Short Life Well Lived For Florida Drag Racing Star Kat Moller

SARASOTA, FL — She was just 24 but Katarina Moller had already been racing professionally for five years when she climbed into her jet dragster Thursday night for an exhibition at Sebring Raceway. The night would bring a tragic end to a dream that began at age 11 for the Sarasota, Florida native.

Moller was conducting an exhibition of her jet engine-powered race car that is capable of reaching speeds close to 300 mph when she inexplicably crashed.

The incident, which is still under investigation, would take her life by night's end, leaving behind a grief-stricken community of fellow drivers and fans. For Moller, it was a short life, but one well lived doing what she always wanted to do.

"Moller was making her first run in the car at Sebring's regular drag-racing event," said officials at the central Florida track. "The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office."

Chris Larsen, CEO of Larsen Motorsports, which sponsored Moller in what began as an all-female team in 2014, was saddened by the loss.

“Kat has been part of our racing family for 5 years. We cannot begin to express our sorrow,” said Larsen. Your prayers in this very difficult time are appreciated.”

Moller's team competed in the Jet Dragster division of the International Hot Rod Association, in which specially modified cars burn 25 gallons of fuel in under six seconds as they hurl down a quarter-mile track in fewer than six seconds. They shriek and throw out plumes of smoke over the rumble of a jet engine.

According to her bio, Moller's favorite movie was "Cars" and her favorite song was the theme from the television show "Batman."

Her love of racing began when she was only 11. But that was almost a given considering her father and brother raced sports cars, drag cars, drift cars and off shore power boats. She herself began racing NHRA Jr. Dragsters at age 11 before graduating to a Ford Mustang, Super Pro Chevy Vega, her dad’s Top Alcohol dragster and, ultimately, a jet dragster.

"Kat had the need for speed! She started racing her Jr. Dragster and loved every minute of the race!," according to her bio. "Kat worked her way up and soon talked her dad into driving their sportsman Mustang and his dragster!"

A former International Baccalaureate student in high school, she later earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

“We knew Kat well and were big fans of her personality and her driving skill,” said Wayne Estes, president and general manager of the track where she was putting on the exhibition. “Sebring International Raceway and the entire racing community are heartbroken.”

When she was not racing, Moller enjoyed spending time with her friends and her pet cat, Girzzabella, even referring to herself as a "crazy cat lady.

Her family posted a message to fans on social media.

"Katerina's mother, father and brother, Thomas, would like to send their thanks and love to all of Katarina Moller fans and friends in this time of our need," the message said. "The funeral arrangements are for Monday at 6 p.m. at the Epiphany Cathedral Church in downtown Venice and the burial is at Tuesday 11 a.m. Sarasota Memorial Park."

Watch Moller's video to fans before Thursday's tragedy:

The Highlands Sherriff’s Office has asked that anyone with video of the crash contact investigators at 863-402-7250 or via email at [email protected].