Member of the Week: Austin Kienast

What discipline(s) do you participate in?

Motocross – Open A, 250A, and 25+ A

When did you begin riding and/or racing?

I began riding at the age of 8 and racing at 14.

What's one thing you love about the District 23 ARMCA community?

I love how much a family the community is. I look forward to seeing everyone every weekend.

What is the significance of your riding number? Was it given to you or did you pick it for a specific reason?

When I was young, I was very into RC cars and the one I had was number 25 so I went with that. But then my buddy told me I should have a 3 digit number so I took his 6 off his number so then it became 625.

What is your favorite track, course, trail, or event and why?

My favorite track to race would probably be Echo Valley. The hills and turns are just so cool and after a good night of rain, the track is perfect!

What is the greatest accomplishment of your riding/racing career?

My greatest accomplishment would probably be either going to Loretta’s the first time in 2017 or winning Open A, 250A, and 14-24 A in the D23 series in 2018.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years within the sport?

In the next five years I see myself still doing this for sure. Maybe not quite as competitive and probably transition into racing my vintage dirt bike.

If you could race at any track in the world, where would it be and why?

I think I’d be cool to go to the MXGP Argentina track. It looks like it flows really well.

Who inspires you in racing or riding? And how has motorcycling impacted your life?

I would have to say my good friend, Isaac Geiger, who use to race a while back in D23. I rode a little bit but he really got me into racing. Motorcycles have lead me to where I am now. I’ve met so many people through this and this is what got my to move to Minnesota from South Dakota.

What has been your favorite machine to race/ride and why?

My favorite bike has to be my 2001 Kawasaki KX500. So much history with them and they are something else to ride.

What's one pre-race ritual or superstition you have?

Nothing really. I just make sure I do my normal bike checks beforehand and I’m all good.

What's the funniest or most unexpected thing that's happened to you at a race?

I would say running myself over. I was at Millville and swapped in the whoops and my own bike ran me over and I left with some big marks on my chest but still raced the next day! haha

What's a lesson you've learned from racing that applies to life outside the track?

The harder you work the further you will go and also keeping good people in your corner helps a lot.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new rider, what would it be?

Have fun with it and try to talk to people around the track. Anyone will help out with anything you need.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Let’s make this another great year!