She may be just a rookie, but she is turning even the veterans
heads.
She may be just a rookie, but she is turning even the veterans heads.
After just her second ever race on June 28, Morgan Hill’s Katie Arnerich, 21, took fifth place at Watsonville’s Motorized Mayhem.
Arnerich has loved racing all her life. On Sundays, she used to watch Nascar races with her father. The young racer got her start through Steve Bisordi, who was dating her mom.
“My boys and I race,” Bisordi said. “And we’ve been friends for a long time. She has always shown an interest. I said, ‘well, lets see if we can find you an enduro-car.’”
They found a yellow 1977 Chevrolet Camero with a role cage, and she claimed it as her own.
Bisordi and his sons race in the American Stock Class, which run Fridays. Arnerich hopes to eventually do the same.
Last month’s race was the first time that she had completed a race by herself. Despite a few minor car problems, Arnerich did better than she expected.
“My car ran great,” Arnerich said. “It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.”
Arnerich has always had an interest in race cars, but she had only raced one other time prior to this event.
Last September, she finished ninth overall in a race that had about 60 participants. In that race, she was switching off with another driver, and the switch-aroo cost her a few laps.
But driving is becoming easier as she continues to practice, and she saw a considerable improvement from one race to another.
“I noticed a big difference from driving this time to last,” Arnerich said “I’m getting more comfortable in driving on a real muddy track. My handling is improving, and I’m recovering better as people run into me.”
Arnerich was pitted 35-40 cars in the 200 lap stock car enduro race. The two-hour race was full of bumps and scraps, but she was able to hang on and finish.
“They’re grueling,” Bisordi said. “Just to finish that is a pretty good achievement. I’ve done several of them, and the best I’ve ever done was sixth.”
An enduro race consists of cars trying to be the first to complete a set of laps. Both Arnerich and Bisordi described the event as a need to endure. They are long races in tough conditions and competition.
“People can get real aggressive,” Arnerich said. “I think I am getting real aggressive holding my own against seasoned drivers.”
Arnerich was happy to have made just one pit stop for a flat tire, noting it could have been worse.
“I did get stuck,” she said. “It was kind of tough. I lost 26 laps.”
Two to three races are held per year. There are no caution flags, and the race only stops if the track is blocked, a car is on fire or a driver is injured. Pit stops are permitted as needed. The track is muddied to make the race more difficult.
“She’s just a tiny thing, and she out drove these guys,” said Bisordi. “Man I wish I could drive that good.”
Currently she has only done enduro races, but she hopes to move up. Arnerich’s next race will be October 4.
