History Made at Ladies of CRA
This past weekend 33 women raced, including 21 newly licensed racers. 13 women experienced their first-ever track day, and 45 women in total rode at the event. We were honored to take part in such a record-breaking milestone for women in motorcycle road racing and we are excited to continue the initiative and bring more women into the sport.
Organized and funded by Jordan Rand, Compact Octane, and the California Roadracing Association (CRA), the initiative provided track access, new racer education, coaching, bikes, gear, and a network of supporters to help women get started racing.
As a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through opportunity, education, and community, Women of GO!!! is honored to support an initiative that turns ambition into opportunity. Ladies of CRA reflects the kind of work that helps women break down barriers and become racers themselves.
Photo: Monki Media
A Community Building the Next Generation
Jordan Rand and Compact Octane teamed up with CRA to provide resources and support to make the weekend possible. Ever since the organization started, CRA has made creating the best possible experience for female racers—and for all competitors—a priority. Her commitment, alongside the work of the organizers, instructors, sponsors, and volunteers, helped bring this milestone event to life.
Getting started in motorcycle road racing can mean navigating licensing requirements, finding instruction, obtaining protective equipment, and covering the costs of track time. By bringing these resources together, the initiative helped participants overcome some of those initial barriers and take tangible steps toward competition.
For Women of GO!!!, supporting opportunities like this is central to its mission. We believe women should have access to the resources, education, and community they need to pursue their goals in motorsports. We are proud to support the people and organizations putting that commitment into action.
A Community of Sponsors Making It Happen
A weekend like this takes more than a racetrack and a schedule. It takes people and businesses willing to contribute their time, resources, and support. From motorcycles and riding gear to instruction, photography, and a few fun extras, each sponsor helped make the weekend possible.
Jordan Rand — Model, Racer, and Activist
Jordan Rand is a model, motorcycle racer, and advocate for women in motorsports. She helped organize and fund the initiative, supporting the new racer and first-time rider programs, licensing opportunities, and race entries. Her involvement helped turn the idea of getting more women onto the starting grid into a real opportunity.
Compact Octane
Compact Octane is a motorcycle track-day and rider development organization focused on helping riders improve their skills and experience the racetrack. Partnering with Jordan Rand and CRA, Compact Octane helped organize and provide the track day and new racer school, along with rental motorcycles and complimentary Alpinestars loaner gear for participants.
Women of GO!!! — Nonprofit Partner
Women of GO!!! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through opportunity, education, and community. The organization works to increase women's participation and visibility in motorcycling and motorsports and was proud to support Ladies of CRA and the women taking their first steps into the sport.
VNM Sport — Performance Baselayers
VNM Sport is a motorcycle apparel company specializing in performance baselayers designed for riders. Founded by Aliki Karayan, the company focuses on comfort, moisture management, and temperature regulation. VNM provided every woman with a complimentary Ladies of CRA base-layer top.
Honu Marshals
Honu Marshals provides motorcycle race-event course control and trackside support. Owned by Ana Mata, a nurse and motorcycle racer, the company helped manage course operations throughout the weekend. Mata also competed in the Lightweight class, earning third place on Sunday.
Lieto Factory
Lieto Factory is a custom motorsports graphics and accessories business led by Irina Krivolap. The company supplied number plates for the racers, helping get everyone ready for the weekend.
Let's Ride Track Days
Let's Ride Track Days is a motorcycle track-day organization offering riders opportunities to develop their skills at the racetrack. The company sponsored the podium checks, helping celebrate the weekend's top finishers.
Dunlop / Racers Edge Performance
Dunlop is a leading motorcycle tire manufacturer, while Racers Edge Performance supports motorcycle racers and the racing community. Together, they supported the initiative and helped create opportunities for emerging racers.
Motorrad House — Dunlop Tire Provider
Motorrad House is a motorcycle race tire provider and race-bike support business. As a Dunlop provider, Motorrad House helped racers access the tires and trackside support needed for competition.
Reparto Veloce — Supporting Women in Racing
Reparto Veloce is an Arizona motorcycle dealership specializing in brands including Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Piaggio. As Jordan Rand's personal sponsor and a strong supporter of women in racing, Reparto Veloce provided motorcycles for several riders participating in the weekend.
Wonderskin
Wonderskin is a beauty and skincare brand known for its long-wear, waterproof, and smudge-resistant makeup. The company provided gift bags for every woman participating in Ladies of CRA, filled with track-proof makeup and skincare products that added a fun touch to the weekend.
Project Moto Media
Project Moto Media is a motorcycle media and rider-development business that contributed new racer school support, coaching, and content. Its involvement helped support participants while documenting the weekend and showcasing the women getting involved in racing.
Alpinestars
Alpinestars is a global motorsports apparel and protective equipment manufacturer. Through Compact Octane's loaner gear program, the company made complimentary racing equipment available to participants, helping reduce the cost of getting started.
Photos by Tara Maricle of Monki Media
Rider, motorsports photographer, and host of the Monki Moto Pod.
Tara captured the people and moments that made the weekend special, documenting the racing, friendships, and excitement throughout Ladies of CRA.
Check her out at: Monki Media
Ladies of CRA: Weekend Podium Results
The weekend wasn't just about getting more women onto the track. There was plenty of competitive racing, too.
Stephanie Krahnke swept the Ladies of CRA Heavyweight class, taking the win on both Saturday and Sunday. Jaiden Sarros did the same in Lightweight, securing back-to-back victories, while Kathy Zhao finished second both days.
Saturday, October 17
Heavyweight
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Stephanie Krahnke
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Demi Manchester
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Lauren McLean
Lightweight
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Jaiden Sarros
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Kathy Zhao
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Rachel Kelley
Sunday, October 18
Heavyweight
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Stephanie Krahnke
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Kelsey McClure
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Demi Manchester
Lightweight
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Jaiden Sarros
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Kathy Zhao
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Ana Mata
There was plenty to celebrate throughout the field. Ana Mata's Sunday podium was a particularly fun highlight, with the Honu Marshals owner balancing her course-control responsibilities with competing in the Lightweight class.
Alongside the racing, the weekend welcomed 21 newly licensed racers and 13 women experiencing their first track day. It was a reminder that you can build a stronger racing community while still putting on a great weekend of competition.
More Than a Number
For the 13 women who experienced their first track day, the weekend was an introduction to a whole new side of motorcycling. For the 21 who earned their racing licenses, it was the beginning of a new chapter and an opportunity to pursue competition.
Some may return for another track day. Others may line up for their first race. And some may eventually become the experienced racers helping the next group of newcomers find their way.
That's how a racing community grows.
Ladies of CRA showed what is possible when race organizations, businesses, instructors, and volunteers work together to make the sport more accessible. It takes a lot of people to put an event like this together, and every contribution helped make the weekend what it was.
Congratulations to all 21 newly licensed racers, the 13 first-time track riders, and every woman who competed throughout the weekend.
Women of GO!!! is proud to support this effort and grateful to Jordan Rand, Compact Octane, CRA, and every sponsor, instructor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make it happen.
More women on track. More women on the grid. More opportunities to race.
That's what it's all about.