WHAT IS YOUR JOB ON THE FAMILY “ TEAM ” AS FAR AS COMPETITION GOES ?
RENEE : I made sure that the gear was clean and washed , I planned the meals , I made sure everything was ready to go . I was working at the time , too , so I was working , coming home , and preparing . I was also working in off-road and planning my off-road events . It was very hectic . I was also hauling race equipment because we rented out the back of our trailer . Coming home , I would spend the next couple days organizing and trying to get everything up and online by Wednesday , send all my licenses in . You wonder " how did I do it ?" But you just did it , you just make it work .
DIANE : I ’ m in charge of getting everything ready for the travel , his nutrition and what he should eat for breakfast . I prepare his drinks , race bottles , and anything that ' s convenient that he can grab quickly when he stops for his pit stops . I ' m in charge of organizing his pit stops , his gas , I make sure that his goggles , gloves , and clothes are ready . I make sure he has enough to keep him hydrated .
It ' s a lot , but my role is basically just to support in every way . Right before he goes to the line , I massage his arms , stretch his arms , his muscles , his neck , and make sure he ' s ready . I wouldn ' t miss it for anything . [ laughs ] It ' s funny , whenever we leave to go anywhere , everyone says " have a good trip , have fun , get some rest " and I ' m like , " this is a job , there is no rest ; it ' s non-stop work !"
MICHELE : My job is everything that ' s not directly motorcyclerelated : if Nationals are during the school year , I arrange all of the travel and accommodations for us and the minders ; I ’ m in charge of food ( breakfast , lunch , dinner , snacks ), keeping the RV stocked with everything they need to be successful , even making sure they have clean gear .
RENEE , WHAT ’ S IT LIKE RAISING A GIRL IN A MOTORCYCLE SPORT ?
RENEE : Shelby made it pretty easy on us to a certain degree because she always wanted to hang out with her brother ; they are 18 months apart , so we never really treated them any different . when she ' d go to the races , there weren ' t any other girls who wanted to ride dirt bikes , and if there was , they wanted to play dolls , and Shelby didn ' t want to do that , so she always hung out with the guys , and I think that ' s what always pushed her to keep going and keep competing .
VOL . 6 ISSUE 5 - MAY 2021 // PAGE 41