Meet Shayna Texter-Bauman: The Winningest Rider in American Flat Track Singles Racing

Shayna Texter-Bauman has taken the literal roughest tracks to develop into a revered feminine racer in flat monitor competitors. The now 31-year-old grew to become the first-ever lady to win the American Pro Singles Class in flat monitor racing again in 2011 and at present stays the “winningest rider in American Flat Track Singles History,” with 19 victories to her identify. After conquering the Singles’ class, she was prepared to tackle one thing larger, more difficult, and in addition, her household, coming into the SuperTwins class with Indian for the 2022 AFT season. Jalopnik spoke with the winningest rider about the way it began, the way it’s going, the triumphs, the struggles and what competing with and towards household is like.

Lalita Chemello: Let’s begin with the fundamentals. How would you greatest describe flat monitor racing to any individual who doesn’t know something about it?

Shayna Texter-Bauman: So, flat-tracking is definitely the oldest type of bike racing right here in America. We take bikes and race on filth ovals all throughout the nation, whether or not it’s a dash automotive monitor, and even horse services. And we go 100 miles an hour sliding into the nook with the rear brake solely. I at all times say the closest type of racing to us is dash automotive racing. But the distinction is that they’ve a roll cage and, and 4 wheels — and we do the identical, with two.

LC: And then so far as bike specs that race on flat tracks — what are the distinct lessons or differentiations that you’d see?

STB: In the American flat monitor collection on the professional stage, there are three lessons that at the moment race this collection. There’s a Single Cylinder class, which is the 450 motocross manufacturing bikes. So they use the precise motocross chassis, they usually decrease the bike right down to flat monitor specs and put 19-inch tires, entrance and rear. Basically you might enroll and race that class. There are, you recognize, clearly completely different modifications which can be finished with the engines, these varieties of issues in all three lessons.

Then there’s the Production Twins class, which my brother races in. That class specifically makes use of road bike primarily based engines which can be in manufacturing. So you’ll see Yamaha, KTM, Kawasaki – all of them use an engine that comes out of a road bike that’s put right into a purpose-built chassis for our sport. And then there’s the Super Twins class, which is extra of a prototype class, you’re allowed to race the manufacturing engines within the class, however you’re additionally allowed to race solely particular engines. Which is what the FTR [750 for Texter-Bauman] is — a function constructed bike for our sport. The similar with the Harley Davidson XR 750.

LC: Every rider, racer has an origin story. What is yours?

STB: One factor that’s actually particular about American Flat Track is that there’s a whole lot of generational riders. I’m really a 3rd technology flat monitor racer. My grandfather raced a little bit bit earlier than the struggle, after which as soon as the struggle began, he shifted gears and ultimately opened a bike store in Pennsylvania and sponsored some riders that helped him out on the mechanic aspect. Then, my dad, Randy, really raced on the skilled tour till 2022, as knowledgeable flat monitor racer and a street racer. So, for me, I’ve been on a bike since I used to be three. But I haven’t really been racing so long as among the opponents. You can really begin racing right here within the United States at 4.

But for me, as a result of my dad was racing, and I used to be kinda touring the tour with him. I performed soccer my complete upbringing — that was my fundamental focus. And in 2003, my brother Cory determined to begin racing. And about midway by I used to be like, “Hey Dad, can I try it?” And being that we owned a bike dealership, he was in a position to go upstairs, get a set of road tires mounted as much as my filth bike and off I went — and I haven’t appeared again since.

So, it was about midway by 2003 that I began racing full time. My brother Cory nonetheless races the present tour. I’ve a nephew now that’s racing — Cory’s son. He’s 4 years outdated. So, the subsequent technology’s already goin’ in our household.

LC: So you mentioned you began driving in 2003. Was that at all times the plan? Or did you simply form of fall into it?

STB: That’s an awesome query as a result of actually, my fundamental factor was soccer. But at that time, I used to be now not on a journey workforce —I used to be enjoying at school which was extra of only a one season sport within the fall for us right here in Pennsylvania. So, it was form of like, okay, let’s begin racing to occupy my time. I had at all times needed to go to school and proceed on being a soccer participant, after which ultimately I used to be racing quite a bit.

By the time soccer season got here round my freshman 12 months, I really had a damaged foot that I hid from my mother all summer time so I may maintain racing. So, I kinda began to push my soccer profession apart a little bit bit. Here within the state, you’ll be able to flip professional at 16 years outdated. So, I used to be simply form of on that cusp of turning professional. And I believe even actually, once I turned professional, which was the top of 2007, actually, my first full season was 2008, I nonetheless actually didn’t, didn’t know the place I used to be going to go along with it.

