In a couple of months, you’ll see one of the raddest young girls on two wheels line up as one of the industry’s finest supermini riders to race, yet again, at the 2018 Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas. If you don’t know her name or her story by then, you might get to feeling a little left out, because this girl’s got it and you’ll want to know it. She’s two time Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Amateur National Motocross Champion, Tayler Allred. We were fortunate enough to witness her superb skill on the track in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee for the championship at Loretta Lynn’s this year and she was kind enough to sit down and talk to us about her week at the ranch and answer some questions only a female talent such as herself could be capable of answering.
(Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.)
Erin Malcolm: Here we go. Before we dive into this, would you first give us a short introduction about yourself?
Tayler Allred: My name’s Tayler Allred. I’m 14 years old and I’m from Riverton, Utah. I race in the Girls (11-16), Women’s (12+) and Supermini 2.
EM: You’ve been on everyone’s radar in those classes for what seems like some time now. How long have you been riding?
TA: I started riding when I was two years old and started racing when I was four — and I instantly fell in love with the sport.
EM: Wow. So if we do some math here, you’ve already been racing for roughly 10 years now! Of those years, how many of them did you qualify for and race Loretta Lynn’s?
TA: I’ve qualified for Loretta’s six years in a row. My first year at Loretta’s was in 2013 and I have qualified to go ever since.
EM: Six years in a row? You must be consistent. In what ways have you seen yourself and the race progress over that five year span between your first time at the ranch in 2013 to this most recent one in 2018?
TA: My first year at Loretta’s I ended up 6th overall and just recently I won the championship! Definitely I have seen some progress just by increasing speed each year. And my results got better and better each year.
EM: That’s impressive! Congratulations on the gains, and moreover, the championship! Walk us through your 2018 week on the track in Hurricane Mills.
TA: Thank you! Yeah, Loretta’s this year was definitely one to remember. In the first moto of the Girls (11-16), I got the holeshot and Jazzmyn Canfield and I were battling throughout the entire moto! Last lap my bike started smoking and I fell back to second! Luckily, I was able to finish the race in 2nd and I ended up getting the moto win due to a protest that I was unaware of at the time. Second moto of the girls class, I got the holeshot and led the moto consistently! And the last moto I got the holeshot and Canfield got around me. I ended up getting 2nd that moto and it was enough to get the championship! In the women’s class I went 3-3-3 for third overall!
EM: Way to be! You were really exciting to watch in the Women’s (12+), too. We’re wondering what it’s like being one of only a handful of supermini riders in the class full of big bikes. What challenges does that throw at you and how do you manage to combat them so obviously well?
TA: Yeah, there are definitely some challenges being on a supermini competing against 250s. Obviously I’m down in horsepower on some parts of the track, but I really love racing against the bigger bikes because it makes me have to push and work that much harder!
EM: That’s an awesome outlook to have! You’re no slacker, that’s for sure. You say that you have to “work that much harder” and we can guess that applies in race situations, as well as in practice ones. Many young riders of your caliber choose to home school and ride at training facilities to better prepare themselves. Do you follow suit?
TA: I am still in public school! So it is a bit more challenging because I have to stay on top of school work and getting straight A’s along with training! But I love the social aspect that comes along with public school!
EM: Straight A’s and national championships?! Is there anything you can’t do?! So what are your plans moving forward in the near future then?
TA: I recently got invited to race Monster Cup, so I will be training for that and then I will start focusing on the 125 and getting used to the big bike.
EM: That’s huge! Congrats. It must feel pretty cool to be one of only a few females to have the opportunity to line up at such an event! Speaking of females and dirt bikes, what’s one thing that you would want to change about women’s motocross?
TA: I would definitely like to see bigger turn outs at more of the major and featured events for sure! As long as we have many women who show up to race their dirt bike at the races, then women’s motocross could definitely improve!
EM: Makes sense! You’re obviously a fantastic female role model in this sport. What advice do you have for other female riders or girls who want to ride who no doubt look up to you?
TA: My advice would be no matter how challenging the obstacle is, just dig in and never give up! Being a female in motocross can be challenging sometimes, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t have the speed and confidence to go and run up there with guys in the guys class!
EM: And you are living & breathing proof of those wise words. Thanks! Before we wrap this thing up, is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you to accomplish all of the monumental things that you have?
TA: Yes! Of course, my parents, Fly Racing, Dunlop, Scott, Maxima, RMX, DT1 Filters, Ryno Designs, Lynks Racing, Nihilo Concepts, Dubya, PR2 Suspension, SGMX, Flo, FMF. It wouldn’t be possible without all of their support.
