Larry Lawrence | December 23, 2024
In a sport that thrives on speed, precision and resilience, Avery and Ella Dreher have carved out a unique chapter in MotoAmerica history. As the first brother-sister duo to share a podium, their 2024 season epitomized the highest of highs and the most challenging of lows. Their story is one of determination, family bonds and the unyielding spirit of racers.
Ella (left) and Avery Dreher have had to fight through some incredible challenges in 2024.
Photography by Brian J. Nelson, John Ludwig and Larry Lawrence
On the track, it was a pivotal season for both. Avery, who dominated the 2023 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship, branched out to race MotoAmerica Twins Cup for the first time. And when things were working, he was a major factor, despite being a rookie in the series. At Daytona, things got off to an encouraging start. Racing an Aprilia RS 660 for EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing Team, Avery scored a podium in his Twins Cup debut, taking third behind Gus Rodio and Dominic Doyle.
“The year started off great, taking a podium,” Avery said. “But it was rough getting to learn the bike because, obviously, it’s a whole different platform. It’s a different chassis. So, I had to learn how to ride the bike differently and how to use the power to the bike’s best ability because it’s obviously a whole lot different than the 400. It was a tough hurdle to get over to learn that bike. And throughout the races, I kind of got up to par with the Aprilia and just kept learning it more and more as the season went on.”
The siblings in full flight as Avery leads Ella at Road America.
For sister, Ella, it was the jump to race MotoAmerica for the first time on the big stage in the Junior Cup. And to say she was a revelation in the class would be an understatement. Three podiums and being in the battle for the top three in the championship all season was a surprise to many in the paddock, even Ella herself.
“My rookie season definitely exceeded my expectations,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting that in my first year, my learning year. And just taking the advice from my coach, Dale Quarterley, and working to put it into action. I put that into work, and it paid off for sure.”
Josh Hayes (center) gives Ella (left), Avery (right) and a few lucky others some pointers during the track walk at Mid-Ohio.
From Humble Beginnings to the National Stage
Avery, 18, MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion of 2023, began his journey like many racers—on a modest Honda CRF50 dirt bike. His introduction to the sport was fueled by family passion, with his father and uncle fostering his love for speed.
“The goal from day one was to be a National Champion,” Avery says. His dedication saw him completing his high school education through Florida Virtual School, allowing him to focus entirely on racing.
“I graduated high school about a year early. I worked kind of far ahead with all the high school stuff; got that done just so I could put all my focus onto racing.”
Ella and Avery are second-generation racers. Their dad, Aaron, and their uncle, John, grew up in North Dakota and club road raced at Brainerd.
Avery, being the oldest, was the first to get into the minibike scene. He started in motocross, but after breaking his collarbone, his dad decided to give Avery a shot at road racing. He raced a two-stroke minibike at first and then hopped on a Kawasaki 300 and picked it up quickly. He debuted in MotoAmerica Junior Cup in 2021 and made rapid progress on his way to winning that championship in 2023.
Meanwhile, Ella, 14, took a similar path, doing some dirt racing before moving into road racing, gaining experience in South Florida MiniGP racing as well as MotoAmerica Mini Cup.
Dirty hands, clean money! Ella kept it together while others (including brother, Avery) faltered to claim a career-first MotoAmerica podium in the rain at Road America.
Ella’s First Podium
This year, Ella juggled in-person schooling with a stellar rookie season in MotoAmerica Junior Cup. She ended the season with three podiums in Junior Cup and a ranking of fifth in the championship, higher than her brother in the class, who split his focus between Junior Cup and Twins Cup.
Ella achieved her breakthrough podium in the rain at Road America.
She talked about that milestone weekend.
“Going into the race, it was pouring, absolutely pouring,” she said. “I would say racing in the rain is not one of my favorite things. Dry is my favorite, but no complaints about the rain. In the race, I fell back from the front group, and I just decided I was by myself, going to run my own race, think about everything going on. In the rain, you’ve got to be smart and know what you’re doing. And they came down to the last lap, and I saw Avery and Isaac; they were down, and I was like, Oh, man, I’m in third!”
Ella says she could tell when she went by that her brother and Isaac Woodworth were okay.
“I came by and picked him [Avery] up,” before adding with a giggle that “he was a little scared on the way back into the pits.”
Her initial hesitance about racing in the rain dissipated as she achieved a podium finish at Road America, a moment she describes as “a dream come true.” The siblings’ joint love for racing is rooted in their shared experiences, with Avery mentoring Ella and helping her adapt to the challenges of competitive road racing.
MotoAmerica history was made as Avery (left) and Ella (right) took the first double podium for a brother and sister behind winner and 2024 Junior Cup Champion Matthew Chapin.
Making History
Proving that her Road America podium was no fluke, Ella earned a second rostrum visit at Brainerd, this time alongside her brother, becoming the first brother-sister duo to stand on the podium together in MotoAmerica history.
“That moment was surreal,” Ella says. “Sharing the podium with Avery was something we had dreamed of, but experiencing it was beyond words.”
They repeated the feat, sharing the podium again at the final in New Jersey.
Avery shared the feeling of pride for what he and his sister accomplished.