When I signed my first manufacturing unit contract in 2014, I noticed I can really make a dwelling at this and chase my desires a little bit bit additional. From the time I turned professional till a number of years in the past, the game was form of at a transition interval the place there weren’t a complete lot of manufacturing unit rides. Until 2018, when Indian got here in with their manufacturing unit program, our sport actually solely had a number of manufacturing unit seats. So to make a profession out of it was robust again then.

LC: So who was your first sponsor? Or you talked about you lastly received a manufacturing unit to signal?

STB: I signed with Triumph again in 2014 and did a 12 months with them. I had dabbled a pair years, a few seasons, from 2014 to 2016, making an attempt to experience a twin cylinder bike, earlier than I made the transition again to the Singles class the place, you recognize, I’ve gained all my races.

LC: Just a distinct really feel on the bike? Or?

STB: For me, the chance wasn’t proper, and I used to be simply struggling. So I transitioned again to the singles class for a pair years to get my confidence again. I ended up staying there longer racing for the Rebel KTM workforce, which was actually cool. I went on to win fairly a number of races with them and podiums and chase the championship till this 12 months, once I signed with Indian Motorcycle.

LC: I really like that you simply say you knew your restrict and admit the difficulties you have been having with the dual cylinder. You needed to return to get your confidence again up. And I really feel like that’s like a standard factor that individuals discover themselves in relating to simply even driving on the street with their very own bikes. Was {that a} robust determination? Did you might have any doubts about how that might have an effect on your profession?

STB: Honestly it was a very robust determination as a result of it’s like taking a step again in your profession. For instance, in American sports activities — it’s nearly like going from the Majors again to MLA professional baseball, or the Minors. So, for me within the bike world, it was form of a step again to go to that class as a result of it was extra on the time thought-about an entry-level class into the professionals.

But for me, I wanted to regain that confidence of a bike racer – and that feeling to win once more. I had began to doubt myself, regardless that I had gained races up to now. I began to doubt my means and competence on the bike. So, for me, it was a very exhausting determination. When I had moved again to the category, I solely deliberate to return for a 12 months. And the game began to evolve and a few new alternatives began to open with the KTM group coming over. In 2018, I rode for his or her Husqvarna workforce after which I rode for his or her Red Bull KTM workforce from ‘19 until last season. Later on, the choice made sense. But it was a hard decision at the beginning.

LC: And you think it was the right choice?

STB: It definitely was, 100 percent. For me, I left that class satisfied. Which is why when Indian Motorcycle reached out to me about riding the twin, I thought it was awesome. It’s an thrilling problem for me as a result of the timing was proper for me to hitch in a bike workforce alongside my husband Briar. What a cool alternative for each of us. I at all times mentioned I needed to return and experience a twin cylinder bike earlier than my profession was over. That was one remorse I had. And now I’m dwelling out that dream of driving the FTR 750 and getting again to the Twins class.

LC: So it is an FTR. I observed on considered one of your [social] photos, the portray [on the bike] says “Indian Scout,” which was complicated.

STB: You’re proper. So, when Indian first introduced the bike over, it was thought-about a part of the Scout lineup. But they transitioned it over to simply being an FTR 750. So, if you happen to have a look at my husband’s bikes, he really has the correct bodywork. That physique that’s on my Instagram is off my observe bike. We had made some revisions to the bodywork as a result of I’m so small, so we really reduce it. And I introduced it to the racetrack to race with and it simply grew to become my major physique of labor proper now. So that’s the place the confusion lies. But yeah, you’re 100% it’s an FTR 750. And the FTR 1200 is definitely mocked off of you recognize, it’s thought-about a race reproduction to our bikes.

[Jeff Millard, communications director with Indian jumps in to add that the FTR 750 was launched before the FTR 1200, so it was, indeed branded as an Indian Scout. But Indian received so much good feedback on the FTR 750 that the design team wanted to make something for the street. Then came the FTR 1200. So, Indian dropped the Scout (from the flat track bike), and it’s just the FTR 750 and 1200. Granted, there’s still a lot of Indian flat track bikes running with the Scout name, including Shayna’s.]

LC: What was the enchantment of doing flat monitor versus doing one thing like motocross or MotoAmerica or, you recognize, a whole lot of the opposite completely different variations which can be on the market?

STB: When I spoke earlier within the interview about street racing, and MotoAmerica, my dad technically did race that model of bike racing in addition to on the filth with us in flat tracks. So once I first began flat monitor, you recognize, you’ll be able to mainly go in your yard on filth bikes and begin moving into circles. It’s very grassroots and really simple to become involved in and hooked on. But for us we began going round in circles at our household’s dealership, after we have been youthful, simply play-riding. My dad took us to our first flat monitor race and we kicked that off.

