WILBERFORCE’S ASHLEE De Bakker races a ‘ridiculously fast’ motorbike and over December 16 and 17, will shoot for her maiden championship in just her second season.
De Bakker races in the Australasian Super Bike Championship in the Formula Oz category (D Grade) and has a 120 point lead in the championship standings, not that it will matter because the final round of racing has double points on offer which means it is anyone's race.
Her short racing career saw her break her pelvis i her first race on a 300cc motorbike, but she now feels much more comfortable with a 1000cc motorbike under her control.
“The bike I am on is ridiculously fast but I find myself more at home than the 300cc bike I was on,” she said.
De Bakker said she had never even ridden a motorcycle until September, 2014.
She said a friend was constantly in her ear, attempting to convince her to try it out, and one day she relented and got her license.
A chance meeting in 2014 with team owner Kelvin Reilly of the BC Performance Racing Team encouraged De Bakker to start her racing career in the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Cup in 2015.
“I was training with MotoDNA. They run some ongoing rider training,” she said.
“They got hold of me when I was so impressionable and I didn't have a chance to develop bad habits.
“Straight off the bat I was on the track and riding at speed. It has been one hell of a ride.
“I got some training off some of the best riders in the country and they were really excited that I was so receptive to them.”
De Bakker said she likely would not have entertained the notion of racing, if it weren’t for the advanced training she received because of her chance meeting with Reilley.
In her first race she broke her pelvis on board the 300cc motorbike. After a period of recovery, De Bakker was not deterred and made the transition to super bike where she now feels more comfortable on board the 1000cc Kawasaki ZX10R.
“My first race wasn't ideal, but I thought no I am going to do this and continue on,” she said.
“I started out and was getting my butt kicked and now I am up in the pack with them.”
She is much more sure of herself now, and loves her faster bike.
“I am going ok and the important thing is i am in the mix and learning race craft as I go,” she said.
“It would be a dream come true [to win the championship] in what is my first full year.”
De Bakker said getting her motorbike license was one of the best things she had ever done.
She said owning a motorbike had opened her up to an incredibly friendly and sociable world, and the racing community had welcomed her with open arms.
“It was a bit intimidating to begin with but not for the reasons you might think,” she said.
“All the guys were very welcoming, and they have been very great.
“Girls have this false perception of how they will be received if they give motorsport a crack.
“We can go and participate and race with these guys. It has been an incredibly positive experience.”
De Bakker said she was on the lookout for sponsorship and people could visit her Facebook page, Ash De Bakker Racing 76, to contact her.
