Parrish Traweek prepares to enter the track for qualifications at Musselman Honda Circuit on Day 1 at the 2024 AMA Supermoto Nationals. Photo by T.C. Brown
By T.C. Brown
The journey for “making the podium” started about a year ago when Parrish Traweek and his wife Carla, went to the Supermoto Nationals held at Musselman Honda Circuit south of Tucson, Arizona in November of 2023 as spectators. The adventure came full circle in October of 2024 when Parrish took to the track himself in the Asphalt Amateur Class at the 2024 AMA Supermoto National Championship Series. There is more to tell of what happened in the year in between.
Parrish is not new to racing. He has a vast history of riding and racing in desert races and motocross across the West. He, like many in the area, grew up racing and riding in the deserts around San Manuel. His father and uncle had moved to the area from Texas in the 1960s to enjoy the warmth, jobs and open lands of Southern Arizona. The Texas brothers had their own affinities for riding motorcycles as fast as they would go. That love of speed and two wheels was passed on to Parrish and his sisters.
This love of motorcycles led to his desire to give Supermoto a try after being interested in it for years. His 20-year service to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force may have kept him from pursuing a career in motorsports. The years did not lessen his desire for speed on a motorcycle. He found a new 2024 KTM SMR 450 in January 2024 to allow him to follow a new dream. This bike is designed to be “Ready to Race” right out of the Phoenix Storeroom floor. That was the closest one he could find as there are very few available and those that are available are sold fast.
The next approximately 10 months found Parrish and his unofficial pit crew, Carla Traweek, Joellen and T.C. Brown, testing and watching out for the bike and rider while getting both to their limits. The testing and riding started in local parking lots. It moved on quickly to track time at Musselman Honda Circuit in Tucson as we well as Phoenix Kart Rental Association track in Northern Phoenix. Many would be surprised to find out how much tire temperature, tire pressure, and fork pressure have to do with how fast a bike will go. Throw in a different sprocket, a blown fork, new brakes, multiple tire changes, and more to try and shave time off the clock. Added some help and knowledge from folks at Gear Shifters and 520 Moto Alliance in Tucson. Throughout the months, Parrish desired and believed that he could make the podium at the national level.
It was time for the 2024 AMA Supermoto Nationals. All of the energy, money and hours of practice led to the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20, 2024. With family, friends and fans cheering him on it was all down to Parrish and his drive to do his best. There was a total of six different classes covered at the international event, with riders from the United States and other countries in attendance. The Asphalt Open and Asphalt Amateurs were combined into one moto. A total of four motos were raced over the weekend for each class represented. Two motos were ran each day. Points were awarded based on the finishing place for each class moto. Each moto was either 15 or 20 minutes plus one lap. Starting positions were determined by qualification races held each morning. Every rider had a transponder which determined their fastest lap and their place at the starting line. Each race was started from standing still with the engine running.
Parrish’s starting positions were pretty much middle of the pack. His ability to move up depended on solid starts and as much speed as he and his bike were able to muster. Most of the bikes were similar in make, model and power. It would come down to experience, multiple solid starts and the ability to move up and by others in his moto. Start results were mixed. The first starts of each day found Parrish further back in the pack then he wanted to be. He was able to move up as the motos went along. The starts in the second moto was better each day. Each found Parrish close to the front of the pack with less traffic to deal with.
Not surprisingly everything came down to the second moto on Sunday. Do well and have a chance to stand at the podium. Do poorly and go home with only experience to show. Parrish got an incredible start! He was fourth overall for the first several laps running right with the Asphalt Open Pros. He did lose some time as the final race progressed but had an incredible run. He used all of his experience and energy to hang on to the end. After all the points were tallied, he placed a very hard-fought and well-deserved Second Place at the 2024 AMA Supermoto Nationals. Parrish achieved his dream of standing on the podium at the Supermoto National competition less than one year after stating his intention to do exactly that. It was an impressive accomplishment! His mother and sisters were in the stands watching him succeed.
This love of anything motorcycles encompasses much of Parrish’s life. He is the owner of JWJ Cycles. This motorcycle museum-of-sorts is a collection of motorcycles that tell a story of motorcycle history. There are not just dirt or desert bikes in the collection. There are nearly 100 motorcycles on display that cover much of the history of motorcycles in general. For more information on JWJ Cycles see https://www.jwjcycles.com.
For more information on Gear Shifters or 520 Moto Alliance see www.gearshiftersaz.com and www.520motoalliance.com. They have a tentatively planned ride-in to JWJ Cycles the afternoon of Nov. 10, 2024.
Musselman Honda Circuit is home to the AMA Supermoto Nationals. It is located at 11800 S Harrison Rd, Tucson, AZ 85747 near the Pima County Fairgrounds. “Built to replicate the Suzuka South Circuit in Japan, the 1,264-meter track at Musselman Honda Circuit challenges drivers of all sorts to master its 13 turns. Check out our rentals or bring out your own ride for some great competition at one of our monthly track days for Sports Cars, Sport Bikes, Supermoto, Drifting and Kart Racing.” For more information see https://mhcircuit.com.
A hybrid of road racing and motocross, Supermoto racers use modified off-road motorcycles to compete on tracks that combines paved and dirt sections and often include jumps and other off-road obstacles. Supermoto tracks are typically around 80-percent pavement and 20-percent dirt and can be built almost anywhere, including at go-kart tracks, indoor stadiums, street courses, parking lots and more. Supermoto race bikes are typically big-bore, four-stroke singles (450cc and up) that were originally built for motocross or off-road riding, modified with smaller-diameter 17-inch wheels that accommodate road racing tires, and sometimes with lowered suspension, too. Many motorcycle manufacturers have dedicated models made especially for Supermoto. Some of the classes race on the asphalt only. The AMA sanctions the AMA Supermoto National Championship Series, organized in conjunction with promotional partner DRT Racing.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
DRT Racing was formed by the Mock brothers in 2014. Fueled by their passion for motorcycles, they bridged the gap between industry brands and riders worldwide. The team develops riders in all disciplines across the globe. In August 2018, team owner became Certified Coach by the USMCA.org and focuses on the learn to ride platform for all ages. After years of hard work and dedication to the sport, DRT Racing established themselves as the operations and track builder for select Roland Sands SuperHooligans, Moto Beach Classic, promoter for the AMA Supermoto National Championship Series, and many more. In more recent years, DRT Racing adds timing & scoring for various USAC operations such as Indycar, GT America, Tony Stewart’s SRX, Skip Barber Racing School and many more. For more information, please visit www.DRTracingINC.com.
Parrish Traweek coming out the corner on Day 1 at the 2024 AMA Supermoto Nationals. Photo by T.C. Brown