This year saw the return of the WRWR – Women Rider’s World Relay – and with it, the first women-led inauguration lap of the Isle of Man TT.
Today we’re taking a moment to look back at this groundbreaking achievement and what it meant to our WIMA members, Jane, Keiko and Guliafshan, who travelled there specifically to take part. We’ll also hear from the power duo behind the project, Hayley and Liza, to get their view on the preparation and unfolding of the event.
So grab a cup of tea and snuggle up in your favourite chair, because this is a long read!
Janet Peters from WIMA GB travelled from Cheshire to attend the event. She tells us, “I have taken part in many of The Memorial Laps, they used to be called The Simon Andrews Lap when they stared in 2018 after Simon died in a Road Race. I Marshalled at The Pre TT Races at The Billown Circuit, near Castletown. I then Marshalled every practice and race for The TT at Douglas Road Corner, Kirk Michael”.
On the question what it meant for her personally she explains “I always find the lap very moving as I remember many of the riders who have died over the years.”
Keiko Osawa, from WIMA Japan, traveled from Cambridgeshire UK/Japan. She adds “I am still based in Japan but I am spending more than half of a year in the UK because my partner is living in the UK.
I’ve been coming back to the IOMTT for the past 7 years because my partner is part of the Team Ian Lougher Racing. When I heard about the Legacy Lap, I thought why not! We’re here in a motorhome with a 125 scooter in the garage.”
On a personal note she tells us, “I was honored to be able to represent inclusiveness; as a woman, a Japanese, an Asian, on a small bike. WRWR really connects, challenges, and changes the motorcycling world.”
Guliafshan Tariq, also known as Gul Tariq, is the National President of WIMA Pakistan. Tells us that she was riding on a solo world tour at the time of the event. “To attend and lead the Legacy Lap alongside other women riders, I travelled from the UK. Because I was already on my world tour, I had not booked a ferry ticket and my own motorcycle was in Bulgaria. Despite the logistical challenges, I was determined to be part of this historic event. I flew to the Isle of Man, and Norton generously arranged a classic motorcycle for me to ride during the lap, and last moment i found a camping site. With that support, I was able to join this incredible occasion.
I decided to take part because it aligns perfectly with my own mission, Wheels for Freedom, through which I am riding solo around the world to promote women’s empowerment through motorcycling.
I am the mother of a four-year-old daughter and have a very supportive husband, but I believe it is important to show that women can pursue their dreams, challenge barriers, and enjoy the freedom that motorcycling offers. When I heard about WRWR and the TT Legacy Lap, I knew I wanted to be involved. It was an opportunity to stand alongside inspiring women from around the world and to ensure that Pakistan was represented in this landmark moment.
For me, it was deeply emotional and very personal. I was born in Pakistan, where motorcycling has traditionally been seen as something only for men. Opportunities and visibility for women riders have been limited, which is why I have dedicated myself to changing that perception. I am proud to be among the pioneers promoting women’s motorcycling both within Pakistan and internationally.
To carry the Pakistani flag on such an iconic stage was incredibly meaningful. It was not just a personal achievement; it was a message to women and girls in Pakistan and beyond that they belong in these spaces too. Being part of the Legacy Lap represented progress, visibility, and hope for future generations of women riders”.
If you want to know more about Gul’s own achiements and adventures we invite you to check out her website.
Now let’s turn to the brains behind the movement – Hayley Bell and Liza Miller, CEO WRWR LLC – and let them give us the background, the emotions and some future plans.
Where and when did you get the idea to have a women led inauguration lap?
Hayley:
“This idea came from Lisa Brain WRWR’s Isle of Man Ambassador not myself or Liza! We had a call with all of our WRWR Ambassadors to encourage them to reach for the sky, showcase the special events in their countries and help give women representation there.
Following this, Lisa Brain initially thought to do a lap of the TT course on a weekday outside of TT, thinking it wouldn’t be at all possible to do it within TT week itself. After having a coffee with Carolynn Sells to discuss the idea, she took the plunge and asked the question to Sarah Maltby MHK… The answer she received was a resounding YES!”
Liza:
“I’m guessing Hayley answered about Lisa Brain making this happen, but I wanted to add that this shows what can come out of asking a simple question. But the key is, you have to ask”.
How did it feel?
Hayley:
“Liberating. Electric. Essential. Nostalgic. Emotional. Overwhelming…All the things!”
