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FAST THOUGHTS FROM JESSICA LEE

Thursday April 5th, 2007

Girls in racing

Dirt, sweat, injuries, gas, motors, adrenaline, and speed; these are all are part of the wonderful world of racing so you wouldn't think that this would be a sport a girl would want to get into right? Wrong! More and more women each day are taking part in the sport that gets you hooked from the first time you twist a throttle. Not only are women riding but they are racing against the boys, becoming team wrenches, and living life as influential industry leaders.

My nickname is "Motogirl" and believe me it fits me well. I am one of the few girls around my town who prefer a muddy motocross track over the local boutique. I dream of maybe being one of the first women to win a Supercross and I fantasize about racing the elite MotoGP circuit. A big bore four-stroke and the smell of race gas are two significant things I could not live without. My CRF 150 F, CRF 50 pit bike, CR 85 R expert and my flowery Metropolitan moped get more attention than anything else; they are like my 4 little kids. When I get hurt riding, I think it's cool and so do my friends because who doesnt want to say they landed wrong on that double or lost it in the rhythm section?

By now you have probably realized that my life consists of sleeping, eating, and riding. I know I am not the only girl who likes being girly but can also kick some bootie on the track. There is nothing wrong with being pretty and feminine but also being able to do something more masculine at the same time. I always get irritated when I meet another girl at a race somewhere who says they don't want to ride because it's stupid but they don't know anything about the sport or have never tried to ride. I hate being at a race and seeing girls who are on the edge of wearing nothing to try to get all of the guys to stare. That's not what our sport is about.

The fact is riding isn't stupid nor is it less feminine than going shopping; don't men shop to? Riding is something that has been perceived as a male dominated sport and very few women want to be a part of something that isn't somewhat of a trend. So as a woman you should not want to be like every other woman. If your trying to impress a guy by riding your in it for the wrong thing. Ride because you have a passion for it.

If you have been thinking about going to MMI or your local motorcycle mechanics school? Go do it! Maybe you have wanted to start up a dealership or motorcycle related website; go for it! Life is about taking chances and making it what you want it to be. Being part of the motorcycle industry as a woman is definitely a way to do so.

Posted by Jessica @ 2:02PM - Permalink - 0 Comments - 0 Trackbacks
Tags: women racing motorcycling

THE AUTHOR

Jessica "Motogirl" Lee is a 35 year old motocross racer and journalist. Born into a family of motorcycle enthusiasts and industry insiders, she has been riding and nurturing a passion for motorcycles from the age of four.

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