At the time, as a result of we have been each racing, my brother Cory and I, it was too costly to do each. So my dad requested us which one. We have been already flat monitoring, and all our buddies have been already there. So that’s why we proceed to decide to the flat monitor aspect of issues. I’ve tried street racing, I’ve finished a monitor day. We do prepare in motocross all through the week. But I’ve by no means finished a motocross race. I even have buddies that need me to race the ladies’s class right here domestically once I’m finished.

Just, flat monitor is in my blood. You know, I believe the one factor that’s very distinctive about my monitor is the group. We’re a really close-knit group in comparison with a whole lot of the opposite types of racing in motorsports as a complete. We all actually get alongside. I do know that we went by some fairly difficult instances within the sport. Everyone at one level was simply making an attempt to get to the subsequent race to the place now we’re in a position to make a profession out of it. I believe these difficult instances collectively additionally strengthened our group.

LC: Your web site and your bio boasts your record-breaking prowess. How many data have you ever damaged thus far? What’s one thing or that one factor actually stands to you in your profession?

STB: I grew to become the primary feminine to win an American Flat Track Pro singles class in 2011. And for me, that was enormous. To get that first win, to the place now, I consider I’m as much as 19 of these wins. I consider that’s what number of I’ve. So at the moment, I’m the winningest rider for that class specifically. Becoming the primary feminine was enormous, in a manner that I need it to win that first one to assist open the door for our sport. And to get the eye to our sport — the eyes on it — to indicate ladies that if I may do it, they might do it. Because I do race in a male-dominated sport. But I’m additionally very well-treated like a competitor on the race monitor, which I believe is tremendous particular about our sport, in comparison with among the different kinds. They deal with me like a bike racer, and I at all times say [as a] feminine second. And so getting that first one in 2011 was cool. Being in a position to again it up 18 instances was even cooler.

They’re all very particular. But my first one is much more particular as a result of I beat my husband, in that first race. So for me, it nonetheless offers me a little bit little bit of bragging rights and houses at instances, regardless that he’s a multi-champion, I can nonetheless rub it in.

LC: I can simply think about the arguments at dwelling. “Well, I mean, I did beat you.”

Anyway, you speak about eager to open the door for girls and the way your opponents deal with you as a rider first – feminine second. Being a lady within the sport is tough. Were there any adversarial issues that you simply confronted as a lady within the sport? Do your opponents see you as a competitor first since you’ve been driving so lengthy? Or is the game really completely different in that setting?

STB: When I first turned professional it was undoubtedly quite a bit more durable. I felt like, at instances, I used to be crashing quite a bit as a result of I used to be a feminine. And being raced exhausting, as a result of, you recognize, at instances, among the guys didn’t wish to get beat by me. But as I began to show myself and at this level in my profession a whole lot of the blokes I grew up racing with now are additionally on the professional tour — I believe that additionally has helped me be accepted.

But I believe additionally getting that first win and persevering with to show that I’m a competitor, and that I’m gonna race you exhausting — and I need you to race me exhausting again. Gaining that respect and belief amongst my opponents was a little bit difficult. But as you pave that path, the alternatives began to open for me to develop into increasingly revered to the place now I do really feel like I’m handled similar to one of many guys.

LC: That’s not a narrative we at all times get to listen to.

STB: That’s why it’s so necessary not to surrender and maintain pushing by. Because there have been days the place I saved discovering myself on the bottom. I’m like, “Man, I just, I don’t want to do this anymore.” But I used to be additionally getting nearer and nearer to that first win. It took quite a bit to push by to get that first win. It was kinda like I nearly made it into the category, however then that acceptance as soon as I received that first win. And yeah, such as you mentioned, it’s not throughout the board, and all types of motorsports. I undoubtedly see the challenges that like Hailie [Deegan]’s going by proper now, regardless that she’s gained many races up thus far. People kinda overlook about your path to get to that time.

LC: So, you’re racing all throughout the nation — are you driving nonstop? Or how lengthy is your typical season? What does a 12 months appear like for you? And when do you get to be a human?

STB: It’s tremendous difficult. As far as being a standard human, I believe we’ve to undertake that into our busy way of life. Because it doesn’t cease. I believe we often get like a month off from coaching, the place we take a break utterly. But we often begin the 12 months in January and go up till October with the racing season. So with preseason coaching, and all of that, you recognize, it’s nearly across the clock. Even after we’re off the bike for that lengthy, we’re nonetheless engaged on our sponsorship and enterprise aspect per se. And preparing for the upcoming season with all of the alternatives and issues that we’ve to do to get able to roll. So, we then throw ourselves again into coaching a month later, and we’re again at it. So it’s just about a full-time gig.

LC: So you’re not simply driving round cycles or motocross bikes — you’re additionally doing bodily coaching?

