At 19 years old, Dystany Spurlock has only had a motorcycle license for a year and a half but that hasn’t stopped her from teaching veteran racers a thing or two about launching a bike down the strip.
What sparked your interest in motorcycles?
My mom had a motorcycle when I was six years old. I would not let her leave without taking me on the back. That got me interested in bikes.
How did you get into drag racing?
I was going to the track for four years with a family friend, just watching how everybody raced against each other. When I was about 17, I really wanted to try it so for my 17th birthday my mom got me my first motorcycle, a 2006 GSX-R750. I didn’t have any gear so she found me an old pair of her leathers. I’m like super long and my mom is super short so the pants stopped at my calf muscles! It was really bad but I went out there and raced and have loved it ever since.
How did you get BMW’s attention?
I was at the Manufacturer’s Cup in Georgia last November and met Brock Davidson who had two BMWs there and he let me ride one. I got on the S1000RR and beat out two of the pros times by my fourth run. Ever since then people started following me and I capitalized on the opportunity.
What was going through your head during that first pass on the S1000RR?
When I went down that track, I hit it and it felt like a rocket—it just goes. That motorcycle is the fastest thing I’ve been on; it’s so smooth. There is nothing else like it.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
At Rockingham Dragway on my lowered and stretched street BMW using regular gas, an Akrapovic pipe system, Penske shock and Vortex rear sprocket, I ran an 8.46 at 158 MPH with a 1.32-second 60-foot time. That’s with no airshifter, no BSTs, no anything! I don’t even know where it came from.
How have you been received by the drag community after coming out with such a successful first season?
I’ve been out there for a little over a year and they actually take to me really well. Everybody really gets a positive vibe from me. I love everyone—we’re all just a big family.
What were you doing before drag racing?
I was in high school and graduated a year early. Before racing, I played football as a corner and safety, did cheerleading, gymnastics, track and field, boxing, volleyball and snowboarding. I’m a tomboy girly girl. I’ll put on heels and a dress and then take that off and put on sneakers and play football.
What has been your craziest riding experience?
I was riding in a group of 15 on the freeway at about 70 MPH and somehow, some way the right and left fairing flew off in the wind. Did I go back and get them? No way!
What do you hope to achieve over the next few years?
I see myself just not in drag racing. I see myself expanding out more to road racing, stunting and helping out with kids. Something like a Big Brother/Big Sister type thing for sports.
What do you say to girls who are thinking about learning to ride motorcycles?
Safety is first, first, first, first!Take the MSF course and don’t feel like you can’t do it because it is too hard. Take as much time as you need. Don’t rush into it or feel pressured—just take it at your own pace.