On June 15, 2013 I corner worked for WMRRA as one of my requirements that needed to be met for graduating. I came to the 7am meeting completely unaware of what my duties would be for the day and hoping that nothing would happen that would require me to jump into action. Corner working is purely by volunteers and there is a group of individuals that seem to know each other quite well and are very knowledgeable about what to do in any given situation. This core group were what appeared to be regulars and were very knowledgeable about procedures and how to handle each incident. I however knew absolutely nothing so when the captain said I would be working as an active in a corner part of me was freaking out with what that responsibility would entail. Craig Johnson, the Corner Captain, gave me a bright yellow vest, a radio and headset and we filled our arms with water and snacks to take to our stations which we were assigned. To my relief, I found Mel, “a regular” at my station and she filled me in on what the duties were with more detail. Then came time for the morning practices, if you have never corner worked, consider doing it sometime. It is a thrill to have some of the best seats in the house and watch racers of every class compete.
During one of the practices, the vintage and 250 class, one of the racers highsided through my corner landing head first into the dirt and gravel. I was looking up the turn while Mel was in charge of looking down the turn, where the accident happened and as soon as it occurred, she called it in to control. We were all told to red flag the track and get the racers off and prepare to get an emergency vehicle on the track, thus waving the ambulance flag to alert racers of a 4 wheeled vehicle on track. This all happened within seconds, the chatter on the radio was short and concise, everyone knew what to do and he was attended to immediately. Due to his injuries, he was airlifted to Harborview and we watched as the helicopter landed on the track to transport him. However, this would not be the last time they would be called. After lunch, Formula Ultra races started the actual race day and we watched these guys navigate the corners with just speed and skill it made me feel like a complete sissy. One lap completed and racers were starting lap 2 when all of a sudden a voice on the radio said to clear the track that there was a crash on the straight away and there were shattered pieces of bike everywhere. My heart just stopped, I could not believe that another racer went down. These men are incredible riders, people I would trust with my life, how could this happen? The man who went down was an expert racer and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was also airlifted to Harborview and my thoughts are with him and his family at this time. Again, these individuals knew exactly what to do and he was on his way in minutes after the helicopter arrived.
The one thing I took away from this tragic day was that I was in great hands with this organization, that each and every person that is a part of WMRRA is, was or has known a rider and does this because they care. They take their jobs seriously and they make sure everything runs like it should, being on the other side of it all helps bring it into perspective. I have a deep appreciation for all the people that make up this organization and all that they do to ensure that this sport can continue as safely as possible. They don’t tolerate arrogance and ignorance, they will revoke your license if you break rules. As racers, we are a reflection of this organization, what we do directly impacts how people feel about WMRRA. I am proud to be a member and racing with them.
If you are interested in corner working, it does have benefits. They feed you throughout the day and you can get passes for Taste of Racing the next race, you usually can’t get back in time to man your corner if you attend Taste of Racing the same day so they discourage it. Visit www.wmrra.com and go to Racing and then from pull down hit corner workers to find out how to volunteer. It is an experience you won’t soon forget!
I could never have imagined that a simple idea and dream of sharing my love of riding could open an opportunity to bring this love to other women. This idea has blossomed into partnering with Ducati Bellevue, 2-Fast Track Days and Instruction and WMST to bring you events, instruction and clinics geared toward empowering women riders. Monday, June 10th was MotoVixen’s first Women’s Track Event and I couldn’t have asked for better weather, people and track to be on. It was an amazing and exhausting day. Mark DeGross of 2 Fast led the classroom sessions and his instructors (special thanks to Steve-O, Scott, Davey and Jason) took 2-3 gals under their belts to guide them around the track like ducks in a row.
It was reminiscent of those ski schools we went on as little kids behind the lead instructor, remember those? I had fun going around the track to break in my new ride to come up on the tail group and watch them, pass and come up on next group and so on. Throughout the day, I watched each gal improve, not only with their skills, but with their confidence as well. I saw the excitement in their eyes and some were so bouncy from it you could tell that they were going to crash on the way home once that adrenaline wore off. Luckily they all heeded my suggestion in having Ducati transport their bikes (which they did for free) and drove to the track so they wouldn’t have to ride home after a long day.
