Rider Profile: Kaeli Flaczinski

photos by Brian Boltinghouse of OTB Photography

Kaeli is one of the smartest, hardest working up and coming racers on and off the track. She works a part time job while obtaining an exceptional grade point average as a high school senior. She’s currently awaiting to hear back from such schools as Harvard and Stanford.

When Kaeli isnt studying or working she’s at the track practicing a minimum of twice a week. As if that’s not enough Kaeli has attended the Joe Byrd Riding School in an effort to get as much ATV racing knowledge as she can. She has also had the opportunity to go back East with Joe and stay with him to attend the last few ATVA Nationals last year.

Kaeli races the ITP Quadcross Series on the West Coast, where she’s been quite successful in the 450 Novice class against the boys. Like all serious athletes and go getters, Kaeli is constantly working on improving, so she often trains with some of the local Souther California Pros to help keep her on the top of her game. It’s hard to find young racers with her kind of heart and dedication to the sport and her future, we’re impressed.

Name: Kaeli Flaczinski
Birth date:  June 1, 1992
Home: Riverside, CA
Born in:  Corona, CA
Occupation: I’m currently working at a UPS store.
Education:  Junior in High School
Racing #: 333
Racing Experience: 5 years
Current Quad:  A Beautiful Yamaha YFZ 450
Sponsors:  Triumph Motorsports, PEP suspension, Quad Tech, Mom & Dad, Sister and of course my little brother Jake who has to sit at the track all day bored while I’m riding.

Restaurant: Anchos! It’s definitely the best food you will ever eat. The Spaghetti Factory is my second favorite.

Pets: I’m really not an animal person. I have always loved dolphins though, but I don’t think those count as pets.

Laptop or PC? I have both, laptops are more fun though.

Hottest Guy on Earth: Anthony Martin ..lol

Favorite Place on Earth: The track of course. Then the beach.

Worst Place on Earth: School and McDonald’s

Websites: ATVScene.com

What’s on your I pod? Music, pretty much any kind will do other than classical or jazz or screaming stuff.

Cell Phone and carrier? The LG Shine

Worst Habit? Procrastinating, then freaking out the night before when its not finished.

Flicks? The Guardian, High School Musical, 27 Dresses

What’s usually on your TV? Nothing really, unless it’s a movie. I don’t have cable. It’s a waste of time.

What’s on your walls? My plaques and trophies, and my racing number in checkered flag painting.

Who would you like to trade places with for a day? Angela Butler or Joe Byrd… on race day so I can win a national.

My motto: Ride smart and race hard. You can’t get any better sitting around.

First job: Working in the snack bar at the local BMX track.

Dinner: Pasta. Any kind of pasta sounds good to me.

Favorite athlete in another sport? Kobe Bryant

Who inspires you & Why?
No one in particular, I ride for myself. But seeing the other riders getting faster and moving up makes me want to train harder and get better.

Favorite ATV racer & why?
Joe Byrd because he is smooth, consistent and he has been doing it for so long. Also, because he will help you if you ask him to. My favorite local racer is Justin Noss because he is so nice and helpful. He is very determined and keeps riding to make himself better.
What training have you done to get as far as you have?
I try to ride at least two times a week. I train at the gym and ride my bike out at the BMX track for cross training.

What other ATVs have you raced?
I started on a stock Polaris Predator 90, then moved up to a modified Kasea 90. After that, I rode a Yamaha Blaster and now I’m on the Yamaha YFZ 450.

What are your long-term goals in racing?
I want to make it to Women’s Pro at the national level and win a title in that class. And I really would like to finish top ten in the Men’s Pro class some day, or at least qualify for a Pro main.

What’s scarier, a long table, or short double?
A short double, definitely. Doubles scare me because it’s all or nothing, while a table top jump lets you work your way into clearing it.

Is it harder being in a Guy’s class or Women’s classes, why?
I honestly do not know. I have only ever raced with the boys so far.

MX, TT, XC or Supermoto?
MX. I haven’t tried the others yet.

Prediction for 2010 ATVA Pro Champion:
Joe Byrd

Any last words of advice for the young ladies of ATV racing?
Don’t ever use being a girl as an excuse for something, and don’t let the boys intimidate you. They’re more scared of being beaten by you. We need more girls to race so come on out and give it a try.

 

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