Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Roadracingworld.com’s Melissa Berkoff is the first woman participant to stand on the overall podium in a WERA National Endurance Series race.



There was some question as to whether or not a woman finished on the podium in a 1976 24-hour in Las Vegas. But research by Roadracing World Editor John Ulrich and long-time motojournalist Art Friedman revealed that Mary McGee rode with a team that finished 5th overall in the November, 1976 WERA 24-Hour at Las Vegas.

At the time, McGee was the Western Advertising Manager for Motorcyclist magazine, held an AFM Expert license and was an experienced desert racer. She rode in the 24-hour with several other Motorcyclist magazine staffers, on a Suzuki GS750. The team ran out of tires and parked the bike after 12 hours, restarting at the very end and crossing the finish line to qualify as official finishers, at 5th overall.

Berkoff and her team–Neighbor Of The Beast–finished third overall, second in the Mediumweight Superstock class, on a Yamaha YZF-R6 in a 6-hour race Saturday, July 31 at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia.

The WERA National Endurance Series has been in existence for 30 years.



See related posts:

8/2/2004 Roadracingworld.com’s Melissa Berkoff Makes History As First Woman Participant On Overall Podium In A WERA National Endurance Series 6-Hour

7/31/2004 Updated Post: Team Velocity Racing Wins WERA National Endurance 6-hour At Summit Point