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Feb. 05, 2010
UT’s Kelsie Huth Helps Host South African Race
Participating in the first stock car race in South Africa, Kelsie Huth
’10, Student Government president, flew south of the equator to help ASA
Racing with its marketing and logistics.
“The experience was truly incredible. The way that ASA was able to create the most unique partnership -- bringing together people from all over the world -- made for two weeks that I will never forget,” said Huth, who was in South Africa Jan. 21 to Feb. 3. “This is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Huth’s father, Dennis Huth, owns ASA Racing and invited Kelsie to participate in the event, ASA Transcontinental Series Free State 500, South Africa’s inaugural American style, oval track race with stock cars. The event took place Jan. 31 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa.
The UT senior isn’t new to racing – she grew up around the stock-car scene in Daytona and interned for a racing company there as well. Huth, who is majoring in international business with a minor in Spanish, said the South African experience has helped her grow academically.
“To get to work on the marketing and planning of a project this size gives me real-world experience,” Huth said. “It is my dad’s company, but I’m working with so many people from so many walks of life.”
One of Huth’s responsibilities was managing the VIPs, including Donald Gips, the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, and Ace Magashule, the Premier of the Free State (the head of government of the Free State province of South Africa.) Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, was invited but due to his health, was unable to attend.
The event hosted drivers from around the world and Americans like 1986 Daytona 500 champion Geoff Bodine, Marc Davis, Steve Carlson, Gary Lewis, and female drivers Tiff Daniels and Toni McCray.
“The experience was truly incredible. The way that ASA was able to create the most unique partnership -- bringing together people from all over the world -- made for two weeks that I will never forget,” said Huth, who was in South Africa Jan. 21 to Feb. 3. “This is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Huth’s father, Dennis Huth, owns ASA Racing and invited Kelsie to participate in the event, ASA Transcontinental Series Free State 500, South Africa’s inaugural American style, oval track race with stock cars. The event took place Jan. 31 at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa.
The UT senior isn’t new to racing – she grew up around the stock-car scene in Daytona and interned for a racing company there as well. Huth, who is majoring in international business with a minor in Spanish, said the South African experience has helped her grow academically.
“To get to work on the marketing and planning of a project this size gives me real-world experience,” Huth said. “It is my dad’s company, but I’m working with so many people from so many walks of life.”
One of Huth’s responsibilities was managing the VIPs, including Donald Gips, the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, and Ace Magashule, the Premier of the Free State (the head of government of the Free State province of South Africa.) Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, was invited but due to his health, was unable to attend.
The event hosted drivers from around the world and Americans like 1986 Daytona 500 champion Geoff Bodine, Marc Davis, Steve Carlson, Gary Lewis, and female drivers Tiff Daniels and Toni McCray.
"Between
the South African animals, the beautiful country, the welcoming people
and the race, I was wowed from beginning to end," Huth said. "I'm
telling the truth when I say that I wanted to 'accidentally' miss my
flight back home, because it was the type of experience you never want
to end."
For more information about the Free State 500, visit www.phakisa.com or www.freestate500.com.
Jamie Pilarczyk, Web Writer
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