Racing, Sidecars & Vintage Bikes: A Night with Holly Varey at Perth County Moto

Earlier this month, we welcomed racer Holly Varey to Perth County Moto for a Tech Night unlike any other. Holly shared her incredible journey through motorcycles — from childhood rides on little Yamahas to racing sidecars, vintage Ducatis, and even competing on a factory-supported team in MotoAmerica.

The evening was packed with stories of heritage, risk, resilience, and community. What follows is just a glimpse of Holly’s journey — to hear it in her own words, check out the full Tech Night video now on our Perth County Moto YouTube channel.

A Life Steeped in Motorcycles

Holly is a fourth-generation motorcyclist. Her great-great-grandfather commuted on a 1930s Harley-Davidson, and her grandparents ran West Street Cycle in Brantford, a Yamaha and Velocette dealership that became a community hub.

Growing up, she was surrounded by motorcycles, family, and the trackside community at Mosport’s Vintage Festival. She got her first bike at age six — a Yamaha PW — and quickly graduated to a TY80 with gears and clutch, a rite of passage for any young rider.

From Horses to Paddocks

In her teens, Holly stepped away from motorcycles to compete in horseback riding, where she honed the discipline and focus that would later fuel her racing career. By her 20s, she was back in the paddock, this time as pit crew for her partner’s racing career in the U.S. and Europe.

Alongside that, she began collecting vintage Yamahas (including two-strokes and the classic XS650) and even took her grandmother for a memorable ride. The love of vintage motorcycles never left her.

Facing Fears & Hitting the Track

Turning 30 brought a new challenge. Holly realized she’d been on the sidelines long enough. She signed up for the Fast Riding School and then dove headfirst into sidecar racing with the Vintage Road Racing Association (VRRA).

Riding Gary McCaw’s 1966 Ducati Mach 1 and later his 500cc Velocette, she found success and plenty of thrills. Holly also became a sidecar “monkey” — learning first-hand how trust, balance, and bravery define the sport. As she joked, the number one rule is simple: “The most important job is just to stay on!”

Build. Train. Race. with Royal Enfield

In 2023, Holly’s path took another leap when she was accepted into the Royal Enfield Build Train Race (BTR) program. This unique initiative gives women riders the chance to transform a Continental GT650 into a race machine, train with world champions, and compete in MotoAmerica, the top racing series in North America.

Holly was the only Canadian on the team, proudly racing with her maple leaf stickers and Canada socks. She learned from legends like Freddie Spencer, sharpened her racecraft, and found herself inspiring the next generation of riders:

“The coolest part was hanging out with the kids. The young ladies would come up to the tent and say, ‘You’re all women and you’re all racing — this is my favorite class.’ It was the coolest thing to be part of something so inspiring for others.”

Want to hear Holly’s full story from inside the BTR paddock? Watch the complete Tech Night talk on our YouTube channel.

Triumphs, Injuries & Adventures

Of course, racing comes with risks. In early 2024, Holly suffered a serious hand injury in a crash during training in Texas. After surgery and recovery, she returned to the track — proving her resilience.

She also embarked on a solo adventure ride across the U.S. on her WR250R, hitting iconic places like the redwoods, Yosemite, Laguna Seca, and the Barber Vintage Festival. Along the way she met countless riders and enthusiasts, highlighting what she calls the best part of motorcycling: the people you meet on the road.

Full Circle & What’s Next

Holly capped off her BTR career with a podium finish — an emotional high point after years of dedication. But the journey doesn’t stop there. She’s back racing in VRRA, chasing championships on both a Ducati 250 and an MT125, while also sharing her knowledge as an instructor and mentor.

She described sidecar racing as the ultimate act of trust:

“It’s not too often in life that we put ourselves at that higher risk with another human being and say, ‘I got you if you got me.’ That’s pretty cool.”

Wrapping Up

Holly’s Tech Night talk was equal parts history, racing tales, and inspiration. From vintage bikes to sidecars to MotoAmerica grids, her story embodies why we love motorcycles — the thrill of riding, the courage to face challenges, and the community that makes it all worthwhile.

We’re incredibly grateful to Holly for sharing her journey with us at Perth County Moto.

Want the full story? Don’t miss the complete 45+ minute Tech Night video now live on our Perth County Moto YouTube channel.