NZ's first female motorcycle racer?

**Duke girl** · 26th January 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

I remember not long after starting my current job I out to meet with a vendor and met with a lady who had done the Castrol 6 hour (??) on a RD350 'back in the day'. Her name was Kerry something from memory....

Yeah I know, not much help but might ring some bells with someone..?

Thanks Hels for the info Castrol 6hr on a RD 350 G that must have taken some doing?.

**roadracingoldfart** · 26th January 2010, 19:35

Originally Posted by pipson

You could ask MNZ they should know.

Hahahahahahahahaha

They dont know who they are , still i like a challenge lol.

**Str8 Jacket** · 26th January 2010, 19:41

Originally Posted by Duke girl

Thanks Hels for the info Castrol 6hr on a RD 350 G that must have taken some doing?.

Actually it may have been the Suzuka 8 hour??

Her name is Kerry Pinkham now, I think???

**cc rider** · 26th January 2010, 19:42

Originally Posted by Duke girl

Thanks anyway but I am more interested in Female Road Racing and knowing who was the very 1st NZ Female Road Racer.

Yeah, I couldn't track any on the inti-web. What about a motorcycle museum or WIMA or one of your race organizations? I'm sure with the amount of local racers & industry related folk on here that someone will have the details. Good Luck

**crazyhorse** · 26th January 2010, 19:48

Originally Posted by Pussy

You saying you're a fast woman??

Would I be riding what I have if I was slow....nah, didn't think so he he he

Just ask One Fast tl how I ride

**woodyracer** · 26th January 2010, 20:02

i now summon my magic

**jellywrestler** · 26th January 2010, 20:49

Somewhere I have a photo of a Womens only race in Timaru, just after World War one, I've had a bit of a look but can't put my finger on it now, meanwhile here's a piccie I took of Joanne Meiklejohn at 5.40pm in the 1979 Castrol Six-hour, she was running second in the up to 550cc class at the time

**roadracingoldfart** · 26th January 2010, 21:44

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

Somewhere I have a photo of a Womens only race in Timaru, just after World War one, I've had a bit of a look but can't put my finger on it now, meanwhile here's a piccie I took of Joanne Meiklejohn at 5.40pm in the 1979 Castrol Six-hour, she was second in the up to 550cc class

Hahaha good one Spyda.
I seem to remember she did that more than once . With impecable flair and style though.

Paul.

**sugilite:Me** · 26th January 2010, 21:57

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

meanwhile here's a piccie I took of Joanne Meiklejohn at 5.40pm in the 1979 Castrol Six-hour, she was second in the up to 550cc class

Ouch, and crashing right in front of her sponsors sign, how embarrassing! And here I was thinking that the late great Robert Holden had been the first to do that!

**roogazza** · 27th January 2010, 07:34

Hey Racingoldfart are you in this ? Joanne No76. I think, to the right mid pack Wanganui 78. G.

**T.W.R** · 27th January 2010, 08:16

Originally Posted by Duke girl

Who can tell me who was the 1st NZ Female Motorcycle Racer, what she was Racing and at what age she was when she started Racing?.

The Timaru motorcycle club may be able to expand on this:

Mid 1950s there was a chic nick-named "Thunderbird Annie" who raced a Triumph Thunderbird. Was supposed to have quite a rider too and earnt the respect of many

**Smifffy** · 27th January 2010, 08:41

Here is a piece from the press release, announcing AMP sponsorship for Karel Pavel for the 2008 Oz GP:

A pioneer for women in motor sport, Karel became the first woman in New Zealand to win a motorcycle road racing title when she won the national 250GP Championship last year. She was also the sole woman out of 270 entries competing in the Island Classic in Australia this year, and finished a credible third overall.

"Last year" being 2006

It appears that there might be some earlier claims?

Found it on google

Oops - re-reading the OP I realise you are after the first racer, not the 1st title winner, sorry.