Brianna Scheltema is a Michigan-based motocross racer who has spent her entire life immersed in the sport, following in the tire tracks of her racing mother and sister to become a consistent contender in women’s motocross and amateur national competition.

EARLY YEARS

Born November 17, 1999, in Caledonia, Michigan, Brianna Scheltema grew up in a household where motocross wasn’t just a hobby—it was the family business. Her mother used to race and started when Brianna was born, continuing until Brianna turned 11. “All I knew was motocross,” she’s said. When her mom quit racing, it lit a fire in young Brianna. Rather than mourning the loss of her mother’s riding career, it made her want to get serious about her own. Growing up alongside her sister Lindsey, who also races, Brianna has always been the faster of the two siblings—a fact she finds quietly hilarious. “Between my sister Lindsey and I, I am faster than her and I’m the younger sibling,” she’s noted. “I don’t think it has ever bothered her, but I find it funny.”

Brianna’s upbringing in Byron Center and later Caledonia, Michigan, was defined by dirt bikes, practice sessions, and the relentless pursuit of speed. Her family wasn’t just supportive—they were all in, creating an environment where racing was as natural as breathing.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not twisting throttles or coaching other riders, Scheltema is refreshingly low-key about her downtime. She’s a college student studying Business Management at Grand Rapids Community College, balancing coursework with her racing commitments. Outside of the track, she gravitates toward simple pleasures: sitting poolside, heading to the beach, and catching up with friends—something she admits she doesn’t get to do nearly often enough given her racing schedule. It’s the kind of balance that keeps her grounded in a sport that demands everything.

EARLY SUCCESS

Scheltema began making her mark on the amateur motocross scene as a teenager, qualifying for the prestigious AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch for six consecutive years. Her first major breakthrough came in 2018 when she won her first championship at Ponca, marking the first national race she had ever won. That victory wasn’t just a milestone—it was validation. By 2019, Scheltema had gradually built up her speed throughout the racing season, starting the year with a strong top-ten finish in the Women’s class. At the 2020 races, she scored a top-ten finish in the 250 C class and a third overall in the Women’s class, providing a confidence booster that would carry her forward.

But the win that truly stands out happened in 2019 at Ponca when she earned her first #1 plate. “That was the most exciting day for me because I came into that race expecting maybe a podium,” she’s recalled. Exceeding her own expectations became a theme.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2016: Competed at Loretta Lynn’s Area Qualifiers, finishing second and third in motos.
• 2018: Won her first championship at Ponca, her first national race victory.
• 2019: Earned her first #1 plate at Ponca.
• 2020: Finished third overall in the Women’s class and top ten in 250 C class at various events.
• 2023: Competed at Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship, finishing 16th in her class.
• 2024: Finished fourth overall (7-4 moto finishes) at the Women’s Pro Motocross Round 4.
• 2024: Competed in multiple WMX motos, including a seventh-place finish in Moto 1 at the Baja Brawl.
• 2025: Finished fifth at the Mini O’s event in early season competition.

INSPIRATIONS

Scheltema’s biggest inspiration has always been her mother, whose racing career shaped Brianna’s early years and instilled a passion for the sport from day one. Watching her mom compete, then watching her step away, created a legacy Brianna felt compelled to continue. Her sister Lindsey also played a role—not as a rival, but as a constant presence in the paddock and on the track. The Scheltema sisters have created a family dynamic where speed is celebrated, not competed over, and where both push each other to be better without the drama.

REPUTATION

In the tight-knit world of women’s motocross, Scheltema has earned respect as a steady, hard-working rider who shows up, puts in the laps, and gets results. She’s known as a racer who gradually builds her speed and confidence throughout a season rather than bursting onto the scene with fireworks. Competitors and peers recognize her as someone who races clean, trains hard, and is as likely to be found coaching younger riders as she is battling for podiums. In 2025, fellow racer Jamie Astudillo mentioned that she and other riders stayed at Brianna’s house in Michigan for a week, training and riding together—a testament to the camaraderie and respect Scheltema has built within the sport. She’s also become a go-to coach for riders looking to improve, offering personalized training and sharing the knowledge she’s accumulated over years of competition.

Riding a Kawasaki KX250F with number 115, Scheltema represents a generation of women who are professionalized, business-savvy, and determined to elevate the sport. She’s sponsored by Team Babbitts, Fox Racing, Mobius Knee Braces, Decal Works, Dunlop, and FMF—a solid backing that reflects her credibility and marketability.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Scheltema has set clear, ambitious goals. She plans to compete in both the Women’s/WMX class and the B classes, with her sights set on qualifying for Loretta Lynn’s in the WMX class and finishing in the top five at the Ranch in that division. It’s a tall order, but it’s exactly the kind of challenge she thrives on. Beyond individual results, she’s committed to uplifting women’s motocross as a whole, continuing her coaching work and contributing to the growing momentum behind the WMX series in the United States.

REFERENCES

Brianna Scheltema – Daily Bread, Motoplayground
Out of the Blue | Brianna Scheltema | Schrader’s, Direct Motocross
2024 Women’s Pro Motocross Round 4 Results, Cycle News
We All Have One Goal Right Now and It’s to Uplift Women’s Motocross, Racer X Online
WMX US: The Main Contenders, WMX Inside
Brianna Scheltema – On the Move, Motoplayground
WMX Moto 1 Results – 2024 Baja Brawl, Racer X Online
2025 Mini O’s Results Through Monday, Vurbmoto
Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, Results MX
2016 Loretta Lynn’s Area & Regional Results, Racer Results