Tray Batey

WERA #33

Bio

I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t interested in motorcycles. Before my first bike, a Honda mini-trail Z-50, we spent our time building wood ramps and jumping bicycles. I knew if I could ever convince my parents to get me a mini bike the bicycle phase would be over. It finally happened in July 1971, a bright candy red Z-50. I rode constantly and spent most of my time trying to keep up with the big kids on their 125 Yamaha Enduros and assorted other larger bikes. My parents were not motorcycle oriented in any way, and therefore it usually took some amount of asking with promises to feed the cattle or paint the barn to receive much support on their end. My father took me to my first race to spectate in 1971, a local motocross. I was completely stricken. The smell of the Castor oil and the cool European dirt bikes of that era just floored me. I have never gotten over it to this day. Now at 45 years old, I’ve raced motocross, hare scrambles, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, road raced in sprint events, endurance, and some AMA nationals. I’ve had much success over the years in most of the disciplines I’ve competed in.

None of this success would have been possible, the national championships, the track records, and the great people I’ve become friends with, if not for the substantial support of people who believed in me. I’ve had the honor to be associated with some great local shops that provided me with bikes and parts in the early years. But my successes in the past 20 years must be attributed to great teams like Vesrah Suzuki with support from really great sponsors such as Pirelli, Vanson, Arai, and many, many others. I don’t care how much heart you have or talent, if you don’t have great equipment and support you just can’t put it together for the long haul, and that’s what it takes to win a championship at the end of an entire race season.