The Ladies of the All Harley Drag Racing Association

As I stood behind the start lines on the race track at AHDRA { All Harley Drag Racing Association in Norwalk, Ohio for the Roeder Harley-Davidson Ohio Bike Week Nationals} I could see a staff worker hosing down the track with water. Each rider did a burn out before entering the drag strip and pulling up to the tree. The reason for the burn out is to heat up the rear tire for better traction to run the track.
Two riders on their Harleys pull up side by side, each having their own lane separated by a concrete jersey barrier. The motorcycle riders wear a full face shielded helmet, black leather jacket & pants, leather gloves and boots & armor for protection.
As I watched I noticed that the two riders had different body statues. While I was viewing the second rider from a distance I noticed long blonde hair in a pony tail grouped with tie bands every inch until it reached the lower part of ones back. My eyes darted back and forth from one rider to the other, all of a sudden I spoke out loud " That's a woman!" Just as I said it the tree turned green and the race was on..........go......gooo.......gooooooo
Yessssssss!

I have attended motorcycle hill climb events before and never had I seen a woman racer.
As I looked around to my surprise, there were many other woman racers. When I noticed that, I was excited and intrigued to meet and talk with them about their passion of this dangerous sport. What would make a woman want to go 144 miles per hour in less than 9 seconds?

I HAD TO FIND THESE WOMAN RACERS TO SATISFY MY CURIOSITY. I WANTED TO SEE THEIR VISION , FEEL THEIR ANTICIPATION AND FIND OUT WHAT INSPIRES THEM. I HAD TO GET A CLOSER VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACK TO REVEAL WHAT DRIVES THESE WOMEN BEYOND THE FINISH LINE!

Fate was waiting for my arrival. Hello....I said " My name is Luuezz ."
As she talked, I tried to visualize what she had that I hadn't have. I have a lot of guts, however, this woman had so much more that I couldn’t visualize in myself. I hadn't thought of what would a woman HD drag racer look like but here was one sitting in the front of me. I tried to figure out what characteristics that they all would have if I look hard I'll find it in her but I couldn't find nothing out of the ordinary of a stereotype. These are woman that are your all American girl. Nothing more and nothing less. She walks with you in your daily steps of life. This is what impressed me the most.
They wear a variety of faces and play many roles. They are woman who have a great passion for fun, speed & thrill. They all share the excitement energy and adrenaline that can only come from this extreme sport. This remarkable sport is considered one of the most exceptional in today's motor sport's marketplace.
They were genuine and sincere, and knew what they wanted to achieve. They had brushed off their knees and butts, and are living their passion from the soul. All of them were very pretty, one was shy, anyone of them could easily be one of my best friends, I would go out riding my Road King with them for the day, they were friendly and outgoing and easy to talk to.
I later found that without visual distractions present as I spoke to each of the four woman to what a racer is to look like I found it easier to appreciate the structure and her inner strength and passions that make up the woman racer.
Their sweeping curves and whimsical personalities capture the spirit of their greatest passion without succumbing to saccharin sweetness.
Each of the woman I interviewed forms a unique identity for the Woman HD drag racer. The result is a rhythmic presence that introduces the Woman HD Racer within the Motorcycle.
The drag strip allows the woman racer to become a charismatic part of the motorcycle without completely noticed. Their motorcycles that they ride are specifically designed for the race track .
These woman have been for years the most overlooked and one of the strongest pioneers of woman in drag racing. Their dedication to racing and paving the way for other woman in the sport of HD Drag Racing is inspirational.
By forming a sense of sisterhood, woman are able to accomplish so much. In this manner woman are also able to inspire the woman of tomorrow with visions of success as mentors.

 

Meet The Ladies of the All Harley Drag Racing Association

 

Stacey McMillan Orlando, Fla. Age - 41 Bike # 49 VR Class Bike #21 - Super Sport Class	Julia Holliday North Springfield, Pa                Age - 46 SS - 10 Bike #	Wanda Poff York, Pa     Age- 48 Bike # VRD5 SG9	Karen Wagner Escondido, Ca. Age - 45 SS - 37 Bike #                     PG - 9 Bike #

Karen said you ready to go up and watch the Nitro Races? I said sure...Karen walks over to the new Moped and I said, I walk beside you as we go up, so go slow.... She says "Get On" I said "No" She said "Get onnnn" I said "No" Karen says what? why.....I'm afraid" She says again Comeeeeee onnnnnnnn, get onnnnn. As I stood there for a brief second my thoughts were, I have my camera around my neck which costs thousands of dollars and this is why I don't want to get on this moped with her! Then I look at the seat and it doesn't look long enough for her and I said to her where are you going to sit and just then I lifted my leg over the seat and Karen got on and said hold on tight to my waist and off we went up through the pits to the race track. As I seen guys look at us and wave at these 2 crazy girls as we flew on by.... and I'm holding tight to my camera and lens and thinking that if anyone has a camera this would be the Photo Of The Year! Karen Wagner and Luuezz Riding a Moped together, laughing out loud. We spent sometime with each other that day, hugged and said our good byes. I'll be seeing Karen, Wanda, Stacey and Julie soon. Until then girls.....
Luuezz

Luuezz at RedBubble   and  Luuezz at Cafepress