Women In Superbike Racing: Breaking Barriers And Making History – Disruptive Women: MotoAmerica Road Racer Kayla Yaakov, 16, of Rahal Ducati Moto, Talks About the Three Things You Need to Disrupt Your Industry
…I’m breaking barriers for young girls across the country. I want to prove that women can run professionally like everyone else!
Women In Superbike Racing: Breaking Barriers And Making History
As part of our series about women who are shaking things up in their industry, we had the pleasure of interviewing 16-year-old Kayla Yaakov, MotoAmerica road racer for Rahal Ducati Moto.
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Kayla Yaakov, the youngest woman in MotoAmerica in the SuperSport category! Kayla’s monumental growth from the Mini Cup ranks to her debut in the 2024 SuperSport class is a testament to her courage and determination. At age 15, Kayla was the first woman to win a MotoAmerica race. Kayla races for Rahal Racing, teaming with legendary Indy Car driver Bobby Rahal and his son Graham Rahal. Now 16 years old, she continues to break barriers in the motorcycling community, and with her recent move to one of MotoAmerica’s upper classes, Kayla is ready for another great year riding her Ducati SuperSport motorcycle with the support of a top racing team.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would like to know you a little more. Can you tell us a little about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
My father was a racer for 15 years, racing both cars and motorcycles. I saw a news article with my dad and wanted to try the race! I started out in karting, but it never really stuck with me. I asked to try motorcycles, and at 3 years old I started riding and racing on flat track! From there, I thrived in motocross and road racing, eventually ending up where I am today, competing in North America’s premier road racing series, MotoAmerica.
I would say what I do is disruptive in the sense that I’m breaking barriers for young girls across the country. I want to prove that women can run professionally like everyone else!
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Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting out? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from it?
When I first started, I was riding three-wheelers and trying to go too fast on the grassy hill near my house. I ended up flipping it around the corner and learned how to position myself better on a bike!
We all need a little help along the journey. Who were some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
I would say my biggest mentor has been Ben Spies, as he has really helped me with all aspects of racing. From training to racing to helping me make the best decisions for my future, he has helped me so much.
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In today’s parlance, being disruptive is generally a positive adjective. But is disruption always a good thing? Conversely, when do we say that a system or structure has “withstood the test of time”? Can you explain to our readers when disrupting an industry is positive, and when disrupting an industry is “not so positive”? Can you share some examples of what you mean?
I think disruption in an industry can be positive when it inspires and influences a group of people in a very positive way. Disruptions not only draw attention to a sport or position, but they also give people a voice through certain people or movements. Whether it’s female drivers paving the way for young girls in series like IndyCar or Formula car racing, or different people and personalities showing that it’s okay to be different in the world of sport, disruptions have the ability to inspire and motivate others to follow in the disruptor’s footsteps.
Can you share 3 of the best pieces of advice you’ve received throughout your journey? Please give a story or example for each.
I hope to be at the front of the pack racing this season in the MotoAmerica SuperSport class. Then move on to the SuperBike category before racing in Europe at the highest level in the coming years!
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In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges that “disruptive women” face that their male counterparts generally do not face?
I think one of the biggest challenges is that we are not taken seriously or seen as less feminine than others because of our athleticism.
Do you have a book/podcast/talk that has had a profound impact on your thinking? Can you share a story with us?
I would say that the discussions I had with my father really influenced me. We’ve been running and traveling together since day one, and he’s always been someone I’ve looked up to. Whether it was about car racing or just ordinary life, his words influenced me considerably.
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You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be? You never know what your idea might trigger. 🙂
It may not be original, but I would like to start a movement where people are much less judgmental. Where people connect more around motorcycles, because we’re just humans who love motorsport!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you tell us how this has been relevant to you in your life?
“Never give up” has always been a quote that has stuck with me. No matter what happens in life, you never give up, because you never know what will happen next!
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Vanessa is a strategy manager specializing in modern parenting brands. Vanessa is also a widely read columnist, speaker and advisor. In the world of motorcycle racing, where speed, precision and raw talent reign supreme, few dare to challenge the status quo. Leanne Nelson, a remarkable woman with a passion for the adrenaline of two wheels, has broken glass ceilings and become a force to be reckoned with in this male-dominated sport. Her notable achievements, including being the first woman to finish on the podium at the prestigious Australian Tourist Trophy and becoming the fastest woman on a 1000cc motorcycle at the Eastern Creek circuit, have cemented her status a true pioneer in the world of sport. Motorcycle racing.
Leanne Nelson etched her name into the annals of motorcycle racing history when she became the first woman to finish on the podium in the demanding Australian Tourist Trophy. Known for its grueling nature and world-class competition, the race requires an unrivaled level of skill, concentration and endurance.
Leanne’s achievement was not only a personal triumph, but also a testament to the resilience and perseverance of women in motorsport. By defying expectations and proving her mettle against some of the best riders in the world, she has shattered stereotypes and inspired countless aspiring riders to fearlessly pursue their dreams.
Africa Eco Race Archives » The Girl On A Bike
Leanne Nelson’s prowess on the track goes beyond breaking barriers at prestigious races. Her title as the fastest woman on a 1000cc motorcycle at the Eastern Creek circuit showcases her exceptional speed and skills. This accomplishment is a testament to his innate talent, unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.
By constantly pushing boundaries and striving to reach greater heights, Leanne Nelson has become a role model for aspiring runners, regardless of gender. Her achievements highlight the importance of resilience, hard work and refusing to be confined by societal norms or gender stereotypes. Valerie Thompson has accomplished a lot in 15 years of motorcycle racing, but she’s not ready to put on the brakes anytime soon. .
Valerie Thompson might say that her lucky number is 376.363. This is the speed in miles per hour she recorded while riding her BUB 7 Streamliner motorcycle on that fateful course to achieve the status of “the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer.” And that number could change, because she has no plans to put a damper on her dreams anytime soon. At 52, she is an eight-time land speed record holder, a member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, listed as one of Dealernews’ “Top 100 Powersports Leaders.” She also starred in a Super Bowl commercial and appears on Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions television shows as a celebrity vehicle presenter.
Although she is also the only woman to make the “Top 10 Fastest Motorcyclists in the World” list, Thompson prefers to think that she is paving the way for other women to excel in the male-dominated world of racing. of land speed motorcycles. Certainly, that motivation shines through in the upcoming documentary “Rockets and Titans,” from executive producer Dana Brown and P-51 Pictures. Brown, whose best-known film credits are the award-winning “Step into Liquid” (one of the highest-grossing sports documentaries in history) and “Out of Nothing,” an equally acclaimed documentary about motorcycle racing that showed Thompson continuing his quest along the way. of