“It was honestly really cool racing with my sister,” he said. “Because not many siblings can say that they race professionally together in any series in the world. It’s a very cool thing to get to do that together with her and especially to get on the podium together. And it’s awesome to know that we’re the first brother and sister to share a podium, not once but twice.”
Avery leads little sister, Ella, and the rest at Brainerd.
2024: A Season of Milestones and Heartache
The 2024 MotoAmerica season will be remembered for the Drehers’ historic achievements. Their Brainerd accomplishment will go down in the history books and will likely never be duplicated.
However, their triumphs on the track were contrasted by a devastating personal loss. While traveling to Roebling Road Raceway, their father, Aaron Dreher, suffered a fatal heart attack while driving. Avery’s quick thinking to stop the truck prevented further tragedy, but the emotional impact was profound. “I knew he would want me to keep going,” Avery says. “He always believed in us and our dreams.”
“Our dad was our biggest supporter,” Ella says, her voice wavering with emotion. “Losing him was the hardest thing we’ve ever faced.” Avery echoed her sentiment, adding, “He was our rock, and knowing we had to continue without him felt impossible at times.”
Racing, Relationships and Rivalries
Both Avery and Ella credit their success to rigorous preparation and the guidance of their mentor, former AMA Superbike standout Dale Quarterley. Yet, their perspectives on competition reveal an intriguing dynamic that developed between Ella and fellow female road racing star Kayla Yaakov. Despite their shared passion for the sport, the two haven’t connected much. “Kayla hasn’t really talked to me,” Ella says. “I get the feeling she sees me as competition, which I understand. It just adds more fire to my drive.”
Avery (99) banished some demons with a superb ride in the wet at Barber to claim his first Twins Cup victory.
Twins Cup Victory
This drive has also shaped Avery, whose 2023 championship campaign was marked by relentless determination. “I worked my ass off to prove everyone wrong,” he said, recalling how he overcame a reputation as a crasher in 2022 to dominate the Junior Cup the following year. But in 2024, the Twins Cup proved a major challenge for him. Yet through it all, Avery managed to add a Twins Cup victory to his resume with a win at a wet Barber Motorsports Park.
“I’ve always been good in the rain,” Avery said. “I remember going back to 2021 when we were racing in that monsoon at Barber, last race of the season. I ended up with my top finish of the year. I got a seventh. I guess growing up in Florida, I just ride in the rain a lot.”
And was the feeling of winning in Twins Cup more a sense of accomplishment even than winning in Junior Cup?
“It felt amazing because I was having a really rough year, and it was kind of a sigh of relief that I felt because I was able to get this win,” Avery admits. “This massive win, which obviously brought up my confidence a ton. And I was happy to get it for the team. It was the first win for the TopPro team, and it was just their second year in the paddock. So, it felt great to get that win for not only me but for the team. It was just a weird feeling knowing I could win a Twins Cup race and having that confidence in myself to get it done. I guess that’s one of the few races where I cried on the way to parc fermé.
Avery admits the jump to the Aprilia RS 660 was a big one when he arrived for round one at Daytona.
Balancing Life and Racing
Off the track, the siblings navigate distinct paths. Avery, now a high school graduate, balances a full-time job at Sportbike Track Gear with his racing career. “I answer calls and assist customers,” he says, noting the occasional surprise when a caller recognizes his name. Ella, still in ninth grade, manages the challenges of schoolwork alongside her racing commitments. “It’s pretty tough, but I try to stay on top of everything,” she says.
Their contrasting schedules highlight the challenges of their chosen paths. Yet, they remain united by a shared goal: to excel in MotoAmerica and beyond.
And their uncle John Ludwig has been an incredible pillar of support for both Avery and Ella. His constant presence and guidance have proven that family bonds can help overcome even the toughest of challenges.
“I knew he would want me to keep going. He always believed in us and our dreams.” – Avery Dreher
A Community Rallies
In the wake of their father’s passing, the Dreher siblings found solace in the MotoAmerica community. Fellow racers, teams and fans rallied around them, offering encouragement and support. “We’re slowly figuring things out,” Avery said, expressing gratitude for the backing they’ve received.
As they look ahead, the Drehers remain committed to honoring their father’s legacy. For Avery, this means continuing his climb through the ranks, with aspirations of advancing to the Supersport class. For Ella, it’s about proving that her rookie success was no fluke and striving for even greater achievements.
“Sharing the podium with Avery was something we had dreamed of, but experiencing it was beyond words.” – Ella Dreher
Looking Ahead
The story of Avery and Ella Dreher is far from over. Their unique blend of talent, determination and familial support positions them as rising stars in the world of motorcycle road racing. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, their bond as siblings and racers remains unbreakable—a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring legacy of a father who believed in their dreams.
When we did this interview, Avery was prepping to go compete in the FIM Intercontinental Games in Jerez, Spain. It will not only be his first international competition, but his first time out of the country.
At the point of the interview, Avery and Ella were not quite ready to announce their plans for 2025, but both are hoping to be back on the track, gunning for championships next season.
As the MotoAmerica season concluded, one thing was clear: the Drehers are a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the track. And while their journey is undoubtedly shaped by the past, it is their vision for the future that truly sets them apart. CN
Ella (left) and Avery Dreher have had to fight through some incredible challenges in 2024.
