Women came from near and far to share in fun, friendship, and great riding at Schampa's fourth annual Women's Sportbike Rally.
Lady riders from all across the country and Canada made their way to Deals Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains for the Schampa Women’s Sportbike Rally IV presented by Draggin’ Jeans September 11-13, 2009. The weather all weekend was perfect with mild temperatures and bright blue sunny skies. The generous support by sponsors and participants made it possible to raise $2500 to be donated to the Tiffany Weirbach “Sportbikegirl” Melanoma Foundation despite the current state of the economy.
The weekend kicked-off with the annual group photo featuring riders with their sportbikes at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. The photo demonstrated the rally and its participant’s support of troops on Patriot’s Day in remembrance of 9/11.
Sportbike Night presented by Killboy.com fell into gear immediately after the photo shoot and featured a Draggin’ Jeans
Rally sponsor Draggin' Jeans proves that their product lives up to its name. Literally!
demonstration, a delicious kabob dinner hosted by ladies of the Dragon’s Den Grill, the exciting Sportbike Challenge, the annual toss of nearly 100 t-shirts, the Sportbike Challenge and hilarious 50cc racing action.
Saturday morning greeted riders with a beautiful day for the group photo in front of the historic Deals Gap sign which is a landmark for everyone who frequents the famous 318 turns in 11 miles of the “Dragon.” Group rides went in all directions covering the many great roads in both North Carolina and Tennessee giving riders several options to join in on Saturdays all day riding.
After a day full of riding, the evening brought the Yamaha Sportbike girl luau presented by PJ’s Parts to the Stone Creek Pool at Fontana Village Resort. The annual luau featured leis, food, swimming, music, special awards and of course plenty of door prizes donated by the rally’s amazing sponsors.
Jaqueline Campbell (l) and Angela Thurston took home the 2009 Hard Luck Awards.
The Hard Luck Award was presented during the luau to a couple of Michigan friends Jacqueline Campbell and Angela Thurston. After an exhausting day, a minor parking lot tip over by Campbell ended a nearly incident-free ride all the way from Michigan. Saturday morning would be not as forgiving when just a few turns into their ride Thurston took a spill but with just a few bandages she finished a full day of twisty roads riding.
Canadian Margaret Wellon on her Kawasaki ZX650R rode over 900 miles one way from Ontario to reach Deals Gap in time for her first rally and was honored, along with her guest James Edgar, with the 2009 Super Rider Award.
Sportbike Challenge winners were announced and the top three in each were:
“Bike Walk” Competition - Women
1st - Dawn Chappell, Griffin, GA (Suzuki SV650)
2nd - Pam Brewer, Elgin, IL (Yamaha R6)
3rd - Cyndi Sims, Lexington, KY (Suzuki GSXR 750)
“Bike Walk” Competition - Men
1st - Mike “PJ” Pjanka, Harrodsburg, KY (Yamaha FZ1)
2nd - Nick Razo, Farmington, MI (Kawasaki Z1000)
3rd - Daniel Morgan, Danville, GA (Triumph 675)
“Cruiser Crawl” Competition - Women
1st - Charlotte Clarke, Mars Hill, NC (Yamaha R6)
2nd - Debbie Bowman, Chattanooga, TN (Yamaha FZ1)
3rd - Brittany Morrow, Lexington, KY (Yamaha R6)
“Cruiser Crawl” Competition - Men
1st - Daniel Morgan, Danville, GA (Triumph 675)
2nd - Mike “PJ” Pjanka, Harrodsburg, KY (Yamaha FZ1)
3rd - Nick Razo, Farmington, MI (Kawasaki Z1000)
The Breakfast Meet on Sunday morning put a cap on the weekend, allowing everyone to say their “goodbyes” and “see you next years.” It was the perfect ending to another memory-generating weekend for riders. The date for the 5th Anniversary of the Women’s Sportbike Rally will be announced soon.
For hundreds of event photos
CLICK HERE for the Photo Page on the Women’s Sportbike Rally website.
