Today is a heartbreaking day as the original RACEGIRL has been officially retired; removed from the Internet. True enough, she'll not entirely disappear, and we'll keep her history alive on MOTORESS, yet her decade of worldwide motorsport contribution has, and is now finished. 
MOTORESS was created to replace RACEGIRL even so, it's not easy pulling the plug on a community that millions enjoyed.Its been thrilling and rewarding beyond expression bringing to the motorcycling community the first truly female motorsport focused website, the only one like it, ever, worldwide (we do our homework and research and with confidence can make such a claim). It was back in 1998 creation started which in January 1999 saw RACEGIRL launched into the world wide web. And what a gigantic hit she became, growing each year with interest and admiration by many. She did so well and became so popular that she even generated Internet traffic which assisted sales for the totally unrelated American t-shirt brand of same name RACEGIRL (introduced just after, and around the same time we did but with a focus on clothing and the famed American car cult of NASCAR).
Now a decade later, the world has many more "racegirl's" and woman's only motorcycle race disciplines--Canada's Women's Cup and the European Women's Challenge, France's Dream Cup etc. and websites abound.
MOTORESS was born to provide a broader community than RACEGIRL could since RACEGIRL rather obviously spoke of racing--admittedly not a realistic goal for most women. MOTORESS relates to all women and even though many saw beyond RACEGIRL'S reference to racing, appreciating the portrayal of women in a new light, one of no limits, of intelligence, of skill, sophistication—and femininity, MOTORESS speaks to all.For one decade she encouraged, supported and motivated women of all ages, of diverse origins and countries worldwide to pursue and discover motorcycling. So as many bid farewell to RACEGIRL she'll never be gone from our spirits, especially mine as she was created from my own passion for racing--a true RACEGIRL'S soul.Three cheers RACEGIRL and in the language of your birth country, The Netherlands —“Gefeliciteerd--Lang zal ze leven in de Gloria”.
The news of Harley-Davidson Inc. hiring famed Supermodel Marisa Miller as their campaign “spokes model” for the new 2009 V-Rod Muscle, a motorcycle aimed at a younger, hipper demographic than Harley's traditional customer base—I thought, initially, terrific. But when I viewed the photo shoot and campaign "feel" on YouTube, though some pics were trendy and well done, others were not --I’m confused.
Marisa certainly looks stunning, but that's all, that’s it--she doesn’t ride a motorcycle. On top of that the poses are in the suggestive manner we’re tired of seeing in [most] motorcycle magazines-- trophy women atop exciting motorcycles nearly naked. I’m disappointed. Harley-Davidson's astounding efforts for the female rider market and now this? Is the message about women being an American supermodel first, rider second (I know, I know they're really trying to put forth VROD--"SuperModel").
The campaign may not do much to affect today’s female rider--unless Harley,were targeting men only? If so they're missing the boat on the largest growing market segment of motorcycle buyers—women, especially the younger demographic who’ve been educated by the likes of genius brand "Dove" campaigns of loving your body, being real. And the VROD has so much potential for women riders; Harley's’ own grand daughter Kathy Davidson says the VROD is her favourite pick. The VROD MUSCLE is a sporty, sleek bike introduced this year—it looks totally awesome. It has a long, low profile inspired by drag racing and an engine that was co-developed with Porsche, the German sports car maker.
This campaign may have the affect of “buy this bike and you’ll look like Marisa”, yet for the modern informed gal, the educated young lady, this concept might back fire insulting female intellect. As much as I admire and support Harley-Davidson for their strong manufacturing lead of female rider -ship plus the pleasure it is to work with them, I really wasn't expecting this.
Indeed Harley-Davidson, need to encourage a younger female demographic, yet showing a supermodel who has no idea of motorcycling is not fooling anyone (even though she claims she grew up “around” motorcycles—her father rode). We’re all for femininity, sexiness and being “woman”--its not jealousy that’s spawned this entry but the mere fact that t
he pattern needs to break. There are many sexy, attractive women riders out there that would have completed the story avoiding the portrayal of yet another trophy female posing on a motorcycle--passé.
Plus there were other options—Tricia Helfer and Katee Sackhoff stars of “Battlestar Galactica” both ride motorcycles— American Super-star?
MOTORESS was created to replace RACEGIRL even so, it's not easy pulling the plug on a community that millions enjoyed.Its been thrilling and rewarding beyond expression bringing to the motorcycling community the first truly female motorsport focused website, the only one like it, ever, worldwide (we do our homework and research and with confidence can make such a claim). It was back in 1998 creation started which in January 1999 saw RACEGIRL launched into the world wide web. And what a gigantic hit she became, growing each year with interest and admiration by many. She did so well and became so popular that she even generated Internet traffic which assisted sales for the totally unrelated American t-shirt brand of same name RACEGIRL (introduced just after, and around the same time we did but with a focus on clothing and the famed American car cult of NASCAR).
