News

Carlee makes her Supernats Debut in Las Vegas!

The Rio Hotel was the site for the 2009 Supernationals XIII held in November in Las Vegas. Carlee was looking forward to running this race, as it is one of the most prestigious races in the United States. Racers from 55 countries were in attendance which made for some exciting on track action.

Carlee ran in the Tag Jr division, which had approximately 74 entries. Being a rookie in this division, she knew she had her work cut out for her. The week started with two days of practice followed by qualifying on Friday, one heat race, then two heat races on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.

Starting position is determined by how well you finish each of the heat races and Carlee showed she can race with the best of them. The first heat race she finished 11th, the second heat 19th, and the third heat 22nd after she made contact with another racer who had crashed in the middle of the track. All was not lost though, she ended up with a starting position of 34th for the main!

The main was an exciting race, with everyone making it through the first turn unscathed. After that though, the racers began falling like flies. Carlee made it to the 12th lap of the 20 lap main before getting hit from behind and ending her bid.

Overall, a very enjoyable time was had by all and Carlee came away looking forward to next year's race. Thank you to the Kutscher's for putting on a great event!

Carlee Makes Her HPV2 Debut!

Carlee has decided to move up to the next level of Go-Karting a few months early to get some seat time in before next year's competitions. She decided to go with a Tony Kart and is really enjoying her new ride! She had a great time at her first race in her new kart at LAKC on June 14th in Fontana. She qualified 3rd, finished 2nd in the pre-main and unfortunately got contact in the first turn which ultimately left her sitting out of the main. Overall, she had a great first run in her HPV2 and is looking forward to her next two race's in Fontana on July 18th and 19th.

July 18-19 Tri-C/LAKC Race Weekend

Carlee has been getting some more racing experience in her new Tony Kart. She raced the Tri-C/LAKC weekend race to get ready for the CKI Race to be held Aug. 6-8 at CalSpeed in Fontana. Saturday at the Tri-C race Carlee secured pole, won her pre-main, and took the checkered for the main - A triple play!

On Sunday at LAKC, Carlee geared up for another hot day of racing. She qualified 3rd, got some contact on the first turn in the pre-main which sent her to the back of the pack and then battled it back up to finish 5th. For the main Carlee was determined to make up the positions she lost in the pre-main. She came out of the first turn in 4th and made it to the lead of the pack for a few laps only to get over stuck and get caught by the pack. She was able to hang on for a 2nd place finish! Overall, a great weekend!

Championship Karting International Comes to Fontana August 7-9, 2009

The CKI's third race of the season was held in Fontana, California at the CalSpeed Kart Track. Carlee was able to have a great run in her first Tag Jr. event. Practice was held on Thursday, with qualifying on Friday, three heat races on Saturday, and a prefinal and a final on Sunday. Carlee qualified 14th out of a 22 kart field. Saturday became a battle to figure out how to set up the kart to manage the sticky track. Her first two heats on Saturday were consistent, a 10th and a 12th place finish, although she was frustrated by the way her kart was handling. By the 3rd heat her dad and engine/mechanic Alex Sanner finally had the kart where she wanted it. She finished 9th in the final heat and through the points system tied for ninth for the prefinal on Sunday.

The prefinal was uneventful for Carlee and she was able to keep her 10th place position to the checkered. For the 19 lap final, Carlee got a good start and was able to fight her way up to 7th, but after sliding around a turn fell back to 10th, then made another pass and finished in 9th.

Our next race is LAKC on Sept. 25th in Fontana, followed by the IKF race at Apex Kart Track in Perris, CA on Oct 3rd-4th.

IFK Region 7, February 2-3, 2008, Cal-Speed

Carlee ran the IKF Region 7 race at Cal Speed in Fontana, CA February 2-3, 2008, which was dry Saturday and then soaked everyone on Sunday. On Saturday, Carlee ran Junior 1 and Rookie Sportsman. In Junior 1 Carlee qualified 7th in a class of 33 racers. Due to engine issues, she finished in 11th place for the heat race and ended up 9th in the final. In the Rookie Sportsman class, Carlee qualified 5th but due to some contact in the hairpin early on in qualifying, lost her nose cone and was DQ. After starting last in a class of 18 Carlee finished the first heat in 8th place, then in the final she managed to pass five more karts to earn a 3rd place podium finish for the main.

On Sunday Carlee raced HPV-1 in the pouring rain, with puddles so big they had to cut part of the track. Due to a vote on the grid they decided to eliminate the heat race and run a 20 lap main. So after qualifying 15th in a class of 28, she finished 9th in the Heat race. Not too bad considering that 13 of the 28 didn’t even finish.

Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle Racing Shoot Out! Update:

Carlee had a great time running the Junior Ford Focus Midget around Irwindale Raceway on November 22nd. She did a great job and handled her first time on an oval track like a pro. The team was very happy with her effort and gave her a great report card. At this time we have to see where she wants to go with her racing…not sure she is ready to leave the Go-Kart world J. She’s having way too much fun!

California State Championships Nov. 28-30th, 2008 at Grange in Apple Valley, CA

Thanksgiving weekend was filled with beautiful weather and some great racing! Carlee really likes racing at Grange and this weekend was no different. Saturday started off with Junior One and Rookie Sportsman.

In Junior One Carlee qualified 4th out of a field of 21 racers. In the heat race Carlee finished 1st! Carlee had a great run in the main to bring home a 2nd place finish!

On the last turn of the main, Womack and Slater had a discussion and Carlee and Carter Williams were there to fill in the gaps.

Rookie Sportsman was a small field of 14 racers. Carlee qualified 3rd and finished the heat race in 3rd. The main started with a bang on turn one and the front of the pack quickly became the back of the pack with Carlee and Carter Williams tasting some dirt before rejoining the race. Carlee ended up having to recover from last place and made a great effort to finish in 2nd place!

Sunday started off cold and a little windy….Carlee only had HPV1 today and qualified 2nd behind Slater Stowell in the largest junior field of the weekend with 24 racers. With a great run Carlee finished 2nd in the heat race, but unfortunately got a DQ in the tech barn for not having the “Horstman” stamp on her carburetor cap and got to start 23rd in the main! Well, her dad warned the other racers on the grid to “look out! Because Carlee is coming and you’d better be ready!” They all had a good laugh, but Carlee had the last laugh as she flew by them one by one, and finished 3rd behind Slater in 1st, and Carter Williams in 2nd. What a run....23rd to 3rd, not bad for a girl , or a boy for that matter.

Next year brings a new racing season and along with that some new goals and racing stories. Carlee and her family want to thank everyone for all their support and friendship this season and we look forward to a great season in 2009!