16-year-old Gilroy racer earns black plate in flat-track
series.
GILROY – Eight races into the AMA District 36 Championship Flat-track Series, local dirtbiker Kenny Carlotta had an important decision to make – remain in the B-novice class or advance into the A-expert class.
If Carlotta – who dominated the B field early on – was to move up, he would lose all his series points and start from zero in the tougher expert division. If he finished out the season in the novice division, Carlotta was well on his way to another series championship.
“I could have stayed in B, but I wanted to move up,” the Gilroy High sophomore said. “In B, I was winning all the time. I just ran away with it.”
The 16-year-old Gilroy-native decided to battle with the big boys in the A-expert class – even though the season was halfway completed. On his 600cc Rotax cycle, Carlotta raced to 16 top-five finishes at the Lodi Cycle Bowl as well as placing second at the West Coast Amateur Nationals and third at the 25-lap 100cc A race at the fourth-annual Toby Jorgenson Memorial event.
“It was just the way I thought it would be. You’re not going to be the winner in every race. It’s always someone different because everyone is at the same level,” said Carlotta, who took home the number five black plate in the AMA District 36 dirt track series. “I was happy with how I finished. I had to make up some races. I beat about half the field and I made the main every night.”
At the Club Moto Track in Livermore, Carlotta zoomed to five top-five finishes and placed second overall in that series.
But it wasn’t easy for the five-foot-seven, 110-pounder – who was one of the youngest riders on the A-level amateur circuit.
“In the beginning, they want to show you who’s boss,” said Carlotta, who was pushed around by the bigger riders in the expert field. ” Then, I started to push back. Now, I keep right up on them. I catch them on the corners.”
In his first A race, Carlotta was too fast out of the gates – getting eliminated because of a false start. But in his second A race, he “just waited until the green and just rode my race and not worry about (the other riders).”
With five races remaining in the series, the flat-track speed demon had already secured one of 15 black plates given to the top riders. Despite missing the opening set of races while down at the B level, Carlotta was only 125 points from the series champion.
“You get 25 points per win for each race so I probably would have been right there,” said Carlotta, who looks forward to a full season in the A class starting in March. “I’m hoping to try to get the B Plate 1. I’m not going to miss any of the races. I know if some other guys miss them, they won’t catch me.”
Carlotta also hopes to earn enough points to receive his Pro Sport Card – which would allow him to compete in some professional series races next season.
“I want to take it as far as I can go. Next year I want to stay in the pro sport and get the points. After that, go hit all pro events that I can,” said Carlotta, who began his racing career at age 10 in 1997. “I just went out there for the weekend. I just wanted to try it. I took second. I just kept on going to the next race after that.”
Since then, Carlotta has caught the eye of several flat-track enthusiasts and picked up many sponsors – including Helmut European Accessories in San Jose; Gilroy Motorcycle Center; Steve’s Silk Screening in Morgan Hill; Bob Bacosa Photography; Daytona Boots; Gilroy Tire and Brake; Scott Composites; and Lindemann Engineering.
In addition, Carlotta is sponsored by Diamond Signs in Gilroy; Fritter Schulz Physical Therapy; Mother’s Polishes, Waxes, Cleaners; Hogue Brother’s Body Shop in Gilroy; RAB Racing Products; A & A Racing; Dan Delwiche in Gilroy; and Steve Welch Welding & Fabrication in Gilroy.
“Everyone helped me along the way that has been sponsoring me,” said Carlotta, wanting to thank all of his sponsors.
While Carlotta is a tough competitor on the track, he also enjoys passing along some of his knowledge to the younger riders. Before, after, and in-between races, Carlotta – who has a 3.0 GPA going at Gilroy High – helps out around camp.
“We really enjoy how the other parents come up and comment on how Kenny is such a good child,” said Larry Carlotta, who is always by his son’s side as part of the Whole Lotta Carlotta Racing Team. “It makes us feel good because it’s not only about the racing.”
In the offseason, Carlotta plans on attending the Jason Pridmore Star School to learn how to handle the road races. In addition, Carlotta intends on doing some cross-country hair scrambles (about nine miles) to stay in shape and on the bike. Also up in the air is a trip to Daytona, Florida as well as some national events.
“It’s fun,” said Carlotta of his racing endeavors. “I just want to get faster and learn more stuff.”
