HEATHER DUFF
What’s your name?
Heather Duff
Where are you from?
Lexington, KY
Who is(are) your rider(s)?
Wyatt Duff #444, 65/85, 9 years old
How long have you been a moto mom?
About three years
Were you into motorcycles before becoming a moto mom?
I knew nothing about the world of amateur motocross. Before me and my husband met seventeen years ago he had raced professionally So I knew it was a major part of his life before me. But I really knew nothing other than what I had heard from his race stories or meeting his old racing buddies. When it came to my kid racing motocross, I knew absolutely zero. It’s been a huge learning experience.
Describe a typical race weekend for you.
It starts Wednesday getting the RV ready. My husband gets the trailer and bikes ready I get the RV ready. Making sure it’s clean, laundry and beds done, packing it up with groceries and supplies. Making lists of what we will eat everyday and planning our meals making sure everything we need is on there. I make sure the kid’s school tests are done and homework is finished early for the week and then we usually leave out Thursday after school. Since we live in Kentucky every race is far away. Anywhere from six to fifteen hours away.
Friday-Sun: I try to cook them three good meals a day if I’m in the RV and I wake up early on race and practice day to try and get them a good breakfast so they will have enough energy. During the races with two kids and anywhere from 2-4 classes each kid, it gets very busy. Most of the time one parent takes one kid to the line and the other parent takes the other. We divide and conquer when their races are close to each other. It gets hectic with two kids racing. Between my husband fixing the bikes and me trying to cook clean and feed them in between their races sometimes, it feels like we are running in circles. I try to get videos to maybe post on Instagram during the race, but I usually end up screaming and cheering so loud during filming
it’s just too embarrassing to share haha. My kids like to make fun of me for that. But I secretly think they love it. When their races are back to back you may not get to watch one kid because the other kid needs to be at the line. It feels like nonstop running around and non stop worrying during the races, and then when the races are over for the day it’s time to make dinner clean up and get the kids in bed. Honestly at the end of the day having a cold beer with friends and collapsing from emotional and physical exhaustion outside in a lawn chair is definitely a must!
What’s your family’s favorite meal at the track?
I love to make tacos in a crockpot and put all the toppings in a big tray on the side and share it with friends. Some of Wyatt’s friends make fun of me and say “tacos again?!” Haha, but everyone always eats them!
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions while spectating?
Pray, pray, pray and keep praying.
Most nerve-wracking moment watching your kid(s) race/ride?
The start is definitely the most nerve-wracking. I feel like right before that gate drops my heartbeat is though the roof and I might puke. Until that first lap is in, I cannot breathe. I pace a lot and just talk to myself or embarrass myself by cheering too loud.
Favorite part about being at the track?
Being able to watch my kids do what they are so passionate about. The time with family and friends. The families we have met in motocross have become some of our best friends. We’ve met so many people from all over the country that we would do anything for and vice versa. I love all the kids that come hang out at the RV they are some of the nicest kids I have met and I have grown to love them too, just like my own. I love cheering them on just as much as my own sometimes.
Favorite and least favorite part about traveling to the races?
Favorite: just being together. Even in the long drives, we are all making memories. I’m glad we get to do so much together.
Least favorite: the long drives are hard, and trying to make meals as the RV rocks you all over the place is not the easiest.
Craziest travel story?
One time we lost our pet hamster in the RV, he had escaped his cage in the middle of the night. Hours went by and we never found him and then there he was hanging onto the screen door for dear life. I was really grossed out about having a hamster loose in the RV. We don’t do hamsters anymore.
The most important lesson motocross teaches at a young age.
Motocross success is earned and at the end of the day, it’s you against yourself. No one wakes up and is already great at motocross, and I like that. I like that my kids are earning their way. At that line when that gate drops the only thing that’s gonna mean anything is who has been working the hardest and who wants it the most. I like they are having moments of greatness in moto like big wins and podiums but also important are the moments of humility in losing and being gracious. I like they are learning hard work and how dedicated you gotta be in this life to get what you want. And If there’s one thing a motocross kid is, its tough. I’m glad they are learning this because life is tough it will knock you down, and sometimes knock you out but you can never give up.
What’s your secret to getting all the dirt stains out of riding gear?
My secret is this...don’t care too much. The way I see it, no one’s gonna care about stains on your gear when you make it up on that podium.
Proudest moment of your career as a moto mom thus far?
Wyatt winning Daytona was one of my proudest moments. He has been working so hard and has made so much progress. He’s been the youngest kid in his class for so long with a bad AMA birthday so sometimes it has seemed like such an uphill battle, but seeing him get a big win in his 65 class was just amazing to me and well deserved. I’m really looking forward to seeing him this year now that he’s 9 in the (7-9) class. Praying we get back to racing soon!
What’s your favorite track?
Loretta’s, Baja Acres, Spring A Ding Ding
Who is your favorite pro racer?
Ricky Carmichael and Ken Roczen
What is your favorite genre of music?
Country
What is your favorite movie/tv show?
Tiger King 👑duh haha
What is in your red solo cup?
Just a little moto mom juice - that’s confidential information.
Any advice for the moto moms of the future?
Buckle up, you are in for a wild ride!
