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Andie Gaskins – JAG Drag Racing, Gillette WY
Andie Gaskins has only been riding for a few years, but you wouldn’t know it from her already stellar résumé. This unassuming mother of two may be small in stature, but makes up for it, being known as a fierce competitor on the drag strip. Over the past few years, Andie has competed in the Sturgis drag circuit, finishing second in overall points her first year, followed by a points championship in 2009. She also has competed in the All Harley Drag Racing Association during the Sturgis Rally, qualifying in the number one spot in the Super Eliminator class in 2009, and then qualifying in the number one spot and winning the Super Sport class in 2010. Her need for speed is a family trait. Her son also competes as a Junior Dragster. Andie helps her husband run Jeremy’s Auto Service in Gillette, while owning and operating JAG Accounting. Also, along with her husband and two kids, she owns and operates JAG Drag Racing. |
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Betsy Huelskamp – Minneapolis MN
Betsy Huelskamp is a multidimensional free spirit, to say the least. Her life revolves around fitness, photography, and motojournalism, to name a few. Her Harley chopper can attest to her inexhaustible pursuit of independence and freedom. From mountain climbing to scuba diving, Betsy is the definition of free spirited. She was a part of a Mount Everest climbing expedition, climbing to 25,000 feet. She has been featured in motorcycle documentaries and writes for multiple biker magazines. Betsy is a well-known biker within the community, having gained attention for her work on the Discovery Channel’s Motorcycle Women, National Geographic’s Hell on Wheels, and TLC’s Faking It. To keep her life fresh and exciting, Betsy logs over 5000 miles a year on her bike, snapping photos and making memories along the way. For more information on Betsy, visit www.betsyhuelskamp.com |
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Cat Hammes, Diamond Posse, Dallas TX
Cat Hammes uses her own misfortunes and struggles to help inspire others. In May of 2006, she suffered a devastating motorcycle crash, resulting in skull fractures, broken bones, a collapsed lung, and the eventual amputation of her left leg. By medical opinion, she should have been dead. After the crash, she was left with a mangled Harley, along with a broken mind, body, and spirit. During the toughest time of her life, she battled back, developing a brand new attitude on life and figuring out what to do “when death throws you back.” As she went through rehabilitation, she met veterans who had suffered far greater losses than she could imagine. Inspired, Cat began sharing her story with hopes of helping others get through their own seemingly impossible situations. When she’s not cruising on her Harley-Davidson Fatboy, she spends her time rehabbing, volunteering to help veterans, and educating the public on amputee issues, motorcycle safety, and Riding Above the Tombstone. For more information on Cat and her incredible journey, visit www.oneleggedblonde.com |
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Cris Sommer Simmons – Haiku HI
Cris Sommer Simmons was riding motorcycles at the age of 14 and owned her first Harley at 19. It’s safe to say her passion for the sport was apparent from a young age. Cris co-founded the first ever magazine for women riders, Harley Women. She is a lifetime member of Women in the Wind, Harley Owners Group, and she is a MotorMaid. She had a love for writing at a young age, and her connection with these organizations proved to be the outlet she needed to jumpstart her career in journalism. She began to write extensively as a freelance journalist for a multitude of magazines and publications. American Iron, Motorcycle Collector, Iron Works, Easyriders, and V-Twin are just a sample of Cris’ résumé. She also wrote for magazines on an international level. She penned the popular coffee table book, "The American Motorcycle Girls 1900 to 1950" and was one of two women finishers on the pre-1916 cross-country endurance Motorcycle Cannonball aboard her 1915 Harley-Davidson. Cris is a proud inductee of the National Motorcycle Hall of Fame, as well as the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame and AMA Hall of Fame. |
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Erin Hunter – Landspeed Racer, San Francisco CA
