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you've heard the saying "Behind every great man is a
great woman." Well, nowhere is that saying more true than right
here in the motorcycle industry, especially now that the Women'sMotocross/
Supercross Foundation (WMXF) is here! Hopefully by now you've
heard about the WMXF and all the fantastic work they're doing
for the sport. If not, here's an overview: The WMXF Mission
Statement reads: "The Women'sMotocross/Supercross Foundation (WMXF)
is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to enhance the Motocross/
Supercross racing community. WMXF's mission is four-fold: First,
to offer support to any racer or crew member who suffers injury as
a result of participation in or preparation for any professional Motocross/Supercross
event. Second, the foundation provides support to those in the Motocross/Supercross
community who suffer serious misfortune not directly related to competition.
Third, the WMXF provides financial support to benevolent organizations
that support the sport of Motocross/Supercross. Finally, the organization
serves as a group of women who contribute to the well being of families
in the professional Motocross/Supercross community. WMXF will promote
fellowship among the teams and represent Supercross, the Outdoor Nationals
and the entire sport in a beneficial way."
The WMXF was the brainchild of Sharon Richards of OMS Sports and Shirley
Short (mother of Andrew Short). They came up with the idea for the
foundation in 2003 and quickly went to work getting other women in
the industry involved. Megan Barnhart, Kristen Oehlhof and Sarah Voss
were the first to jump on board. The first official meeting of the
WMXF was held on January 1st, 2004 and the founding members were joined
by Evie Ferry, Monica Ramsey and Ellie Reed. The idea was to form an
organization that would raise money for worthy causes within the sport
and to be beneficial to the sport overall. To date, the WMXF has brought
in approximately $114,500 in total for contributions, membership, sponsorship
and other miscellaneous income.
Many individuals and organizations have
profited from donations from the WMXF. One of the main causes close
to the WMXF's heart is the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit and Doctors
John Bodnar and Steve Augustine. If you have attended any pro motocross
or Supercross event in the past few years, you have no doubt seen Doc
Bodnar and Dr. Augustine out on the track providing invaluable on-site
medical care to the racers and crew members. Their dedication to the
sport and the well being of our athletes is truly appreciated and the
WMXF recognizes this by helping to raise money to fund the Asterisk
Mobile Medical Unit.
In 2004, a young racer named Jason Ciarletta tragically lost his life
at the San Diego Supercross. His family generously asked that donations
made through the WMXF to the Jason Ciarletta Fund be used to benefit
the Asterisk Mobile Medical Unit and the Motor Racing Outreach (MRO).
Many other individuals and families have benefited from donations raised
by the WMXF for support following racing injuries, family tragedies
and other hardships.
The WMXF is dedicated to providing support
and assistance to all within the industry who need it. Their efforts
have been extremely successful through fundraisers and events that
allow the community to become involved as well. If you missed the inaugural
MotoBowl held last September and the 2nd Annual MotoBowl held this
September just prior to the Glen Helen National, you missed a great
time! The WMXF arranged for many racers and other industry "celebrities"
to be captains of bowling teams, and in the weeks prior to the event,
they auctioned off spots on each celebrities team. The idea was extremely
well received by the publicÉwhere else would you get a chance to go bowling
with guys like Kevin Windham, Rick Johnson and Greg Albertyn, just
to name a few? The WMXF also held silent auctions at both MotoBowls
with great auction items including signed memorabilia from Jeremy McGrath,
Ivan Tedesco, Grant Langston, Ricky Carmichael, David Vuillemin and
many others!
In the coming year, the WMXF will be continuing their efforts to raise
funds to benefit various causes within the industry, and will also
be implementing programs at the races such as family fun days, etc.
to benefit the many families who travel with their loved ones on the
Motocross/Supercross circuit.
Since it's inception in 2003, the WMXF
has grown from those original seven members to almost 100 members!
A common misconception about the foundation is that it is solely for
the wives and girlfriends of the racers...but that's just not true.
The WMXF is open to ANY woman involved in the motocross/Supercross
industry, in any way, shape or form, so ladies, please join us! Becoming
a member of the WMXF is not only a great way to become involved in
a good cause, but also to make great new friends within the industry,
as I have. The many fantastic women that are the driving force behind
the WMXF are some of the most hardworking and dedicated individuals
I have ever met. Passionate about the cause, these women generously
and unselfishly volunteer their time to help others. The WMXF also
offers associate "Friends
of the Foundation' memberships, open to both males and females.
Any donations made are 100% tax deductible and go to a great cause!
If you are reading this, that means that
you are one of our many family members within the motorcycle industry,
and that you, like myself and the other women of the WMXF, are passionate
about this sport and the many racers and other individuals involved
in making this great industry what it is. There is much that can be
done to benefit our industry, and the WMXF needs your help to achieve
these goals! To learn more about the WMXF and to become a member, please
log on to www.wmxf.org today
and find out how you can help. We'd love to have you join us! 
 There
were a ton of great items at the MotoBowl silent auction this
year!
WMXF
members Hannah and Jacki Short help out at the MotoBowl.
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