Melissa Paris, a former pro motocross racer, has devoted her post-racing life to nurturing the next generation of athletes, particularly young women, in a sport that thrives on teamwork.
Discovering Pro Motocross Racing
Growing up in Northern California, Melissa Paris was no stranger to following her brothers around on a BMX bike. But her true passion for motorcycles ignited during college at San Diego State University. It all began with meeting a “cute guy” who owned a sport bike. Their brief relationship introduced Melissa to motorcycling, kindling a love that would outlast any college fling.
Describing her first ride, Melissa likened it to “The Wizard of Oz” moment when everything unfolds in vivid color. She soon bought her own bike and found herself skipping classes to ride the Californian highways.
Her potential caught the attention of seasoned riders who encouraged her to try track racing. The thrill of the racetrack captivated her, leading her to make deals with track owners—fixing bikes in exchange for more time on the track.
Juggling college and a full-time job, she immersed herself in club racing on 125 and 250cc bikes, driven by a singular desire to race.
Rising Through the Ranks of Pro Motocross
Melissa’s talent propelled her into pro motocross racing, becoming the Lightweight National Champion in 2008. Her first professional race came in 2009 at Daytona on a Yamaha R6, where she finished as the top qualifying wild card in a World Supersport Race. Despite initial doubts and imposter syndrome, Melissa proved her mettle on the track.
Her racing portfolio grew as she competed in the 2010 AMA Daytona Sportbike series, achieving a 15th-place finish. She then entered the British Supersport at Brands Hatch and became the first woman invited to test a Yamaha MotoGP prototype bike.
Despite feeling terrified, Melissa boldly pushed the bike to its limits, an experience she describes as both terrifying and exhilarating.
Over the years, she continued to race in AMA Pro Flat Track and MotoAmerica Supersport, achieving notable rankings. In 2014, Melissa secured fourth place at Spain’s FIM CEV Repsol International Roadrace Championship and became part of the first all-female team to qualify for the 2016 Bol d’Or 24 Hour World Endurance Championship Race. Her team’s achievements extended to the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 2017.
Founding MP13 Racing
Realizing that success in pro motocross racing requires a strong support system, Melissa founded MP13 Racing to mentor young riders, particularly women, in breaking into the sport.
Her vision was to create a nurturing environment for aspiring female racers, though she noted the scarcity of women in the field.
Melissa’s involvement with Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. Program allowed her to guide women with little track experience in building and racing motorcycles.
She relished not just the racing aspect but also teaching the mechanical skills, empowering women to overcome their confidence barriers in handling bikes.
A Heroic Mentor
Melissa believes there’s ample room for both men and women in pro motocross racing and dedicates herself to fostering inclusivity in the sport. Her mission is to ensure everyone feels welcome, and she’s committed to helping others as she was helped along her own path.
Her advice to aspiring riders is simple yet profound—pursue dreams unapologetically while putting in the hard work necessary for success.
For Melissa, work ethic is paramount, a lesson instilled by her parents who worked diligently in unglamorous jobs. Her mantra? Never settle, always strive for improvement, and remember that opportunities to work in something you love are worth the effort.
Melissa Paris’s legacy is not just about her racing accolades but also her passionate advocacy for inclusivity in the sport.
Her story inspires anyone with a dream, emphasizing that determination and effort are the keys to unlocking potential.
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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