Female motorcyclist Sandra Stammova starts Racing Team!
We got a chance to interview Sandra Stammova about her career as a professional female motorcyclist. She has also just started her own 511 Racing Team!
Here are some of her latest results:
First National race in Super GP class at East London Raceway with newly formed Team 511. Qualified 7th after running up as high as 5th on the timesheets. Crashed from 5th position after aquaplaning in a wet race while battling for 3rd spot.
Made her debut as a guest rider in the South African National Championship at (Killarney Raceway) in the 600cc Supersport class. Finished at 10th position overall and achieved a personal best lap of 1:16, first time out.
WOW: Hi Sandra, so who or what influenced you into getting into the motorcycling industry?
Nobody, it was something I have always wanted to do.
WOW: How old were you when you got involved?
I started to ride motorcycles when I was 17, but my racing career started only when I was 25 in New Zealand.
WOW: Are there many other women in the industry?
It’s really great that the number of females getting into motorcycling is growing. There are more and more females starting to ride at track days or even getting into racing at the club and regional level.
Although, I must say there are very few female riders in world racing at the national or international level at this stage. I am sure we can motivate more girls to take this sport more seriously, through what we do!
WOW: Do you find it hard competing against men?
I find any competition very challenging, but that’s one of the reasons I do it! However, I don’t find it hard to compete against men specifically. Once we put on our helmets and jump on our bikes, we are all just riders using our skill and feel, as well mental and physical strength, in order to compete!
There are more or less aggressive riders when it comes to race craft. That’s why some riders are better in qualifying and other riders are better in the race, or both. I must admit I love having a good battle in the race, it improves my race craft and it’s lots of fun!
WOW: Great answer, well said! How is the scene in general for a female motorcyclist, being a typically male dominated sport?
From what I can see women get a lot of exposure and sometimes maybe even more attention than men racing at the same level. You know I am so used to racing only against men that I don’t feel like its something special to be a female.
On the other hand, I have experienced lots of ups and downs in motorsport, as a female and a rider in general. Sometimes I feel like I must prove myself more to be taken seriously. When people see me outside the racetrack, they don’t believe I can be as fast as them! Most of the time they can’t imagine that I race a 1000cc at the track. Apparently I look too thin, haha!
All I want is to be treated as a rider and not as a woman. My aim is to win and not ride around for fun, same as any of the top riders. There is no fun for me unless I get continuously faster.
WOW: What advice would you give to another aspiring female motorcyclist, if she was interested in competing?
Stay committed and never give up. Keep disciplined and persistent.
WOW: Looking forward, what are your future plans or goals?
I have got many goals for my future. I want to succeed at many levels of my career outside of racing, which is a huge part of my life. I started my own 511 Racing team – in association with BMW Motorrad – in June earlier this year and I would like to build the team to become one of the best and most professional teams out there.
It all depends on many factors though, sponsorship and funding play a big role. I would also like to win a National championship in the future and experience racing overseas again.
In both the past and present I have worked a lot in the sporting industry, as an Alpine skiing coach, mentor and lecturer. As well as currently being involved in starting a riding school at Killarney Raceway.
Although, I am always looking for any opportunities and I would like to build my second career as a successful business woman. I understand I can’t race forever, not that I don’t want to! :)
As a new team we have also started to work with the, ‘Reach For A Dream’ foundation and I would love to do more with charity for children in the future. I have got lots of ideas and thoughts, but at this stage it’s too early to talk about it.
WOW: Great, thanks so much for your time and we wish you the best of luck! Is there anything else you would like to add?
It’s a pleasure. Thank you also for your interest. There is so much to talk about, but I am sure we will find more opportunities in the future.
WOW: Definitely!
Check out our gallery of Sandra