Elena Myers says MotoAmerica’s Superbike class “will be a really steep learning curve, but I’m ready to take on that challenge.”

Elena Myers is well and truly living her dream. The two-time AMA Pro SuperSport race winner is making her Superbike debut at Circuit of The Americas this weekend on a McGraw Powersports-backed Suzuki GSX-R1000 built by well-known tuner Carry Andrew.

Yes, you read that correctly: Superbike.

One of three women racing in the new MotoAmerica series and far and away the youngest team owner, the 21-year-old Myers has been looking forward to this day for a long time. “It’s the premier class and where everyone in this country wants to be,” she said. “Now that I’m running my own team, I feel the time is right. My sponsors love it, and I can’t argue with that. Making the step up to the big bike is very exciting.”

A 16-year-old Myers celebrates her first national win flanked by Cameron Beaubier (left) and Tyler O’Hara.

Myers has ridden powerful motorcycles before, the highlight being a factory Suzuki MotoGP bike in 2011 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Just 17 at the time, she completed five laps of the 2.5-mile road course and clocked 190 mph on the long front straight. Since she turned pro in 2010, Myers has been racing middleweight machinery, including Kawasakis, Suzukis, and, most recently, Triumphs.

“When I was racing Supermoto growing up,” Myers said, “I always preferred 450s over 250s. I feel like it’s going to be the same way moving up to the big bike this year.”

Building Team21Motosport from scratch this past off-season had its twists and turns, Myers said, but choosing the GSX-R1000 was an easy decision. “The Suzuki is a proven bike, and there are so many parts available for it. With Suzuki introducing a new bike next year, I felt it was a good time to get back in with that company and start building a strong, long-term relationship.”

Myers has grown since she began racing at age eight, but she knows her height—5-foot-3, a foot shorter than fellow Superbike rookie Jake Lewis—remains a disadvantage. “I’m not as strong as a lot of guys, so I just have to work harder,” she said. “I’m very methodical in the way I ride, and that’s definitely an advantage. Being strong and confident applies to everyone.”

“The Triumph was different than the four-cylinder bikes that I’ve ridden in the past,” Myers said. “We always struggled with gearing.” Her best finishes last season on the three-cylinder British bike were a pair of 12ths at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio.

Former racer Carry Andrew has worked with many star riders, including 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. “We had a good relationship when I rode for Kawasaki in 2007, ’08, and ’09,” Myers said. “He has so much knowledge, has built some really fast bikes, and has good relationships with everyone at Yoshimura. I have a tight budget, so I’m focusing on two things: really good people and really good equipment.”

Yoshimura put together an engine/exhaust and suspension package using 2014-spec equipment, which Myers purchased. “We’ve made some pretty large changes in the suspension area for the 2015 model,” Yoshimura’s Don Sakakura said, “so I have a lot of ’14-spec internal-fork assemblies and shocks. We built Elena complete fork sets, shocks, and if she has any need for technical support, we’ll supply that as well.

Myers wheelies her McGraw Powersports-backed Suzuki GSX-R1000 during last month’s Dunlop tire test at Circuit of The Americas.

“As we all know, jumping from a 600 to a 1000 is quite an eye-opener,” Sakakura continued. “I think it’s important for Elena to work into it slowly, if she can, instead of jumping in too deep too early. I’ve been involved with Carry on several projects. He knows Suzuki product well, and I think he’ll do a nice job with Elena.”

Finding backing from outside the motorcycle industry was a godsend for the popular Myers. “The gentleman who does the advertising and marketing for McGraw is a huge fan,” she said. “He knew McGraw wanted to get into racing, especially with the new MotoAmerica series. We’re kind of at the same point: We’ve both been around for a long time, but we’re trying to make a new name for ourselves. It really fit together well.”

Myers hasn’t set otherworldly goals for her Superbike debut. “I would like to be within a couple seconds of the top guys and consistent at every track,” she said. “I would love to race in World Superbike, and I’m going to do everything I can to prepare myself for that. That’s MotoAmerica’s goal: to get more Americans overseas.”

Off the tarmac, Myers is, in fact, aiming for the heavens. “I want to learn as much as I can, be the best team owner I can be, and build long-term relationships with my sponsors,” she said. “I hope Team21Motosport can go on for many years and become the team for whom everyone wants to ride. That’s my goal.”