Sarah Boyes is a York-born road racer who carved her niche as a renowned two-stroke specialist in the ultra-competitive world of Irish road racing, following in the footsteps of her father Steve Boyes, who finished second in the 1980 Lightweight Newcomers Manx Grand Prix.

EARLY YEARS

Born in York, England, Sarah grew up with racing in her blood. Her father Steve was a road racer himself, and his passion for small bikes became the foundation for Sarah’s own journey into motorsports. Surrounded by road racing most of her life, she absorbed the culture, the danger, and the thrill of racing on public roads—a world where margins are razor-thin and bravery is non-negotiable. Steve’s influence wasn’t just inspirational; it was foundational, giving Sarah early access to the mechanics, the mindset, and the sheer grit required to compete at the highest levels of road racing.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the track, Sarah works for Kramer Motorcycles in various roles, primarily focusing on media and e-commerce. She’s also been building her own photography business, channeling her creative eye into capturing the raw beauty and intensity of motorsports. For four years, she and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Shaun Anderson maintained a long-distance relationship while he worked abroad. Two years before their joint interview in 2020, Sarah made the leap and moved to Germany to finally close the distance—and they’ve been based there together ever since. It’s a life that balances corporate work, entrepreneurial hustle, and the constant pull of the racetrack.

EARLY SUCCESS

Sarah made her debut in small-bike racing, specializing in 125cc and Moto 3 categories where precision and nerve matter more than raw horsepower. She became a fixture in the Irish road racing scene, competing at iconic venues like Oliver’s Mount, the Mid-Antrim 150, and the Tandragee 100—a course voted fourth-best road racing circuit in the world, trailing only the TT, Macau, and the Ulster Grand Prix. By 2014, she was making her debut at the Armoy Road Races, and despite financial struggles that cut her season short, she kept pushing. In 2015, she finished 11th in the Irish Road Race 125/Moto 3 championship, a solid result that reflected both her skill and her determination to stay in the fight despite limited resources.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: Made her debut at the Armoy Road Races[1].
• 2015: Finished 11th in the Irish Road Race 125/Moto 3 championship[2].
• 2016: Competed in the MGP Supporters Club Lightweight MGP, finishing 17th, and The Full Factory event[3].
• 2017: Competed in the Junior Manx Grand Prix, finishing 60th, and the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix, finishing 35th[4].
• 2018: Awarded the Lesley Anne Trophy for best performance by a female rider at the Manx Grand Prix[5].
• 2018: Partnered with Kramer Motorcycles to pilot a 690 Super Mono at the Manx GP[6].

INSPIRATIONS

When asked about what draws her to road racing, Sarah’s answer was simple and honest: “There’s honestly so many good aspects to road racing, it’s so hard to choose just one. Aside from the fact that racing on the roads is just incredible…” It’s the rawness of it—the closeness to the edge, the unforgiving nature of the courses, the camaraderie among competitors who understand the risks. Her father’s legacy looms large, but Sarah has never raced to live up to anyone else’s expectations. She races because the roads demand everything from her, and she’s willing to give it.

REPUTATION

Sarah is widely recognized as a two-stroke specialist, a niche that requires a different kind of finesse and mechanical sympathy. In a paddock dominated by men, she’s earned respect not through fanfare but through consistent performances and an unshakable work ethic. She’s been one of only a handful of female competitors regularly appearing on Irish road racing grids alongside riders like Yvonne Montgomery, Suzanne Douglas, and Melissa Kennedy—women who are quietly changing the landscape of the sport. Road Racing News has featured her multiple times, noting her talent and her deep roots in the racing community. She’s not flashy, but she’s formidable.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

No specific future goals or plans for 2025 and beyond were provided in the available research.

REFERENCES

[1] Sarah Boyes Bidding For Standout Results In 2015 – Road Racing News
[2] Ten Questions Challenge – Sarah Boyes – Road Racing News
[3] Sarah Boyes Isle of Man TT Race Results – iomtt.com
[4] Sarah Boyes Isle of Man TT Race Results – iomtt.com
[5] Manx Grand Prix Programme 2018 – Dave’s Programmes and Photographs
[6] Kramer Motorcycles Announce Manx GP Plans, Join Forces With Event Returnee Sarah Boyes – Road Racing News
Double interview with Sarah Boyes and Shaun Anderson – Road Racing Core
Sarah Boyes – Road Racing News
Oliver’s Mount Top 8: Sarah Boyes – Road Racing News
Ireland’s women of road racing changing mind-sets one thrilling run – SportsJoe