Joanna Bitter died today as the result of head injuries she suffered in a crash while competing in a WERA West event August 30 at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, California. She was 41.
Bitter was an Expert racer with CVMA but was racing with WERA as part of a deal in which WERA recognizes licenses from other selected racing organizations, according to WERA CEO/President Evelyne Clarke.
Bitter is survived by her husband, fellow racer Bill McCoy, stepson Sean, mother Joanna Bitter, sisters Faith and Sarah, and niece Wendy.
More details will be posted as they become available.
More, from a press release issued by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, Inc.:
LOSS OF JOANNA BITTER
We met Joanna when she joined us this weekend to race on a new track. She talked about how her husband Bill had retired but she was not ready to retire just yet. She was a very memorable person even in the short time we knew her. She was a guest Expert rider with us using her CVMA Expert License. We never know why things like this happen to people in our lives but it is a part of the sport we love that will never be easy. Our condolences to Bill McCoy, Joanna’s husband, her family and friends – RIP Joanna and know you left an impression on all you encountered.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle Roadracing. The legacy of Pro riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing and they go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as a Pro-Am Series with the WERA National Challenge Series, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing also offer Vintage Racing.
For more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing please check out our web site at wera.com!
More, from a statement issued on behalf of Joanna Bitter’s family:
We are sad to announce that Southern California’s motorcycle community has lost beloved friend and racer, Joanna Bitter. Joanna was involved in a single-bike, first-lap incident during the August 30th WERA round held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. She passed away this morning of September 3rd at 8:50 a.m. due to head injuries sustained in the incident.
Joanna, Jo to her close friends, was a long-time motorcycle enthusiast whose ever growing desire to expand her motorcycle experiences led her to start attending track days. It was here that she met Bill McCoy, another lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who would eventually become her husband in 2008, and the two would become lifelong partners both on and off the track.
Soon after getting into track days, Jo and Bill joined Big Headz Racing, a group of close friends who provide corner worker support to So Cal Track Days. Not long after, she began her racing career. With the construction of Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in 2009, Joanna and Bill soon became fixtures in the motorcycle track community and would spend countless days out at their ‘second home’ riding, racing, and as part of the So Cal Track Days corner-working staff. Immeasurable Southern California motorcycle riders had their first track experiences with Joanna at the forefront as she headed up the hot pit lane responsibilities at CVR.
Jo started racing with Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Association (CVMA) as an amateur in 2011 and immediately made an impact. Quiet off the track (if you didn’t know her!), she was a fierce competitor on it and soon began racking up the wins. Joanna had a great first season, winning the Femmewalla Championship, placing third in the Middleweight Shootout, and then finishing as the ninth overall amateur. Over the subsequent years Joanna would move up to Expert and go on to claim three top-ten overall club championship finishes and run the #10, #9, and most recently the #4 club overall plate as a result, with her husband Bill being the #1 plate holder. A true powerhouse couple.
With the start of the 2015-2016 CVMA season just weeks away, Joanna began preparing for another year at her ‘second home’ and expanded her racing into WERA West events in preparation. The joy of riding and racing for her was ever strong, and she continued to set goals for herself.
Jo meant many things to many people. For some she was a goal they aspired to best in competition. For others she was the buzz of a black and red R6 always there, waiting, waiting for them to make a mistake that would let her get by. For those who really knew her she was truly an inspiration. She showed everyone that living is not only finding joy in everything you do and but that when you find those things in life one truly loves do them. Jo was the epitome of someone who let their riding do the talking for them and preferred to ‘do’ rather than ‘say.’
Joanna spent her last few days surrounded by her family and friends and is survived by her immediate family: husband Bill McCoy, stepson Sean, mother Joanna Bitter, sisters Faith & Sarah, and niece Wendy.
Further information about services for those wishing to show their support will be forthcoming. The family appreciates your support and respect during this time.
RIP #88 Joanna “JoFactory” Bitter. 1973-2015