. With just five laps to go Meyer moved back to second but Tyler Oxee was long gone in his North Fork Sanitation Bandit for the win. Brooke Meyer of Riverhead was an impressive second in the WES Trailer Sales machine while Reid Halpin of Wading River made a last lap charge for third in the Florida Connection Bandit for third. By starting the race, Reid secured his second consecutive Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Bandit championship on the strength of four wins in nine starts.
For the third time over the last four Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Beginner races Mackenzie Ulmet of Riverhead drove the Mark Davis Builders mount to victory in their 10-lap main event. Leighton Van Houten, returning from a hand injury led the first lap of the tilt before Ulmet made her bid payoff with the lead on lap 2. Once in the lead Ulmet never blinked and led the rest of the way. Van Houten of Wading River was runner-up in the Mike Van Houten Trucking entry, Wyatt Goodale of Riverhead was third in the Riverhead Building Supply racer. When Daxx Halpin of Wading River took the green flag, he clinched the inaugural Beginners championship in his Baldwin Automotive/Tommy Baldwin Racing Bando. Daxx joins older brother Reid and together they join the Handley brothers, Jack & Max as siblings earning a 2024 Riverhead Raceway track championship.
Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Will Sipala 2. Michael Barry 3. Thomas Grattan 4. Jordan Ryan 5. Grace Cheslak 6. Madison White
Bandolero Bandits: 1. Tyler Oxee 2. Brooke Meyer 3. Reid Halpin 4. Emmett Grattan 5. Antonio D’Alonzo 6. Christian Ryan 7. Aria Ligon 8. Blake Grattan 9. John Alaimo
Bandolero Beginners: 1. Mackenzie Ulmet 2. Leighton Van Houten 3. Wyatt Goodale 4. Daxx Halpin 5. Scarlette Dumicich 6. Emily Gatz 7. Alexis Gatz
Photo credits: track photos
