So it’s kind of like Christmas morning, and you’re happily playing with your new My Little Pony Dream Castle playset. Your day couldn’t possibly be better! But then your parents grab you and take you out to the back yard where you find…a real pony! Yes, it’s just about that exciting! This never happened to me but I always dreamed it would!
So not only did we get a women’s racing class with WERA & CCS, but the visionaries over at Michelin and Femmoto are teaming up to offer some exciting contingency money for the Women’s C Superstock class (and perhaps even a women’s lightweight class, although this is still up in the air), ending with bang in October with two potentially lucrative women’s class championships at Barber Motorsports Park.
So for the usual WERA West races, according to the 2009 Team Michelin Contingency sheet, there will be 8 races throughout the season where the Women’s C Superstock winner can receive $250 and the lightweight winner can get $150 (provided that they’re running Michelins and following the rules). And this is as good as cold, hard cash, with a Team Michelin Dollars card that can be used anywhere credit cards are taken. Again, at press time, the lightweight division is up in the air but Sean Clarke is working it out with Michelin as we speak.
Michelin, in concert with Femmoto, has also announced a special Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship October 3-4 at Barber, a week before the WERA Grand National Finals. A gal on Michelins and sporting Michelin and Femmoto flare can win three thousand dollars if she places first in the Women’s C Superstock class, and can potentially walk away with five grand if she wins both races (although it’s not clear, I’m assuming the Femmoto press release is referring to the Michelin race October 3-4 and the WERA GNF the following weekend). There are of course many details and rules you have to follow, so don’t trust me on this…read the press releases on your own.
Bonnie Strawser, grande dame over at Femmoto, says “this is a big step for women’s road racing in the United States. Michelin, CCS and WERA share our vision. They realize the tremendous growth potential for women and motorcycle racing. For years, our male counterparts have enjoyed contingency awards from a long list of sponsors. Now female competitors will have more opportunities to elevate their riding skills and earn contingency.â€
I agree!
Oh and Mom and Dad, you’re the best parents ever, pony or not! I loved my Dream Castle!
