Polaris off road racer Kristen Matlock on Polaris Joining the International Female Ride Day Movement to Celebrate and Empower More Women Through Powersports
International Female Ride Day® (IFRD) is a globally synchronized ride day celebrating women riders and their passion for powersports. Covering six continents and in over 120 countries, IFRD has become a powerful movement.
IFRD and the “Just Ride” call-to-action were created in 2007 to focus on motorcycle riders. As female ridership grows within the powersports industry IFRD welcomes female riders of all types of powersports including off-road vehicles, snowmobiles.
This year, Polaris has joined the movement and encourages all females to “Just Ride!”
For Polaris off road racer Kristen Matlock, that desire to “Just Ride” came later in life after being the support system for her husband who had been racing for two decades. Matlock’s “Just Ride” desire led her to take up residence behind the wheel of her own race-prepped RZR a little over four years ago, and she hasn’t lifted since.
“Fans look up to the racers no matter who the racer is,” said Matlock. “I am proud to be in this seat and to be an inspiration to anyone who wants to one day be behind the wheel. I was once that person looking up to my husband. I was unsure of how I could be in the sport and whether I belonged in racing to begin with. Once I got over the uncertainty and got behind the wheel, I quickly learned that not only did I belong, but I could make it to the top.”
As it turns out, Matlock has the same competitive drive as her husband and found herself capturing big wins quickly including first place finishes at the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race and the SCORE Tijuana Desert Challenge. Her rapid rise to the podium earned her the 2017 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Impact Award presented to athletes who make an “Impact” within the off-road community. She has become known as the “Iron Woman” because she drives every mile of every race she competes in, not once stopping to switch drivers. She has been behind the wheel of her race car for as long as 39 hours thus far, and has no plans of changing her style in the years to come.
“In the beginning there was only a small handful of other female drivers out there but quickly I was recognized as competition not the division of male versus female out there,” said Matlock.
Racing is racing. You don’t have to be special to get behind the wheel. Any person has the opportunity to find that racing passion. That is what is so great about racing, the diversity in the sport and the backgrounds of every racer. Each one so different from the other racers.
“Racing is a family sport for us and many other families out there,” said Matlock. “Being out there with a family brings a level of support that is unmatched. We always do whatever we can to help everyone to succeed. And while that comes with our immediate family, the racing community is a family as a whole. There are times when we help to support other teams and families. There is a bond that comes from racing and it is a bond that is forever. I think that bond is what makes the movement of getting more people involved in the sport through IFRD so successful. You find a family.”
So what are you waiting for? Come join our family.
“I started IFRD to advance the awareness of women motorcycle riders and inspire women everywhere. Working with Polaris encourages even more women to join the celebration of riding and become part of the movement,” said IFRD Founder Vicki Gray. “However you prefer to ride, it is truly an experience like no other; exhilarating, liberating, and fulfilling. The female riding community is one of expanding camaraderie on open roads and trails.”
“Just Ride!” is the only requirement to participate in IFRD. Motorcycle riders and powersports enthusiasts around the world can celebrate the day by simply getting outside for a solo ride or riding with friends and family. Riders can also celebrate digitally by sharing photos on social media using the hashtags #IFRD and #InternationalFemaleRideDay. For those who don’t currently own a vehicle or are interested in trying out a new type of ride, Polaris Adventures offers Polaris RZR®, Slingshot®, and snowmobile rentals, providing custom experiences in select locations and terrains across the U.S.
“Everyone is welcome to be a part of this day as the world sits up and takes notice of our global community. Get on your ride of choice and share your enthusiasm with other women the world over,” added Gray. The IFRD global 14th annual ride day event was rescheduled from its usual date the first Saturday in May, due to COVID-19. No matter how or where you ride, Polaris and IFRD encourage safe riding practices. Wear appropriate safety gear, perform pre-ride vehicle checks, and follow local and CDC guidelines for social distancing to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Riders participating in IFRD can proudly wear IFRD branded apparel and show off the official IFRD logo on their social handles or on their vehicles. Visit the IFRD website to learn more, including ways to participate, helpful tips for preparing your ride and photo inspirations from previous years.