"I hear it my own way," explained Fiolek, 19, who despite being deaf has emerged as the dominant force in the rollicking sport of women's motocross. "I can feel everything about my bike. I have grown up riding that way so it's nothing new to me."Fiolek, 19, who was interviewed via email, will be in Texas this weekend for the Freestone National, the second of eight Women's Motocross Assn. competitions.
The petite Floridian, who is campaigning for a third consecutive WMA title, has replaced five-time champion Jessica Patterson as the sport's premier athlete.
Fiolek is coming into her own not only as a superstar, but as a young adult who just bought her first home, and as an author who recently co-wrote the book: "Kicking Up Dirt: A True Story of Determination, Deafness and Daring."
Hers is an inspirational tale about overcoming disabilities and perceived obstacles; she was raised not to regard her condition as a roadblock standing in the way of dreams and ambitions.
"Even if the other people thought, 'Wow, this isn't safe,' we always knew that we could teach Ashley how to ride safely, and how to ride fast," said her father, Jim. "We never saw it as a limitation and I don't think Ashley would have it any other way."
What makes Fiolek's rapid success so remarkable is that motocross is so replete with the high-pitch whine of engine sounds. As they negotiate the many turns and jumps, riders rely on sounds to determine when to change gears, to detect engine problems and, most important, to learn when other riders might be attempting to pass.
"I can't change [racing] lines like other riders because I have to make sure no one is behind me first," she conceded. "But I think the advantages are that I don't know when someone's behind me so I don't freak out. Also, I don't hear any smack talking at the races so it doesn't affect me."
Fiolek, who is 5 feet 2 and weighs a mere 106 pounds, was born deaf in Michigan but her parents soon moved to St. Augustine, Fla., so their daughter could attend the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. She was taken out in favor of home-schooling before the ninth grade, however, because her parents believed the school was instilling a belief that she was handicapped and limited.Fiolek began riding motorcycles at 3. The training wheels came off when she was was 7. She became passionate about racing after attending her first supercross competition.
Other parents became concerned when Fiolek first arrived on the local amateur circuit, but the concern was short-lived because she was so naturally fast and adept.
She lists as one of her crowning achievements the day she won the girls' division at the 2004 Loretta Lynn's Amateur National Motocross Championships.
Fiolek, a Honda Red Bull Racing team member and the first female to have been given a factory ride, or full sponsorship, also is the reigning X Games champion and hopes to someday compete against men.
Men are not overly concerned but most are impressed. Said Travis Pastrana, a former motocross and supercross racer who became legendary for his success in the high-flying sport of freestyle motocross:
"It's difficult to imagine that such a petite girl with a warm smile could be so phenomenal in an extreme sport like motocross. When she's on her dirt bike, she's no longer a deaf girl--she is a tough, confident, competitive racer who has overcome enough in her life to know that nothing is impossible."
-- Images of Ashley Fiolek courtesy of Red Bull's Simon Cudby (top) and Garth Milan
18 Comments
1-18 of 18
Posted by 21newlife28 June 2, 2010 06:12pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
What a truly inspiring story. What a "no limits" inspiration in a time of nothin but rules & laws that are enacted meerly on a scared of the "what if" factor basis. The world needs more people like you that strive for their best in good against speculation by their peers.
Posted by girlslikedirt2 June 2, 2010 06:27pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Hey, i met you at Steve's track at his house. (Steve was sales manager at Extreme Power Sports in Gaylord Michigan.) He was having a motorcycle training class. I was eight years old at the time and you were thirteen i believe. I sat there with my dad and your translator,(your mom and dad, cool parents). I'm thirteen now. Enjoying riding in my backyard track with my little brother who is nine. We are both pretty good but definatley not as good as you obviously. We are a family of eight and everybody rides. (Honda). You have been a HUGE inspiration. Continue to ride please, i love watching you on the womens motorcross channel. Congrats on being number one!
*Like my dad says:
" Be willing to ride hard, or stay in the truck!"
