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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
