Senior Lillyahna Mullins rides bikes, but not just any bikes, dirt bikes. The Oasis senior has created a name for herself in racing throughout the area and already has several sponsors.
“I love adrenaline in the simplest terms. I love the thrill of racing and the risk that comes with it and above the risk, the reward. As soon as the flag drops any thoughts disappear for a couple of hours,” Mullins said.
Mullins started racing in 2021 in the novice women's class of the Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada (MRANN) series. She finished her first season in fourth place in her class for the championship. In 2022, she was moved up to the women's amateur class where she held first place for the majority of the season. That year she ended up finishing third. For 2023, Mullins advanced again and is now in the women's expert class. The season started February 18th.
The sport has also taught her several life lessons.
“I won't always do great, sometimes I have to pick my dirt bike up off the ground a dozen times in a race but crossing the finish line in the end, is crossing the finish line and everyone cheers you on while you do it,” she said.
“One of the other greatest things about racing is the people. Everyone that shows up shares a common interest and most of them are really down to earth. The best way to put it is that the people I've met racing have turned into a second family for me.”
Mullins grew up around dirt bikes and motorsports in general. She got her first dirt bike at about six years old and quickly learned that crashing is a part of the process and even the best of the best crash.
After graduating in May, Mullins will take that love of racing and turn it into a career. She plans to start an apprenticeship as a dirt bike mechanic.
“I’ve enjoyed my welding classes at school and instructor Jorgen “Jep” Jeppesen. It’s the class I’ve enjoyed the most. Jep created an easy going atmosphere where I can learn and joke around with friends,” said Mullins.
“My advice for future students is to try and stay relaxed, you'll have a lot more going for you after highschool is over, find a hobby that is a destresser for you and stick with it,” she said.
Watch for Mullins throughout northern Nevada as part of the MRANN series.