Local Girl is Racing Champion

There have always been racing dynasties, from the Pettys, Andrettis, Allisons, Unsers, and Mears families down to the Busch brothers. And right here in Carson City we may be seeing the start of a new racing dynasty, unusual in the fact that it involves a pair of sisters.

Recently 10-year-old Kellcy Bell won the second championship of her young career in the competitive Red Bluff winter racing series for Outlaw Karts. Outlaw Karts are regular go-kart chassis with roll cage, bodywork, and a wing that give them the appearance of a mini-sprint car.

Bell's second title came in the competitive Box Stock division, karts powered by four-stroke Briggs & Stratton engines that achieve up to 35-40 miles per hour on the straightaways of the 1/10 to 1/8 mile tracks they run on. The 2006 Box Stock trophy will join her 2004 Beginner Box Stock championship cup on a rapidly growing shelf of trophies.

The younger Bell followed her sister Mackena into racing at 7 when the family decided that she needed to be kept busy while big sister was forging her own racing career. Kellcy was Rookie of the Year in her first season at a local Carson City track in 2002, finishing second in points.

In her short career she has garnered a second Rookie of the Year title in Box Stock, the prestigious Perpetual Trophy at Red Bluff, a Hard Charger award, and numerous heat race, main, and trophy dash victories. And although racing is still mostly a male bastion, Kellcy isn't at all intimidated by her competitors.

"It's pretty cool to beat all the boys," she says. In fact, Bell was the only female racer in the top 18 in points in the Box Stock division at Red Bluff this year. And she got an assist from a fellow female driver one weekend when fellow Carson City racer Jennifer Purcell substituted for her, keeping Kellcy in contention for the championship.

Like her older sister, 2005 Legends Champion at the now-defunct Champion Speedway in Carson City, Kellcy is looking for more challenges. Her Box Stock kart has been sold and she has moved up to a 250cc Intermediate kart. After her first test runs, learning to operate the clutch and shifter, she got out with a big grin and exclaimed, "Man, this thing is FAST!"

Kellcy is also something of a hero to her classmates in Mrs. Steel's fifth-grade class at Seeliger Elementary in Carson City.

"All the kids at school think (her racing) is really cool," said Kellcy's friend Jocelyn Young. The boys in her class are mostly impressed by the fact that she actually wins money at racing.

But what is probably the biggest factor in her success is the support of her family. And a huge part of that support comes from big sister Mackena. Although the girls are five years apart in age, they have a close bond due to their mutual love of racing. After Kellcy clinched her 2006 title, Mackena sent flowers to her at school.

And the rest of the family pitches in as well. Dad Kelly keeps the karts running and gives both girls competitive setups for the races. Family friend Ron Copeland helps with the race setups and Kenny Barrett assists with the painting. And of course, mom Shannon is head cheerleader for both girls and keeps track of the points.

It's truly a total family effort, and the results reflect this dedication. As Kelly told the girls when they first started racing, "When we go to the track, we want people to know that we've been there."

And on any given weekend, the Bell girls are viewed by their fellow racers as contenders for the win.

Of course, sponsorship is the lifeblood of racing, and success makes a racer more attractive to a potential sponsor. Kellcy recently picked up her first national sponsor, Bell Helmets. And a couple of new sponsors, Split 2nd Designs Websites and Tile Outlet of Carson City have been added to the list.

Ongoing sponsors are K. Bell Tile & Marble, Vital Signs, Joe the Chromer, Benny's Auto Painting, J. Millett Construction, and Clarence Marshall of Predator Motors, who built both of Kellcy's championship-winning engines.

If you want to keep up with the racing careers of Kellcy and Mackena, their websites are currently under development. Check out race results, calendars, and future events at www.mackenabell.com, www.kellcybell.com, or www.bellracing.com.