[WetShrub]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

If she wins it will be because the guys let her because they really wanna bang her.

Seriously though, imagine a gymnast that can race. That's basically what Rossi is. The dude is a frog. Super flexible and could probably do a million chin ups. Throws his own body weight around like it's nothing. Women gymnasts do that all the time so all they would need would be the road racing talent added.

The reason I would think that a woman WOULDN'T make it is simply the pool of women racers is too small. The odds of a woman coming out of that small pool to dominate the sport is very unlikely. Like many other sports, there are simply more men doing it.

[luvtolean]

Originally Posted by abtech

I see many fast riders come out to the track and simply amaze people, but give them a broken shoulder and an 8K repair bill and somehow they seem to lose interest after the second or third time . . .

Not that they aren't out there, but I've yet to see or meet a woman whose ego hit you before she could physically touch you...something that seems to be a pre-requisite to succeed, and race through injuries and continue to risk your life for a piece of wood and plastic when there are other things you could be doing with your time.

I know plenty of dudes that way though.

She seems to be hugely talented. Good luck to her, and bravo to her parents for helping to develop that talent. Sounds like she's ridden more laps at speed on a bike than most here. Including some racers...

[Trackho]

Originally Posted by abtech

I would think it would be based on determination and persistence given the requisite talent is there. Take a look at Vicki Jackson Bell, she ran in the minute 23s at Grattan (on a 125), (and won just about every Canadian race she could enter) but got hurt a few times and eventually retired.

I see many fast riders come out to the track and simply amaze people, but give them a broken shoulder and an 8K repair bill and somehow they seem to lose interest after the second or third time . . .

Abtech you hit the nail on the head.

Heres the whole real story:

I passed her coming on to the straight, didnt think too much of it. I was running in the 2:02s (race pace is low 1:59s for me, winning FP pace 1:52)--I am going thru T2 (the exit is getting funky so I was somehwat taking it easy)--I see her come by on the outside, impressive---but if I was using my usual "whole track exit" she would have gotten pushed into the weeds at 110MPH unbeknownst to me. Out of curiosity I followed her for a tad, in T8 she totally stuffed some guy on an R1, if he would have been a more proficient rider, he too would have bounced her of the track. I passed her again on the straight, got "stuck" behind another rider, she blazed past both of us-on the outside, repassed her in T6 and NEVER saw her again--frankly her T2 antics made we a tad wary of her "style".

Her Dad and I had a "chat" about learning some respect for other riders lines,especially on a trackday. I gaurentee she will get inadvertantly knocked off track with her current "style", whether she continues to ride after that will be left to be seen. She has NEVER crashed (so far).

Lets just say her Dad is a little short-sighted, I get the sense that she is living his dream, not hers. Again time will tell. Most Grp A 600 riders would have a hard time passing her on the straight. I was pretty impressed with the drive a "little person" on a 125 could get on the straightaway

[phobiaphobe]

I dunno that sounds like a lot of excuses to me...

[SJ96F3]

Just a thought to make everyone feel even worse... if I calculate this correct. Everyone thinks she has this huge power to weight advantage but in fact she doesn't. All of her weight (110lbs) plus the bike (172lbs) and a bike with 42 hp means each hp moves 6.7 lbs. Take an average guy (175lbs) on a liter bike (380lbs) making 150 hp and each hp only has to move 3.7 lbs. She actually has a disadvantage.... in a strictly power/weight comparison.

[phobiaphobe]

I wonder if she'll have the passion to be a real champion. Who knows, once she's 13-14 make-up, shoes, the shopping mall and boys might be more appealing than racing motorcycles. I for one think it's great when a woman can kick a guy's ass at any sport.

[nedro]

Its starting already. Here ya go.

USGPRU Lowers Minimum Rider Age To 12 At Some Events

Aug 24, 2005


From a press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU Lowers Age Minimum

Odenton, MD. –– The USGPRU powered by AlwaysOnline.net has announced the minimum age limit at select events this year will be lowered to 12 years old. The 12 year old age limit will apply for both the East Coast Regional Final at Autobahn Raceway on Sept 11th and the $10,000 National Championship Final race at Texas World Speedway on Oct 2nd. Select events will also be identified where kids age 12 and older will be allowed to participate in the 2006 season.

According to series President, Stewart Aitken-Cade, "By lowering the age minimum, we’re giving these rising superstars the opportunity to further develop their racing skills that much sooner. There are lots of kids that are ready to move to the next level now. We welcome them to our race series as a place to continue developing their skills on their way to the top!"

Kids wishing to participate in these events will need to provide proof of former racing experience in other racing disciplines as supermoto, dirt track, or mini-motos before they will be allowed to enter. Each rider's abilities will be scrutinized on a case by case basis. For complete details, please visit www.USGPRU.net.

About USGPRU
The USGPRU, Powered by AlwaysOnline.net, is the officially recognized Motorcycle 125 Grand Prix National Championship ® and 250 Grand Prix National Championship (TM) series. The USGPRU emulates true World MotoGP racing experience and serves to attract young riders to gain experience in a professional environment and provide a path to world-class motorcycle racing. The USGPRU structures events with extended length grand prix racing exclusive to the GP machines, timed qualifying and strong contingency and sponsor support. For additional details, visit www.USGPRU.net

The 2005 USGPRU National Series sponsors include AlwaysOnline.net, Dialitintracktime.com, Acid Cigars, Roadracingworld.com, Revit Leathers, Bridgestone, Dunlop, EBC Brakes, GPC Moto, Hjelm Motorsports, Ian Emberton Engineering, Motion Pro Cables and Tools, Redline Cycle Imports, Repsol YPF, Rising Sun Cycles, Silkolene, Zambrana Performance, and VP Fuel.

[WetShrub]

Wow, NEVER crashed. That could be an eye opener. I didn't know that. There is a boy racing on a 125 who has a big time hockey dad. He pushes pretty hard for his son to succeed. He is good but not that great. He recently shoved him on a 600 so he could get started on that part of his riding. That kind of stuff I don't agree with. Hopefully her dad isn't like that too much. He is obviously VERY proud of her but I hope she is making her own decisions to race.

Sounds like she is fairly unaware of the seriousness of riding the way she does. She will find out one way or another. Hopefully she will take her dad's advice to heart and save her own hide even if it costs her a couple seconds/lap. Fear can be a big deterrent to turning good lap times. Top guys in racing seem to have an off switch for that fear. They get right back up on that horse and it's like they never went down. Example: Tommy Hayden getting second to his brother with a broken hand.

[Okami]

I think I have a few months old magazine of her "Crashing"... If you guy's want me to confirm Ill dust out the mag and scan the article. I belief it's 3 months old.

[monty69]

No, not ever, not even in america.

She might run fast but there is more to it than that. It is the phsycological hardness that is required to win championship victorys and women don't have it. One bad spill and she will be finished!

Good luck, have fun and show some wanna be guys up.....