ASBK

Girl Power!

25-06-2009

Watch out for the hot pink Yamaha R6 in Superstock 600 this season. It’s ridden by one of only a handful of female motorcycle racers in the country; Amy O’Mara.

Hailing from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, her life is anything but laid back!

Attaining her learners permit just 5 years ago after getting sick of being pillioned everywhere, the transition from road to track came when she attended a ride day at Eastern Creek. “I was so scared at first but then I got hooked and never looked back!”.

In a sport dominated by men O’Mara has been very fortunate as her raw speed demands respect from all competitors straight away. “As soon as you start to overtake the boys they take you more seriously- they knew I was here to race and that I was determined”.

And its this determination which has bred a real physical and mental toughness. The gender differences only becoming apparent when comparing physical strength. “I’m not as strong as them which makes it difficult to pick the R6 up after she ends up on her side!”. After being involved in a massive highspeed crash at turn 1 at Phillip Island in round 1, let's hope she doesn’t have to spend too much time picking the bike up off its side in the future.

Standing out from the crowd has certainly had its benefits. In 2008 O’Mara was signed by Yamaha to race in the FZ6 Cup on a hot pink coloured bike sponsored by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The partnership has been so successful that O’Mara has now made the step up to the Superstock 600 class on a Yamaha R6 where her love of racing and competing is “Even better than a great shoe sale!"

Drawing inspiration from Valentino Rossi, her mum and her dog peanut (“He never gives up the fight!”) O’Mara’s racing career is only just getting started.

“I would love to race Supersport one day and be on the front row- that would be awesome!”. “It would also be great to see a grid full of women competing for a National Championship”.

And her advice for Superstock competitors? “Watch out boys!”.

Come and see Amy in action along with the Superbike, Supersport and support classes at Round 4 of the Woodstock Bourbon Australian Superbike Championship at Eastern Creek Raceway on August 8-9th.