Out of the Blue | Jamie Walsh | Brought to You by Schrader’s

By Jensen Amyotte

Photos by KOS Photography and Three Demons Photography

Name: Jamie Walsh 

Date of Birth: December 13th, 1982

Hometown: Prince George, BC

Occupation: City of Prince George Animal Control 

Race Number: 117

Bike: YZ125 

Race Club: Prince George Motocross Association 

Classes: Ladies

Who/what inspired you to get onto a dirtbike and how long have you been racing/riding? 

As a teenager I loved riding and always wanted to try racing, but I played competitive hockey and couldn’t do both. I started racing finally when I was 38 years old and have been hooked ever since!

When not on a dirt bike how do you keep yourself busy? Are you involved in any other sports or extracurricular activities? 

I have two sons and they keep me busy. We ride together and go to the gym a few times a week. I also still play hockey.

As a racer, are there any obstacles you feel a female racer has to deal with that maybe a male racer does not? 

For me it was just getting the nerve to line up! I do feel women have to fight harder to be stronger and faster on the bike. But that just seems to make us that much more competitive with ourselves and others out there.

From your first ride to where you are now what is something you never thought you would be able to overcome but have? 

Clearing the big tables and the intimidating doubles! Those doubles have been difficult for me but I’m loving the challenge and am doing more and more of them.

Who is your all-time favourite rider and why? 

Travis Pastrana and James Stewart. I can relate to their tenacity and grit and ability to still have fun out there.

What is your favourite track and why? 

One of my most favourite tracks has got to be Chetwynd and Fort Nelson. Slave Lake was a blast too and of course my hometown track in Prince George.

What event do you look forward to most every year, one you don’t ever want to miss? 

I raced the Vet Nationals in Agassiz, BC and that was a huge experience and I cannot wait to go back next year. Hopefully, I get to do a few more of the Vet Nationals as well.

Who has been your biggest inspiration/hero on and off the track? 

All of the woman I race next to! I am so thankful to be out there, especially being a mom and older than most of the ladies I line up next to. They drive me and push me to be better and I love that. 

Do you have any pre-race rituals? 

Granola bar/fruit, a bottle of water, and of course I repeat the same stretches on the bike on the line before the gate drop.                      

What are your plans for this upcoming season? Any specific events you’re looking forward to? 

Vet Nationals, hopefully a WestCan race and just being out there playing in the dirt!

What are your biggest accomplishments to date? 

1st place at Vet Nationals in Ladies B in Agassiz, BC and finishing 7th overall in Ladies in the Peace Motocross Association last year. After my first season of racing 4 years ago I finished 18th overall, so I am pretty happy about that.

What is the biggest lesson that racing has taught you so far? 

That there will be a lot of ups and downs, every day you ride. Don’t give up, to stay focused and keep having fun. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

With a top three finish overall, ideally, but I’ll be pretty happy that I’ll still be on my bike lining up at the gate.

Are there any females out there who you feel have paved the way for other girls to be successful in motocross or off road? 

I think any lady that can get out there and encourage others to be brave and take that step is a huge inspiration.

What kind of track/dirt/terrain do you feel you excel at most and why? 

I quite like tracks that are diverse. Ones with changes in elevation like Prince George I think I tend to excel at or feel more comfortable. Our track is hard packed and fast with downhill doubles and I really like that.

If you ever have children will you give them the option to race as well? 

My youngest son loves to be involved in moto. He flags at most races I go to and is a big part of our moto community. I am extremely proud of him for that. Both my sons like to ride 2 wheels and 4 wheels. It’s a great way for us to spend time together. 

If you could give 1 piece of advice to a female of any age who wants to start riding what would it be? 

Be brave! Hop on the bike in any capacity you can and just have fun and see where it takes you!

What was your first fear when you started riding and how did you overcome it? 

Jumping doubles! Also the gate drop was scary! But practice and more practice and a hint of stubbornness got me through both hurdles.

What was your first race number and how did you choose it? 

107. My numbers in hockey growing up were always 10 or 7 so I put them together. I changed my number so another racer could have 107 and 117 has been mine since.

Do you see yourself ever competing in the Canadian WMX Triple Crown series? Or have you competed in the WMX Triple Crown Series? What are your thoughts on the series? 

I would love to! What an experience that would be! To race against some of the best would be a privilege. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

Still working on that one  😉

Who would you like to thank? 

My boys, of course. They push me to do what I love. My boyfriend who also races. He’s fast and also on a 125 so we have a lot of battles. He’s supported me from day one. Our moto community is a big reason why I race, I am thankful to all of the friends I’ve made along the way.