Draft:Debbie Matthews

Debbie Matthews (born 1958) is a motocross competitor, organizer, mentor, and advocate for women riders.[1] Shes earned the title "the Godmother of Women’s MX" from Erv Braun, the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Supercross & AMA Pro Motocross announcer.[2] Matthews has the longest consecutive career span in Women's Motocross, spanning 27 years across both professional and amateur circuits.[3] She consistently secured a spot in the top 15 Women Professional National rankings in motocross for 20 consecutive years, from 1977 to 1997.[3]

Racing
Throughout her career, Matthews achieved success both as an amateur and professional racer.[3] She earned national recognition as the Number 2 Amateur Racer in the country in 1976 before transitioning to the professional circuit in that same year. [3]

Accolades & Awards
Her peers recognized her dedication to motorcycling with a Lifetime Appreciation Award at the So Cal Pro Reunion in 2012.[4] Matthews was inducted into the Gene Woods Hot Shoe Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, NV, in 2021.[5] She is a nominee for the AMA Hall of Fame class of 2024.[3]

Coaching & mentoring
Matthews coached riders in clinics, bootcamps and motocross schools, including champion Ashley Fiolek.[6] She mentored and sponsored Jacqueline Strong.[6] Matthews also shared her passion for motocross with her daughter, Heather Matthews Majcherek.[7]

Promotion & advocacy
Matthews played a role in increasing the visibility and opportunities for female riders.[6] She helped develop the Women's Motocross League (WML) and organized events such as the Ladies World Cup Motocross Championships.[6]

She petitioned the AMA Congress for "A" rider classification for female riders.[4] Matthews co-created the Stadiumcross with Danny Thompson in 1994.[4] Matthews helped create the AMA Pro National Championships in 1997, which included female participants for the first time.[4]

Timeline of Debbie Matthews' career
1974:


 * Began her career racing motorcycles at the age of 15.[3]

1976:


 * Ranked as the Number 2 Amateur Racer in the country.[3]
 * Turned professional at age 18.[3]

1988:


 * Became Women’s Vet National Champion.[7]

1994:


 * Recruited by the U.S. Women's Motocross Team as their Promotion/Race Director.[3]
 * Co-created with Danny Thompson the Stadiumcross for women.[4]

1996:


 * Co-founded the Women’s Motocross League (WML).[1]

1997:


 * Matthews was invited to meet with members of the AMA Congress to ratify changes in the AMA constitution giving women “A” rider classification for the first time in history.[3] The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.[3]

1999:


 * Retired from the WML to dedicate herself full time to the promotion, marketing, and teaching of women's motocross, resulting in the creation of WSMX, Inc. (Women's School of Motocross).[3]

2001:


 * Trained Ashley Fiolek who won multiple national championships and X Games gold medals.[6]

2008:


 * Published her book, Excelling Through Adversity.[8]

2012:


 * Received Lifetime Appreciation Award by So Cal Pros for dedication and commitment to motorcycling.[3]

2014:


 * Founded POWR (Professional Organization of Women’s Racing) which developed women’s racing opportunities and provided the largest women’s professional cash prize in women’s motocross history.[3]

2021:


 * Inducted into the Gene Woods Hot Shoe Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]

2024:


 * Nominated for the AMA Hall of Fame as an Ambassador.[3]