The Women’s class of the GNCC has grown significantly over the past few years; turning the heads of competitors, spectators, and manufacturers. The speed demands increase year after year, and the class is full of riders who strive to better themselves and develop their riding abilities to step up their game. The competition is growing as are the numbers which is making for an interesting year in 2006.
Before a race there are many different strategies and goals that run through the racers minds. As the class rises for the National Anthem, Stefanie Verkade thinks of the upcoming race and the task at hand – getting to the front. Over the past years Stefanie has risen to the challenges every year to stay competitive, and has carried her infectious smile and positive attitude with her.
There is no mistaking Stefanie on the line; she is the girl who is wishing her competition good luck, offering a hug and a smile. Twenty Four year old Stefanie has risen to the sound of the National Anthem many times in the past 17 years, this year she is aboard the number 210 and is determined to work her way to the front. When asking Stef her goals she responded with “Well, everyone of course wants to win. That’s definitely not an easy task when you’re competing with the fastest girls in the country. But, I truly believe I will be #1 one of these days heck, anyone can do it; it’s just how bad you want it!”.
To learn more about Stefanie we talked with her about her life outside of racing ruckus. Stefanie lives in Asbury New Jersey with her husband Jan. In her everyday life she enjoys having fun, being with friends, and making people laugh! In my personal experience with Stef I have never seen anything but a positive person with a huge heart and the eager will to win.
Currently; Stefanie is unemployed and very dedicated to racing. “I usually try to ride every day. If the weather is bad, I either go to the gym, or run. I try to eat a healthy 3 meals a day, with of coarse the occasional chocolate binges - LoL!”
This year Stefanie has shown that she ride towards the front with an impressive 4th place finish at The Big Buck in Union South Carolina, and a 5th place finish at The Penton. Not all races can or will go as planned but Stefanie has a strong support system in her friends and family. “If it wasn’t for people believing in me, and being there through the good and bad times, it would be hard to anything!”.
In racing anything can go wrong and often times we wonder what brings us back. Stefanie has fond memories that inspire her to continue pushing forward. “Well, my dad has been racing since he was 17yrs old. I have been around the racing scene all my life. When I was 7 yrs old, my parents decided it was time to get me going too. I love coming to the races and seeing all the familiar and new faces. Nothing better than meeting and having great friends!” It is evident to those who know Stefanie that her family and friends are very important to her. Race after race you see the family pull their rigs into the fields all trying to get a good spot where they can spend the weekend together. After all, you can’t base you entire trip and race weekend entirely on a 2 hour race, what will happen in that race is unpredictable and the memories you gain are irreplaceable.
Many memories are made and like anything else that revolves around racing; some are good and some are bad. We asked Stef to tell us about her past experiences. “Well, my best memory racing would have to be my first win. It was when I first started racing. The track was extremely muddy, and I had broken. Apparently everyone had broken as well, but I got an extra lap in. I had NO clue until we looked up the results. That was the best feeling ever!! As far as a bad memory, I can’t really recall any that bad. This year I definitely haven’t had the best of luck, but the season is not even ½ way over, I can still bounce back!”
In closing Stefanie wanted to thank the following people and/or companies for all their support and dedication “"? I would like to thank my husband Jan for always having the bikes ready for me to beat on, my parents, and my sponsors: Montgomeryville Cycle Center, Power Mist Race Fuels, Elka Suspension, Bell Ray, IMS, East Coast ATV, RPM, Quad Tech, Regina Chains, Scott USA, Pro Design, Laeger’s Racing, Cardio Stack, HiPer Technology, WER, and Outerwear’s. We at Amateur Exposed wish Stefanie the best of Luck for the last half of the 2006 season!!
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