STB: Most of us racers in our collection additionally incorporate bicycling, operating — cardio-type stuff in our program. But then additionally, we’ll do some gymnasium sort exercises all through the week, along with really being bodily on the bike.

I might say throughout all three main types of bike racing within the US between MotoAmerica, Flat Track and Motocross, coaching’s develop into increasingly frequent. To have the ability to compete at our stage, it’s develop into a necessity, as a result of if you happen to’re not exhibiting up in one of the best form, your competitor is. It’s actually a solution to present up ready, and for us, it’s a part of our job in a way. Our mechanics are busy getting our bikes prepared all through the week, and our job is to prepare ourselves.

LC: Having your husband in tow, and also you guys at the moment are on the identical workforce. Does that make issues a little bit simpler?

STB: It permits us to be on the identical schedule — having the identical sponsor commitments and testing schedule — it’s enormous. Usually we’re on completely different schedules. Now we’re in a position to attempt to do every part collectively.

It’s good to have the ability to be in every different’s nook. The difficult half is now we’re racing towards one another once more. And now married, it’s a little bit completely different than after we have been simply courting or opponents, or racing on the racetrack, as a result of we’re undoubtedly going dwelling with one another. So you, I do know, we’re undoubtedly in all probability each take into consideration one another a little bit bit extra so far as after we’re making our passes round one another and sharing the racetrack with one another.

LC: When you say you concentrate on it extra — what’s happening in your head in that course of [to pass him]?

STB: It’s been fairly some time since we’ve raced collectively, and Briar’s undoubtedly elevated in his race craft the place he’s a Multi-Champion of the game and of our class that we’re at the moment in. So he’s received fairly a number of extra years than me on this bike. So I’ve been enjoying a little bit little bit of catch as much as the vast majority of the riders within the class even being again on a twin cylinder. I began off the 12 months a little bit bit behind, however I’m getting nearer and nearer to the entrance.

One of our previous race weekends I used to be solely at instances a tenth or two off the number-one quickest rider on the monitor at the moment. So, I instructed him, “I’m coming for you.” But it was really humorous. We really lined up for the primary occasion. And his brother Bronson additionally races. And there’s 4 to align. And it was three of us have been battlements out of the ground. And we go into flip one and two off the beginning of the race, and Briar’s on the far inside. And, you recognize, Briar is the one one out of the three of us that’s in championship competition. So, you recognize, for me, I undoubtedly, once more, generally take into consideration that a little bit bit. Because, you recognize, that’s huge for our household. So I’m like ready for him to go, figuring out that he has shot to win this race. And he’s simply not going. And I mentioned, lastly, lastly, I simply pat tried to move him on the surface as a result of he wasn’t going, I’m like, I attempted to allow you to go, however you’re taking too lengthy. He laughed about it. He was like, I don’t know what I used to be doing. I don’t both, however I used to be.

LC: So you’ve received Indian, you’re along with your husband on the workforce, you’re again to the Twins class. So what’s the subsequent factor? Do you might have concepts on what you wish to do sooner or later along with your profession? Or, I imply, profitable a championship and beating your husband might be on that listing.

STB: Don’t get me incorrect — if I retired tomorrow, I might be utterly joyful and happy with my profession. But I’m additionally having fun with the challenges and shifting as much as the Super Twins. I knew it wasn’t going to be simple. But I’m having fun with it. I’d like to get that first podium on an excellent twin. No feminine really has ever completed additional forward than six I consider. So even a prime 5 could be enormous. Those are form of brief time period objectives on the bike.

Long time period, you recognize, I undoubtedly wish to keep concerned within the sport. I really take pleasure in engaged on bikes and being across the mechanical aspect of them as properly. And I additionally benefit from the administration aspect. So I really would love to begin a workforce with Briar sooner or later and handle the workforce for him. Maybe do some choose races right here and there, as properly proceed on. But yeah, my brief time period is to chase these outcomes and in addition begin to transition a little bit bit over to operating a workforce and managing Briar.

I imply, I simply wish to proceed like to simply push you recognize, this little bit but in my profession that’s left. I’m 31 years outdated, so retirement isn’t too distant, as a result of I’d wish to have a household too. But I’m simply having fun with the second proper now. So a lot of my profession was, I’d say extra pressured due to chasing championships to the place now I’m in a position to form of sit again a little bit bit extra and revel in it. Do one of the best that I can. Right now, we’re having enjoyable collectively being underneath the identical E-Z Up cover.

The American Flat Track 2022 Season concludes this coming weekend in Florida. You can watch Texter-Bauman hit the monitor with all her aggressive household within the Mission AFT SuperTwin Class doubleheader at Volusia Speedway Park October 14 and 15.