AHRMASouthwest.org

"Vintage Motorcycle Competition at it Best"

For Immediate Release

From: Alex Moroz, AHRMA National Off Road Director

We are pleased to announce our new AHRMA Southwest regional coordinator Tami Rice.  Many of you already know Tami with her infectious smile and enthusiasm for vintage racing.  I first met Tami about 5 years ago and have worked with her on the national scene for many years.  Tami comes to us with a wealth of experience and a “can do attitude”.  She is a great leader and has some real cool things in store for the SW region.  Let's welcome Tami and check out the background on this “Champ”.

Background
With over 25 years racing experience, Tami has brought to the table her racing, sports promotion and employment experiences to help enhance vintage racing in southern California.

Accomplishments
Tami Rice, along with Bonnie Warch, were members of the first American Suzuki Women's MX Team during the late 80's, early 90's.  The Team campaigned throughout the States, racing and developing a positive image for women racers abroad.

Shortly thereafter and with encouragement from several women motocross racers such as Gale Webb, Mercedes Gonzalez, Kelly Halfhill and Smart Girls Racing's, Augie Aususto, the two developed the Women's Motocross Association "WMXA" in 1988 (no connection with the newly formed WMA of today).  These venues ran in conjunction with CRC's (California Racing Club) program.   Three divisions were offered as women novice, intermediate and expert riders lined the gate of more than 30 competitors ready to strut their stuff while enjoying the sport of motorcycle racing.  The organization quickly expanded its venues with events in conjunction with CMC, GFI and the famous Mammoth Mountain MX event.

With the addition of Brenda Hannah - a well known Women's Pro Jet-Ski Racer - the association quickly developed into a more well rounded organization known as the Women's International Motorsports Association "WIMSA" catering to Women's Motocross, Jet-Ski, and Auto racing.  Mercedes Gonzales was actively competing in Ultra-Light competition during the late Mickey Thompson's Off-Road Series, which enhanced the association as a whole.

In 1991, Tami was contacted by the Italian promoters wanting US involvement during their 1992 La Femme International Motocross Championships in Faenza, Italy.  The US Women's MX Team concept began when Nadine Holbert of Texas and Tami contacted Elaine Ruff, then a Director of Operations for a high profile after-market company, to assist and support a team of US riders to race in the Italian Championships.  That same year, the United States Women's Motocross Team was founded.  The four pioneers representing the USA: Tami Rice, Nadine Holbert, Kristy Shealy and Dee Ann Wood went to Italy, and being the best of the best, placed in 3 of the top 5 positions!

After returning from competing in Italy, Tami approached her sponsor, Acerbis USA, with the concept of developing a Women's Chest Protector to accommodate her needs as the chest protector she was using (designed for men) was not doing so.  The protector was developed and known as the "Ladies' Zoom".  This protector is now known as the Acerbis "Ladies' Fusion" and is worn by women motocross racers around the world.

When a second invitation arrived from Italy, Elaine Ruff contacted Kat Spann, owner and editor of the TEX-MX Newspaper now know as the Southern Dirt Bike Journal, to manage the newly founded U.S. Team.  With support of after-market companies and the OEM's, it started to grow.  Finally, there was a chance for women riders to gain the recognition and support not previously offered by the industry.  This new concept spread and in 1996, the U.S. Women's Motorcycle League was born.

What is she doing now?
Tami competes in vintage and modern motocross racing and aligns herself with organizations such as AHRMA and the Women's Motocross Association (aka WMA).  She’s a 3 time Women's Expert Champion within the vintage community and still places well against her peers while competing on modern bikes.

Tami developed a sports promotion - web site design & hosting company in 1997, TRPro.com, which has a wide range of clientele.  In 2004, Tami was contracted by the Women's Motocross Association to be the Webmaster and Date Base Manager for the organization and is still doin this job today. Tami has been racing since 1981, she is daughter of motocross pioneer racer John Rice and creator of the WomensMXHistory.com website.  In addition, she assists international racers with bikes and travel in the United States through her company TRPro.com.