wsmx-deb
About Me
Debbie Matthews
*Became one of the motorcycle industries first female Parts Managers, and Dealership owners.
*Debbie received her motocross training by some of the most Elite and Renowned Legends of the sport. Rolf Tibblin, Russ Darnell, Warren Reid, Doug Dubach, Jeff Emig, Mike Keidrowski, and Greg Albertyn and has become known as one of the most technical riders in the world with her smooth, effortless style and tenacious attitude.
*Debbie has worked within the industry alongside riders such as Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana, Mike LaRocco, David Bailey, Rex Staten, Micky Dymond, Broc Glover, and Danny "Magoo" Chandler in media functions, charity events, public relations, promotions, and in assisting in the creation of opportunities within the sport.
*A successful off-road Amateur and Professional competitor, Debbie was Nationally ranked as the #2 Amateur racer in the country in 1976, and turned Professional in 1977. During her Professional Motocross career of 24 years, Debbie earned 5 National Top 5 Pro Rankings, 4 Vet Pro Top 5 Rankings including a National Championship Title in 1988, and 3 Ladies World Cup Championship Top 5 Rankings during her career.
*Debbie holds 2 AMA records: Longest consecutive pro and amateur career span in Women's Motocross competition (26 years).
: Record for top 15 Women Professional National rankings in motocross. Finished inside the top 15 national pro women in the country every year from 1977 to 1997. (20 years!!)
* AMA District 37 honored her, for her dedication to motorcycling in 1981 and in 1982, she was chosen to represent the United States of American in at the Tokyo Supercross in Japan. She declined since she was in the hospital delivering her first child.
*1994, The U.S. Women's Motocross Team (later known as the U.S. Women's Motocross League) contacted Debbie to assist in the development of the team as their Promotion/Race Director. Within a year, Debbie became co-director of the TEAM effort.
*1995-As the U.S. Women's Motocross Director, Debbie Co-created the first Women's Stadiumcross Championships with the AMA and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group combining AMA Supercross and Arenacross venues.
*1996, Debbie Co-Founded the Women"s Motocross League (WML), developing, organizing and promoting the first ever AMA/WML National Motocross Championship Series in 1996-1999 run in conjunction with and AMA Men's Outdoor National MX events. These events featured the now familiar WMX program of Pro Purse Payback, Holeshot Award Payback, Bonus and Contingency Programs, 2-20+2 lap Moto formats, run on Pro and Amatuer Days at the discression of the promoter.
* Orchestrated and promoted -Free Women Only Motocross schools taught by men professional champions Doug Dubach, Mike Kiedrowski and Greg Albertyn, as well as promoting the Ladies World Cup events from 1995 -1999.
*1997- Debbie met with members of the AMA congress to ratify changes in the constitution giving women "A" Rider classification (Expert) for the first time in history, and she was a keynote speaker at the inaugural AMA National Women in Motorcycling Conference speaking on in women in competition that same year.
*1998-Received the AMA MVP award for her contributions to enhance female participation in the sport. With the growth of the women's market now firmly established, Debbie retired from the WML in June of 1999 to dedicate herself to the promotion, marketing and teaching of women's motocross full time. The result is DMSports-WSMX, Inc.
*2000-02, Debbie was a member of the AMA advisory committee for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum and conducted a MX schools and off road motorcycle demos during the 00 and 02 AMA Women's conference. 2002 also marked a nomination for the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award.
*Founder-CEO and Chief instructor for WSMX, which currently has 13 Satellite locations across the United States. Debbie is also active in her church and community giving presentations at hospitals and local schools on Career Day on Motorcycling as a career.
2011-WSMX launched a massive campaign aimed at the growing women’s market by sponsoring WMX pro rider Jacqueline Strong for the AMA WMX Nationals, by providing bikes, parts and support for the young superstar. Jacqueline rocketed through the ranks, moving up 6 positions to finish 4th overall in the series! WSMX, then accelerated their support of Women’s Motocross further by Sponsoring the AMA WMX National Championship Series with the WSMX “Winning Form” Bonus, which provided additional financial support to the Ladies of MX who need it the most, those flying just under the radar, fast and consistent, but without the full support of teams, those doing it out of their own pockets.” The Bonus was hotly contested at every Round of the Series, producing 6 different winners in the 8 Round Series.
Debbie has been featured on multiple television, radio, newspaper and magazines spanning her career.
Debbie was dubbed by AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Race Announcer Erv Braun as "The Voice of Women's Motocross" because of her tireless efforts to promote and position Women's Motocross into mainstream America. Debbie has been host to two weekly Women's Extreme Sports Radio shows, is a Board Member of the Mid-Atlantic Fallen Riders Association, was the first female trainer at the inaugural Fellowship Of Christian Athletes MX Camp, is a strong supporter of the Brraap Fund which helps injured and fallen riders and their families as well as assisting up and coming riders to reach their full potential. Debbie is also an accomplished writer. Her most recent work is entitled "Excelling Through Adversity."
