MCC International Women Riders Congress and Festival

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International Women Riders Congress and Festival August 11 - 15, 2010 - Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville Ontario Canada Lessons from the Checkered Flag Through an engaging multi-media presentation, Toni – a true Canadian pioneer – will describe the tremendous role her involvement with motorcycling played in shaping her life – including forming lasting friendships and developing the persistence to beat cancer. She will describe what it was like to grow up in the Sharpless household with a family motorcycle shop, two younger brothers, and a father, all successful international racers in their own right. She will describe the journey that took her from an ice-racer at age 10, a fledgling enduro racer at 16 years of age, successful competitor at the grueling Corduroy endure, and an international factory-sponsored road racer a few years later. After retiring from active racing, she created the first off-road riding school in Canada, supported by a brother and another well-known off-road rider. She continues to work in the motorsport industry and participates in off-road riding purely for pleasure. Racing helped her learn that nothing comes easy but, if you set goals and work hard, you will succeed at whatever you set your mind to. Biography: Toni Sharpless Toni grew up in a motorcycle racing family. Her father and her only siblings, two younger brothers, all raced, all in different disciplines. She began Ice racing at age 10, Flat tracking at 16, Road racing at 22, Motocross at 31 and Hockey at 41. In 1987, while racing in Daytona, she qualified for the front row of the second grid and became the first woman to make it to the race. She and her riding partner suddenly found themselves on a plane to Japan and ended up racing in the Suzuka 8 hour endurance race for five more years. In 1988 and 1989, they also raced in the LeMans 24 hour race in Europe. In 1991, the persistence she learned from racing helped her defeat cancer. She retired from road racing and together with her brother, started a trail riding school that they ran for three years. Racing helped her learn that nothing comes easy but if you set goals and work hard, you will succeed. Toni has remained actively involved in off-road riding, a sport she and her husband enjoy together. Professionally, she is also involved with motorcycling, working as a District Sales Manager for a Canadian Powersports distributor. Back to the Activities Page - Main Page

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RIDERS: MCC Membership Newsletter Contact Us Main Page	EVENT: Photos Program Activities Sponsors and Partners Exhibitors Testimonials	CORPORATE: Endorsements Media MCC Website	français