KiwiMoto72 Podcast: Riders, Racers & the Experts Behind the Sport

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Aaron Slight is one of the best riders World Superbike ever produced, and one of the unluckiest.

Thirteen wins. Eighty-seven podiums. Three straight Suzuka 8-Hour victories. Four third-place championship finishes and two as runner-up, including 1998 when he lost the title to Carl Fogarty by just 5.5 points.

Then in February 2000, a brain aneurysm and emergency surgery in Sydney nearly ended his life. He came back to race the same season. Honda did not renew him at the end of the year. And that was the end of his racing career.

In this episode I sit down with the man from Masterton, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, to trace the whole story. The motocross kid who started at twelve. The friend whose death pushed him onto the road. The move to Australia with a TZR250 and not much else. The factory Kawasaki years and the Castrol Honda years against Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser, and John Kocinski. The Suzuka crash that nearly took his hand. The Simon Crafar connection. And the fight that had nothing to do with a stopwatch.

His book is called "You Don't Know the Half Of It." This is the other half.

This is the format the KiwiMoto72 Podcast is known for. From the early years to the present day, long-form. Made to be heard in one sitting or stretched across a few drives.

⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 The Journey of Aaron Slight
03:05 Reflections on a Racing Career
06:13 The Influence of Marcedon
08:48 The Impact of Loss and Transition
11:53 Early Racing Experiences
13:26 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Australia
21:07 The Road to Japan
26:42 Suzuka: Triumphs and Trials
33:08 The Journey Begins: Early Racing Experiences
37:28 Overcoming Adversity: The Hand Injury and Comeback
40:44 Transitioning to World Superbike: The Competitive Landscape
44:40 First Win in Europe: A Pivotal Moment
47:33 Training and Fitness: Evolving as a Racer
50:44 The Absence of Coaching: Self-Taught Skills
54:27 The Competitive Rivalries: Close Calls and Frustrations
01:04:48 Reflecting on a Racing Career
01:10:49 The Aneurysm and Its Impact
01:18:34 The Road to Recovery and Return to Racing
01:25:09 Transitioning from Racing to Life Beyond the Track
01:31:22 Lessons Learned and Advice for Young Riders

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Recorded 12 June 2026.

#AaronSlight #WSBK #KiwiMoto72

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Three years ago I had Kayla Yaakov on the show as a fifteen-year-old Junior Cup racer. She is a very different rider now.

This time Kayla came to the track to coach me, then sat down for a long talk about how she got here. We get into her riding, the number 19 Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight Panigale V2, the mental side of running at the front, and what she fixed in my own riding in a single day.

Her last three seasons tell the story. She moved up to MotoAmerica Supersport full time and finished sixth in the 2025 championship. Then 2026 turned into a breakout. She took third at the Daytona 200, the first woman in 84 runnings to stand on that podium, passing former MotoGP rider Darryn Binder on the banking to do it. She qualified on pole at Road Atlanta, the first woman ever to do that in a MotoAmerica Supersport race, set a lap record at Barber, and stacked up four podiums by Road America, running right at the sharp end of the title fight. 

We cover all of it. how she trains, what the pressure feels like at this level, and where she goes next.

Kayla rides for Rahal Ducati Moto with Droplight in MotoAmerica Supersport, with support from Mission Foods, HJC, Alpinestars, Ashley's Dream Foundation, Reset Public Affairs, and Dunlop. Her Insta360 code is KAYLA19.

Watch the full track day and interview on YouTube at @kiwimoto72.

Subscribe to the KiwiMoto72 Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen. Real bikes, real miles, real opinions.

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This is our longest episode ever. Three hours of real talk on coaching, rider development, and getting faster on track.

Misti Hurst is a former AMA Pro Supersport racer and senior coach at California Superbike School. She has over 20 years of experience racing and coaching riders around the world. Now she has written a book about it.

In this episode, Misti talks about her path from street rider to pro racer to coach, her years working with Keith Code at CSS, the psychology of fear and breakthroughs in riding, and how she coaches everyone from kids to mountain bikers to Moto Moms.

We also talk about her debut book, Life in the Fast Lane: Discovering the Art of Cornering, and what it took to write it. The e-book and print editions are available at mistihurst.com.

Misti was back on the show for Season 2 Episode 14 with Rick Rayner for a three-hour deep dive on coaching and trail braking.

You don't need to listen to all three hours in one sitting. Break it up over a few sessions. Come back to the parts that hit home. There's enough in here to keep you thinking for a while.

📚 Misty's Book Update: Misty has a new book on the way. The e-book is expected at the end of March, with print copies coming at the end of June. Preorder now and purchase at mistihurst.com.

🔗 https://mistihurst.com

Topics: motorcycle coaching, rider development, throttle control, racing lines, trail braking, rear brake technique, mental strategies, track riding, self-awareness, observation skills

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Mike Webb is the most senior official in MotoGP.

