The “Girl Wonder” taking MotoAmerica Supersport by storm

I briefly spoke with motorcycle racer Kayla Yaakov last year, in the Rahal Ducati Racing paddock area at Road Atlanta. She was cheerful, chatty, smiling ear to ear, diminutive in stature, but 10 feet tall in passion and drive. If you didn’t know she was a professional motorcycle racer, and a very successful one at that, you would be forgiven for merely mistaking her for an enthusiastic teenager. Yet her wide-eyed wonder, combined with her laser-focused skills on a race bike, have propelled her to stardom in the MotoAmerica road racing series, and she deservedly has become the talk of the track.

Kayla is taking American motorcycle road racing by storm.

Yaakov diving deep at Road America. Photo by Tim Lester.

Racing her third season in the Supersport class, Kayla is chasing and breaking records already, in what is still early season. The 18-year old Pennsylvanian most recently pulled off an epic weekend at Road America, setting a new Supersport lap record in qualifying, earning pole position for both races, then securing podiums in both with 3rd place finishes Saturday and Sunday. Her year began by achieving the first ever female podium for the Daytona 200 (3rd place), then two podiums (3rd and 2nd respectively) at Barber, and Kayla has been on a tear ever since.

She currently sits 3rd in points for the class, we might add.

Leading the pack at Road America, including teammate Josh Herrin (#2). Photo by Tim Lester.

Paired with championship veteran Josh Herrin in Supersport (PJ Jacobsen is racing in Superbike), Rahal Ducati Moto has a stellar lineup this year, and Kayla is attracting lots of attention to the team with her powerful performances. Her consistency and race craft is certainly making for an exciting season start in the Supersport class. Coached by the legendary Ben Spies, himself an AMA and FIM world champion, she is surrounded by the best in the sport to help her achieve the heights of greatness.

Distinct Yaakov style: foot off the peg entering a turn, and that cool helmet. Photo by Tim Lester.

Racing since she was a toddler of 4 years old, Kayla was winning championships by age 8, and broke Nicky Hayden’s record by becoming the youngest American to pilot full-size road racing bikes and taking her first victory against adults at age 9 (Nicky was 10). By age 12, Kayla had amassed 47 regional championships and over 390 wins. Going pro in 2021, Kayla has racked up wins and podiums in every class she has competed in with the MotoAmerica racing series, and gets stronger with each race.

Can you say prodigy?

Definite fan favorite. Photo by Tim Lester.

Tim Lester was on hand at Road America to capture all the race action, and snapped some fantastic shots of Kayla on track and in the paddock. She was understandably busy with her team and with the fans, so they didn’t have a chance to talk, but we hope to get a few moments with her sometime later this season. For now, she is the one to watch in Supersport, as the only female rider currently racing in the class, and making everyone give chase with her consistency and skill set on her Ducati Panigale V2.

Rob
Photos by Tim Lester Images

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