Moore to the Story: Racing Into Innovation with Lana Karg

When you think of dirt biking, you might picture roaring engines, dusty trails, and adrenaline-fueled races. But for Lana Karg, a Professional Engineer at Moore, it’s much more than that, it is a lifelong passion, a family legacy, and the spark behind a thriving side business.

From Trails to Tracks

Lana’s journey with riding dirt bikes began at 16, when her mom, Tina, bought Lana her first bike. While her brothers raced the Montana motocross circuit, Lana preferred off-road trail riding. Her mom, a racer herself as a teenager in the 1960s and again in the 1990s and 2000s, was the driving force behind the family’s love for the sport.

After moving to Minnesota in 2018, Lana’s husband, Jake, encouraged her to try track riding. Initially intimidating, especially since she was often the only woman on the track, Lana leaned on her mom’s example and tried it out. Tina’s influence helped give Lana the confidence to pursue the sport simply because she enjoys it. That shift not only deepened her love for the sport but also led to the launch of their 3D printing company in 2021, focusing on creating dirt bike tools and accessories.

A Hobby That Builds More Than Bikes

Dirt biking isn’t just a weekend thrill for Lana, it’s a community. She’s met people from all walks of life, many of whom have become close friends and supporters of her and Jake’s business. It’s a hobby that can last a lifetime – some of their friends have been riding since childhood and are now in their 60s. Her mom raced into her 50s and still joins them at the track, cheering from the sidelines and watching professional supercross or motocross races every Saturday.

One of Lana’s most memorable experiences was attending Motocross of Nations in Winchester, England, in October 2024. Often called the Olympics of Motocross, the event featured 36 countries and unforgettable moments, like Irish fans dressed as leprechauns, French supporters setting off smoke bombs at race starts, and meeting people from multiple countries. It’s an annual celebration of global moto culture and knits the community together in a unique way.

Lessons from the Track to Moore Engineering

Riding has taught Lana adaptability, patience, and the importance of knowing when to ask for help, skills she brings to her role at Moore Engineering. She follows a personal rule while riding: three tries. When she’s attempting a jump, she gives herself three attempts before moving on, as overthinking or frustration can lead to mistakes. In the modeling world, she often has a similar methodology. It’s a mindset that keeps frustration in check and work flowing. Adaptability and patience are essential with riding as well – from being alert of young children on the track to Jake soaring 20 feet overhead to just having an off day, Lana has learned to embrace unexpected change. In her engineering work, she is challenged with learning new modeling software or working on complex projects that require unique solutions. She is known for helping newer engineers troubleshoot their own projects, while teaching them Moore processes and engineering methodologies.

From Passion to Product

Lana and Jake launched Two52 Additive, their 3D Printing business, in 2021 after realizing the bike maintenance tools they wanted just didn’t exist. What started as a way to create tools for themselves and their friends quickly grew into a bustling side business with sales in every U.S. state and countries like Germany, France, and Australia. They have even connected with the Red Bull KTM Supercross/Motocross team, where the mechanics use their customized moto tools. Their goal is to sponsor more riders, especially women, expand into metal 3D printing, and potentially one day own a track to help keep the sport thriving and affordable.

Advice for Aspiring Riders

Lana’s advice for newcomers: don’t be afraid to jump into the most challenging and rewarding motorsport there is. Dirt biking is a difficult hobby that requires the willingness to fail and ask for help, as there is endless tribal knowledge to learn. But the rewards? Lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, and resiliency that impacts all aspects of life.

Want to Support Lana?

Follow their journey and check out their products on Shopify, Instagram and Facebook:

Website: https://two52additive.myshopify.com

Socials: @two52additive