SKUSA CEO excited for this year’s Grand Prix
LANCASTER — The GoKart flew down Lancaster BLVD and slid through the intersection at Ehrlich Avenue.
The driver was checking for levels of grip on the asphalt.
Then he stepped from the Go-Kart and removed his helmet.
Call it the most unique homecoming of the football season. Tom Kutscher was home. “I’ve put these events on all over the place,” the President and CEO of SuperKarts! USA (SKUSA) said on the eve of the 11th Annual Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix powered by Toyota of Lancaster. “But this one is special. Lancaster is my favorite.
“We come here every year and they make us feel like family.”
About 150 of Kutscher’s closest friends, ranging from ages 5 to 45, will race the eighttenths of a mile course along the BLVD, Ehrlich and Beech Avenues and Milling Street through Sunday.
Eight different classes of Karts will take it to the streets, climaxing with the Southern California Pro Kart Challenge.
These more mature drivers, plainly hoping Karting will propel them to NASCAR and
IndyCar and IMSA, carry more powerful engines in their shifter Karts capable of challenging the 100 mph mark on the long straightaway from Beech to Ehrlich.
“This is the place people want to come,” Kutscher said. “It’s such a unique background, to be racing through the downtown streets of a city.
“And the city and the people of Lancaster make everyone feel so welcome.”
Friday is community day on the track. Sheriff’s Deputies and Firemen, businessmen, political leaders, clergy and other groups will enthusiastically compete wheel-to-wheel.
Friday night will also host the 2019 Karting for A Cure event.
Thirty drivers in three different heats sponsored by companies throughout the Valley will vie for the championship of RE/ MAX All Pro realtor Keny Terraciano’s event that helps children beset with lifethreatening diagnoses, and their families.
Kutscher interprets as an omen this will be the best Streets yet after the news that former two-time SOLGP champion Colton Herta started the week winning the IndyCar Series race at Laguna Seca Sunday.
“I remember when he was this tall racing here,” Kutscher said, holding his hand below his hip. “Now I have to ask him for his autograph.”