Alyssia “Lissy” Whitmore is Britain’s “Purple Princess,” a fierce young racer who traded go-kart tracks for world championship circuits—and she’s not slowing down.

EARLY YEARS

Lissy started racing at 12 years old, kicking off her journey Easter 2017 in the British Minibike Championships on an IMR 140 pit bike. Racing on go-kart tracks around the country, she finished in the points at all five rounds she entered that first year and snagged her first top-10 finish[1]. It wasn’t a gentle introduction—it was baptism by fire, and she loved every second of it.

Her dad was all-in from the start, but her mum needed some convincing. Eventually, family support and pride won out, and Lissy had the backing she needed to chase her dreams on two wheels[2].

OTHER INTERESTS

Before bikes took over her life, Lissy was deep into the UK Army Cadets, where she played football and athletics. She’s openly admitted that if racing hadn’t grabbed her by the throttle, she probably would have pursued a military career[3]. That cadet background shows—she’s disciplined, strategic, and not afraid to get her hands dirty.

She’s also taken on writing, penning a column for UK Clubsport Magazine and joining FreeTech Endurance racing on a Honda CBR125, proving she’s as comfortable with a pen as she is with a throttle[4].

EARLY SUCCESS

After her minibike debut, Whitmore progressed through club racing with Thundersport GB, collecting wins and podiums along the way[5]. In 2019, at just 13 years old, she was shortlisted for the British Talent Cup selection event—one of the youngest female candidates in the mix[6]. She didn’t make the final cut, but the experience sharpened her edge.

Racing in the Supermono GB Championship Junior class, she racked up two third-place finishes, two seconds, and a third in the newcomers race[7]. It was clear: this girl had talent, and she wasn’t going anywhere.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2017: Competed in five British Minibike Championship rounds, finishing in the points at every single one and earning her first top-10 finish[1].
• 2019: Shortlisted for the British Talent Cup selection event at just 13 years old[6].
• 2023: Made her road racing debut at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough, tackling England’s only road race circuit at the Bob Smith Spring Cup[8].
• 2024: Became Great Britain’s only representative in the inaugural FIM Women’s World Championship (WorldWCR), racing for Sekhmet Racing[9].
• 2024: Qualified and finished her first WorldWCR race at Misano, meeting her target despite being P18[10].
• 2024: Suffered a fractured scaphoid after a crash at Craner Curves during Race 1 at Donington Park, forcing her out of competition temporarily[11].

INSPIRATIONS

Lissy’s racing number—34—is a tribute to MotoGP legend Kevin Schwantz, whose exploits she watched religiously with her dad growing up[12]. That number isn’t just digits on a fairing; it’s a nod to the grit and glory she’s chasing.

Her motorcycling hero is Jenny Tinmouth, a British racing icon who’s blazed trails for women in the sport[13]. Outside racing, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds inspires her with sheer determination and resilience[13]. Both women embody the kind of toughness Whitmore brings to the track every time she throws a leg over her bike.

REPUTATION

Known as the “Purple Princess,” Lissy has built a reputation as a racer with raw talent and serious determination. She’s unflinching when it comes to risk—road racing at Oliver’s Mount and competing in the world championship as a teenager proves that[8][9]. Her quote after Misano sums up her mindset: “I qualified and then I finished, so I’m really happy, because that was the target”[10]. No drama, no excuses—just get it done.

She’s approachable and candid in interviews, never shying away from discussing the challenges of being one of the few British women pushing into elite-level motorcycle racing. Her willingness to share her journey through writing and social media has made her a role model for young female racers across the UK.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Lissy has her eyes locked on one of the most dangerous and prestigious races in the world: the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. She’s openly stated it’s a dream she’s chasing[14], which, frankly, is both gutsy and completely on-brand for someone who started racing at 12 and never looked back.

After recovering from her scaphoid fracture in 2024, she’s expected to continue competing at the highest levels available to her, with ambitions to keep progressing in international women’s racing and proving Britain has serious female talent on two wheels.

REFERENCES

Lissy Whitmore, a teenager to watch out for – Motorbike Mad
HER STORY: meet Alyssia Whitmore – “I never really chose bike racing, it chose me” – WorldSBK
5 Minutes with… Lissy Whitmore – Superbike News
Biography | Lissy34 – Lissy Whitmore Racing
Seven Years Later I’m in the World Championship! – Paddock Sorority
2019 British Talent Cup shortlist revealed – BikeSport News
Olivers Mount Spring Cup 2023 Lissy Whitmore Interview – YouTube
SBK, Lissy Whitmore: “I dream of the Tourist Trophy and I’m racing with Schwantz’s 34” – GPOne
WorldWCR: Race One Results From Misano – Roadracing World
WorldWCR: Race Two Results From Donington Park – Roadracing World
Her story: Meet Lissy Whitmore – SuisseMotorSport