Sandriana Shipman

The Indian Motorcycle Flat Track Nationals, presented here in the UK by the DTRA, still struggle to attract more than a handful of women racers, despite the year-on-year increase in female entrants. So I often find myself looking across the pond for inspiration, at the success of women in AFT. That’s how I first stumbled on Sandriana Shipman. Scrolling through social media, I soon learnt about this woman’s undeniable passion and drive to succeed in the one thing she loves, because, she says, ‘There has NEVER been a day I didn’t want to ride or race.’ Hailing from Maybrook, New York, 23-year-old Sandriana has already kicked up a storm in the AMA Vintage National Series, winning the 2016 championship in her division on a 1988 CR250 J&M framer. Her passion for motorcycles was ignited at the age of three on a 70cc three-wheeler, which quickly progressed to a PW50, the choice of future champions. Growing up surrounded by 12 first cousins (almost all boys) and living on a street which led to hundreds of miles of trails, it was natural for Sandriana to go get lost and dirty in the woods, riding anything that she could lay her hands on. What started to become clear from our conversations is how self-motivated Sandriana is. Nobody else in her family races, which is unusual for a pro racer, let alone a female one, but she had the full support of her parents, with her dad taking her along to her first ever race. It proved pivotal, because ‘from there on out it was history’. The 2017 season was Sandriana’s first AFT campaign. Further testament to her drive and determination was that she attended these races alone. She drove across the country by herself, worked on her 2012 KTM 450 SX-F unaided and, except for the help of a few personal backers, funded the majority of the campaign off her own bat. Her strength and work ethic are admirable and she was well and truly on a one-woman mission to prove her capabilities as a pro racer. After all, she says, ‘It had been the goal since day one to go pro racing.’ Sandriana describes how she was well aware that she didn’t have the same money or the resources of the rest of the pros but was determined. ‘I knew that I would make it work because that’s all I’ve ever known how to do.’

Often a racer’s greatest battle is in their head, with themselves. That’s not the case for Sandriana. I have never come across someone so headstrong, if anyone can make it work, it’s her. The big break came in July 2017, when she had the opportunity to fly out to California and race for Sammy Halbert on his 2016 YZ450 at the Calistoga round of the AFT series. She truly proved her capabilities when given proper support and backing, qualifying for the heats fifth fastest in the singles class and making it through to the main, where she lined up ninth. Sfter a gnarly crash she crossed the line in 16th in her first ever AFT singles main event. People across the AFT paddock began to realise that Sandriana Shipman was a force to be reckoned with, showing how a little help can go a long way when combined with such talent, self-motivation and commitment. Her hard work in the 2017 season caught the attention of Rhonda Waters, a key player in the Waters Autobody Racing Team, and Sandriana joined the team for the 2018 season. ‘It was a great feeling being picked up by a professional team after just one short year in the pro ranks,’ she says. Now supported by a team, Sandriana had a lot to look forward to, but life has a funny way of kicking you down just as things start to look up.

As the bike went down Sandriana was sling-shot forward into the path of another rider

In April this year, Sandriana had a huge crash in qualifying at the Texas Half-Mile, round three of the AFT series, one race after Yve took these photos. Reflecting on that crash, she describes to me how it all happened very quickly. She went down in the second round of qualifying, nothing more than a simple low slide, but as the bike went down Sandriana was sling-shot forward into the path of another rider. The result was a broken right femur (she broke the same femur back in 2009 and had it plated), broken right wrist, four broken metacarpals in her left hand, a lacerated liver and a bruised lung. That night, she underwent surgery on her right leg, when surgeons decided to remove the plate and replace it with a rod that stretches from knee to hip. Five days later, a large plate and screws were fitted into her right wrist and two plates, 13 screws and five pins into her left hand. The pins were removed six weeks after surgery, but the rest of the hardware remains. Sandriana Shipman is as hard as the nails that hold her together.

Racing is the focus and nothing else. 'I never think about the fact that I am a girl racing against guys.'

At the time of writing, a good few months on from the accident, Sandriana oozes positivity about her recovery and comeback. Currently undergoing physical therapy three times a week and visiting a trainer once a week, she’s feeling strong, strong enough to sling her leg over a bike every Thursday evening. It is clear that Sandriana is fixated on returning to AFT fitter than ever, testament to her mind-over-matter attitude. She’s one tough cookie, but the most difficult thing for her is pinning down when the comeback might be. ‘My mind is telling me I’m ready, but my body isn’t quite there yet,’ she admits.

in the AFT series as one of only two women currently racing at the pro level, the other being Husqvarna factory-supported Shayna Texter, this observation couldn’t resonate with her more. ‘Every person has advantages and disadvantages, strength, training, endurance, smarts, experiences,’ she says. ‘This all plays a part and at the chequered flag it’s who put all those pieces together successfully and didn’t allow their disadvantages to dictate their results.’ Gender doesn’t even come into it. However, Sandriana admits that, like me, she receives significant attention because being female is ‘still not something that is typical’ at the racetrack. Catch a glimpse of her tearing it up on the dirt and her gender is irrelevant, she’s just a badass who likes to go fast. Sandriana believes that racers, men and women, ‘we’re all interesting people and have personal fanbases that resonate with who we are’. I was also pleased to hear that she shares my very strong dislike of the classic question asked of female racers, ‘What is it like for you as a woman to race against men?’ Sandriana’s stock answer is the same as mine, ‘I NEVER would think about the fact that I am a girl racing against guys.’ Why should we? When we’re out on track, we’re all just racers who want the same thing, to ride fast and take that win.

Sandriana Shipman, Dixie Speedway, Woodstock, GA

April 2018

Maybe Sandriana and I are fortunate to think like this because we both grew up surrounded by boys and became used to riding with boys who never treated us like we were ‘inferior’ girls. Despite there being more women racers in the States than the UK, the percentage is still low. ‘It’s still surprising to see another female at the track most times,’ she says.

With Sandriana and Shayna out there as role models, then surely seeing women racing at the top level should be more typical in the near future. I’m determined to see it in my lifetime. Here in the UK, the DTRA are working incredibly hard at increasing women’s participation in flat track by teaming up with all-women biker collective VC London and hosting women-only events to encourage first-timers. Over in the US, Sandriana says she is ‘working on some really cool and exciting things to start actively encouraging more women into riding and racing’. Defiant, driven and tough, Sandriana Shipman is going to jump right back up from being knocked down and I cannot wait to watch that comeback, because overcoming adversity is what she does best. ‘I do what I do because it’s the only thing I have been certain about since I can remember. I don’t try to make anyone understand it, because it’s not for them to understand. I have an unwavering love for motorcycles no matter how much I’ve gotten beat up and no matter what hard times it has brought me. I feel like the pros outweigh the cons every time.’