NEW TEAM JOINS INAUGURAL FIM WOMEN’S MOTORCYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
SEKHMET INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RACING TEAM JOINS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH MALLORY DOBBS & LISSY WHITMORE
Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 12 February 2024
You can only have your first time once and having the opportunity to make history has proved irresistible for Australian born Maddi Patterson; one of very few female team owners in the world of motorcycle racing.
Maddi Patterson, SEKHMET RACING Team Owner: “When I first heard that this was going to happen I knew it was where I needed to be. At the official announcement by DORNA, the officiating organisation, no one was surprised when I said ‘F*ck it, I’ll do it!’
Forming a team and signing riders for this has been a real time crunch and, having achieved this in eight months, I appreciate all those who have helped along the way (you know who you are) – if it was easy everybody would do it. I am so proud to announce our riders; Mallory Dobbs #14 (USA) and Lissy Whitmore #34 (UK) who will be riding Yamaha YZF-R7 motorcycles at circuits including Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, Donington Park Circuit and Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto from May to October 2024 alongside the World Superbike Championship which is televised Globally. What a trip!”
The FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship is the first dedicated motorcycle world championship for female circuit racers. This initiative by DORNA has been welcomed by the motorsport community worldwide and responds to the growth in female participation in motorcycling, motorcycle racing and an increase in female motorcycle racing fans attending events in recent years.
Maddi added: “Sekhmet, an Egyptian Deity, was born from fire – a symbol of strength and resilience. And therein lies the reason for the team naming; I endured and recovered from sixty percent burns to my body only three years ago. Sekhmet is known as the protector of friends and the leader in battle – something I embrace in my own life. I am incredibly honoured, excited and aware that my role is to lead my team and more than that, support, inspire and create the chance to do something different. To be the difference. And when the visor goes down, nothing else matters. This is racing.”
The team will attend the media launch and testing in May immediately ahead of the first race and is accepting sponsorship proposals from brands that share the team’s values and ambitions. This is a game changer and this team isn’t just ticking the equality box – these riders are world class athletes at the top of their game and our mission is to bring a fresh dynamic, challenge perceptions, change minds, win respect and acknowledge talent while creating memories, making history and having fun.
Let’s race!
