Female Road Racing Pioneer Gina Bovaird named Grand Marshal of the 2026 FIM North America Vintage Road Racing Championships

The United States Classic Racing Association (USCRA), the oldest vintage motorcycle road racing organization in the U.S., is excited to announce pioneer female racer, American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame and Motorsports Hall of Fame nominee Gina Bovaird to serve as Grand Marshal at the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) North America Vintage Road Racing Championships, scheduled for June 12-14, 2026, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.

Fast Fearless Females Take Center Stage The USCRA is once again honored to host the only FIM-sanctioned vintage road racing competition on the continent. This year’s event marks the 24th annual gathering, which will take place on the opening weekend of the 103rd annual Laconia Bike Week.

The theme of the 2026 FIM-sanctioned championships is Fast Fearless Females—honoring the women who pioneered motorcycle road racing and those who continue to make an impact today. Throughout the event, the skill, determination, and achievements of female racers—past and present—will be showcased in celebration of their lasting influence on the sport.

“For me, it was not about being a woman, I just loved the speed of the bikes and the competition. As Grand Marshal, I am honored to stand with all the gritty and determined women racing motorcycles, now and in the past.”
                                                                                                             – Grand Marshal, Gina Bovaird

Groundbreaking. Trailblazing. Revolutionary. Gina Bovaird isn’t just part of motorcycle racing history—she helped rewrite it. The Boston-born rider shattered barriers at the highest levels of international motorcycle competition, carving out a place in a sport long dominated by men. Gina began racing a Yamaha 125 twin in AAMRR events and the Daytona amateur races. In 1973, she moved up to a Yamaha TZ250 and competed in WERA, earning early success. After the AMA began issuing licenses to women in 1974, she obtained her AMA Novice license. That same year at Mosport International Raceway in Canada, despite initial resistance, she was eventually allowed to compete—and promptly set a new lap record in the final practice session on her Honda 125.

In 1975, with sponsorship from Hawaiian Tropic, Gina raced the Daytona Novice 250cc event, recording the fastest trap speed at 144 mph. Later that season she scored WERA victories at Savannah and Nelson Ledges.

By 1980 she had earned her AMA Expert license and became the first woman to qualify for the Daytona 200 on a Yamaha TZ500, recording the fastest rookie trap speed at 184 mph. She returned in 1981 and finished the race, placing 25th.

Later that year, she made history again by becoming the first woman to qualify for and start in the 500cc class of the FIM Grand Prix World Motorcycle Championships at the French Grand Prix of Nogaro. Her trailblazing career has paved the way for generations of female racers who followed.

Gina and her husband Bill Beck currently reside on their horse farm in Ocala, Florida, where she enjoys riding her dressage horses just about every day.

The USCRA and New England Racing Museum will be hosting a reception for Gina at the museum on Saturday evening, June 13th at 7pm, after the conclusion of racing. For more information, visit www.nermuseum.com.

Special Events During the FIM Race Weekend Along with celebrating female riders, the weekend will showcase thrilling competition featuring some of North America’s top vintage and modern motorcycle and sidecar racers. On Friday, June 12, the club will host the second race of the new Trackmaster Triple Crown Endurance Series presented by Rick’s Motorsport Electrics. This three-hour contest will test both rider stamina and mechanical reliability, delivering hours of high-intensity racing and excitement. More information can be found at http://www.race-uscra.com.