Out of the Blue | Nikki Voorhees | Brought to You by Schrader’s

Out of the Blue | Nikki Voorhees | Brought to You by Schrader’s

This week, we feature #92 Nikki Voorhees from NY State in our ‘Out of the Blue’ WMX column brought to you by Schrader’s

By Jensen Amyotte

Name: Nikki Voorhees

Date of Birth: 4/23/97

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Occupation: Heavy equipment operator

Race Number: 92

Bike: Triumph TF250X

Race Club: Empire State MX

Classes: Women’s, +25 B/C

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

My first race number was 92 and still is to this day! I chose that because with the right font if you flip it upside down it’s 26 which was my dad’s stock car racing number!

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

My first fear when I started riding was definitely jumps. I was ok with table tops knowing if I came up short it wouldn’t be bad but double jumps scared me for a long time. To over come this fear I just rode and rode and rode and slowly started getting comfortable with smaller jumps. As I started getting better it almost became muscle memory to where I could look at a jump ride over it once and know exactly how fast I needed to go. 

Do you have any pre-moto rituals?

I definitely have pre moto rituals. When I get dressed everything gets put on from left to right. My left sock, left knee brace, left boot, left glove. When I’m sitting on the starting line I always say the same prayer, tap my bar pad twice, and look up to the sky. 

What are your biggest accomplishments to date?

My biggest accomplishments to date would probably be qualifying for Loretta Lynn’s five times, LL Regional champion in two classes, West Virginia State Champion, and 3rd overall at Walton TransCan in the Ladies Pro class twice.

What is your favourite track and why?

My all-time favorite track would probably have to be RedBud or Walton Raceway which is kind of funny because they both are completely different kinds of tracks. RedBud is pretty sandy which I don’t get to ride often but have always liked. I don’t know what attracts me to Walton so much but from the first time I rode there in 2013 I’ve loved it ever since.

Tell us about your switch to the new Triumph, how do you like the bike and how is it in comparison to the previous bikes you’ve been on? What made you want to switch?

So far I am absolutely loving the Triumph! It was pretty cool that I got one of the first three available bikes on the east coast, so that gave me some bragging rights. Haha But it hasn’t been too hard of an adjustment after riding KTM’s for 10 years and then being on the Honda all last year. My best explanation to people is it turns like a KTM, power-wise feels like a KTM 350 (probably the fastest bone stock 250 I’ve ever ridden), but the overall chassis of the bike is a good mix between a Honda and Yamaha due to the aluminum frame.

It was a big leap knowing there are absolutely no parts available for them yet, but the pro team has been super helpful towards us in getting the few parts we have needed or wanted so far! I’m really happy with the switch, I feel more at home on that bike than I did the Honda and am starting to feel like my old self!

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

The biggest lesson motocross has taught me is you have no one to rely on but yourself. Yea, everyone has help working on the bikes or someone to get them to the races from time to time but when it comes to being out on the track and racing it all comes down to you which I like in a way. 

What kind of track/dirt do you feel you excel on and why? 

I definitely excel on dirt tracks with rocks. Haha We have a lot of rocks here in NY so it’s very common to go to a track around here and find a million of them. I love riding in the sand but we don’t have many around where I live so it takes a bit for me to get used to that but I’ve always enjoyed it. 

What are your thoughts on the WMX Triple Crown Series?

I love the Canadian WMX Triple Crown Series and I think it’s great what Canada does for the women up there. I had the opportunity to ride that series on the east coast in 2013, 2014, 2015, and I think I did one round in 2016. It makes the women feel like they belong too and I love that about it.

Who would you like to thank? 

I would like to thank City Limit Moto, FXR, FMF, RTS Race Prep, Scott Goggles, ProTaper, MotoSeat, Amsoil, NAPA AutoParts, Uncle Edgar, Melo Designs, MotoTape, Beef and Peg, and my Mom and Dad.