dklink2000
Damn Yankees
- Feb 18, 2002
- 764
- 0
This story is from my little local newspaper.
BOYERTOWN -- Tammy Longacre was a single mother of two when she decided to take up the sport of motocross three years ago.
She had no motorcycle experience, but something about the sport drew her in. She even won her first race.
"I finished first in the women’s class," Longacre said.
Of course, in the competitive, high-speed world of dirt track motocross racing, there are few girls.
"I was the only one," she said.
Most racers vie for sponsorship. Motocross is expensive and sponsors help foot the bill. For the best of the best, it’s a profitable, albeit dangerous, endeavor. For everyone else, it’s just dangerous.
Longacre bought her own used bike from a friend, which she taught herself to repair. She paid for everything herself, including the $40 entrance fees.
Some races pay the winners, but not all do. And sometimes first place only takes $35.
"I’m out there to have fun," Longacre said.
Fun is relative. Longacre has been knocked unconscious and suffered a knee injury in crashes, but she still loves the sport.
That’s why the 25-year-old, now married with four children, decided to race for charity. Donations she collects at events, plus any money she wins, goes to Victory Junction, an organization established to help children living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
So when Longacre woke up Tuesday and found her motorcycle had been stolen, she didn’t just feel bad for herself.
"Now I can’t race," she said. "I don’t know what I’m going to do."
Longacre hopes the specially modified racing bike, valued at $15,000, is recovered. It was stolen out of her locked trailer sometime after midnight Monday.
Police are investigating the theft, and Longacre is putting fliers up all over town. The bike is plastered with decals for the charity and easily distinguishable from bikes bought from a dealership.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 610-367-2688.
BOYERTOWN -- Tammy Longacre was a single mother of two when she decided to take up the sport of motocross three years ago.
She had no motorcycle experience, but something about the sport drew her in. She even won her first race.
"I finished first in the women’s class," Longacre said.
Of course, in the competitive, high-speed world of dirt track motocross racing, there are few girls.
"I was the only one," she said.
Most racers vie for sponsorship. Motocross is expensive and sponsors help foot the bill. For the best of the best, it’s a profitable, albeit dangerous, endeavor. For everyone else, it’s just dangerous.
Longacre bought her own used bike from a friend, which she taught herself to repair. She paid for everything herself, including the $40 entrance fees.
Some races pay the winners, but not all do. And sometimes first place only takes $35.
"I’m out there to have fun," Longacre said.
Fun is relative. Longacre has been knocked unconscious and suffered a knee injury in crashes, but she still loves the sport.
That’s why the 25-year-old, now married with four children, decided to race for charity. Donations she collects at events, plus any money she wins, goes to Victory Junction, an organization established to help children living with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
So when Longacre woke up Tuesday and found her motorcycle had been stolen, she didn’t just feel bad for herself.
"Now I can’t race," she said. "I don’t know what I’m going to do."
Longacre hopes the specially modified racing bike, valued at $15,000, is recovered. It was stolen out of her locked trailer sometime after midnight Monday.
Police are investigating the theft, and Longacre is putting fliers up all over town. The bike is plastered with decals for the charity and easily distinguishable from bikes bought from a dealership.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 610-367-2688.
