Motorcyclist, 20, dies in Sonoma County Fairgrounds race

A 20-year-old motorcyclist died Sunday after a fierce crash with another rider during a race at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

The victim, identified on social media as a West Allis, Wisconsin, woman named Charlotte Kainz, crashed on the second turn of her heat in the Santa Rosa Mile at the fairgrounds race track, according to Becky Bartling, chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Fair.

Emergency dispatchers said they were notified of a major crash at the raceway at 12:18 p.m. but knew only that a patient was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where she apparently died.

Kainz, who just turned 20 last week, was racing on a Harley-Davidson 750 in the final event of the AMA Pro Flat Track 2016 Season when she collided with a male rider.

Barlting said she understood the other rider was taken to a local hospital but that his injuries were not life threatening.

Kainz last posted on her Facebook account on Sept. 20. It read, in part, “19 was probably my worst year by far, so I’m excited for what 20 has in store for me!”

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 707-521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.