TG Newsletter: WorldWCR
World Women's Circuit Racing
(17 August 2024)
Girls can also run…
And while they cannot go as fast as boys, they run much more gracefully
American Magazine 1883
The first time I rode around a track, I was convinced that I would one day race against the likes of Valentino Rossi. Nobody could convince me otherwise. Not even when I crashed twice on my first session, breaking my leg and both my arms. I would show ‘em!!!
As you might have figured; my brains developed a lot slower than the rest of my body, and I eventually came to terms.
But my blood still pumps ‘circuit’. And even just the thought of track-racing gets me breathing like an adult phone entertainer.
There is a new class of racing and you should all know about it, watch it, follow it, support it – it’s better than rugby!
The FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship is the first-ever World Championship for women in circuit racing. There are 25 permanent competitors between the ages of 18 and 50. They all compete on identical Yamaha YZF R7 motorcycles and Pirelli Diablo tires.
A lady told us that she thought the race was rigged because the first four girls were so much faster than the rest of the field, while they were al on exactly the same bikes…?!? Anyone that has ever ridden on a track knows that skill and experience count for so much more than horse power.
What is even better to know is that we – South Africa – has TWO girls racing in this class!!! I’ll introduce them later…
I know that watching the big boys on their big machines, with their big butts, at MotoGP is an obsession for some, but switch over to the ladies’ class. These girls are unafraid, daring, courageous! Herrera, Sanchez, Carrasco and Neila are breaking fingernails, pulling hair and scratching eyeballs. No corner is too tight, no gap too small. The overtaking up to the last apex of each race leaves but a few milliseconds between the podium spots.
Follow them here:
There are three more races left for this season:
20 – 22 September: Cremona Circuit, Italy
11 – 13 October: Estoril Circuit, Portugal
18 – 20 October: Jerez Circuit, Spain
25 Riders representing 18 countries will battle over 12 races in what is a Championship that won’t just see a rider crowned WorldWCR Champion but will inspire more women around the world to enjoy the sport we love.
Now – to meet our fast SA ladies, I present to you…
Nicole Purificati (Nix21)
When did you realize that you could race competitively? And could you ever have imagined yourself racing overseas, or did you sort of know you just would one day?
I had always been a speed freak as my parents raced drags and loved being at the track every weekend. When I finished school, I started riding and a month or two later I did my very first race and I was hooked. It became a goal to race overseas and I worked very hard, but I didn't think I would get there as money was always an issue.
Fear is a big part of any sport, more so with motorsport, even more so with motorcycle sport. What is your biggest fear? And also, how do you keep calm before racing?
My biggest fear is to stop racing one day! I listen to music to calm me down before a race.
When you were still a youngster, your dad, Willie van Aswegen, had to hold your bike up at the start line as you could not touch the ground. He was willing to take the risk of getting hit by the riders further back on the grid (and the higher up on the starting grid you got – the bigger the risk). Do you think you would have achieved this much without your parents’ support? And would you be as supportive if/when your little one wants to get into biking?
Of course! If it wasn't for my parents I wouldn't be where I am today. The support they gave me was amazing. They gave me the best life. My daughter already rides and would like to race soon so I would be supportive just like my parents were.
Years ago, when I heard about you the first time, people said you wouldn’t get anywhere because you crashed too often. I was confused by that statement, as I always thought the only way to get faster was to push the line. But, to get up after a nasty crash – and then to go even faster… is that something one is born with or is that just Nix wanting to show the world how tuff and fast she really is?
I think it's a bit of both. You gonna be born with it and racing is my life so I would do anything to be on the grid in motorsport. You gotta be tough.
What is the most ‘lady-like’ habit you have?
Putting on make-up every day - even on race days!
Jessica Howden
You were inspired to start racing, but these days you are the inspiration. Does this add extra pressure with all the eyes on you? Knowing that there are youngsters out there, dreaming of racing against you one day.
Savannah Woodward inspired me to race when I was 14 years old. I saw her racing in Zimbabwe where I lived for a while. Nix became my coach in South Africa and I did look up to her but I always looked more to Zante Otto because she helped me a lot with finding my ground in racing in South Africa. I never look at myself as much, so I don’t add the extra pressure on myself. But for me, if I have any girl looking up to me, I feel honoured and it makes me very happy.
In the beginning of this season, you crashed and was out for a race or two because you sustained a concussion. Have you ever had an injury/crash that made you doubt if you would return to racing?
I’ve had many injuries in Europe, but the worst part for me is when I’m injured, and I don’t have my family with me. My concussion this year frightened me because I was unconscious for a long time and forgot half a day of my life. I haven’t thought to stop racing because of injuries. It’s more of my mental side that I’m sorting out.
What has been the most fun race you’ve ever had; where and against whom? Why was that a fun race?
In 2023 I had a race in Most when I raced against girls who I believe should be in the World Championship right now; Sara Cabrini, Aurelia Cruciani and Natalia Rivera. It was a race where we were fighting for 2nd and 3rd. It was enjoyable and I was calm, so it’s maybe my favourite race of my life.
Do you have any other talent (on or off a motorcycle) that you could fall back on if the racing didn’t work out?
I enjoy graphics and making things look ‘nice’. So, I want to learn to do this and maybe open my own business.
What is the most ‘lady-like’ habit you have?
I would say I like to dress very nicely even if we are going to the race track.
BACK IN SOUTH AFRICA…
In solidarity with our Saffer racing ladies, we ran a track day at Red Star Raceway for a gang of girls. Some of the girls were on track for the first (but not the last) time. Skinny, Chikita and WillePiet rented Honda CBR600 bikes from Jason at Motorentals Motorentals Motorentals.
There were only enough riders to fill two classes, so all the girls bundled into class ‘B’.
