self to greater things.
“I definitely don’t have what is required,” she laughs. “I
just kind of scrape by!
“You need to maintain a good level of fitness,” she
continues, explaining that those who race rally’s often
road cycle every day, plus gym and then ride a motorcycle
every day. “I was cycling to and from work this winter,
back in the UK, as well as spending an hour or two in the
gym every night.
“Unfortunately, riding time is something I wasn’t able
to do as I don’t have anywhere to keep my bike in the UK
nor anywhere to ride,” Stephanie is now based France
working for the summer to be closer to the racing and
able to train on the bike a little better.
Stephanie certainly doesn’t see being female as a dis-
advantage and perhaps uses it to her advantage in one of
the few sports where men and women compete on equal
terms.
“I don’t wear pink when I race because I prefer to make
it less obvious if I overtake other riders,” there’s that in-
fectious laugh again. “The upside of being female is I am
probably more likely to get help when I have a problem.”
Support does come; fellow competitors, officials,
friends all contribute to Stephanie’s racing and with it has
come invaluable contributions from Michelin Motorcycle
UK, SBS Brakes, Wemoto UK, O’Neal Racing, and Ipone
Oils however, like all privateer racers Stephanie needs
greater support to keep her racing at the front and chal-
lenging for outright results.
If you’d like to become involved with Stephanie’s racing
you can find her on Facebook or by emailing her at –
[email protected]
As we were going to ‘press’ with this issue of Traverse Stephanie
took part in round 2 of the European All Terrain Championship, The
Hellas Rally.
The racing was going well until a mechanical problem on day 2
saw Stephanie need to be towed to the finish line by fellow competi-
tor, Vincent Biau, who had crashed earlier on the stage. IT kept her
in contention however, the mechanical problem was terminal, ending
her Hellas Rally.
The next event for Stephanie is the Serres Rally (Greece) on 28th
August to 3rd September, and then Rally Romania on 14th to 19th
October.
Pic: Stephanie Rowe
TRAVERSE 16
Pic: Lewis Burnett / Hunting For Paradise