*Became one of the motorcycle industries first female Parts Managers, and Dealership owners.
*Debbie received her motocross training by some of the most Elite and Renowned Legends of the sport. Rolf Tibblin, Russ Darnell, Warren Reid, Doug Dubach, Jeff Emig, Mike Keidrowski, and Greg Albertyn and has become known as one of the most technical riders in the world with her smooth, effortless style and tenacious attitude.
*Debbie has worked within the industry alongside riders such as Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana, Mike LaRocco, David Bailey, Rex Staten, Micky Dymond, Broc Glover, and Danny "Magoo" Chandler in media functions, charity events, public relations, promotions, and in assisting in the creation of opportunities within the sport.
*A successful off-road Amateur and Professional competitor, Debbie was Nationally ranked as the #2 Amateur racer in the country in 1976, and turned Professional in 1977. During her Professional Motocross career of 24 years, Debbie earned 5 National Top 5 Pro Rankings, 4 Vet Pro Top 5 Rankings including a National Championship Title in 1988, and 3 Ladies World Cup Championship Top 5 Rankings during her career.
*Debbie holds 2 AMA records: Longest consecutive pro and amateur career span in Women's Motocross competition (26 years).
: Record for top 15 Women Professional National rankings in motocross. Finished inside the top 15 national pro women in the country every year from 1977 to 1997. (20 years!!)
* AMA District 37 honored her, for her dedication to motorcycling in 1981 and in 1982, she was chosen to represent the United States of American in at the Tokyo Supercross in Japan. She declined since she was in the hospital delivering her first child.
*1994, The U.S. Women's Motocross Team (later known as the U.S. Women's Motocross League) contacted Debbie to assist in the development of the team as their Promotion/Race Director. Within a year, Debbie became co-director of the TEAM effort.
*1995-As the U.S. Women's Motocross Director, Debbie Co-created the first Women's Stadiumcross Championships with the AMA and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group combining AMA Supercross and Arenacross venues.
*1996, Debbie Co-Founded the Women"s Motocross League (WML), developing, organizing and promoting the first ever AMA/WML National Motocross Championship Series in 1996-1999 run in conjunction with and AMA Men's Outdoor National MX events. These events featured the now familiar WMX program of Pro Purse Payback, Holeshot Award Payback, Bonus and Contingency Programs, 2-20+2 lap Moto formats, run on Pro and Amatuer Days at the discression of the promoter.
* Orchestrated and promoted -Free Women Only Motocross schools taught by men professional champions Doug Dubach, Mike Kiedrowski and Greg Albertyn, as well as promoting the Ladies World Cup events from 1995 -1999.
*1997- Debbie met with members of the AMA congress to ratify changes in the constitution giving women "A" Rider classification (Expert) for the first time in history, and she was a keynote speaker at the inaugural AMA National Women in Motorcycling Conference speaking on in women in competition that same year.
*1998-Received the AMA MVP award for her contributions to enhance female participation in the sport. With the growth of the women's market now firmly established, Debbie retired from the WML in June of 1999 to dedicate herself to the promotion, marketing and teaching of women's motocross full time. The result is DMSports-WSMX, Inc.
*2000-02, Debbie was a member of the AMA advisory committee for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and Museum and conducted a MX schools and off road motorcycle demos during the 00 and 02 AMA Women's conference. 2002 also marked a nomination for the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award.
*Founder-CEO and Chief instructor for WSMX, which currently has 13 Satellite locations across the United States. Debbie is also active in her church and community giving presentations at hospitals and local schools on Career Day on Motorcycling as a career.
2011-WSMX launched a massive campaign aimed at the growing women’s market by sponsoring WMX pro rider Jacqueline Strong for the AMA WMX Nationals, by providing bikes, parts and support for the young superstar. Jacqueline rocketed through the ranks, moving up 6 positions to finish 4th overall in the series! WSMX, then accelerated their support of Women’s Motocross further by Sponsoring the AMA WMX National Championship Series with the WSMX “Winning Form” Bonus, which provided additional financial support to the Ladies of MX who need it the most, those flying just under the radar, fast and consistent, but without the full support of teams, those doing it out of their own pockets.” The Bonus was hotly contested at every Round of the Series, producing 6 different winners in the 8 Round Series.
Debbie has been featured on multiple television, radio, newspaper and magazines spanning her career.
Debbie was dubbed by AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Race Announcer Erv Braun as "The Voice of Women's Motocross" because of her tireless efforts to promote and position Women's Motocross into mainstream America. Debbie has been host to two weekly Women's Extreme Sports Radio shows, is a Board Member of the Mid-Atlantic Fallen Riders Association, was the first female trainer at the inaugural Fellowship Of Christian Athletes MX Camp, is a strong supporter of the Brraap Fund which helps injured and fallen riders and their families as well as assisting up and coming riders to reach their full potential. Debbie is also an accomplished writer. Her most recent work is entitled "Excelling Through Adversity."
Lives in:
Mission Viejo, CA, USA
Member Since:
6/3/2008
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