Posted by qwaszxerdfcvtyghbnuijkm June 2, 2010 06:35pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
SHES HOTT
ya its inspirational and all that but shes HOTT
Posted by robert royce June 2, 2010 06:40pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
rock on girl. nice to see people doing what they love. keep it up. i love ridding. my son is 4 and has his own bike. i hope he learns half the skill you have gained. good luck and keep on two wheels.
Posted by joejoejoe June 2, 2010 07:29pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I have a 9 year old daughter who is deaf. She has been coming to the race track (road course)with me since she was two and loves it. We go dirt bike riding together as much as we can she isn't all that good at it but loves it. Anyone can do anything they put there mind to, we are limited to our inability to try. This is a great story. Best of luck to you.
Posted by shannon vogts June 2, 2010 08:11pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I have been a 2 wheels..dirt and street all my life. I now have a 2 year old daughter that i hope ( by her choice) with my small push will follow this great sport and with the inspiration you give those to follow to over come anything warms my heart.....ROCK ON GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by smurph18 June 2, 2010 09:07pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Gotta love this story. Can't wait to see her at Spring Creek!!
Posted by anibeth cohen June 2, 2010 09:32pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
She is an amazing young woman who won't let her deafness stop her from doing what she loves to do. I think though she shouldn't become a poster child for the deaf world, she should be an inspiration to anybody who feel compelled to do something despite their limitations.
Posted by april downer dooley June 3, 2010 06:42am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Good for you, girl! My parents and son have shown me that deafness doesn't have to hold you back. I can't wait to by the book for my son, it will give him someone else to look up to.
Posted by racemom June 3, 2010 06:47am PDTReply | Report Abuse
It is so nice to see a story about 'our" sport! We have been racing in the Texas Cross Country Racing Assoc since 1993. My son has also been on a bike since he was three and races, he is 15 now. We have had the pleasure of watching these young people grow up in their sport. Ashley is an awesome and inspirational person. Ashley, we look forward to having you in Texas this weekend, and know the TCCRA racers will be cheering you on 110%!! Keep up the great work, and always stay true to yourself!
Posted by nii lante france June 3, 2010 06:54am PDTReply | Report Abuse
She is blessed ,We all got ya back gal.
Posted by bryan tlahuitzo June 3, 2010 10:29am PDTReply | Report Abuse
she is freakin hot
Posted by sissyd June 3, 2010 10:54am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Awesome!! Just fantastic!! Love that there are such inspiring young women in the world!!
Posted by roninbob June 3, 2010 03:13pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
You go girl.You are another young lady that prove's that a handicap does't have to hold you back.You ,and your parent and all of your fan's can be truely proud of your accomplishments.there should be a club for Athelete's like you ,and Bethany Hamilton.
GAS IT GIRL
Posted by jp l cailas June 3, 2010 04:25pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Wow! What a nice story to see in the morning! 7am over here. And I'm deaf myself. I love real stories like this. Congratulations, Ashley! But what about a cochlear implant? I understand the Deaf community don't like it much, but is there anyone here who knows about foundations or constitutions that sponsor cochlear implants? I only turned deaf when I was thirteen due to meningitis. I've read information about it and I think I'm a good candidate for implant. And though I myself don't mind deafness much because of my love for books and writing, my parents want me to look for sponsors as we don't have the money ourselves. :)
Posted by robsthor June 3, 2010 04:41pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
now the only thing left to do is hook up with the mulisha and take over the world!!
Posted by lorna curry wilson June 3, 2010 08:29pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I am 10 years old and I have road raced and dirt biked since I was 5 because my dad used to race in AFM (road racing) and my 6 year old brother already rides a 2 wheeled dirt bike, he used to have training wheels. I am so glad that you race dirt bikes, you are a great inspiration to me and my family. I cant wait until I get older because I want to be a profetional dirt biker just like you. I hope that my 9 month sister will ride just like you.
Posted by jjtt June 5, 2010 03:17pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
she is so cool motercycling!!!! BEST FEMALE MOTERCROSS IN THE WORLD!!
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