Erin Hunter is a high-speed rider with over 10 years of Landspeed Racing involvement, having set multiple national and world records. She has experienced the sport as a spectator, a crew member, an ambassador, and a racer. In 2008 Erin became the first woman to set a World Landspeed record in a motorcycle streamliner, setting the record at a speed of 146 mph with an 80cc motor. Erin has also raced to 169mph “tandem” on the Salt, and in 2009 she was one of three women in America nominated for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Female Rider of the Year. Erin is most proud, however, of her work as an ambassador for the sport of Landspeed Racing, and in particular her role in encouraging women to discover the sport. Erin is the founder of the sheEmoto Award which she bestows on the female landspeed racer who best embodies what it means to participate. |
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Gina Woods – Open Road Radio, Chicago IL
Gina Woods is the co-creator and co-producer of Open Road Radio. Her passion and charisma is what drives the one-of-a-kind talk show to maintaining its stellar reputation. Based on her ideas, Open Road Radio has grown into the most successful radio station of its kind. They focus exclusively on the history, evolution, passion, and culture of motorcycling. Gina has taken her original idea and transformed it into an award winning broadcast. The Open Road Radio has been up and running since 1997, and along the way, they’ve collected numerous awards from a variety of charities. Gina fell in love with motorcycles and the biker’s way of life at a young age. She has been riding for more than 20 years, and her skills and knowledge of riding make her a credible source on the air. She has become a respected ambassador of the motorcycle culture. For more information on Gina and on the Open Road Radio, visit www.openroadradio.com |
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Gloria Struck – Clifton NJ
Gloria Struck is living proof that age plays no role in the life of a biker. This 86 year old great-grandmother of two puts more miles on her Harley than most hardcore bikers do. Throughout her 70 years of riding, she’s owned 14 motorcycles, and has traveled every state in the continental US, as well as Canada. At the age of 76, she took two trips to Europe, traveling over 6,500 miles in 8 countries. Gloria has been a Motor Maid for 65 years, having joined in 1946 and is the longest member still riding. Just last year, she took a ride all the way to Cody, Wyoming, for the annual Motor Maids convention, travelling a distance of 4,450 miles. Gloria will be inducted to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame at this year’s Rally. She continually encourages women to ride and to be involved. Gloria is an inspiration to riders and non-riders alike. |
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Holly Hoffman – Eureka, SD
Holly Hoffman is a South Dakota native, and recently competed in this season’s episode of CBS’s hit reality show, “Survivor: Nicaragua.” The 44 year old swim coach will be at the Buffalo Chip for the entire Sturgis Rally. Holly performed extremely well on the show. She advanced all the way to the final four competitors, surviving as the last woman and last Espada member in the game, before being the final contestant voted off. Holly will be at the Buffalo Chip helping former “Survivor” star Rupert Boneham raise money for a worthwhile charity, Rupert’s Kids. Also, she will be attending the annual Legends Ride Event, raising money for the charities that benefit from the event. She will be at the Buffalo Chip all week, and will be available for autograph sessions to campers and concert goers. She will share stories of her own struggles, in hopes of inspiring others to overcome personal hardships. |
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Iron Cowgirl Missy
A 15,000 mile, 10 week, motorcycle journey led Iron Cowgirl Missy to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® in Sturgis, S.D. After having survived a bout with cancer, Iron Cowgirl rode with a sleeping bag and a guitar strapped to the side of her bike, down the coast of Michigan and then west where she finally ended up at the Buffalo Chip during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. “I believe there is an Iron Cowgirl in every one of us women." Iron Cowgirl says. At the Chip she made friends and memories that inspired the music she’s made, songs like: "Heart of Steel", "What You Deserve" and "Chasing My Dreams".
2012 will be Iron Cowgirls 3rd year as a Chip showcase artist. Iron Cowgirl plays raw, emotional music based on real life experiences.
