Out of the Blue | Katie Vanderwerf | Dropped at You by Schrader’s
By Jensen Amyotte
Identify: Katie Vanderwerf
Date of Start: 12/16/1998
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota, USA
Occupation: Analyst at CrossCountry Mortgage.
Race Quantity: 28
Bike: YZ250F
Race Membership: Minnesota District 23 & Iowa moto sequence
Lessons: Girls & 250B
Who/what impressed you to get into the game of motocross and the way lengthy have you ever been racing/driving?
I don’t actually bear in mind what impressed me, I believe I used to be simply placed on a motorbike and by no means bought off. I’ve been driving since I used to be 3 and racing since I used to be 5, so I don’t have very many recollections of the start. My dad raced professional superbikes once I was a bit of child, so I’ve been round bikes because the day I used to be born.
When not on a dust bike, how do you retain your self busy? Are you concerned in another sports activities?
Outdoors of driving, I keep fairly busy with work and attempting to remain energetic via different types of train, primarily working and weightlifting. I picked up working a pair years in the past. I did my first half marathon final fall which was very difficult and rewarding on the identical time. I’m planning on doing two extra half marathons this 12 months, so I’ll positively keep busy with that. Apart from that, I take pleasure in biking, mountain biking, taking part in the occasional recreation of tennis and snowboarding within the winter.
What’s your favorite monitor and why?
I would say it’s a tie between Sundown Ridge in Illinois or Mankato MX in Minnesota. I’ve had some actually good races at Sundown and love the grime there. Mankato has a number of hills and never a number of jumps which I’m a giant fan of, plus the hills get fairly tough which is enjoyable.
Who has been your largest inspiration/hero on and off the monitor?
Jessica Lorentz (previously Hadler) was positively my inspiration rising up. She lived 10 minutes from my childhood residence and was a racing large sister. I had a entrance row seat to observe the tail finish of her racing profession and at all times hoped I might be half pretty much as good of a rider as she was. She has at all times been in my nook, cheering for me all through the years and at all times shared her data on racing and life.
Do you’ve gotten any pre-moto rituals?
I wouldn’t name it a ritual, however I do have a behavior of regularly pulling my gloves up as a result of I like them tremendous tight.
Inform us about your 2022 race season.
My 2022 season was hectic, to say the least. Going into the 12 months I used to be solely planning on racing the Iowa moto sequence (since it’s my new residence state) and some of the Minnesota hare scrambles. After the primary two hare scrambles, a household good friend instructed my mother and father that I used to be main the sequence (I had no clue) and will do the entire thing as a result of he thought I may win it. After many conversations with my mother and father and boyfriend, I made a decision to go for it. I had some powerful races, however in the long term it ended up being well worth the sacrifice. I ended up profitable the Minnesota D23 ladies’s hare scramble championship and the Iowa Motocross ladies’s state championship.
What are your largest accomplishments up to now?
My largest accomplishment would positively should be qualifying for & racing Loretta Lynn‘s newbie nationwide in 2018. It was one thing I had dreamed of since I used to be a little child, so it was wonderful to verify that off the bucket checklist. In 2015 I received the Minnesota ladies’s motocross championship which was one other dream come true, particularly since I used to be one of many youthful ladies within the class on the time. In 2018 I received my first AMA featured occasion, the Evergood Open at Oak Ridge, which was an excellent enjoyable race. Extra just lately, I’m actually pleased with the MN hare scramble championship. I virtually received the sequence again in 2018, however misplaced it as a consequence of a mechanical failure on the final spherical. It was a redemption trip for me this previous 12 months and gave me a way of peace understanding that I lastly achieved that aim.
The place do you see your self in 5 years?
Actually, I’ve no clue. As of proper now, I really feel like I’ve checked all my large targets off my bucket checklist so far as driving goes. I might like to nonetheless be driving for enjoyable and will see myself shifting extra in the direction of path driving. Perhaps some enduros? Time will inform.
When you ever have kids will you give them the choice to race as properly?
Sure! My dad saved my first PW50 all these years to ultimately put my children on some day.
What are your ideas on the Canadian WMX Triple Crown sequence?
I believe it’s an incredible sequence. I like that ladies get the identical alternative as males in Canada. It could be actually cool if we had one thing like that within the US for motocross. Down right here, if a lady needs to go professional, the one choice are the off-road sequence like GNCC or NEPG.
What do you love to do within the off season?
Dwelling in Iowa we have now a reasonably large off season. I really haven’t ridden because the finish of October, however after a summer season of racing each weekend the break is good. I spend fairly a little bit of time within the gymnasium weightlifting and working to remain in form and get stronger. If I’m not doing that, I’m probably cuddling with my canine or taking her for walks.
Who would you prefer to thank?
At the start, my mother and father. I couldn’t have gotten this far with out them. My boyfriend, Luke, for at all times supporting my targets & my siblings. I might additionally prefer to thank my sponsors for his or her continued assist: MVR suspension, FXR, Black Diamond MX graphics, JL Pictures, Hoosier tire, Scott goggles, EVS, Twin Air, Race Tech & Rock River Powersports.
