Most days, my life consists of working as a drafter all day, driving my kids to and from sports, cooking dinner, housework, working in the garage, and surfing the Internet. But for 8 months out of the year, I spend a minimum of one weekend a month doing something that I’ve only recently found a passion for.
But I’m jumping ahead…let me start at the beginning. Like many women these days, my life really started after a divorce. After spending 12 years putting the wants of a needy husband and then the needs of children first, it was time my wants and needs got bumped up in priority. I started dating. I met several men – then I met Louie. But this story isn’t about a man, either.
Louie raced motorcycles – the way he explained it to me it was as normal as driving a car to work or wearing pants. He casually invited me to the track – warned me that it was different, that he was different there. I had no idea what to expect. It was an endurance race – a team of riders working together to race a motorcycle for 8 continuous hours. As I drove to the track in Portland, I was anxious. This was dangerous, right? And I was about to watch someone I already cared about participate.
My heart was pounding, I was nervous, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to watch. Then I heard it: the noise. My heart rate increased. It wasn’t nerves, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. The aroma of race fuel that lingered, and the feeling in the air – an almost palpable rhythm. I found my way to a parking space and headed to the pedestrian bridge to the infield where the team was pitted. As I crossed the bridge, I FELT the bikes race under me. Inexplicably, I wanted to be closer. Finding the pit, I was quickly taken to the hot pits and closer yet to the action. I was grinning. It was exhilarating – and without even having set foot (or seat) on a bike, I was hooked. I wanted to RACE.
My name is Laura. I’m 37 years old. I am a divorced mother of a 10-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl. I live with my boyfriend (the aforementioned Louie) in a house we bought 2 years ago in Everett, WA. We run the kids to and from sports, pay a mortgage, and work full time. Pretty run of the mill. Except when I put on a full leather suit, full gear, and climb aboard a motorcycle. I’m following my passion – and my passion is racing motorcycles.
