ASHLEY CLAY
What’s your name?
Ashley Clay
Where are you from?
Okeechobee, Florida
Who is(are) your rider(s)?
Carter Clay #876
How long have you been a moto mom?
Six years.
Were you into motorcycles before becoming a moto mom?
Yes, when my husband raced we traveled all over the place. I originally grew up around stock car racing, so as long as I’m involved in some sort of racing I’m happy 😉
Describe a typical race weekend for you.
Packing the moto van Thursday and hauling butt Friday after work. Meeting all our friends at the track to race, hang out and cheer all the kids on.
What’s your family’s favorite meal at the track?
Anything hot cooked on the grill lol, we like to eat steak a lot!
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions while spectating?
I used to think trying to get a video of Carter riding was bad luck. It never failed if I pulled my phone out he was taking a dirt sample 😉
Most nerve-wracking moment watching your kid(s) race/ride?
Loretta’s is always the worst! So much nerves go into that race. Working hard all year training for that specific race. It’s very nerve wrenching lol.
Favorite part about being at the track?
Cheering the kids on and getting to see all our “cross country” fam
Favorite and least favorite part about traveling to the races?
My favorite part would have to be seeing my kid happy when he races well. There’s nothing better than seeing him smile and be happy for the work he puts in. My least favorite would have to be all the packing and unpacking and re-packing and packing again 😉
Craziest travel story?
We left Florida to escape Hurricane Matthew and went to Ponca for the Ponca City race, some 20-hour drive, deciding to take our fifth wheel so it would not get blown away from the predicted cat 5 hurricane. Only to have the worst trip home, blowing tires on the fifth wheel left and right. Of course, at 2 am when nothing is open. We’re stranded on the side of 75 with cars passing us at 80mph. The only spare tire we had left was a tire not on a rim so my husband had to figure out how to change it. A state trooper stopped to help direct traffic away from us and turned his eye when we put the tire on the rim, we were thankful for his help. We made it 3 miles down the road and it blew. Finally, we made it to a safe place to sleep so we could get new tires in the morning. It was a very nerve-wracking. Finally, make it home to find out the hurricane turned and never hit Florida!
The most important lesson motocross teaches at a young age.
Dedication and hard work. Nothing in life comes easy so whatever it is you want in life you go out and work hard for it. And when life knocks you down you still get up and keep going!!
What’s your secret to getting all the dirt stains out of riding gear?
Murphy’s Oil Soap, works amazing!! I use it on literally everything!
Proudest moment of your career as a moto mom thus far?
I would say when Carter won his first Major Event #1 plate, but it would honestly have to be when we went to Doublin Gap for the Regional. Carter was in the 50cc class, the gates were stacked plus some and he knew he would have to get three good motos to get his ticket. He had 2 good motos and an ok 3rd moto but he came off the track bawling his eyes out because he just knew it wasn’t good enough! When they put the results out he got 5th and earned his ticket. He had pure tears of joy he was so proud of himself, heck it made us all cry a little. Seeing your child proud of their accomplishments is priceless!
What’s your favorite track?
WW Ranch 😉
Who is your favorite pro racer?
Ken Roczen
What is your favorite genre of music?
I like all of it rap, alternative, the 80s, Country you never know what your gonna get on my playlist lol!
What is your favorite movie/tv show?
TV Show would have to be Suits! Movie is probably all the Rocky movies lol, hard to pick just one
What is in your red solo cup?
Isn’t this why we put it in a red solo cup.....Haha, beer!
Any advice for the moto moms of the future?
Motocross never gets easier. Enjoy all the time spent with your family and kids. They will remember all those crazy fun races when they are older. Lots of encouragement goes a long way! You blow through money by the thousands and that should never be something that gets thrown in a kid’s face. You will meet a lot of people across the country in the industry and 80% of them will become your family!
