Editor's Note: This message was emailed to me by Angelle and also by others to whom she had sent it. You can find a new message, mentioning the  more positive responses she has received from her racing peers, on her web site at angelleracing.com

Hi everyone, Angelle here, driver of the Team Winston Prostock Suzuki. I hope you don't mind me borrowing your eyes and ears shortly for a little venting. I want to share a few things with you that I have had to put up with since I joined the "Professional" ranks of racing so that you can get an idea of what it has been like for me.

My first race, competitors as well as team owners told George Bryce that he was crazy for putting me on a prostock bike. He was told that I would hurt myself or someone else.

He was told that I would be flapping in the wind like a flag, holding on for dear life. A competitor's wife told me that I would be watched very closely. That "others" were afraid to be in the other lane against rookies. To start my career these were the words of encouragement and support that I was given by my "professional peers".

Shortly after, we were winning already. "Others" did not like this. Tech officials were sent to check me for cheating, strip my bike, and search my leathers, helmet, and gloves. George was even searched several times before he was allowed to see me at the end of the track.

This happened so often that it was borderline harassment. There came a time when I was accused of being caught cheating and it was even printed in a major magazine. I was wrongfully accused, NHRA officials reported that this event never happened but do you think the magazine cared to fix what people believed? They did not.

Attempts have been made to disqualify me several times, complaints about my bike being too heavy for me to handle. My strength and ability was in question. Complaints that the weight distribution is unfair. My hair hanging out of my helmet was even the case at one race. It was considered unsafe.

A competitor reported my helmet as being illegal due to a hole smaller than a pencil eraser being drilled for my two-way radio. Simpson reps were sent over to look and said that it was a exactly what they would have done to the helmet but because George did it NHRA tech officials ruled it out and I had to get a new helmet before I was allowed to race again.

Now this is where it gets nasty, I have been spit at by a competitor who later even admitted to doing it. Team Winston property has been vandalized by a competitor and nothing was done about it. They said it was only a joke. The fact that the property cost one thousand dollars was not. Another competitor, who is the reason I am writing this, has gone as far as telling me to "Strap on your balls and race like a MAN! Or go back to the kitchen where you belong!" Well I am telling you once again Steve Johnson, I am not going anywhere but to the races, because that IS where I belong, and if racing like a man means being anything like you, I would rather race like a girl any day.

Recently, Steve Johnson announced on national television that, and I quote him, " We were all pretty embarrassed that a girl was leading the points." Who does "we" consist of? My competitors? My fans? NHRA? Winston maybe? I sure would like to know what is so embarrassing about a human being with the most determination and dedication you can find, who has an iron will to win and one kick ass team behind her. Can some one please tell me what is so embarrassing about that?

Did Billy Jean King embarrass anyone when she beat Bobby Riggs in Tennis? Should little girls be embarrassed to play basketball better than the little boy next door? Is it embarrassing to see Gabrielle Reese slam her volleyball in the face of a man who dares to challenge her? Just ask the Women's Sports Foundation how they feel about Mr. Johnson's comment. They have an advocacy director assigned to help women who face these sort's of discrimination problems. They can even refer you to an attorney who will take legal action. There is a federal law, which requires equal treatment for male and female athletes. It is called Title IX.

Now go and ask the little girl next door who races a junior dragster, or your daughter who loves to play football, or your granddaughter who likes boxing, or your mother who wishes she would of followed her hearts desire instead of staying in the kitchen where she was told she belonged.

It's time for all women to let people like Steve Johnson know that we, our nieces, daughters and grandaughters, can and will do whatever they want. To the men in the world that support what I am saying, I salute you and I thank you! You are truly the man God intended you to be. That also goes to the love of my life, the one Steve refers to as my bodyguard, Nicky. Thank you for standing up for me, and being proud to show your support for a woman's ability.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and please feel free to comment to me, NHRA, PRO2, the Prostock motorcycle association and its president Steve Johnson, as well as the Women's Sports Foundation. I truly need and appreciate your support. Sincerely,

Angelle
Angelleracing.com or Angel Star Inc.
PO Box 526
Boutte, La. 70039

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