Rider Spotlight: Sara Sandusky
- Updated: September 30, 2012
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| Zen Pro Racing Team Rider: Sara Sandusky Age: 22 Home: Clearwater, FL 2012 Highlights: Bartow Motocross Winter Series 1st Place, Currently leading Women’s Class points in the Dade City Motocross 2012 Championship Series, Finished on the podium in numerous Monster Jam events this year in the Open 450 class, Main event Monster Jam podium wins include Tallahassee, FL, Naples, FL, and Sunrise, FL Quad Wars. |
Tell us about your near-death accident and how it led to love.
I met Jeff Sinn and his family while racing in 2011, we began dating, and later that year he and his father saved my life after my near-fatal quad accident in May of 2011. The crash left me in a coma and on life support. I broke seven bones, collapsed and punctured both of my lungs, and had a pretty bad head injury.
Jeff held my hand through the recovery, got me back on a quad, and has been so extremely supportive of my racing dreams. With his help, mentoring, training, and teaching I have come a long way as a rider and I hope to continue to improve and make it to the national level. Jeff is now my fiancé and the biggest inspiration I have in the sport.
After what happened to you how reluctant were you to get back out and ride again?
At first it was really tough to go out and hit those doubles or ride hard, knowing I could end up right back in the hospital. Eventually I overcame my fears and put them behind me. It’s taken a lot of confidence building, but I know that life is too short to live in fear. You gotta do what makes you happy!
How did you get your start in ATV racing?
I learned to ride in 2009. I started out just rec riding, mostly riding in the woods. Once I got on a motocross track and hit that first jump, I fell in love and my hobby became a passion, which then quickly turned into a lifestyle. I raced my first race in 2010 and from that point on, all I wanted to do was eat, sleep, and breathe ATV motocross. The best feeling in the world is the adrenaline rush of the gate drop, pulling the holeshot, and taking the checkers. That’s when you know your hard work has paid off! The feeling of accomplishment and reaching a goal is indescribable.
ATV racing certainly has had a huge impact on your life. Besides meeting your fiancé how else would you say that it has changed your life?
Motocross is something I truly love and enjoy, wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I can honestly say that it has become a huge part of me, my life, and who I am. It is the reason I have my two best friends, my fiancé, and I have a second family when I’m at the track. The fact that I can work at something, better myself, and have fun doing what I love just means the world to me. It’s all about chasing dreams.
Do you have any words of wisdom that you might want to share with other female racers?
My best advice to other female riders is to never stop doing what you love! Set big goals and go after them. Always chase your dreams and never let anyone get in the way of that. Work hard in life, what you get back is what you put in. On the track, in your education, or the working world, always strive to be the best. Never compare yourself to anyone else, if you are improving your personal goals, that is all that matters. Have morals, strength, confidence and faith. You are much stronger than you think; whether you’re on the track or every day life, keep pushing. I also live by Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Who sponsors you?
My sponsors include MotoGems Jewelry, Rath Racing, Dirt Fiend Racing, Hinson, Fly Racing, Leatt Brace, Douglas Wheel Technologies, Covil Power Racing, Moto Trim, ASV, Manx Motors, Dragon Alliance, Zen Pro Racing, Blommel Motorsports, Clearwater Custom Cycles, Impact Zone Photos, Yoshimura, Liquid Polarized, Fourtech Industries, Tiger Racing, QuadForce, Project 9, Family First MX, my Dad and Sinn Racing.