“This is certainly the opportunity of a lifetime and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited to participate. I am still in shock that we actually get to do this.” — Alyssa Bridges, California
BTR IS BACK!
“Royal Enfield is creating a motorcycle movement to make riding simply about fun again, the Build. Train. Race program and the Continental GT650 are proof of that.” — Trisha Dahl, Minnesota
Royal Enfield Goes Roadracing
A
s Breeann Poland, Marketing Lead - Americas and Continental GT 650 global brand manager told us at Slide School a couple months ago, Royal Enfield is going roadracing with the BUILD TRAIN RACE (BTR) program for women. She has selected seven female motorcyclists to pick up the gauntlet thrown by BTR’s flat track program. “The women come from diverse backgrounds and are tasked with converting Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 into roadracers… as well as transforming themselves into racers.” Royal Enfield launched the BTR program in 2019, challenging four women to build flat track motorcycles and compete in select exhibitions during American Flat Track events. After a strong response to the program, the second phase of BTR will showcase the road racing capabilities of the Continental GT 650 and the abilities of seven female motorcyclists to build, train and race the motorcycles they create. Melissa Paris, veteran road racer, and BTR flat track participant will serve as a mentor to the selected participants and provide valuable insights throughout the duration of the program. “The BTR flat track program received an enormous outpouring of support and interest in the last year,” Poland adds. “A panel of judges including myself, Melissa Paris and Anne Roberts have handpicked a group of fantastic female motorcycle enthusiasts from across the U.S. through a video submission process… which was hard, really hard because there were such great entries.” GIRLS ON THE GRID The participants have received their bikes and now are embarking on the “Build” portion of the BTR journey. Melissa Paris will provide guidance during the build process and will mentor the ladies during the training and racing portions of the program. Upon completion of their builds, the women will partake in a series of training sessions lead by Paris. Here are the women embarking on BTR’s inaugural roadracing transformation: “This BTR program is beyond anything I could have imagined being part of. That it even exists is such a rad opportunity. Being on display to learn with, grow with, and inspire other women through the passion of motorcycling, is truly remarkable and the greatest honor.” — CJ Lukacs, California
“I’m super excited to not only share my passion for bikes with the world but also to learn and grow as a rider and racer with such incredibly inspiring women!” — Kayla Theisler, Wisconsin
“I am beyond words excited and grateful to be a part of the Build Train Race Program! This company and the people involved are making my dreams come true and I can’t wait to work hand in hand with them!” — Michaela Trumbull, Wyoming
“I am enthusiastic about every part of Build Train Race. My favorite aspect of the BTR program is that Royal Enfield actively supports the female riding community by demystifying wrenching and racing.” — Scarlett Grosselangehorst, New York “I don’t know what the heck I just got myself into but I am excited! I closely watched last year’s Royal Enfield Build Train Race Program and thought it was an awesome idea to get women on bikes in these race realms and now I’m going to do it as well!” — Becky Goebel, California
March 2021
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