Jen Bauer didn’t climb into a race car or twist a throttle in competition—she found her place in professional motorcycle racing by volunteering to check tire stickers, and turned that into a career keeping some of the fastest riders in America honest as a Technical Steward for MotoAmerica.

EARLY YEARS

While studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Bauer joined the SAE Mini Baja student group, diving into the hands-on work of designing and building a small off-road vehicle. For a few years, she was the only girl on the team—a preview of the male-dominated paddocks she’d eventually call her office. Team members rolled around campus on scooters and motorcycles, and every summer, Bauer tagged along on motorcycle camping trips to Wisconsin’s state parks. The real hook came during those annual pilgrimages to Road America for AMA motorcycle races, where she caught the bug that would redirect her entire career trajectory.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the racetrack, Bauer’s interests have remained tethered to two wheels and the outdoors. Those college-era motorcycle camping trips to Wisconsin’s state parks weren’t a phase—they were the foundation of a lifestyle built around riding and the open air. Her academic passion for Mechanical Engineering wasn’t just about passing exams; it was about understanding how things work, taking them apart, and making them better. That engineering mindset would prove invaluable when she transitioned from classroom theory to paddock reality, where understanding technical regulations isn’t optional—it’s the entire job description.

EARLY SUCCESS

Bauer’s “success” didn’t come from standing on podiums—it came from figuring out how to turn her fascination with professional motorcycle racing into actual employment. Fresh out of college and star-struck by the factory teams and racers at MotoAmerica events, she found a creative workaround to afford her trackside addiction: volunteering. She worked Technical Control at MotoAmerica events to avoid buying tickets, a budget-conscious hustle that inadvertently became her career audition. Sheila Paul initially assigned her the unglamorous task of tire sticker checks, but Bauer kept showing up. Over the next two years, she volunteered at every race she could reach, soaking up the organized chaos of race weekends. Someone named James noticed her reliability and offered her an actual position in Technical Control for the 2019 season. Just like that, the volunteer who couldn’t afford paddock passes became the woman enforcing the rules everyone else had to follow.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2019: Hired by MotoAmerica for Technical Control after two years of volunteering, transitioning from tire sticker checks to professional race operations[1].
• POST-2019: Earned FIM certification as both Technical Steward and Clerk of the Course, gaining international credentials in race officiating[1].
• ONGOING: Cross-trained across Technical Control, Parc Fermé, grid operations, and inspection duties, becoming a versatile team player capable of handling multiple high-pressure roles during race weekends[1].

INSPIRATIONS

Bauer’s path into professional racing wasn’t inspired by a childhood hero or a legendary performance—it was ignited by proximity. Those AMA races at Road America during her college summers planted the seed, but it was the up-close reality of MotoAmerica paddocks that made it grow. She’s been refreshingly candid about being “fascinated with the teams and star struck by all the racers” when she first started volunteering, a fangirl moment that evolved into professional respect. The people who shaped her career weren’t distant icons; they were the colleagues who gave her a chance—Sheila Paul assigning her those first tire sticker checks, James offering her the Technical Control position that changed everything.

REPUTATION

In the MotoAmerica paddock, Bauer has earned a reputation that balances approachability with zero tolerance for nonsense. She’s described as someone who “will make you laugh until you cry” and who will “also yell at you if you get out of line”—the kind of official who can crack jokes in the morning and lay down the law by race time. Her colleagues respect her heads-up awareness and her commitment to safety and rule enforcement, while her willingness to pitch in wherever needed has made her indispensable. “I’m proud that our team is cross-trained and works very well together, so we can help each other out when we get busy,” she’s said, capturing the collaborative spirit that defines her approach. “We all have our jobs, but we all end up doing a little bit of everyone’s jobs when it’s busy.” Media coverage highlights her personality and diligence in equal measure, painting a picture of an official who takes the work seriously without taking herself too seriously.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Bauer’s future remains anchored in the role she’s carved out for herself—keeping MotoAmerica’s technical operations running smoothly and safely. Her FIM certifications as Technical Steward and Clerk of the Course position her for continued growth within international racing officiating, though she hasn’t publicly outlined specific career ambitions beyond excelling in her current responsibilities. What’s clear is her genuine enjoyment of the high-paced team coordination that defines race weekends, from Technical Control and Parc Fermé duties to grid management and safety enforcement. For someone who started as a volunteer trying to avoid ticket costs, she’s built something far more valuable: a career doing exactly what she loves, surrounded by the teams and racers who once left her star-struck.

References:

MotoAmerica – Getting To Know… Jennifer Bauer
MotoAmerica – Jen Bauer Archives