Carlotta wins first main, then takes second to claim top spot in
AMA District Standings.
VALLEJO – In his first full season on his 600 Rotax cycle, Gilroy rider Kenny Carlotta is off to a fast start – sitting atop the AMA District 36 leaderboard after the first two events of the 35-race season.
“One through five every week,” said Carlotta, of what it is going to take to win the points series championship outright this year. “(You need) a good bike and to get off to good starts.”
Carlotta – a sophomore at Gilroy High – took the checkered flag in the opening race March 1 in Vallejo, winning his heat and the main.
“My goal is to just try to get top-fives every race and try to get number one,” Carlotta said. “It was pretty intense, pretty competitive. Everyone is so equal. It worked for me that night. Who knows next week.”
In Saturday’s main event, Carlotta was second on the starting line and fifth off the light. He positioned his bike on the very bottom of the track on the first full lap before gliding past his competition for first place.”
“The bottom force drifts you out. I cut off four guys. That put me in second,” Carlotta said. “Right before the white flag went down, I went low, the other guy went high and he pushed me out wide. But because he went too fast it was enough (force) to cut in front of him.”
Last weekend, Carlotta followed up with a second-place finish in the Open A class for his 600 Rotax.
In addition to racing on his 600 Rotax, Carlotta also competed on his 450cc cycle the past two weekends – finishing third on both nights.
“That was the first time I even started the bike,” said Carlotta of racing his 450cc. “I was just playing around with it, trying to see how it was going to handle and getting used to it. I really barely even rode it.”
The 16-year-old flat-track champ is hoping to get his pro-sport license by season’s end. Carlotta, considered an up-and-comer in the Open A class, also wants the No. 1 plate.
The Whole Lotta Carlotta Racing Team would like to thank its sponsors: A&A Racing, San Carlos; Bob Bacosa Photography; Dan Delwiche, Gilroy; Daytona Boots; Diamond Signs, Gilroy; Fritter & Schulz Physical Therapy, Gilroy; Gilroy Motorcycle Center; Gilroy Tire and Brake; Helimot European Accessories, San Jose; Hogue Brother’s Body Shop, Gilroy; Maxxis Tires at A&A Racing; Mothers Polishes, Waxes, Cleaners; RAB Racing Products; Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp, Benicia; Scott Composites at A&A Racing; Shoei Helmets; Steve’s Silk Screening, Morgan Hill; Steve Welch Welding & Fabrication, Gilroy; and a special thanks to Kurt Jacobsen for all his help when we needed it most.”
