On the Radar: The Barrett Sisters
By Jeff McConkey
Name: Dana Barrett
Birthday: October 14th, 2000
Hometown: Acton, Ontario
School & Grade: St Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School, grade 9
Number: 970
Bike: Kawasaki KX100
Race Clubs: MMRS, OCMC, Offroad Ontario, CMRC
Classes: Ladies A, Ladies BIntermediate (MMRS)
Let’s get to know Acton, Ontario, rider Dana Barrett. – McClintock photo
How did you get started in racing?
My dad used to race, and my sister and I would go to the races with him. We would watch and help out, and wanted to ride too. When I was 6 we started riding at the Yamaha Riding Academy at the motorcycle shows. When I was 9 I got a Yamaha TTR and raced my first Offroad Ontario race.
As a little girl, did you ever expect to be this deep into a sport like motocross?
No. When I first started racing I thought it would just be for fun and we would ride every once in a while, but once we started racing we just wanted to race more and more.
Do you think motocross is harder for a female to compete in?
Yes, I do think it is harder because there are not as many classes for the ladies to race in as there are for the boys.
Dana thinks racing is harder for girls because there aren’t as many classes for them. – McClintock photo
Who is your favourite rider and why?
My favourite rider is Trey Canard because he is a really good rider. He is a smooth and consistent rider, and is a very good sport when it comes to racing. It is also amazing that he is still totally committed to this sport even though he has had quite a few very serious injuries in the past couple of years.
Is there one lady racer out there that you think has paved the way for other girls to be successful in the sport?
I’d say Vicki Golden has done that pretty well. Since she has been trying to qualify for supercross, more people are starting to realize that girls also do race and are able to compete just as well as the guys do.
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
Cole Thompson, because he was one of the few Canadian pros to race in supercross.
What is your favourite track and why?
My favourite track is the MMRS track at the Madoc fairgrounds. I like the jumps there and also how the track flows. I always seem to do well there.
Who is your hero?
My hero is Jolene Van Vugt because she is a really cool person, and I love how she is brave enough to do tricks with Nitro Circus. Most guys wouldn’t even be brave enough to try some tricks she does.
What are your goals for this season?
To be smooth and consistent, and to finish well in most of the series we race in. Being consistent wins championships. I also want to stay healthy, and hopefully not have any injuries.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
I finished third overall in the MMRS six foot trophy series in both Ladies B and Girls 9-13 for 2014, and it was my very first time racing an MMRS series. I have also won several OCMC motocross and XC championships. I was also chosen for the MX Stars of Tomorrow program.
What is your favourite part about going to the races?
My favourite part about going to the races is being able to see all of my friends from motocross and hang out with them. I also like seeing and meeting new people at the races and talking to them. It’s usually a fun weekend, as we camp out and BBQ.
Dana’s favourite thing about going to the races is seeing all her moto friends. – McClintock photo
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
When I am not racing I like going skating with my friends (in the winter), and I dance. I am also working hard in school.
What is the best thing about racing against your sister?
I’d say the best thing is getting to talk about how our races went, giving each other tips and helping each other out.
What is the worst part about racing against your sister?
Since we race in a class together, our dad is usually talking to one of us on the line and if one of us needs his help for something, but our gates are far away from each other it’s hard for us to get his attention before the race starts.
Who do you want to thank?
I’d like to thank my friends, and family for supporting me. Dawn McClintock, DMX, and especially my dad for taking us to the races every week and working on our bikes for us and making sure we are ready to race. I’d also like to thank all my sponsors for all their help and support: Hammerhead Designs, CORE Motosports, Acton Auto, Mississauga Engines, Ryno Power, and Podium Grafix.
Name: Mia Barrett
Birthday: February 17, 2003
Hometown: Acton, Ontario
School & Grade: St. Bonaventure. I am in Grade 6.
Number: 971
Bike: Kawasaki KX85
Race Club: OCMC, MMRS, CMRC, Offroad Ontario
Classes: Girls 9-13 and Ladies B
And now let’s meet her younger sister, Mia Barrett. – McClintock photo
How did you get started in racing?
It all started when I was 5 years old and my dad introduced me to the sport. He soon got my sister and me a pair of Yamaha TTR’s, and we started racing in 2009.
As a little girl, did you ever expect to be this deep into a sport like motocross?
No, because I never really knew much about dirt bikes and I never thought I would have so many great opportunities to race.
Do you think motocross is harder for a female to compete in?
No, because if you work hard and train hard you might just end up beating all the boys!
Who is your favourite rider and why?
My favorite rider is Chad Reed because I love his riding style, and he is my role model.
Mia’s favourite rider is Chad Reed. – McClintock photo
Is there one lady racer out there that you think has paved the way for other girls to be successful in the sport?
Jolene Van Vugt because she is inspirational, daring and very brave.
What Canadian Pro do you look up to and why?
Again, it’s Jolene Van Vugt. She raced women’s motocross and was very successful.
What is your favourite track and why?
I would have to say MMRS Muttco Mountain. I really love to ride in the sand, and I have a lot of fun there.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my dad. He has been there for me through the ups and the downs. He always has such motivating things to say.
What are your goals for this season?
My goals for this season would be to work hard, get more sponsors, and to work on my technique.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
My biggest accomplishment is winning the OCMC #1 plate (Mighty Mini High Point Award). It was cool to have the #1 on my bike all year ! I also got to be in the MX Stars of Tomorrow display at the bike show.
What is your favourite part about going to the races?
My favourite part about the races isn’t just about getting to race, it’s that I love hanging out with all the friends I have made this past year. It’s always fun.
Mia’s favourite thing about going to the races is also hanging out with her moto friends. – McClintock photo
What do you like to do when you aren’t racing?
I like to spend time with friends and family, or go up to my trailer for a few days.
What is the best thing about racing against your sister?
That we can learn from each other and eventually become faster and faster.
What is the worst part about racing against your sister?
The fact that we are usually racing together at the same time, and we can’t help each other out on the gate.
Who do you want to thank?
I would like to thank my dad for always being there for me when I need advice. I would also like thank my grandparents for coming to some races to cheer me on. I also would like to thank Mao Ouyang, Harvey Gold, Sandra Bain, and Dawn McClintock for taking such great pictures of me, and DMX for the interview. And finally my sponsors: Hammerhead Designs, CORE Motosports, Acton Auto, Mississauga Engines, Ryno Power, and Podium Grafix.
