Tracking a Champion: Getting to know the up and coming Tayla Relph

Well how can words ever do justice in describing the sensations and the absolute thrill of racing a motorcycle on a track? Honestly, I just don't think that any form of communication whether text, video footage, nor the beautiful aural engine notes (and screams) that go with, can ever really provide an access to the experience of getting out there and doing it. The best explanation I can offer is that it feels like you are flying just above the ground; an immense freedom and thoroughly enjoyable feeling as the ground blurs past beneath you, faster and faster with a twist of the wrist as you climb through the gears. It is awesome.

One young lady who understands this all too well is Tayla Relph, who I was fortunate to meet and learn from during a track day earlier in the year at Morgan Park Raceway. Tayla

Tayla Relph in an interview on One HD

 has been riding since the age of three and this year went on to win the 2013 QLD Championships in the Superlites class (Moto 3 and 125's) at 16 years of age. Her career highlights include a pole position at Phillip Island, racing in the Red Bull Rookie Challenge in 2012, and Tayla has once more been selected for the 2013 Red Bull wildcard challenge and will be competing in Spain on the 17th and 18th of October. Miss Relph finished the Australian Superbike Championships (ASBK) season in 3rd place overall in a very close contest for 2nd; she is the only girl in the field.
Here is a link to Tayla's epic crash from the Darwin round; her bike (Rex) running over her neck and chest, however, this did little to deter Tayla's love and passion for the sport as she continued on like a true champion to claim a podium finish in the race the next day.


Injuries from the crash

I think Tayla was channelling some courage and racing spirit from her favourite rider, Moto GP Rookie and shaping up to be World Champion - Marc Marquez. Surely there is no doubt left as to whether girls can be as tough as boys in the sport of road racing with young talents such as Tayla Relph climbing through the ranks. Her goal is to race as a wildcard in the Moto 3 at Phillip Island next year and then sign with a team from there; this will make Tayla the first Australian female rider in the Moto GP.

Tayla in action at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick, QLD

There are certain limitations or sacrifices that have to be made when pursuing a career as a professional motorcycle racer. Since the age of 15 Tayla has been doing home schooling so that she can make it to all of the events on the ASBK circuit, which are held all over the country. This means that with the help and support from her Mum Kirsty (and many more), the two cover thousands and thousands of kilometres in their trusty mobile racing van. Not to mention the countless parties that Tayla misses out on attending inside of her commitment to achieving her dreams, but the young star is adamant that she would not have it any other way; there is simply nothing else she would rather be doing. It is inspiring and infectious to speak with her, she is a living demonstration of doing whatever it takes to fulfil on her goals with an unwavering 'never say die' attitude; one we can all learn from.

The end of Nomadbiker... Rise from the ashes Nomadcycler!!!

Well...

What an awfully interesting little journey this year in the life of life has been. Let me start by looking at one of the more significant-yet surprising- events of the year. I LOST MY LICENCE :O

This would have broken my lil heart only a couple of months ago, in fact I was dragging out the process tooth and nail before the final day came where... well nothing happened, you just have to choose to stop driving cars or riding motorcycles on public roads or you are severely breaching the law! It's actually quite a non-event. Something should happen. But it doesn't, you've already received your letters in the mail warning you of the day, and only so much calling up lawyers and discussing options can happen before you finally realise that the there's really just the one thing to do: get responsible for the consequences of your actions. However, my limits were quite extreme, I considered many, many alternatives before finally giving in to this; I considered flying to Perth and getting a WA licence before they'd processed my fines through the transport department, I thought heavily about going overseas, most likely to South East Asia for the period which my licence will be suspended (6 months) so that I could continue to 'ride on'.

It was truly liberating to finally accept that I had been irresponsible, and that with current laws, the consequence is that I have a period of exploration... where I get to understand the world newly, or at least the ways in which I manoeuvre around within it. So far I've been truly fortunate to have so many helpful friends willing to drive me places when necessary, although I get that this could really get old pretty quickly for them considering it's only been a few weeks. Hence I am creating this period of licence-lessness as an opportunity to really work on my fitness!! I've always wanted to take my fitness to a significantly higher level. Running has always been enjoyable for me, put some music in and of you go yogging, but it's not really the best way to get around and carry uni books etc. Or for arriving anywhere further than 5km in anything less than an ocean of sweat and not to mention how time consuming running can become at distances greater than that...

So I am very excited to step into the world of the Lycra wearing madmen!! *(Don't actually plan on wearing any Lycra, but I cannot promise anything). The formerly known Nomadbiker (at least one person has called me that on at least one occasion...) will aptly become the Nomadcycler :P

Thus far it has been a pretty darn fun experience, well except for having a chain snap two times in 5 days already... I think that my mate Jack, who's bike I'd been borrowing, was just trying to sabotage me as we're in combat/competition for a Triathlon that is coming up in a couple of months time. So I will most likely be getting this half decent road bike. I would love any feedback on this bike as well... plus I'm looking to figure out what size frame to get, it ranges from 46-62cm. I have literally no understanding of this measurement.

This is also my first post on the new blog 'Look Who's Torquing Now' :D
I will be posting about all things automotive related, cars and motorcycles as I love them both. Please contribute where you think the posts could be improved, or suggest articles you may like to see written and just offer your general feedback :)

Thanks for reading readers.