The PBAC Race Report: WSMC February 15, 2009

There were three ladies out at Big Willow this weekend racing motorcycles, out of a field of perhaps a hundred or more. One psychologist, one French Canadian entrepreneur, and one female whose name I haven’t seen out there before. If anyone knows Lisa Fisher, or has her contact information or any news about her, please send it to christie@passedbyachick.com.

Anyway, I’ve heard rumors that the WSMC is unfriendly towards women. Not the race organizers themselves, but that there is a general male snobbishness towards women and a fairly strong “women can’t be fast” vibe. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest; in fact, it makes me want to race there more, maybe just perhaps not in the dead of winter or middle of summer.

Josh Hayes, Melissa Paris and James Randolph were all trading Willow Springs race stories at Macaroni Grill a few weeks ago, and I listened intently and smiled politely, then eventually said, pouting just a tiny little bit, “it’s like you guys are all talking about a party I wasn’t invited to.” They laughed, and Melissa said, “maybe, but it really wasn’t a very awesome party!”

I still want to go race there sometime. My friend Mike Solis, an early mentor in my motorcycle riding forays, always encouraged me to try a track day or two there to use Big Willows’ big corners to help me get comfortable “at high speeds.”

The closest encounter I’ve had in Rosamond was a visit to The Cat House, an exotic feline conservation center. I highly recommend a visit; you might get to see one of these big guys:

And of course, if you go to Rosamond on the right weekend, you might get to see one of these girls racing the boys. Results from February 15, 2009:

Tania Davidson
Yamaha YZF-R6

9th, 600 Modified Production, 1:38.437 (9 finishers)
7th, Formula 2, 1:36.958 (7 finishers)
4th, Formula 40 Lightweight, 1:38.997 (5 finishers)

Nadine Lajoie
Honda CBR600RR

6th, Formula 2, 1:33.999 (7 finishers)
11th, 650 Superbike, 1:34.165 (11 finishers)
12th, 600 Super Stock, 1:33.338 (14 finishers)
6th, 750 Superbike, 1:33.374 (8 finishers)

Lisa Fisher

11th, 501-650 Middleweight Novice, 1:55.809 (11 finishers)