Name: Eric Telger​

​Hometown: Vandalia, IL

Residence:  Alexandria, VA

​Date of Birth: 8/31/1985



Basic Info:

From a very early age, motorcycles have been a huge part of my life. My dad took me for a ride on his 1975 Honda XL125, and I have been hooked ever since. Years later, that very same bike would be the first bike I learned to ride.

 

I have a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, and I currently live and work in Northern Virginia. I am married to my best friend and #1 fan, and we have adopted the warmest, most cuddly rescue dog on the planet. Her name is Canoli, and she is a Husky/Beagle mix. My list of hobbies is rather large, but I love to stay active and keep myself busy. It includes motorcycling, mountain biking, basketball, volleyball, softball, and I love to tinker and work on things. I am a Christian, and strive to be a good and honest person in every aspect of my life. I have many wonderful friends, and the most supportive family one will ever meet. Without this core group of people, life wouldn't be half as fun or rewarding. I truly love my life, and look forward to every day. Things don't always go as planned, but by surrounding yourself with the right people, even the worst moments can be tolerable.

Riding Experience:

I started riding dirt bikes at about 10 years old, and started riding in fields and pastures on my family's farm. Once I got bored with that, I started riding in creek beds and trails through woods. When I went away to college, throwing a leg over a dirt bike and riding out to the woods was no longer an option, so I bought my first street bike, a 1998 Honda CBR600 F3. Soon after buying that, I found the track scene, and haven't looked back.

 

I started doing track days in 2008, with the goal of racing soon after. My first year racing, which turned out to be an exceptional one, was 2012. I earned a podium finish in one out of every two races in the MCRA’s Amateur GT class, and finished 2nd in overall points in the season for the year. My only goal for 2012 was to try out racing and to have fun, but I was able to achieve a lot more than that.

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Over the years, I've had some awesome opportunities and been able to exceed some tough goals. I've also failed at times and used those failures as important learning opportunities. I've won a championship, I've crashed off a cliff on Pikes Peak, I've competed in Pro races, and I've learned a lot along the way.

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What sets me apart from the competition:

I have grown a great deal since my first track day in 2008. I work very hard to condition and to be in good shape for racing. I train in many ways, including weight lifting, mountain biking, and riding my dirt bike in the off season. I am a very motivated individual, and I have no doubts I will continue to be a fierce competitor in the future. 



Racing is about more than just the adrenaline rush associated with the sport. Racing is also about hanging out with friends at the track, new and old. When my helmet is off in the paddock, I am looking for someone to crack jokes with. I love to talk to other racers about what works for them, and share with them what I find to work best. Talking to those people, and developing those friendships, is a huge part of this sport and why I enjoy racing so much.

 

Goals:

My goals for 2017 are fairly simple.

1. Continue to improve my skills by racing at the Expert club level.

2. Compete in WERA's National circuit and earn a top 5 spot by the end of the season.

3. Compete in more MotoAmerica rounds and earn pro points.

 

My long term goals are also fairly simple, yet I’m sure they will prove to be a lot of work:

1. Continue to develop as a rider and to improve my skills.

2. Compete in a full Pro series.

 

My last two goals are for both short and long term. I hope to continue to be a positive influence for fellow riders, whether they are 15 year veterans or first year rookies. I will also work very diligently to successfully promote all of the sponsors that support my racing program. By doing this, I hope to race for a long time by developing long-term relationships with my peers and sponsors.



Competition Numbers:

CCS: #519

WERA: #519

MotoAmerica: #519