“I wanted to give up”: Ballymena’s Amy Booth prepares for Belgium challenge

Irish Champion: Ballymena racing talent Amy Booth

The first day Amy Booth climbed back onto a motorcycle following a nine-month injury lay-off, the Ballymena racer wanted to give up.

She felt slow, her fitness had disappeared and the road back to competition appeared daunting.

Now, the 24-year-old is preparing to represent Northern Ireland in Belgium after being offered a motorcycle and the opportunity to compete at the Mettet Supermoto.

Taking place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October 2026, the event will introduce Amy to a new form of motorcycle racing and allow her to test herself against competitors from across Europe.

A passion inherited from her father

Amy’s connection to motorcycles began long before she started competing herself.

Her father raced on the roads, and growing up around bikes planted an early ambition to have one of her own.

“I have always been around bikes with my dad competing in road racing,” Amy explained.

“When I started winning championships that’s when I realised I wanted to take it further.”

Ballymena racing talent Amy Booth competing in the North West 200 beach races in Portrush

Since beginning her racing career six years ago, Amy has built an impressive competitive record.

She became Irish Champion in 2022 and has competed in the Scottish Championship and SMX events in England, where she qualified for the A group.

Amy also won the North West 200 beach race in 2024 and has raced against male competitors at the Portrush beach race, finishing eighth in 2024 and seventh in 2025.

Frequently finding herself the only woman in a race has required resilience as well as ability. Amy said the experience has taught her to be determined and mentally tough.

Nine months away from racing

Her career suffered a significant setback in 2023 when an injury forced her away from racing for nine months.

Amy spent several weeks in a leg brace and, for a time, was unable to manage everyday tasks without assistance.

“The lowest point was not being able to do anything for myself,” she said.

Returning to her motorcycle presented another difficult test. The fitness and speed she had developed before the injury were no longer there, leaving Amy questioning whether she could continue.

“The first day I went back on a bike I wanted to give up,” she recalled.

She persevered, however, rebuilding her strength and confidence before returning to competition.

Amy is now looking beyond domestic racing and hopes eventually to compete at World Motocross level.

That ambition requires considerable work away from the track. Her preparations this year have included gym training, running and close attention to her strength, cardiovascular fitness and nutrition.

She has been supported by her friend Emma, who coaches at Redefine PT Studio.

Amy said Emma “has been a great help with strength, cardio and nutrition” as she prepares for the next stage of her career.

A chance encounter at Armoy

Ballymena racing talent Amy Booth

The opportunity to compete in Belgium emerged through an unexpected meeting with Tim Oliver at the Armoy Road Races.

Amy’s father experienced trouble with his motorcycle and Tim helped to repair it. During their conversation, he told Amy he had heard about her ability on a motocross bike and asked whether she would like to ride for him at Mettet.

“I never thought anything like this would happen,” Amy said.

Tim’s offer to provide her with a motorcycle has made the trip possible and given Amy an opportunity she had not expected to receive.

She said:

“I would like to say a massive thank you to Tim Oliver for giving me this opportunity. I’m extremely grateful that he has given me a bike and the chance to go over to Belgium and race at Mettet.

“Without his support, this opportunity wouldn’t have been possible, and I really can’t thank him enough for believing in me and giving me this chance.

“It means a lot to me to be able to take this next step in my racing career. I’m going to give it everything I have and make the most of the opportunity.”

No pressure to chase a result

Amy expects to feel nervous when she lines up in Belgium as the only female racer travelling from Northern Ireland.

“Knowing I’ll be the only female from Northern Ireland is nerve racking,” she said.

She is not setting herself a particular finishing target. Instead, Amy wants to experience a new motorsport, enjoy the weekend and return home safely.

For the Ballymena racer, taking her place on the Mettet starting grid will itself be an achievement — and a considerable distance from the day she returned from injury feeling that she wanted to give up.