Wilmarie’s passion for motorcycling started almost 20 years ago while riding on the back of a cruiser with her mother.  Her racing started at the age of 16, more than 13 years ago. “ I Started racingt 50cc motorcycles, moved up to the Pro Sport 125cc class and then made a big jump to a 600cc Superbike class. Thereafter competing in the very competitive 250cc Powersport class of between 30 & 40 riders per race. The 250cc class was perfect for my riding style, weight and size “ After 10 wins out of 11 races and one lap record at Zwartkops Raceway and Phakisa Freeway, Wilmarie took the step to compete in the incredibly challenging 600cc Silver Cup championship with some of our top South African riders.  She was no longer competing against ‘boys’ and the motorcycle required a lot more physical strength and fitness than the 250cc ever did.  “ This was very challenging, but incredibly empowering at the time, especially being the first and only lady at the time, racing superbikes in South Africa.

Fortunately for me, I was able to take my racing experience and turn it into a business, SPEED QUEEN RACING ACADEMY.  This is my way of giving something back to other riders.”  Initially Wilmarie started the academy to help other ladies so that they did not have to learn everything the hard way,   but she soon realized that there are a lot of guys out there also wanting some more personalized training to help get them into motorcycling the right way.

“Starting the business took a lot of my personal and racing time, and unfortunately racing had to take a bit of a back seat while I was putting all my time, money and effort into growing the business.  I don’t regret building the business for one second, I just wished at the time that there were two of me so that I could continue to pursue my passion and talents that the Lord gave me whilst growing my business.“

After racing on and off for two years, Wilmarie was approached by Ducati SA to race the 749R and 999R in the BOTTS (Battle of the Twins) racing.  “ I finished top 10 in a class with 30 ‘mature’ male riders, and was always very happy with my results, also considering that the Ducati is in many ways a very different motorcycle to race compared to the 2strokes and four strokes that I was use too.  The biggest adjustment for me was the weight, it was a lot heavier and the twin motor took a bit of getting use too, but what an awesome sound! “ 

After 13 years of road racing Wilmarie wanted to get more ladies into racing (Women In Motorsport) and started building a new class for ladies only.  This was the first ladies class only championship in SA history.  “ My reason for starting a Supermoto ladies class first was because I had enough ladies from normal motorcycle leisure riding and then some MX ladies who were interested.  It was also the cheapest form of racing, and a lot slower than superbikes to get involved in for the first time”. 

After starting the 250cc Ladies Female Supermoto Championship in 2007 and competing in the class personally, Wilmarie also started the first MX Ladies championship for MSA in 2008.  “ I must admit that I enjoyed racing the supermoto but love my superbikes and enjoy it a 100 times more. Supermoto consists of 30% dirt and 70% tar and dirt riding does not come that naturally.  Finding time to practice for this was becoming impossible for me. With no previous Offroad racing experience, I can honestly say that this form of racing has been the most difficult to do and do well! “

By this time Wilmarie was looking after the Supermoto & MX Championships, ensuring that sponsorships were available and that the classes were growing whilst also growing ladies in car racing.  “ It was an incredibly busy time for me and I never thought that being President of Women In Motorsport would be this time consuming.  I tried to still fit my own racing in wherever possible”.  Wilmarie also competed in the 500Km Endurance race in Portugal in 2007 and finished 3rd overall with two other ladies from France.  She also went back in 2008 and finished 4th with her team mates Riaan Neveling and Luis (Portugal).

“ The development of other riders in the sport and lifestyle is very important to me. I enjoy being able to teach others that share the same passion and interests. I also understand how challenging this sport and industry can be and therefore I decided to open a channel that can help others enjoy the true feeling of motorcycling easier and quicker through my academy and running Women In Motorsport “                                            

READ MORE ABOUT WILMARIE