GNCC Racing: To start things off, tell us how you got into racing. What was your first bike/ATV? When was your first GNCC?

Rachael Archer: My dad (Kevin Archer) was a top off-road racer in New Zealand in his late twenties and won numerous national titles. He got me a bike when I was three, it was a little 49cc 2-stroke dirt bike from the convenience store and cost $200 because they had a recall with the wiring and were catching on fire, so dad bought it and fixed the wiring problem and gave it to me for Christmas! I was hooked, soon graduating to a CRF 50. I didn’t do my first cross country until I was 10. Once I did, I was hooked, I went on to win several national championships in motocross, cross country, and enduro. My parents bought me over to race my first GNCC when I was 15 in 2016, not even old enough to compete in the WXC class. We had to get a dispensation from AMA to allow me to race in the WXC class. I was so nervous that Dad had to hold me at the starting line I was shaking so bad. I ripped the holeshot and led the first couple miles of my first GNCC at Big Buck. Ended up 7th in that race and 4th at the next round. I came back the following year and did 2 more races and then made the move to race GNCC full-time with AmPro Yamaha in 2019 once I had finished high school.

You’ve won the past three WXC championships. Tell us about how it felt to win those championships and what steps you’re taking to make it four in a row.

Yes, I’ve won 3 GNCC Championships now, so I guess some would say I’m a seasoned veteran at this now, but I’m still only 23 and still learning and improving every time I ride. Winning a championship is all about consistency, and I’d consider myself one of the most consistent riders in GNCC. There aren’t many racers like me who can show up at every single track and battle for the win, so I pride myself on my ability to be good everywhere, and my never-give-up mindset has got me a lot of places.

You put your name in the 50th year of GNCC racing history by winning the opening round at Big Buck and taking the victory at the brand-new Talladega GNCC venue. Tell us how those wins came together and how it feels knowing you’ve made your mark during such a historic season.

Big Buck this year was an absolute mud fest, and I love the mud, so it was only fitting that I won that race! Same with Talladega.

What is your favorite thing about competing in the WXC class?

My favorite thing about competing in the WXC class is seeing the smiles on all the little faces when your high-five all the kids before the start of the race.

What’s your favorite GNCC track?

My favorite track would have to be Snowshoe or Ironman. I don’t really have a favorite, though, because I just like to ride!

As a female racer, what advice would you give to the younger girls looking up to you in the sport?

Advice for anyone wanting to be like me: never give up on your dreams; you can achieve anything if you work hard!

What does be a woman in a male-dominated sport like dirt bike racing mean to you?

Being a female in a male-dominated sport can be really frustrating at times because of the physiological differences. You feel like you're giving it everything you’ve got while the boys are just out for a Sunday cruise, but the good part is that you always have someone to push you and learn from, and that has been a huge advantage to my career training and learning from the boys at the Shoals MX!

Outside of racing, what else do you like to do for fun?

Outside of racing, I like to hang out with my friends, mountain bike with my dog Moe, cook or bake, and just be outdoors.

Finally, we know you can’t do this by yourself. Who are the people and sponsors you’d like to thank?

A huge thank you to my mechanic Trent Wood and the whole Red Bear Rocky Mountain Kawasaki team, our manager and trainer, Ryan Sipes, the Shoals MX facility, and everyone who plays a part in my career!