I took some pictures but not nearly enough, however, there were plenty of cameras and videos being taken so I knew we’d be covered. In fact Jason Tanaka took professional pictures (which he says will be linked to his website at www.jasontanaka.com on Friday) and there are some videos that will be posted on youTube in the next week from other track participants. I will try to get as much information as I can and relay it as I get it. If you have pictures or videos you would like to contribute to the site, email it to me (caroltcarpenter@motovixens.com) and I’ll see if we can include a special section on the site to include all of them. The one thing though that the pictures can’t capture are our ear to ear smiles in our helmets, the feeling of accomplishment and the excitement pinging from every fiber of our being. There is nothing like riding on the track, if you haven’t, please try it. Just do it with a reputable company and not an open track day at a track where it is a complete free for all, that is where most crashes happen. We are just so fortunate to have the support of the best companies in the PNW behind us and a curriculum that has been proven to work.
The day was so successful that there will be an announcement on Ducati’s website of another Women’s Track Event coming up on September 23, 2013 with a new rider’s clinic on September 19, 2013 to be headed by Mark DeGross and myself. I am looking forward to some returning ladies and many new ladies, spread the word. We will perfect this program for both returning and new ladies, you will not be disappointed, ask any of the gals that attended. If you have comments, concerns or suggestions please leave them here, I want to hear everything from complaints to raves.
For those of you who I know, have ridden with or just shown pictures of my bike you know the deep attachment I had with it. It symbolized many things, a change in my life, a freedom to explore and it was an instrument into finding myself again after so many years. It took me from being a mother of two boys who did all the things a proper mother would do to adding a tad of spice, OK a lot of spice. I have never been the conventional wife and mother, I’ve always had an “edge,” wore clothes with a rock and roll vibe, sported huge silver rings of crosses and many who got to know me on a personal level were still surprised when they found out I rode. Riding a motorcycle, gave me the chance to open myself to possibilities beyond what I could’ve ever imagined and gain a deep love for a sport that reminded me that I was still alive. My Ducati Monster 696 was loaded with every bell and whistle you could imagine, it was ridden a lot and gave me an immense sense of joy in an otherwise sad time in my life, my divorce. She was my escape and to be honest, was better that any therapy I could’ve ever received by seeking a professional. We become attached to things because they have sentimental value, they are attached to memories that we want to treasure, the thought of parting with them might actually mean we have to let go. But the truth is the memories are part of us, they will never be lost, you will only build upon them, they can’t be lost.
I had long been considering the 848Evo, but the thought of saying goodbye to my Monster was difficult, the emotional attachment to it kept me from pulling the trigger. But after much contemplation and some egging on from Kevin at Ducati Bellevue, we struck a deal and I traded her in. It was a difficult ride in to the dealership knowing that it would be the last time I would ever pilot her again, there was something so sad, yet so exciting about it. The thought of making the 848Evo my own, like I made the Monster, was appealing, knowing that with every addition made would be customized to fit me. I suppose that when you put in as much as I did into my Monster (personalizing it), it becomes a part of you. In the end you are giving away a part of yourself to someone, in hopes they will fully appreciate it as much as you did, but we all know they will customize it too. Look at the endless aftermarket options out there, that is proof alone we all want to make our bikes our own. Now comes a new chapter to be written, my 848 is a blank page to start a new story on and to fill with as many memories as I can create and share. Therapy, BAH! We got our bikes, who needs that??? Maybe that is why we are all a bit twisted 😉 See you on June 10th for our first Women’s Track Event with 2 Fast and hosted by Ducati Bellevue. Vixens Ride!
Round 1 at The Ridge started on Saturday, April 27th and due to circumstances I was unable to attend that day, but entered as a late entry on Sunday. I had never raced and that day was a flurry of issues that included a dance with mother nature, she was playing, “Am I gonna stay wet or should I mess with every racer out there?” I had just taken my rains off from PIR and put on my DOT’s after watching the weather report say mostly dry and had it safety wired to save time. By the time I got there on Sunday, I realized it was the wrong call and in a moment of sheer panic had to get the wheels changed, safety wired and clear tech before our morning practice. Short tools, there was a mad rush to borrow from everyone available and luckily everyone was incredibly helpful in loaning out there tools. My boyfriend, Beau, was my pit crew and was phenomenal in getting everything swapped out for me and my bike ready, on the stands with tire warmers. When practice rounds came, it was wet and everyone was taking it easy so as not to crash and being out there 2 days later (most had attended a Friday track day and raced on Saturday) I was at a disadvantage I didn’t like.