Background
With nearly 27 years racing experience, Tami has brought to the
table her racing, sport promotions and employment experiences
to assist in developing the most accurate, in-depth site on
the history of women's motocross -
www.WomensMXHistory.com
Accomplishments
Tami
along with Bonnie Warch
were members of the first American Suzuki Women's Motocross Team
during the late 80's, early 90's. The Team campaigned
throughout the States, racing and developing a positive image
for women racers abroad.
Shortly thereafter
and with encouragement from several women motocross racers
such as Gale Webb, Mercedes Gonzalez, Kelly Halfhill (aka K.O.)
and Smart Girls Racing - Augie Aususto the two developed the
Women's Motocross Association "WMXA" in 1988 (not
today's WMA - Miki Keller is responsible for the development of
this organization at
www.womensmxassociation.com, see below). The WMXA venues
ran in conjunction with CRC's (California Racing Club)
program in Palmdale, CA. Three divisions were
offered as women Novice, Intermediate and Expert riders lined
the gate with more than 30
competitors ready to strut their stuff while enjoying the
sport of motorcycle racing. The organization quickly expanded
its' venues with events in conjunction with CMC, GFI and the
famous Mammoth Mountain Mountain MX event.
With the addition
of Brenda Hannah - a well known Women's Pro Jet-Ski Racer -
the association quickly developed into a more well rounded
organization known as the Women's International Motorsport
Association "WIMSA" catering to Women's Motocross, Jet-Ski,
and Auto racing. Mercedes Gonzales was actively competing in
Altra-Light competition during the late Mickey Thompson's
Off-Road Series, which enhanced the association as a whole.
In 1991, Tami was
contacted by the Italian promoters wanting US involvement
during their 1992 La Femme International Motocross
Championships in Faenza, Italy. The US Women's MX Team
concept began when
Nadine Holbert of Houston, Texas and Tami contacted Elaine Ruff, then a
Director of Operations for a high profile after-market
company, to assist and support a team of US riders to race in
the Italian Championships. That same year, the United States
Women's Motocross Team was founded. The four pioneers
representing the USA: Tami Rice - CA, Nadine Holbert - TX, Kristy Shealy
- TX
and Dee Ann Wood - TX went to Italy, and being the best of the
best, placed in 3 of the top 5 positions!
After returning
from competing in Italy, Tami approached her sponsor, Acerbis
USA, with the concept of developing a women's chest protector
to accommodate her needs as the chest protector she was using
(designed for men) was not doing so. The protector was
developed and known as the "Ladies Zoom". This protector is
now known as the Acerbis "Ladies Fusion" and is worn by women
motocross racers around the world.
When a second
invitation arrived from Italy, Elaine Ruff contacted Kat
Spann, owner and editor of the TEX-MX Newspaper also know as
the
Southern Dirt Bike Journal, to manage the newly founded
U.S. Team. With support of after-market companies and the
OEM's, it started to grow. Finally, there was a chance for
women riders to gain the recognition and support not
previously offered by the industry. This new concept spread
and in 1996, the U.S. Women's Motorcycle League (WML) was born.
Today, a new
organization runs women's racing in the states.
Founded in February of 2004,
the Women’s Motocross Association, Inc. (WMA) is the new
entity in women’s motocross. President, Miki Keller, who was
the former President of the Women’s Motocross League, created
the WMA following the WML’s decision to discontinue operations
and dissolve the corporation. The WMA is committed to
providing the best quality women’s motocross events while
creating opportunities for women in all areas of the sport.
The WMA holds
an AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) charter and is the
national ranking body for professional women’s motocross with
the series’ pro champion recognized at the AMA Sports Annual
Awards Banquet. In addition, the WMA hosts the event that
determines the Women’s International Motocross Pro Champion.
The AMA/WMA National Motocross Championship Series draws the
largest field of Amateur and Professional women motocross
racers, while offering the most women’s amateur/youth classes.
