Melissa Paris, a former professional racer who had the opportunity to test drive MotoGP bikes, has dedicated her post-racing life to empowering young athletes, especially women, in a sport that thrives on teamwork and community.
From BMX to MotoGP Bikes
Growing up in Northern California, Melissa’s first foray into racing was more about keeping up with her older brothers on BMX bikes.
It wasn’t until college at San Diego State University that her love for motorcycles blossomed. A chance encounter with a fellow student who owned a sport bike ignited this interest. “It was like the moment in The Wizard of Oz when everything turns to color,” Melissa described, reflecting on her introduction to motorcycles.
The relationship with her college beau didn’t last long, but her newfound passion for motorcycles was here to stay.
Long before she was riding motoGP bikes, Melissa was saving up every penny, she bought her own bike and soon found herself skipping classes to ride through California’s scenic canyons.
Melissa’s talent on the bike didn’t go unnoticed. Her riding companions recognized her potential and encouraged her to try track racing.
Enthralled by the adrenaline rush, Melissa struck a deal with track owners to fix crashed bikes in exchange for riding time.
From Enthusiast to Pro Rider
She invested every free moment honing her skills and soon moved to club racing. Despite juggling full-time studies and work, she scraped together resources to compete almost every weekend.
“All I wanted to do was be at the track every opportunity I had. And I knew from the first time the flag dropped [that I] don’t want to do anything else,” she told Jalopnik. Her hard work paid off when she became the Lightweight National Champion in 2008.
Her professional career accelerated rapidly. In 2009, Melissa made her professional debut at Daytona on a Yamaha R6, finishing 21st. That same year, she became the first woman to qualify for a World Supersport Race.
“It was so cool and so scary,” she admitted, wrestling with imposter syndrome. But Melissa proved her mettle, emerging as the top qualifying wild card.
Her career continued with impressive feats, including competing in the 2010 AMA Daytona Sportbike series, the British Supersport at Brands Hatch, and testing a Yamaha MotoGP prototype bike.
Melissa Gets to Ride MotoGP Bikes
This opportunity came about unexpectedly when her husband, fellow racer Josh Hayes, was invited to Spain to test the bike. Melissa seized the moment, despite her reservations about being perceived as a woman who “wouldn’t open the gas.”
She decided to prove herself by going full throttle. “Terrifying but amazing,” is how she described the experience.
Over the following years, Melissa traveled extensively, participating in AMA Pro Flat Track and MotoAmerica Supersport races, and finishing fourth in Spain’s 2014 FIM CEV Repsol International Roadrace Championship.
In 2016, she joined the first all-female team to complete the Bol d’Or 24 Hour World Endurance Championship Race. In 2017, she helped form the first all-female team to qualify for the LeMans 24 Hour World Endurance Championship Race, the same year she launched MP13 Racing.
Melissa forms MP13 Racing
MP13 Racing was born from Melissa’s desire to give back and support the next generation of racers after retiring from a career that included test driving motoGP bikes.
Recognizing the support she received throughout her career, she aimed to create opportunities for young riders, particularly girls, to develop in a nurturing environment.
Though she initially intended MP13 to be a safe space for young girls in racing, she found there were unfortunately not enough women in the sport. Nevertheless, Melissa’s commitment to fostering talent remained unwavering.
Her involvement with Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. Program exemplifies her dedication to mentoring. Through the program, Melissa guided novices in building race bikes and trained them to race on the track.
“I love the opportunity to show them that it’s not rocket science and that you can figure it out, and that if you can’t there’s someone out there who wants to help you and will be happy to help you,” said the former rider of MotoGP bikes, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fears related to the technical side of racing.
Melissa’s philosophy is rooted in inclusion and encouragement, believing that both men and women have a place in professional motorcycle racing. Her mission is to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported in pursuing their dreams. “If I can pull out the chair for someone at the table, I’m happy to do that,” she declared.
Her approach is one of action and encouragement, urging others to follow their dreams while emphasizing the necessity of dedication and hard work.
Melissa’s work ethic, shaped by her parents’ example, is her guiding principle. Her childhood was marked by parents who worked tirelessly in unglamorous jobs.
Unlike them, she found her passion in racing and feels privileged to work in a field she loves. “If you think you did enough, you didn’t,” she asserted, constantly striving for improvement.
Through her racing team and mentorship roles, Melissa continues to break barriers and inspire others to push beyond perceived limitations. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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 test driver of MotoGP bikes 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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