He is responsible for race control, safety decisions, penalties, red flags, and consistency across every Grand Prix weekend. When races stop, restart, or change direction, the final call sits with him.

In this interview, we go inside MotoGP race direction.
 We cover how decisions are made in real time, how technology and regulations shape modern racing, and how trust is built with riders, teams, and manufacturers.

We also explore Mike’s career path from New Zealand motorsport to the top job in the paddock, and what it takes to operate under pressure when every decision is scrutinized worldwide.

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the role that quietly governs MotoGP.

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In this episode, I sit down with Misti Hurst — former AMA Pro Supersport racer, senior California Superbike School coach, mountain bike mentor, mini-moto mom, and now… published author.

With over 20 years of experience racing and coaching riders around the world, Misti is one of the most respected voices in motorcycle education today. Now, she’s turning the throttle in a new direction with her debut book, Life in the Fast Lane: Discovering the Art of Cornering — a powerful mix of riding techniques, behind-the-scenes coaching stories, and deeply personal lessons from the road, the racetrack, and life itself.

We talk about:

• Her journey from street rider to pro racer and coach
• Working with Keith Code and the evolution of CSS
• The psychology of fear, coaching, and breakthroughs
• How she teaches kids, mountain bikers, and Moto Moms alike
• What it really took to write this book — and why now
• Her new Kickstarter campaign to bring Life in the Fast Lane to print

If you ride, coach, teach, or just love a good comeback story — this one’s for you.

🎯 Support Misti’s Book on Kickstarter (launches Nov 11, 2025):
👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mistihurst/life-in-the-fast-lane-discovering-the-art-of-cornering

Support the show

If you found this video helpful, consider supporting the channel by checking out the links below, or consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72

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Support the show

If you found this video helpful, consider supporting the channel by checking out the links below, or consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72

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Paul Trevathan: From Kiwi Roots to MotoGP Crew Chief — Guiding Pedro Acosta & Unlocking the Secrets of the Paddock

What does a MotoGP crew chief really do? In this episode, I sit down with Paul Trevathan, crew chief for rising KTM superstar Pedro Acosta. From his Kiwi beginnings in New Zealand motorsport to leading in the world’s fastest motorcycle championship, Paul shares his journey to the top and what it takes to succeed at MotoGP level.

We break down the crew chief’s role — the bridge between rider feedback, raw data, and race-winning decisions. Paul explains how he works with riders under pressure, the unique challenge of guiding a young prodigy like Acosta, and the culture inside KTM’s MotoGP team.

We also dive into the legacy of New Zealand in motorsports, and how Kiwi grit and resourcefulness continue to make waves on the global stage. If you’ve ever wanted to peek behind the garage doors of MotoGP, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

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Nick Ienatsch is a former racer, longtime motorcycle journalist, and founder of the Yamaha Champions Riding School. He has spent his career studying what makes riders fast and what keeps them safe.

In this episode, Nick breaks down the Champions Habits program, trail braking, brake coverage, and why the best upgrade you can make to your motorcycle is your own skill. We talk about why riders plateau, the biggest mistakes he sees at every level, and how street riders benefit from the same techniques used on track.

Nick also explains how YCRS builds its coaching team and why consistent technique matters more than talent.

If you ride on the street or the track, this conversation will change the way you think about your inputs.

Support the show

If you found this video helpful, consider supporting the channel by checking out the links below, or consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72

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Kristian Daniel Jr. is 16 years old and racing in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, one of the most competitive junior series in the world. He earned his spot against riders from dozens of countries and is now lining up on the same Grand Prix circuits as MotoGP.

In this episode, Kristian talks about the jump from U.S. racing to the European stage, what it takes to compete in the Rookies Cup, and how he handles the pressure of international competition at his age.

We also talk about his friendship with fellow American racer Kensei Matsudaira, the mental side of racing, and the family support system behind his career.

This is part of our Young Guns series spotlighting the next generation of motorcycle racing talent.

Support the show

If you found this video helpful, consider supporting the channel by checking out the links below, or consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72

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Avalon Lewis is one of New Zealand's top motorcycle racers. She came up through grassroots bucket racing, worked her way through national competition, and made it to the inaugural FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship.

In this conversation, Avalon talks about the state of racing in New Zealand, what it took to get from club level to a world championship grid, and how she balances racing with being a mum. We cover her training with Aaron Slight, racing under Carl Cox Motorsport, and what needs to happen to grow the sport for future Kiwi riders.

Avalon is honest about the highs and the setbacks. This is a real look at what it costs to chase a world championship from a small country with limited funding.

Support the show

If you found this video helpful, consider supporting the channel by checking out the links below, or consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72

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KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN
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