Aaron Slight: The Half You Don't Know

Aaron Slight: The Half You Don't Know

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 🎧 LISTEN ELSEWHERE Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. 🌐 KIWIMOTO72 Website: kiwimoto72.com Instagram: @kiwimoto72 Newsletter via Beehiiv, link on the website. ❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Patreon: patreon.com/KiwiMoto72 Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/kiwimoto72 Merch: kiwimoto72.myspreadshop.com Recorded 12 June 2026. #AaronSlight #WSBK #KiwiMoto72 Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/support] 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 Or check out ALL my KiwiMoto72 Links here https://linktr.ee/kiwimoto72 KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN 🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform: • Spotify: https://tr.ee/0pmdjh1_2J • Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/r_ffi8iQOk • Buzzsprout: https://tr.ee/b8EYmzjlxO

Kayla Yaakov Returns: From 15-Year-Old Phenom to the Front of MotoAmerica

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. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/support] 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 Or check out ALL my KiwiMoto72 Links here https://linktr.ee/kiwimoto72 KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN 🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform: • Spotify: https://tr.ee/0pmdjh1_2J • Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/r_ffi8iQOk • Buzzsprout: https://tr.ee/b8EYmzjlxO

Why Great Riders Still Need Coaches And How To Become A Coachable Student

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 [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 Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/support] 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 Or check out ALL my KiwiMoto72 Links here https://linktr.ee/kiwimoto72 KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN 🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform: • Spotify: https://tr.ee/0pmdjh1_2J • Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/r_ffi8iQOk • Buzzsprout: https://tr.ee/b8EYmzjlxO

Inside MotoGP Race Direction with Mike Webb

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. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/support] 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 Or check out ALL my KiwiMoto72 Links here https://linktr.ee/kiwimoto72 KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN 🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform: • Spotify: https://tr.ee/0pmdjh1_2J • Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/r_ffi8iQOk • Buzzsprout: https://tr.ee/b8EYmzjlxO

Misti Hurst: From AMA Pro Racing to Writing the Book on Cornering

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 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mistihurst/life-in-the-fast-lane-discovering-the-art-of-cornering] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436250/support] 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 Or check out ALL my KiwiMoto72 Links here https://linktr.ee/kiwimoto72 KiwiMoto72 Podcast 👉 Watch it here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCd6Uc3xNWizwhOpTfkI0IDSIgd0Cp3dN 🎧 Or listen on your favorite platform: • Spotify: https://tr.ee/0pmdjh1_2J • Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/r_ffi8iQOk • Buzzsprout: https://tr.ee/b8EYmzjlxO