Australasian Dirt Bike — January 2018

always a big accomplishment, it’s
addictive too. Every time I’ve finished
I think about what I could improve on
for next year.

Have your parents been against you racing?
I wouldn’t say they have been against
me racing, but I think they will be
relieved when I retire. They just get
worried and want me to stay safe,
which is normal. They’re both still
very supportive of what I do and
always help when they can. I’ve even
taught Mum how to help clean air
filters.

It appears you’ve had some really fast riding
mates. How influential have these guys been?
I started off riding at Chucky’s place
(AORC champ Daniel Sanders hails
from Three Bridges, Vic). He’s the one
that encouraged me to give off-road
racing a go and mix it up from the
motocross I was used to. Last year I
spent a lot of time out at Starglen
Lodge near Bonnie Doon riding the
trails there with Tom Mason. I even
spent some time riding in the sand up
at the back of Bourke before Hattah
last year with Tye Simmonds. Tye has
always been happy to help out and
give me some tips. I’ve been so lucky
to have some very knowledgeable and
supportive friends over the years
helping me with my racing and riding.
They’ve always been very patient and
keen to help me out, which I’ve always
appreciated. I felt like I was thrown in
the deep end entering my first AORC
but it made it so much easier having
great support.

Tell us a little about your first year racing the
AORC in 2016. Were there any stand-outs?
Last year was tough, I ended up with
some great results and had a lot of fun
but it definitely wasn’t easy. I had a
rough start when I hit a kangaroo in
my Hilux on the drive to the first
round at Kilkivan, Qld, and did a lot of
damage to the ute. That almost put me
off doing the whole series. There are so
many costs that keep adding up.
Trying to work full-time as a
veterinarian and driving to all the
rounds of the Victorian Off-Road
Championship and the AORC was
hard enough without doing all the
maintenance on my bike on my own. I

remember lots of late nights changing

oil and air filters in my kitchen the

night before a race. It made it

worthwhile to finish third for the

VORC and fifth in the AORC but I

wasn’t sure if I’d race the 2017 season.

You landed a ride with the Motul Pirelli Sherco

Off-Road Race Team. How different is it being

on a team as opposed to racing on your own?

The Sherco team has been fantastic!

I’ve had so much fun racing this year

and have been able to fit in work/

training/racing a bit more easily. Team

boss Dave Suter has my bike prepared

and ready for me to race or train on

when I need and I enjoy this bike so

much every time I ride it. I also love

the look of my Alpinestars and Bell

gear – it’s important to look good out

there. Being part of the team has

definitely taken the pressure off me as

I can continue to work and then fly to

the races that are further away. It’s

such a nice change to the “work all

day and then drive overnight to get to

the race on Saturday routine” I had

last year. [Kate finished fifth in the

AORC Women’s class this year despite

missing the last two rounds.]

How many kilometres have you driven in your

Hilux this year?

I’ve done around 50,000km so far. I try

to team up with other people when I

can but it makes it difficult with work.

I’ve been based in Alexandra in the

north-east of Victoria for the last year

or so but have travelled a lot for work.

Working as a locum vet has been a lot

of fun and given me the flexibility to

race on weekends when I need, but it

is a bit of a gypsy lifestyle which can

be tough at times.

Have you ever had to rely on your veterinarian

skills while out riding?

The only one I can think of is the

kangaroo I hit while driving to the

AORC, but that was a bit beyond

anything my veterinary skills could

help with. It passed away quite

quickly. I do get asked regularly for my

opinion on different injuries while

riding. Normally I get the, “you’re a

vet, is it broken?” Other than the

obvious anatomical differences, basic

treatment and first aid is the same for

any species.

http://www.adbmag.com JANUARY 2018 | 187

Kate started out racing MX only a few years ago

Kate wants to race Finke next year

Put your tongue back in your mouth boys

Kate won her class at the Deni Ute Muster

Kate’s proven you can chase a career and racing