It was a complete workout just getting into the racing suits. There were grunts, moans and audible stretch marks. Hans assisted us with all the zipping up, and after being moulded into our outfits, the nervous giggling ensued.
It was a slow start to the morning as we all had to first do a few scouting laps to remember the track and its tricks.
With the help of the instructors and a bit of pit-side assistance from Norman Guthrie (legendary Guthrie family), the girls tried to focus on lines, smooth riding and not braking.
Morag complained that she was looking TOO far ahead, and with squinty eyes Norman commented that he didn’t think it was possible…?
Marcia
She has not been riding for very long, but would love to one day ride with Jessica and Nix. She placed herself first… from the back if we all would have raced that day at Red Star.
Wille-Piet
Bike ry is soos bicycle ry. If you know, you know – get back on*, clutch, gear, throttle – BRAAAP!
*footnote - that is if you get onto YOUR OWN bike!
Red Star track day was my first time on a Superbike (CBR600RR – Motorentals) and the first time back on a bike in 50 weeks after my adventure oepsie. Best day spent doing something for the first time in a long time, although not-so-WillePiet. I want to go back to conquer the corners and maybe lap someone fast!!! Helmet time women’s month wisdom: Lean more on yourself, trust the rubber!
Morag
My first time on the track! I followed Skinny (who rode slow for a lap ) so I could catch the best lines, and the vibe was super friendly with tons of helpful tips flying around. I learned a lot and had an absolute blast on the adventure bike.
Janine
Janine has only been riding for one month and she already rates herself in a race as only third last. This chicken is goin’ places!
Crispy
There are a few things in life that make your knees weak. A track day at Red Star Raceway is certainly one of them!
First you have to jump up and down to squish yourself into a heavy sausage suit looking like an absolute tool. Which, by the way, is worth every minute of whirling around this corner laden course with your knees screaming in protest! Invisible vapes, wrong bikes, kickass kangaroos and corner 8 will certainly be memorable moments! Morag and WillePiet’s virgin track days too! Not for the faint hearted (or weak-kneed) was seeing the Skinny one’s butt, and name thereon, skidding across the track onto the grass in front of me. Even more impressive was the recovery!
Dreams of getting that $&@#%* knee down evaporated into the thin, dusty highveld air again! After an awesome day with mates chasing that white line fever it was time for something ice cold and gold afterwards. Cue the Airwolf theme tune
Chikita
Since way back when I started with adventure riding, during all our training we were taught where possible to always ride with someone more skilled or experienced, and with track riding especially, I think this is the key to having a great time – going around in circles is only fun if you can feel your improvement…
Skinny is my frickin’ hero on the road and I’ve always admired how smooth she is so I’m forever trying to mimic her in the corners, but during my first few sessions she rocketed off like something feral and I was left behind to make all my own mistakes – which is where most of us mere mortals start out on a day like this – but once I was all warmed up, oh boy!
I was over the initial freakout of gunning it on an unfamiliar bike, so from the third session onwards, one at a time, I focused on the bits and pieces of advice I’d been casually overhearing in the pits (where all the chicken chatter happens) and just as I was beginning to ‘get it’, but before my body totally collapsed from all the excitement (and unfitness) this glorious day of ours was over!
Skinny
How my body just falls into place as the throttle opens and my knee automatically pops out.
Even though I wanted to assist the girls a bit more, I couldn’t hold my inner race horse back. A few times I reigned in my soul and pointed out the best lines and brake markers, but within a few corners I just needed to flat taps it again.
I’ve dreamt of traveling back in time and doing life all differently in version two. Maybe becoming a Nasa mathematician, a Hollywood stunt performer, a damn good bookkeeper…? But after a day like today, I know it would be something at the track. Even if I just bushcut the track edges… It would be the best track edges this world had ever seen!
I had a small slide on corner 8 (cold tires and warm throttle), and nearly had a Dricus-moment with the marshal that wanted to call in the trailer. Physically hindering him from using his radio with one hand, while the other hand was desperately trying to restart the bike, and on the side - ordering the flustered field-marshal to clean the grass of the side panel… Before the track marshall got to oor-en-uit I was flying around corner 9 – AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FO’ DAT!
Lindi
Lindi has been racing / track riding for 15 years! It shows – she’s bloomin’ fast! She thinks she would only get to 4th in a race, but she mistakenly thought the race would include the men. I guess that would put her in 1st for the ladies!
The day ended too soon, but any longer we would start doing stupid stuff like hi-sides and target fixation.
All the girls made a podium finish, and even though there was only half a bottle of un-sparkling water – each one was awarded with a Daniel Mulder Distributor prize.
Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength.
G.D. Anderson
WATCH THE worldWCR!!!
Thanx to the Photographers:
Hannelie van Schalkwyk (www.facebook.com/hannelie.schalkwyk)
Marko Swart (062 458 2323)
MOTORENTALS MOTORENTALS MOTORENTALS
CHIKITA PRODUCTIONS PRESENT:
Girls on a track - going faster - faster - FASTER! They call us the Flying Fannies… We spent the day at Red Star Raceway on Motorentals Honda CBR600’s.
Video produced by Jolandi Mentz (17 Aug 2024)
SPONSORS:
Sponsored by Daniel Mulder Distributors (DMD) www.dmd.co.za
Forma Boots (www.formaboots.com)
Caberg Helmets (www.caberg.it)
Oxford Products (www.oxfordproducts.com)
Givi (www.givi.ite)
Answer Racing (www.answerracing.com)
Off Road Cycles (www.offroadcycles.co.za)
2M Lazy Lowder (www.2mtrailers.co.za)
PaintAbike by Phil Privett (www.instagram.com/paintabikesa)
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