HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN ROAD RACING?
I actually started riding motorcycles when I went away to college at San Diego State. My boyfriend at the time used to take me for rides on the back of his bike through all the beautiful canyon roads. It wasn't long before I was riding on my own, too. I used to spend every spare minute at Palomar mountain acting like an idiot on the street. Luckily for me, my friends got me into doing track days and then eventually racing.
WHAT'S IT LIKE TO RACE AGAINST YOUR HUSBAND?
I'm very happily married to Josh Hayes. He's not quite as big a deal as I am, but he races too. Seriously though, we've only actually raced each other one time at Daytona (did I mention I beat him?). Honestly, I didn't think too much about him being on the grid with me. I was really focused on my own task at hand. I think as I get closer and closer to his speed it may get a bit weirder. He's not a very good sport when he loses. I learned that the hard way at the go-kart track!
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT RAISING MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER.
Every once in a while I ask myself what I am doing to contribute to society (besides stimulating the economy with my tire bill and keeping the ER doctors busy, that is). I mentioned it to my Dad and he pointed out that being a female racing in the Daytona 200 was bound to generate some press and that I should pick a charity to try to raise money for. A friend of mine then got me in touch with the Dr. Susan Love Foundation that does really aggressive research on breast cancer. It was so cool to be able to raise $5000 in just a few weeks. It really made me realize what awesome people are involved in road racing when I saw just how generous everyone was. I'm getting teary-eyed just thinking about it.
WHAT BUGS YOU THE MOST ABOUT OTHER RIDERS?
I'm annoyed the most by people who make excuses. Except for me of course-it's never my fault.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FEMALE RIDERS THAT ARE LOOKING TO GET STARTED IN RACING?
Just go do it. Being a girl shouldn't have anything to do with it!