Inside of every woman’s helmet, was a different emotional rollercoaster, a different story they had lived and a different meaning to why they were now sat, here, front line and centre, at the most iconic race track in the world, the Isle of Man TT Course, about to lead the first ever women led legacy lap.
For me personally, this was the first time I’d been able to properly ride a bike on the road in nearly 4 years. I’m the sole parent and provider for my daughter Nya and as such, have no time away from her, nor financial means, to be able to ride. It’s been a very tough few years for me and getting back on the bike, allowed me to BREATHE and do something for ME again for the first time in a very long time.
I wasn’t just RIDING the Norton Atlas Scrambler, I was also carrying some very important people’s stories with me on it.
The Norton Atlas Scrambler was the late Peggy Hyde’s second ever bike and the bike that propelled her into racing. Peggy Hyde was the first woman in the world to own a race licence against men and an absolute powerhouse for women in motorcycling. She sadly passed this year. What a unique and special thing to experience, feeling the same feelings she would have done riding this bike that she loved so much, and Peggy, I can absolutely understand why!!
Tucked in my jacket pocket I also had the incredible honour of carrying the late Mary Mcgee’s ashes. It’s still blowing my mind just typing this. Mary was somebody who myself and many others considered a friend. Not because we knew her well, or met up consistently, but because she made you feel that way. Mary McGee, has a tank full of incredible achievements, one of which being that, she was the first PERSON and only woman, to ride the Baja 500 solo. She passed 17 two-man teams doing it.
Lastly, but far from least. My beloved cousin, Robert Robinson. The man who sparked my love for motorcycling and whom without, WRWR and all that we have achieved with it, probably wouldn’t exist.
Rob was sadly killed on his motorcycle, through no fault of his own, on the very same course we were riding. Riding pillion with me was his daughter “Issie” who was whooping and waving with pride at the crowds and hugging me tight, just as she had done as a young girl with her dad.
Liza Miller took Robs wife Cath pillion with her. This was a particularly emotional time for Cath as it’s the first time she had ridden on the back of a bike since our Rob passed in 2018.
I expect you’re starting to understand why I was a blubbering mess at the start line now!
No pressure Hayley (left foot braking, reverse gears, don’t stall it!)”
Liza:
“It felt incredible. Looking at all the women from around the world that came out for the occasion was beautiful. Some were crying with joy, but most were just beaming with smiles. And to ride up front on the world famous Isle of Mann mountain course with legends like Carolynn Sells, Gloria Perrin and Gail Sheeley was a bucket list event”.
How was the reception at the event?
Hayley:
“The reception was incredible! Women, men and children, lined the course in their thousands and were clapping, cheering, waving and high-fiving us all! It was a very surreal feeling that you can only really understand by being there and part of it. The little girls faces that I saw beaming at us will stick with me forever, as will the view from riding alongside Carolynn Sells, Gail Sheeley & Gloria Perrin and seeing them just in their element, riding, having fun, and starting to get the recognition they deserve”.
Liza:
“It was amazing. This was the largest Legacy Lap crowd they’ve ever had, stretching for 14 miles on the track”.
Are you planning to do something similar at another event?
Hayley:
“As always with WRWR, we have a lot up our sleeves! We will be attending and welcoming women to join us at the Bonneville salt flats this year which is an incredibly rare opportunity to witness land speed racing legends like Erin Sills, push themselves and their machines to the absolute limit.
We are also focused on our mission to Connect. Challenge. Change. Through the WRWR app which has, at the point of writing this, connected women over 74,000 times in person across 88 countries in just 5 months!
We need every individual woman rider to help us if we are going to shape the future of women’s motorcycling for the better.
Every single woman rider passing batons, completing challenges, celebrating & sharing women’s achievements through collector cards, is significantly contributing to our future.
The global exposure and visual proof publicised in the WRWR app PROVES that women are an enormous, active, passionate market that should not be overlooked and under-represented”.
Liza:
“I will be launching another event on June 29th, where myself and Wendy Crockett will be starting our world record ride, where we will be setting a record for the world’s largest GPS drawing by motorcycle. People are invited to sign up and ride with us at worldrecordride.com”.
You can find out everything about the new WRWR on their website and if you’re a WIMA member who has taken part in any of the many WRWR activities and wish to share your experience here – please get in touch!
