Girls Ride Too | Hailey Hein was born to be a racer….literally

From being her own mechanic to driving her own car,
Hailey Hein is all about that race life and nothing else.

Story By: Tyler Tate

Photos Provided By: Hailey Hein

For Hailey Hein, racing and wrenching are a way of life. At 17 years old, Hailey is on a mission to the top of the podium after coming in second at the 2019 UTVWC and having been on other podiums in AZOP championships.

USM: Your involvement in the racing and motorsports world began even before you were born. Tell us more about how you were basically born to race.

Hailey: My parents and the rest of my family have been mechanics in off-roading from before I was even born. Beyond that, having the access and business support made it easy for me to be a part of the community. It was all right there in front of me.

USM: What is your favorite part about racing?

Hailey: The best part about racing is the adrenaline. The countless hours of work and prep that goes into getting to the races all pays off when the green flag drops.

USM: Both of your parents both raced BITD and the Whiplash series in a UTV. Who is the better racer? 

Hailey: I’m going to have to say my dad. My mom was mainly a co driver and they never raced against each other. But that would be fun to see.

USM: Did you pick up your skills and knowledge on how to be a car or UTV mechanic to be a better racer or did it come from growing up around your parents shop where you have been working for the last two years?

Hailey: Since I was born, racing and motorsports has been my life. When I was a kid, I would help my Dad put the paddles on before we would head out to the dunes. Stuff with engines has been all I have ever known. When I got my first race car, I went off on my own and did all the prep work.

Hailey: Each time I get into the car, I try to find a way to be better. That is what I was taught as a kid. Always be better. That helps me to get to the next level. I started out in an Arctic Cat 700 and have been in a wide variety of cars ever since and getting so much seat time has really helped me become better myself. I can see the progress personally, as well as being told by my parents how far I have come and how much further I can go.

USM: In a sport where the culture around it is a racing family, how has this benefited you as a driver?

Hailey: There are no stereotypes in racing. I have made so many friends from racing. We share so many things in common and we all have something that we can all talk about together. When you line up against them, we all tell everyone good luck and then it becomes race time. Yes we race against each other but we race against ourselves to be the best too. All of the kids my age, and even some that are younger than us, we get together in the pits after the race and talk and laugh.

USM: Beyond winning, what are your personal goals for racing this year?

Hailey: Of course, I want to win but beyond that my personal goal is to remain consistent. While I am pushing myself, I don’t want to push myself past my limits and not finish. I put hours and hours of preparation into the race, and I want to finish each and every race I enter so that the preparation isn’t wasted. I try to keep a level head when driving and look for the opportunities to make my move to the front and get to the top spot. So many people will go out and have a good race with a fast pace, and they might win, but they continue to push themselves past what they are capable of and it can cost you, so consistency is always a main focus for me.

USM: Who has helped you get to this point that you would like to thank?

Hailey: Hein Racing, ATD Automative repair, Tensor Tire, Foddrill Motorsports, Demon Axles, Jagged X Racing, Tire Blocks, Zollinger Race Products, Team Alba Racing, Rugged Radios, Dynojet Research, Xtreme Machine and Fabrication, BRT Signs, and Superior Truck Parts Racing.

Follow Hailey on her racing journey on Instagram by hitting Follow over at @haileyyhein