Words: Wilmarie Janse van Rensburg | Photos: DO IT NOW Media & SheDARE
Three of South Africa’s top female superbike racers have come together to form South Africa's first official female motorsport stunt team: SheDARE. Wilmarie Janse van Rensburg (South Africa's Speed Queen), Gerda van Schalkwyk (Skinny) and Jenice Lehman (Storm) make up this adventurous team.
These ladies bring talents, expertise and passion together to create an inspiring platform through motivational talks, stunting and extreme entertainment.
With more than 30 years of experience in various facets of motorsport on a regional, national and international level, this partnership is guaranteed to provide a fun, fearless and fabulous adventure that each of these ladies are well known for. By working hand-in-hand with some of South Africa’s most influential people in a number of industries, the SheDARE team members are able to tell their unique stories through their bi-monthly Youtube series of videos.
When thinking of women in motorsport locally, one of the first names to come to mind is that of Wilmarie Janse van Rensburg (Speed Queen).
For more than 17 years, Speed Queen has been participating in different forms of motorsport regionally, nationally and internationally. Some call her Superwoman and she’s even been named the fastest women on two wheels. But what makes her stand out most is her determination to push boundaries and be the first at anything she takes on. Speed Queen explains, “I love a challenge and can see opportunities, but I can't do any of it without the amazing people that have made it possible." Speed Queen has made her mark as South Africa’s first female superbike racer, the first President for Women in Motorsport and now she's starting South Africa’s first official female stunt team.
Having had an adventurous spirit from the day she was born, Skinny is all about getting the best out of life every day.
She never stands back for a challenge and always ensures that her life provides an entertaining reality show to all those around her. Her initial casual approach to biking gave Skinny the opportunity to experience the leisure side of riding while building an amazing following in the biking industry. Through all these experiences, she developed an incredible skill set in all types of motorsport. Although her tutu and pink KTM950 seemed very lady like, this woman is not to be underestimated when donning her full leathers for some knee-down time. Skinny says “I’ve always wanted to inspire others by my love for adventure and through telling my story.”
Storm loves the outdoors. Although she only entered the motorcycling world at the age of 21, she was determined to live an adventurous life from a very early age.
Growing up in the Free State, Storm enjoyed horse riding and testing the limits of all vehicles available and willing. She may be fast and fierce on a superbike, but she’s also known as the angel in the SheDARE Team who loves gorgeous shoes and pretty much everything related to beauty and fashion. She most definitely brings an extreme and fabulous touch to this team, but also should not be underestimated as she is also the first and only lady in South Africa to race a superbike against a Bell 407 Helicopter - and win!
Although these ladies know how to have fun, they take this venture extremely seriously. The SheDARE Team is partnering up with some of South Africa's most extreme and entertaining individuals and companies and they will be performing extreme riding and driving in facets of rally cars, drifting cars, superbikes, MX style riding and stunting, to name a few, for entertainment as well as the movie and advertising industry.
Fun, fearless and exceptionally fabulous are words that only begin to explain this powerful team of three exceptional ladies. Their aim is to inspire people to follow their own talents and passions, with a motto of: “We see, we face, we NEVER REGRET!”
