WorldWCR Meet Mallory Dobbs - World Racing News

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Mallory Dobbs, Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team
American, 30
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Representing the USA

With a rich history of American riders excelling in World Championship motorcycle racing, it’s a great honor for anyone to represent the USA on the global stage. Mallory Dobbs, a MotoAmerica graduate, proudly carries this mantle as she embarks on her journey in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship this year. Her path has been anything but conventional, as she didn’t start riding motorcycles until her twenties. Now 30, this civil engineer from Olympia, Washington, is making her debut on European tracks, showcasing a thrilling rise in the world of racing.

Catching the Motorcycle Bug

Reflecting on her first encounters with motorcycles, Dobbs shares, “I didn’t ride a motorcycle until I was 22. I was honestly terrified of the idea for the longest time. I remember my boyfriend at the time showing up at my house on a CBR600 with a spare helmet. After a few months of riding on the back, I decided I wanted my own. My first bike was a 2007 Yamaha R6, which I bought in 2016. Initially, I was too scared to take it on the highway, so I just cruised around town.”

A Quick Transition from Road to Racetrack

Although Dobbs began her motorcycle journey later than many professionals, she quickly made up for lost time. “I started racing at the amateur level six months after I began riding,” she explains. “In 2017, I purchased a 2003 Yamaha R6 as my first race bike and competed with the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA) and the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA). From 2017 to 2020, I was more of a casual racer, competing for fun on weekends with friends. In 2018, I finished second overall in the Novice 600 class and won various female championships over the years.”

Stepping Things Up

After enjoying her amateur experience and recognizing her talent, Dobbs decided to take her racing to the next level. “It wasn’t until 2021 that I dedicated serious time and effort to my racing program. I started racing in Southern California in the winter and received coaching from Jason Pridmore in preparation for my MotoAmerica debut. I bought a brand new ZX6R and finished third overall in all the 600 race classes I participated in that year. In 2022, I competed in my first two professional events in Supersport with MotoAmerica at The Ridge Motorsports Park and Laguna Seca. These rounds were successful, leading me to pursue a full season of Supersport and Superhooligans in 2023. I finished seventh overall in Superhooligans with multiple top 10 finishes and earned some Supersport points.”

Arriving in WorldWCR

Following her consistent performances in MotoAmerica, Dobbs is now competing in the inaugural WorldWCR in 2024, racing on European tracks at the world championship level. Remarkably, before this year, Dobbs had never been to Europe, having only left the USA twice before for vacations in Mexico. “It’s really exciting to race on iconic tracks in Europe,” she says. “Representing the U.S. in WorldWCR is incredibly important to me because it’s no longer just about me. This is the first time I’ve represented my entire country, and it feels like a lot of pressure. There are many talented riders in America, so being the one to represent our country is a weighty responsibility that motivates me to make my home country proud.”

A Warm Welcome from Fellow Americans

As she familiarizes herself with the WorldWCR scene and European tracks, Dobbs has been warmly welcomed by the American contingent in the paddock. “Members of the other American teams have introduced themselves to me, knowing how challenging it is to be the only American in the paddock,” Dobbs shares. “Part of Garrett Gerloff’s team came over to say, ‘Welcome, we want you to know you can hang out with us anytime, and we want to make sure you’re taken care of.’ I really appreciated that. It’s a very welcoming community, and everyone has been so supportive.”

Meeting Alex Rins at COTA

Dobbs admires professional rider Alex Rins, particularly for his welcoming demeanor when they met at the Circuit of the Americas. “We went to MotoGP™ at COTA, and that was my first MotoGP™ experience,” Dobbs recalls. “You can choose a favorite rider based on their skill or social media presence, but when we met, Rins was genuinely interested in my racing career, asking questions about MotoAmerica and how things were going. Racing is inherently a selfish sport, so it was really cool to see him take an interest in what we’re doing.”

A Glimpse into Mallory’s World

What motivated you to seriously pursue competitive riding? “I’ve always been competitive, but motorcycle racing wasn’t my first passion. I grew up showing horses at the world level and got my first horse at 11. Motorcycle racing started as a fun hobby, but I quickly realized I wanted to see how far I could go. Racing was a bit of a fluke for me—I started with track days, met some great people, and was encouraged to try racing. It didn’t take much convincing!”

How did your family react to your interest in racing? “My family doesn’t quite understand why I love racing so much, but they are my biggest fans and support me through it all! As an only child, it can be hard for my dad to watch me race in person, but he’s proud of me for chasing my dreams.”

What advice would you give to young girls aspiring to compete at the highest level? “My advice is to surround yourself with supportive people. This sport is tough, and there will be times when you want to quit—that’s normal. But having a strong support system makes it easier to keep pushing. Never give up on your dreams! They may seem big and daunting, but keep working towards them, and they will happen. I’m living mine right now!”

What does it mean to you to compete in the inaugural WorldWCR season? “It still feels like a dream! Telling people that I’m racing in WorldSBK doesn’t quite feel real. I never imagined I’d say that! Being part of the inaugural season as the only American is incredibly special, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

What do you do outside of racing? “I’m a full-time civil engineer, and juggling that with racing is a challenge. As an engineer, I network and build relationships, similar to motorsports, where your team matters. The people in your corner play a big role in your success.”

What are your hobbies? “Outside of motorcycles, I still ride horses occasionally and enjoy sports like bowling, golf, and pickleball. But honestly, when I’m not racing, I like to relax at home with board games or movies—though it’s been a while since I’ve had time for that! Recently, my life revolves around motorcycle races, training, and recovery. However, I did get to ride my horse for the first time in a couple of months recently, and that was nice.”

WorldWCR will return to action at the Acerbis Italian Round
from September 20th to 22nd at the Cremona Circuit.

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