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DRAGBIKEGIRL

 

Rider Details

Name: Elyse McKinnon

License: NHRA ET/MX #599

Best E.T.: 8.XX

Best Speed: 166.64 mph

Residence: Houston, TX

Home Town: Tampa, FL

Degree: Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Florida

Likes

 

snowboarding

scuba diving

hiking

wakeboarding

 

 

Dislikes

 

missing flights

going slow

early wake up calls

negative people

Career Highlights

2021: Kings of Grudge Street Hustlers Grand CHAMPION, Special Guest at Women's Moto Show, 1st Female to ever win a KOG Shootout Class, Runner-up in Cash Days at The Spring Fling

 

2020: Special Guest with EatSleepRace at TX2K, Winner of Russ Brown Virtual Motorcycle Show, Featured Athlete in BMW Motorrad USA International Female Ride Day Campaign

 

2019: PMRA Ultra Street CHAMPION, 3x PMRA Event Winner, Best of Show at Women's Moto Show, Special Guest at Nitro Circus Live, Featured Athlete at Multiple BMW Dealer Events

 

2018: PMRA Ultra Street CHAMPION, Top 10 PMRA Super Comp Championship, Top 15 PMRA Pro ET Championship, Runner-up at TX2K, Displayed at The Handbuilt Show

 

2017: 5th in PMRA Pro ET Championship, 6th in PMRA Super Comp Championship, PMRA Ultra Street Runner-up, Runner-up at Street Car Takeover

 

2016: Top 10 PMRA Super Comp Championship, Top 15 PMRA Pro ET Championship, Runner-up at Street Car Takeover

 

2015: Winner of Cash Days, Special Guest with BMW Motorrad USA, Runner-up at Street Car Takeover

 

2014: Winner of Midnight Drags, Runner up at ICC, Runner-up at Street Car Takeover

 

2013: Obtained NHRA License, Attended RSR Drag School

 

2012: Started Drag Racing Motorcycles

Biography

 

As a little girl Elyse was always a tomboy. She would rather hit the trails on a four-wheeler, explore in the woods, or go-kart around in the yard than do girly things. She has two older brothers whose toys she gladly took as hand-me-downs or otherwise borrowed when left unattended (namely the go-kart)! Her parents also love the outdoors and taught her the value of hard work and upstanding morals.

 

Growing up in Florida, there were always motorcycles cruising the street, enjoying the year-round great weather and beautiful ocean views. She first rode a motorcycle in college when her now-husband owned quite a few. He taught her to ride in an empty parking lot on the University of Florida campus and she couldn’t get enough!

 

After graduation Chris and Elyse got married and moved to Lawrence, Kansas for careers. Elyse got her own motorcycle and fell in love with street riding and the motorcycle community, forming new friendships with other riders.

 

Elyse tried drag racing for the first time in September 2012 at a street legal night and was immediately addicted. She loved the adrenaline rush and the challenge of learning to safely and efficiently go as fast as possible. She ran that night on her street bike, a 2011 GSXR 600. The next season she ran a BMW S1000RR. Mid-way through the season she earned her NHRA License then the team stretched and lowered the bike. Her racing ambitions intensified after making quick improvements at Ryan Schnitz Drag Racing School.

 

Over the next several years she traveled the Midwest from Oklahoma to Indiana drag racing. She was always looking for heads-up racing, but did some bracket and index racing along the way, too. In June 2015 Elyse had a bad wreck when unable to stop the bike in the shutdown and suffered a broken back, leg, and ribs, among other injuries. She underwent a spinal fusion surgery and was able to make a full recovery over the winter. A few months later she was back on the race track. In 2016 the team relocated to Houston and continued racing in Texas and Oklahoma. Elyse went on the win back to back Ultra Street Championships in 2018 & 2019. After nearly 10 years of racing and working with the S1000RR, Elyse earned the title of BMW Expert through BMW Motorrad and has been a special guest at numerous events to share her knowledge about the bike and love of racing.

Instagram

 

@DRAGBIKEGIRL

 

Just a girl racing motorcycles while building my next race bike. Usually found somewhere in the sunshine.

#Makelifearide

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