User:Stotz1/Kent Stotz

Kent Stotz has been racing motorcycles ever since he was 19. He started in motocross, but was told he was too old to go to nationals. He then turned to drag racing. His first team was with T. J. Hofmeister on the Mr. Turbo Funny Bike team from 1981-1986. Kent didn't start his own racing team, Stotz Racing, until 1992. That was the beginning of his dynasty. Since the time that Stotz Racing was started, Kent Stotz has won 4 AMA Prostar Street Bike Shootout National Championships, broken the speed record numerous times, and trained his son, Frank Stotz, as his successor.

Early Career
Kent Stotz first started riding when he got his first dirt bike at age 12. He became very good and started racing motocross at the age of 19. Even though he was very good at it, his sponsor told him he was too old to go to nationals. So he changed gears and decided to drag race instead. From the years of 1981-1986, he worked with T.J. Hofmeister on the Mr. Turbo Funny Bike team. He mostly worked as a mechanic for the team, but when he wasn't wrenching he was racing. I was with them that he learned most of his bike tuning knowledge, which he then added to in later years when he raced on his own. With his love and knowledge of the sport, he worked closely with the AMA to develop rules that would eventually govern the AMA/Prostar Streetbike Shootout class. The AMA/Prostar rules permitted the use of turbocharging or nitrous oxide, allowed a maximum wheelbase of 68 inches, at least two inches of ground clearance, a working headlight and taillight, a fully-functional charging system and DOT-approved tires. Wheelie bars could not be used.

Stotz Racing
Kent started Stotz Racing in 1992. He raced with his electronically fuel-injected (EFI) turbocharged Suzuki GSX-R1100. His skill and customization of the bike won him his first championship in 1995. After his new title though, his family and home business started to take time out of the time spent on the track. It wasn't until 1998 that he had won his next AMA Prostar championship with his 1995 water cooled Suzuki GSX-R1100. These two wins really gained him recognition. In 1999, he was called by Charlie Keller of the Honda Rider's Club of America and was asked to use their CBR1100XX in trade for a sponsorship. He was glad to have some corporate sponsorship because up until then he had be funding his hobby with his own money.

With his new bike he began setting speed record after speed record. In 1999, he set the record of 180.75 mph. The very next year he broke it again and set the bar to 185.15 mph. In 2001, he set the national record for time and speed at 7.75 seconds at 189.31 mph and won his third championship. His fourth and final championship came in 2002. In 2004, he broke the national records 7 times and was the first person to set a 200 mph record. It was after this year that he started to relax a little and tune the bikes more than race. His son Frank who had always been infatuated with motorcycles started to pick up where he left off. He raced occasionally in 2007-2010, but it was 2011 that proves to be his big year. Frank Stotz set the new time record for the AMA/Prostar Streetbike Shootout class at 7.105 seconds. Kent called it the greatest moment of his career. “I’ve set records and won plenty of races and it was sweet,” Kent Stotz said. “But watching my son do it for the first time was twice as sweet.”

Sponsors
Stotz Racing has many suppliers and sponsors. The primary sponsor is Honda Rider's Club of America. They have supplied the CBR1100XX and VTX1800 motorcycles that Kent races. Blackstone Tek Wheels and Mickey Thompson supply the tires for the motorcycles. Falicon Crankshaft Components supply connecting rods and clutch baskets. Star Racing performs all of the cylinder head work. JE Pistons supply the pistons. Air-Tech Streamlining produces the custom body panels. HyperPro Racing Suspension supply the shocks. Other various sponsors include Racing Fuel, Des Plaines Honda, Win Racing, and Mobile Dynamometer.

Personal Gear

 * Helmet
 * Brand- Scorpion. Model- EXO 700
 * Leathers
 * Brand- Joe Rocket. Model- Drag suit
 * Gloves
 * Brand- Joe rocket. Model- Speed Master
 * Boots
 * Brand- Joe rocket. Model- Speed Master