Why Women Race Motocross
By Nikki Weis
Women racing motocross, what’s up with that? I’m sure this may be a question that many ask and wonder about. But to fully comprehend this, you must first go back to the base question of “Why race motocross?” To understand what drives a person to race motocross can sometimes be very difficult for those outside of the racing arena. So I will give you the best explanation possible, from a woman’s prospective.
If you’ve ever ridden a dirt bike of any sorts, or even a go cart, or mini-bike, I’m sure that you enjoyed yourself and would like to experience it again. Well, that’s how most get started, they get a taste of the off-road world and eventually get a bike of their own. Once you start riding with your friends, it seems that a contest of sorts arises, anything from seeing who can jump the farthest to racing each other around a track. You start frequenting the local motocross race track and observe the racers, how they jump, how they ride, etc. And then before you know it, you begin to think, god they are slow, I can beat them. So you decide to enter a race.
The adrenaline rush that you get before and during a race is out of this world. Before the race, your heart is pumping so hard that you can see your jersey moving. And when your out on the track, you forget about the rest of the world, your mind is only concerned with what is directly ahead of you and where other racers are around you. Your first race is an introduction to the race world. What you thought looked so easy and who you thought looked so slow and that you could beat, is now a reality. When you are on that track racing, it’s a different story, you will never know, until you have been there. Soon you begin to take more risks and attempt jumps that you haven’t in the past, it’s an incredible feeling when you have conquered a jump that you have been unable to do in the past. It’s a confidence boost that really feels good.
Before you know it, you’re attending every race that you can, it becomes an addiction. The only thing that will most likely limit you to how much racing you can do, is money. And the other obvious limitation is injury. Motocross is a rough sport by nature, this sport is not for whimps. Many break numerous bones, yet get back on that bike and do it again. Some think this is pure stupidity, to the motocrosser, this is just part of the sport and learns from their mistakes. And when an injury is severe enough to prohibit racing, it is difficult for the racer to have to become a spectator. Some racers will hang it up after a crash, if motocross is in your blood, you’ll be back.
So why does motocross appeal to a woman? Most women riders have either had some exposure as a child or are adventurous and daring. There are many women who just trail ride and ride for the fun of it, and then there are the women who want to be competitive. The competitive women are usually of the “Tom Boy” nature, strong, not afraid of the motorcycle, aggressive, or have a boyfriend or husband who races that has talked them into doing it. Of course these variables may offset each other, but this is fairly close. And the age of the woman racer ranges from 10 to 39 years old locally, there are younger riders, but they ride in other classes. And across the nation, there are women riders that are in their 60’s.
Motocross is also an individual sport. So what happens on the track is because of what you have accomplished, and that alone is a good feeling, unless you are always last. And of course, the women racers stick out like a sore thumb. Since there are so few women in this male dominant sport, we get a lot of attention. Just walking through the pits gets you stares, it’s pretty comical. And many seem to watch the women’s race, I kinda think that it may be closely related to the excitement that men get from watching a “Cat Fight.” Many are impressed with skill of the women riders, and even that gal who is in last place gets cheered on. It’s not always important on how you place, it’s just the fact that you did it and you had fun, I applaud any woman who has raced.
I personally enjoy racing because it is very challenging and physical. I don’t think that I could ever get bored of racing, tracks change their layouts, and a whole new set of challenges is born. It keeps me physically fit, well, more so than if I didn’t race. It also tears a person apart, broken bones, torn ligaments, cuts, bruises, and motocross very rarely can cause death. The competitiveness of the sport is also a key factor, the level of your aggression determines how competitive you are. Flying through the air is another attraction, it is such a neat feeling. But at the same time it can be very scary, especially if you’re flying vertical rather than horizontal. And coming up short or over jumping is no fun. You also meet some really neat people, motocrosser’s are unique people. I have made several friends via this sport, and motocross is a family oriented activity. Mom and Dad are helping their kids and supporting them, husbands and wives are doing the same, it really is quality time together. But like any type of competitive activity, there are some who go overboard. I have seen parents screaming at their kids because they didn’t get first place or they didn’t do a jump, and the poor kid is crying. This is supposed to be fun, and when you get those types of reactions, it’s no longer fun.
I recently asked local rider Rochelle Charnowski (Rolly, #113) why she enjoyed racing, and here’s what she had to say. Her first comment was, “to see the hot guys”, I guess if I also were 16 years old , it would be one of my reasons too! Another comment she made, “having guys come up to you and saying your good, then admitting that women can do it”, I totally agree with Rolly. Women need to get the same type of recognition that the guys get, some guys out there need to get off their high horse and face reality. Women racers are here to stay, we are talented, we are capable and have proven that we can beat the men, and the number of women racers continues to grow. “It’s unique, and when you tell people that you race motocross, they sometimes don’t believe you”, Rolly has hit the bulls eye again with that statement. When I tell people that I race motocross, they sometimes seem to be in disbelief, and some think that it is really neat.
Most of the male racers are supportive of the women racers. I am now racing the 250B class and have been riding the 250C class. And when I’m in the staging area or on the start gate, some guys will look at me and give me the “thumbs up” or tell me “good luck”. And after the race those same guys are telling me “good job”, it’s a great feeling to be accepted like that. But some guys are out to get us women, they rub tires, bang bars, and show us a wheel a bit more than they should. They don’t think we belong, and some can’t handle being beat by a woman. My reaction to this type of behavior is to not back off, leave them in the dust, and get far away from them. Another reaction that I see from time to time that I think is hilarious, is when a guy will look at you, and you know he’s saying oh sh&%! Because he knows that he will either be beaten by me, or that he will have to ride his brains out to get by me.
Hopefully, you will now have a better understanding of why women race. If you’re a woman, or if your girlfriend or wife enjoys riding, give racing a try once, or encourage it, it is so much fun. Women riders need all the support they can get, so next time your at the races, cheer them on. And don’t be afraid to approach us, we would be more than happy to talk with you or even help you out. Also, there is a women’s class at most tracks, so there aren’t any excuses ladies.