Melissa Paris, once a professional motorcycle road racer, has devoted her post-racing career to empowering young athletes, particularly women, in a sport that thrives on teamwork for success, which is why we featured her in a short motocross movie.
Melissa Paris falls in love with motorcycles
Growing up in Northern California, Melissa Paris was always chasing adventure on her BMX bike. Her passion for motorcycles ignited in college at San Diego State University, where a chance encounter with a fellow student and his sport bike led her to ride for the first time. It was love at first ride.
“It’s like in The Wizard of Oz when everything turns to color,” she vividly recalled.
After that initial spark, motorcycles quickly became Paris’s true passion. She saved diligently to buy her own bike, often skipping classes to hit the open roads of California.
Her knack for riding didn’t go unnoticed by her riding friends, who encouraged her to hit the race track. Paris was immediately hooked, bartering her time repairing bikes for track time.
Despite being a full-time student, Paris embraced the challenge of club racing on 125 and 250cc bikes, juggling academics and a full-time job to fund her weekend racing exploits. Her dedication was unwavering. “All I wanted was to be at the track every chance I got,” Paris shared.
A Motocross Movie About Racing into Professionalism
Paris’s racing career surged forward with lightning speed. In 2008, she clinched the Lightweight National Champion title.
Racing professionally began the following year, marked by her debut at Daytona on a Yamaha R6. That year, she also made history as the first woman to qualify for a World Supersport Race. “It was so cool and so scary,” she confessed about the experience in her motocross movie, confronting imposter syndrome head-on but prevailing as the top qualifying wild card.
Her racing prowess continued to shine in the 2010 AMA Daytona Sportbike series, and by 2011, she was breaking barriers again at British Supersport.
Paris became the first female rider invited to test a Yamaha MotoGP prototype bike, an opportunity that seemed daunting yet thrilling. Determined not to conform to stereotypes, she rode the bike with full throttle, relishing the experience.
Over the years, Paris competed in esteemed races across the globe, from the AMA Pro Flat Track in the United States to the FIM CEV Repsol International Roadrace Championship in Spain.
Her trailblazing continued as part of the first all-female team to qualify and complete both the Bol d’Or and LeMans 24-Hour World Endurance Championship Races.
Creating Opportunities
Realizing the importance of support in reaching the pinnacle of racing, Melissa Paris founded MP13 Racing. Her vision was clear—she aimed to provide young talent, especially girls, with the opportunities and mentorship she had received.
“I wanted to help young kids, especially girls, go racing at the highest level they could,” Paris explained in her motocross movie.
Initially, MP13 was intended as a nurturing ground for young female racers, though Paris acknowledged the underrepresentation of women in the sport.
Paris further extended her impact through Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. Program, guiding women with minimal riding experience in bike building and track racing.
This program allowed her to teach beyond racing techniques and instill mechanical confidence. “I love showing them it’s not rocket science,” she said, highlighting the importance of supportive networks in overcoming challenges.
A Motocross Movie About A Legacy of Empowerment
Melissa Paris’s influence reaches beyond the racetrack. She champions inclusivity and encourages both men and women to pursue their racing dreams. “I want everyone to know there’s room at the table for them,” she asserted.
Driven by gratitude for the support she received, Paris feels compelled to give back. “If you follow your dreams, you’re probably not going to go wrong,” she advised, emphasizing the necessity of hard work.
Her work ethic, instilled by her parents who worked tirelessly in jobs that weren’t their passions, motivates her to strive for excellence. “If you think you did enough, then you didn’t,” she declared in her motocross movie, always seeking improvement in her work and never settling for just ‘good enough.’
In her relentless pursuit of perfection, Melissa Paris continually pushes boundaries, inspiring a new generation of riders to take the leap and chase their dreams, all while ensuring their bikes—and their spirits—are geared for success.
Road Bike Racing Star Melissa Paris’ Resources:
Help support MP13’s flat track motorcycle racing team on Patreon.
Check out the latest about Superbike hero on Instagram.
Get the latest news about the former professional road racer on Facebook.
Learn more about her career racing SuperSport motorcycles on LinkedIn.
Follow the former AMA Pro Flat Track racer on X.
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