06/15/2026
The karting world has lost a legend . CH Kelly (Yogi) was a great friend, engine builder, and machinists. He could pretty much could do anything. Yogi was one of the ones that helped get 4 cycle karting up and running. I have so many childhood memories being around him, but I do have one particular story . As a very young kid we were at East Mountain Speedway. Wyatt Brinkley was driving for Yogi, Wyatt won that night on a brand new kart and Honda open of Yogi’s. If anyone knew Yogi, he always had first class equipment. Wyatt picked me up after the race, put me in seat with him & rode me around East Mountain Speedway wide open. I was having a blast but that wasn’t good enough. Wyatt went out into the wet grass and spun us around and around, let’s just say I was hooked on karting since that night. When we returned to the trailer Yogi was shaking his head and told Wyatt, can’t believe u carried that boy out there cutting the fool on a brand new kart and motor😂. Yogi and my dad Lawrence were close friends, they talked to one another all the time even after racing. Lawrence and Yogi traveled to a lot of races together and even worked together on engines in that old red barn at Yogi’s house. We had an old racers reunion back in January at our shop, and the reason we had it was because Yogi wanted to get together with all his old racing friends and I’m so glad we made that happen. I appreciate everyone that came out that day, and I appreciate everything Yogi has done for me and my dad over the years. He will be truly missed. #38 & # 52 forever!
- Derek Hedgepeth
