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Draft:Debbie Matthews

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Debbie Matthews (born 1958) is a motocross competitor, organizer, mentor, and advocate for women riders.[1] Shes earned the title "the Godmother of Women’s MX" from Erv Braun, the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Supercross & AMA Pro Motocross announcer.[2] Matthews has the longest consecutive career span in Women's Motocross, spanning 27 years across both professional and amateur circuits.[3] She consistently secured a spot in the top 15 Women Professional National rankings in motocross for 20 consecutive years, from 1977 to 1997.[3]

Racing

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Throughout her career, Matthews achieved success both as an amateur and professional racer.[3] She earned national recognition as the Number 2 Amateur Racer in the country in 1976 before transitioning to the professional circuit in that same year. [3]

Accolades & Awards

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Her peers recognized her dedication to motorcycling with a Lifetime Appreciation Award at the So Cal Pro Reunion in 2012.[4] Matthews was inducted into the Gene Woods Hot Shoe Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, NV, in 2021.[5] She is a nominee for the AMA Hall of Fame class of 2024.[3]

Coaching & mentoring

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Matthews coached riders in clinics, bootcamps and motocross schools, including champion Ashley Fiolek.[6] She mentored and sponsored Jacqueline Strong.[6] Matthews also shared her passion for motocross with her daughter, Heather Matthews Majcherek.[7]

Promotion & advocacy

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Matthews played a role in increasing the visibility and opportunities for female riders.[6] She helped develop the Women's Motocross League (WML) and organized events such as the Ladies World Cup Motocross Championships.[6]

She petitioned the AMA Congress for "A" rider classification for female riders.[4] Matthews co-created the Stadiumcross with Danny Thompson in 1994.[4] Matthews helped create the AMA Pro National Championships in 1997, which included female participants for the first time.[4]

Timeline of Debbie Matthews' career

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1974:

  • Began her career racing motorcycles at the age of 15.[3]

1976:

  • Ranked as the Number 2 Amateur Racer in the country.[3]
  • Turned professional at age 18.[3]

1988:

  • Became Women’s Vet National Champion.[7]

1994:

  • Recruited by the U.S. Women's Motocross Team as their Promotion/Race Director.[3]
  • Co-created with Danny Thompson the Stadiumcross for women.[4]

1996:

  • Co-founded the Women’s Motocross League (WML).[1]

1997:

  • Matthews was invited to meet with members of the AMA Congress to ratify changes in the AMA constitution giving women “A” rider classification for the first time in history.[3] The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.[3]

1999:

  • Retired from the WML to dedicate herself full time to the promotion, marketing, and teaching of women's motocross, resulting in the creation of WSMX, Inc. (Women's School of Motocross).[3]

2001:

  • Trained Ashley Fiolek who won multiple national championships and X Games gold medals.[6]

2008:

  • Published her book, Excelling Through Adversity.[8]

2012:

  • Received Lifetime Appreciation Award by So Cal Pros for dedication and commitment to motorcycling.[3]

2014:

  • Founded POWR (Professional Organization of Women’s Racing) which developed women’s racing opportunities and provided the largest women’s professional cash prize in women’s motocross history.[3]

2021:

  • Inducted into the Gene Woods Hot Shoe Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]

2024:

  • Nominated for the AMA Hall of Fame as an Ambassador.[3]

References

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  1. "Icons". Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. May 24, 2024.
  2. "AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Nominees". Racer X. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  3. "Kawasaki Women's Motocross Nationals" (PDF). 1978.
  4. "Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Nominees". American Motorcyclist Association. May 24, 2024.
  5. "Icons". Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. 2021.
  6. "WSMX "WINNING FORM" BONUS AWARD". Racer X. June 1, 2011.
  7. "She's Growing Up Fast : At 8, Heather Matthews Is Off-Road Racing Veteran". Los Angeles Times. 1991-07-11. Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  8. "KCT & Associates books - All books by KCT & Associates publisher | BookScouter.com". bookscouter.com. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  9. Bruce Richardson, American Motorcyclist (June 1993). American Motorcyclist. United States: American Motorcyclist Assoc. pp. 72–74. (link)
  10. Heather Majcherek (2017-03-09). OCN Sports Talk with Heather and Debbie Matthews. Retrieved 2024-05-21 –via YouTube.
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