She will be performing at the 2012 Biker Belles™ reception. |
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Kristy Swanson – Los Angeles CA
Kristy Swanson is a highly acclaimed actress, bringing her star power and charisma to this year’s Sturgis Rally. She has been in multiple blockbuster movies. Along with roles in “Big Daddy,” and “Hot Shots,” she is probably best known for her portrayal of Buffy, in the Twentieth Century Fox feature film, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” She has also starred in multiple television show, as well as making guest appearances in such shows as “Just Shoot Me,” “CSI Miami,” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” Kristy had very little interest in bikes before she met her husband, two-time Olympic bronze medalist Lloyd Eisler, who loves to ride. She purchased a Can Am Spyder and immediately fell in love with the open road. Along with her love to ride, she is equally passionate about helping others, seen from her involvement with charities like the Wounded Warrior Project and the Iraq Star Foundation. More information on Kristy Swanson can be found at www.kristyswansononline.com. |
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Laura Klock – Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, Mitchell SD
Named Cycle Source Magazine’s Motorcycling Woman of the Year in 2008, Laura Klock is described as “a true enthusiast, a real person with a great sense of self and purpose”. Working as Vice President of Klock Werks Kustom Cycles alongside her husband Brian, they have grown their company to over 350 Klock Werks Brand part numbers, including their well known, patented FLARE TM Windshield. In 2006, Laura set a national land speed record on a bike they built for the Discovery Channel Biker Build-off, making her the pilot of the first “World’s Fastest Bagger”. Since then Laura and daughters Erika and Karlee have become the first mother-daughter-daughter trio in the history of land speed racing to hold records at the same time. Laura has participated in all woman bike builds, was Crew Chief for “Team Effie” in the Motorcycle Cannonball, is a MotorMaid, a certified MSF RiderCoach, and the facilitator of programs to strengthen the lives of young women through Helping with Horsepower™. For more information visit www.kustombaggers.com and www.helpingwithhorsepower.com |
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Lori Visker – Mrs. South Dakota International 2011, Sioux Falls SD
Lori Visker is 30 years old and a resident of Sioux Falls, SD. She is married to her best friend and number one fan, her husband Brad. She has three children, Jade 13; Payton 11; and Chase 1 years old. Lori has been employed at Citibank for the past 5 years. Lori was crowned Mrs. South Dakota International 2011 on December 12, 2010. This has been an extraordinary honor for her. The International System is based on a chosen platform and your involvement in your community. Lori's platform is Domestic Violence Awareness. She will continue to raise awareness about Domestic Violence by sharing her story and showing people that we are the ones in charge of our lives. She strongly believes our path in life is guided by the choices we make. |
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Meg McDonough – Austin TX
Meg McDonough’s riding history didn’t begin until merely eight years ago, but her love and enthusiasm for the thrill of motorcycling make it seem as if she’d been riding all her life. In 2003, she started her riding career with the purchase of a brand-new Road King Classic. She has taken that bike through 39 different states, logging a countless number of miles. Her passion and devotion for the biker’s way of life earned her the honor of becoming the very first female officer within the legendary motorcycle club, the Jackpine Gypsies. She was originally offered the position of road captain, and two years later she was elected vice president of the stoic group. Meg used motorcycling to help overcome her personal obstacles, as well as provide a sense of happiness in her own life. |
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Christine Paige Diers
Christine Paige Diers has been the Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame since November of 2007. As Executive Director, her responsibilities include community, government and public relations, fundraising, board relations and staff oversight. In addition, Christine designs and installs exhibits at the museum.
Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame, Paige Diers worked in public and media relations, association management, and spent several years as a news reporter and news director for a variety of public and commercial radio stations. |
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Jessi Combs - Precious Metal Fabrication, Long Beach CA
Jessi Combs, native to the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a fearless young lady blessed with a passion for anything that has a motor. After achieving a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication, Jessi's skills and outgoing personality led her to host automotive television, teaching millions of viewers how to build their projects the right way. Programs in the past such as Mythbusters, Xtreme 4x4, and Full Metal TV amongst the current shows of All Girls Garage (Velocity Channel), Overhaulin' (Velocity Channel Oct 2012), and The List; 1001 Car Things To Do Before You Die (www.autoblog.com/the-list) has allowed Jessi to share her message; that women can get dirty, build cool machines, drive fast, and still be the beautiful and unique creatures God created us ladies to be. Combs has built a mission around that very statement by creating a fab shop that is catered towards providing a comfortable working environment for women, as well as a non-profit that promotes and empowers women in the automotive and industrial arts industries. For more information visit www.jessicombs.com, www.iamtherealdeal.org, and www.preciosmetalfab.com |
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