GNCCRacing.com: How long have you guys been racing and how did you get started?

Alicia McCormick (AM): My first full season racing was in 2013. Our boy started racing a couple races here and there in 2011. I always thought it looked like so much fun, but at the time I had just had a baby, so racing wasn’t a logical thought at that point. I never stopped nagging my husband to let me try though! The persistency paid off and in March of 2012 I tried my first race ever at our local track, Evansville MX. It was insanely hard and extremely muddy. I got stuck so many times, but I was still instantly hooked!

Layne McCormick (LM): I’ve been racing 7 years. I started racing go karts because my Dad was into dirt track racing at the time, but then I got tired of all the left turns. I got my first four-wheeler and fell in love with it. I would ride for hours and hours and hours. My Dad thought it would be a good idea to try a hare scramble race. Like my mom was when she tried her first one, I was instantly hooked. In 2012 we became a little more serious with it and started racing the GNCC Series.

Now, both of you won special awards from GNCC, although you had very different seasons. Can you tell me about the award you earned and why you earned it?

AM: I earned the badass award. On April 7th, 2018 at round four of the GNCC series, I had what I thought was a season-ending crash. My pelvis was crushed like an aluminum can, I punctured my bladder and also broke my collarbone. After a couple of surgeries, time to heal, physical therapy and incredible support from everyone around us, I was able to start riding again on July 4th. I came back and raced the rest of the nationals after summer break. I finished on the podium twice and even led a few laps!

LM: I earned the youth rider of the year for the second year in a row. I earned the award because I won the youth overall championship. We poured lots of sweat and tears into this sport and definitely earned it this year.

Layne, when were you able to wrap up the overall title and knew that you would be getting your award?

LM: The year before I was able to wrap it up at Round 9. But this year I had a mechanical failure at Round 1. Even though I won the rest of the races from there on, but since one of the rounds were cancelled the championship battle came down to the last round. I had lots of pressure on me but I was able to secure my second overall title!

Alicia, this was probably more of a surprise, but was it nice to find out that your dark cloud of a season has this small silver lining?

AM: Absolutely. It really was a humbling experience and I am forever grateful for everyone that helped us and still believed in me when I was at my worst. I still get emotional thinking back to it all!

Obviously, you both know that this is a dangerous sport. Alicia, do you worry about your son racing, and Layne, was it hard for you to watch what your mom went through this season?

AM:  I'm always a ball of nerves at Layne's start but then I kind of calm down. I mean I know we are in a sport that could be considered dangerous, but Layne also got hurt playing football. You can't live in a bubble.

LM: It was a rough first week, but I knew that she would be back in no time! My brother and I had lots of chores to do and really had to step up around the house. But I knew my Mom would eat well and work hard to be healthy again. Next thing you know, she’s already back at her first race 3 months post-injury.

How often do you guys ride and train together?

AM: A few times a week. More often when the weather is better. Also, the days of me keeping up with Layne on four wheelers are long gone - it is definitely fun to have someone to push you to be better.

LM: We train pretty much every day, pushing to make ourselves to be better together. Living up north we don't get any riding time during the off-season. So, we do other kinds of training and we make a few trips down south to ride together.

Is racing more meaningful for you because it is a family sport that you do together?

AM: Totally! I was into horses before I started racing. The rest of my family was not into horses at all though. Not even a little. Once we started racing, I realized how family oriented it was I knew there was no going back to the horse business! We've made so many memories and have met so many amazing people through racing.

LM: Yes, for sure, its awesome to have your biggest fans by your side 24/7. It truly takes a team effort for this sport. Having the family together every weekend doing the sport we all love means a lot!

What are your plans and goals for next season?

AM: I have some big changes to my program for 2019! I have a few new sponsors for this year but the biggest change is switching to a Yamaha! I loved my Suzuki but it will be a lot easier on my husband if Layne and I are on the same brand. For 2019, I plan to continue to work hard and battle for WXC wins! Maybe even keep up to Layne for more than 30 seconds (laughs).

LM: My plans are to move up to the amateur race and run the Schoolboy Senior class. My goals are to win the class championship and the amateur overall title.

Is there anything else I didn’t ask about but that you would like to tell us?

AM: Yes, our youngest son, Ryder, who is eight years old, is finally going to start racing this year! He rides all the time but never wanted to race. And anyone that knows Ryder knows you can't make him do something he doesn't want to do. I say he gets that trait from his dad (laughs). We are super excited that he wants to race now!

LM: I'd just like to say that I am going to come out swinging in the 2019 race season! I’m really excited to move up into the amateur race, so my goals are high and I’m training hard. I’m ready for the season to start!