6 Women Leading the Way to the Trails
Whether they are riders or industry leaders, these women are among the best the sport has to offer. Read on to see how these badass women have made their mark on the industry.
VICKI GRAY, FOUNDER OF MOTORESS AND INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY
If you want to know about motorcycles, Vicki Gray is the woman to talk to. She has been living her best motorcycling life for over 30 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
She says “ The roles I’ve had in motorsports have not been typical. I’ve been involved in motorsports in various cultures for over three decades and, during that time, I’ve enjoyed incredible success but as well, tackled many hurdles.”
She started a non-profit training and support community for women riders, and created the first women’s motorcycling website, which would eventually be called MOTORESS. She founded the International Female Riding Day, which called on women everywhere to just get out and ride.
MEGAN BRODEUR, SNOCROSS RACER
From Coaticook, Quebec, Megan Brodeur has made a name for herself on the snocross circuit. The sport takes the track from motocross, covers it in snow, and has riders race high performance snowmobiles.
Megan won back-to-back-to-back Amsoil Women’s Pro Am Championships and is well known in
She takes her racing very seriously, not just as a competitor, but as a role model to young girls as well. She takes the time to talk to them, and promotes snocross as much as she can. She says “There are many girls who want to experience the thrills, feel the adrenaline pump, and show they have guts, that they’re fearless. Don’t hesitate. Go for it!”
CORY WELLER, OFF-ROAD AMBASSADOR, ENTREPRENEUR, RACING PHENOM
Not every woman comes from a family of powersports enthusiasts. Cory found her passion for racing when she was nearly 30 after taking a spin on a motocross track. From there, she knew she found her calling and started racing side-by-sides in 2008.
Since then, she’s won over 14 championships and welcomes the opportunity to show the men she races against just how good she is at this sport. She says “Because there is no ‘women’s class’ in motocross, I have always competed against men. I see myself as a racer, period. My gender isn’t relevant.”
ANNIE DUSALT, WELDER
Getting into the powersports industry doesn’t mean you’re automatically a racer or a rider; there’s plenty of jobs in the field, including Annie’s work as a welder.
It took time for her to be accepted as a welder by her peers, which she proved through the quality of her work. She says there’s still a long way to go, however. “With the increase in women welders, we need to start thinking about adapting workstations, not only for women, but for all people of a lighter build who aren’t as strong.” Equity is just as important as equality.
JOSLYN PETTY, PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST FOR KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP
Women in powersports don’t just mean riders, racers, and manufacturers. From an early age, females find a passion and love for all kinds of UTV vehicles. Petty says, “Many women are the primary or equal drivers of their side-by-sides with the whole purpose of getting the entire family out to have fun.” As a rider herself, she comments, “It’s evident that more women are joining all forms of powersports. On any given weekend, you see more women and young ladies at the tracks, on the trails and riding the local canyon roads here.”
HELENE BINET, PRESIDENT OF CMI MOTOR INC / CFMOTO CANADA
Helene Binet has spearheaded women using ATVs, UTVE, Side X Sides, and dirtbikes. Alongside her husband, Carl Binet, they are the founders of Canada Moteurs Importation Inc. Together they continue to invest time and money in improving CFMOTO products in Canada. Her continued involvement has opened the doors for many women across Canada to consider the sport for themselves outside of being solely male-dominated.
WHO’S READY TO RIDE?
If you’re a woman and love to race or just go for a ride, we at Throttle Powersports can help get you on the right track. Whether you’re looking for a new ride, or some new accessories, or need maintenance done, we can help you get it!
Call us at 1-888-536-4558 to find out more!