While pizza was being served and back ground music playing, the Sportbike Challenge returned with an audience this time around. Riders had two choices to play along: The Turtle Race (slowest between two points) and The Bike Walk (sitting on the bike, walking it as fast as possible). We were amazed to see how many people joined in the fun, cheering from the sidelines with some eventually gaining courage when many realized, “I can do that!” Check out the results below (we needed more liter bikes though.) The evening ended with the t-shirt toss - something we think everyone is starting to like - with the launch of well over a hundred shirts into the crowd.

SATURDAY
Bright and early at 9:30 a.m., we began the day with our traditional group photo by the historic Deals Gap sign at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort! Just take a look at the photo, it is incredible the difference over 2007 and 2006 AND that wasn’t even everyone. We had nearly 70 women registered this year, yet somehow we can never seem to get them all in one place…hmm… :)

By 10 a.m. three group rides lead by Suzy Moody of Grant, Ala., Paige Huston of Burgin, Ky., and Stephani McIntyre of Fairmont, W.Va., went their separate ways. Other participants went on self-guided rides all over the Smokies or simply hung out at the Dragon to play all day. Check out the photos section for the fun that was had!

The after ride cocktail hour began at 6 p.m. at Fontana Village’s Bear’s Den Lounge followed by the WSR III Banquet Dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the Carolina Room. Last minute registrants showed up and we actually reached maximum capacity for the dinner at 115. We were blown away that we had to sadly turn away about four people for the dinner, but it was a great problem to have demonstrating growth beyond our expectations. Note of recommendation: pre-register next year we don’t want anyone to miss out! ;) Participants were greeted to a room filled with goodies on the tables for center pieces and a second t-shirt draped over the chair backs from our generous title sponsor Schampa. After our fajita dinner, we jumped right into our giveaways and special awards. We gave away nearly $10,000 worth of door prizes and a couple special awards including:

The Hard Luck Award ~ Monica Peck of Arlington, Virginia

Suffering a flat on the highway on a 400 mile old tire, Monica needed to get that fixed pronto. Nearly four hours (and over $300) later after begging the nearest dealership to help her, she was back on the road and landed at the Dragon’s door for the very first time in the middle of the night. All this on a Ducati Monster, riding over 500 miles by the time the day was done with less than a year of riding experience. She was one heck of a trooper just getting to the rally!

Super Rider Award ~ Amanda Hopkins, Elgin, Illinois

Along with her husband Aaron, Amanda rode over 600 miles to get to the rally on a Yamaha R6S. And to top it off, Saturday was their 1-year Anniversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate their relationship. Congratulations!

After all the door prizes from the tables were in the hands of their winners, the announcement for the first 70 people through the gate at the Stone Creek Pool and Lazy River would receive a free drink ticket. This was definitely the way to jump start the Sportbikegirl Luau presented by NPR Ducati. Everyone got lei’d, there was music, swimming, libations and eventually a need to jump in the water. More door prizes to the brave who had no fear of getting wet! Up for grabs were two $300 gift certificate to both Sportbike Track Time and Femmoto, gift certificates for She-Rides, NPR Ducati and PJ’s Parts. The evening was a relaxing way to end the day, lasting until midnight and even a little later for a select few…you know who you are! ;)

SUNDAY
A cap to the weekend came with the Breakfast Meet at 10ish, Sunday morning. Everything from the last runs on the Dragon, group photos here and there, final goodbyes, contact information exchange and whatever else takes place during a typical breakfast meet…oh, let’s not forget the tasty food at the Dragon’s Den Grill at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. And with that so ended the Schampa Women’s Sportbike Rally III presented by Draggin’ Jeans. Three hundred and sixty-five days just cannot come soon enough!

Thank you to everyone who attended, our amazing cast of sponsors and all the miscellaneous supporters that helped build this event into a shining success for the third year in a row! Without you all we would not have been able to collect $2,000 over just two days to donate to the Tiffany Weirbach “Sportbikegirl” Melanoma Foundation. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Aloha  Hui Ho! ~ Until We Meet Again

(Ride Safe!)

Team WSR