Hailey Makinson has been an integral part of Remix Racing since 2021. She currently serves as the Director of the Remix Roadshow and has recently been nominated for the position of Executive Director of Remix Racing. Inspired by the mission and community of Remix, Hailey found the courage to step beyond her comfort zone and share her personal journey—a journey she had once kept private due to fear of judgment. With the consistent encouragement and support of the Remix team, she has discovered confidence and purpose through the hardships she has overcome.
Hailey’s early life was marked by profound challenges. At just ten years old, her mother was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Simultaneously, Hailey and her mother endured years of abuse from her father, leaving her feeling isolated, voiceless, and unworthy. Despite her desire to pursue racing like her brother, she was repeatedly told she wasn’t capable—reinforcing feelings of inadequacy throughout her adolescence.
In 2020, her mother made the courageous decision to leave the abusive relationship. Although this was a turning point toward safety, it also marked the dissolution of the only family structure Hailey had known, leaving her in a place of deep despair. Her mental health declined severely, and she struggled with suicidal thoughts, feeling unseen and unheard.
Everything began to shift when her mother encouraged her to pursue racing if she was willing to commit to the hard work it required. From that moment on, Hailey discovered a sense of purpose and direction. Racing became her outlet—a space where she could channel her emotions, focus her energy, and take back control of her life. It allowed her to build resilience and approach life one day at a time.
Since then, Hailey has made remarkable strides in her racing career. She acquired her first 2-stroke dirt bike, learned to race supermoto, and earned both 1st and 3rd place championships. In 2023, she began road racing and has since claimed two Novice Championships and two Expert Championships.
Hailey’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance. She recognizes that the environment she grew up in fostered deep self-doubt, but now, with those circumstances behind her, she is determined to prove that anyone—regardless of their past—can rise above adversity.
During her high school years, Hailey experienced some of her darkest moments where she would walk around with her head down. But as she began to lift her head, she noticed other students also struggling in silence. What set her apart was that she had found a lifeline in racing—an outlet that helped her see a light at the end of the tunnel. On her motorcycle, with the roar of the engine quieting the chaos around her, she found peace and purpose.
Hailey now shares her story to reach others who may be where she once was. She wants young people to know that while fear and self-doubt are real, they are not permanent. With a spark of belief and the right support, anyone can overcome it. Her mission is to show others that no matter where you come from or what you’ve faced, you can become who you want to be—and can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
