The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are launching the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) this year. The inaugural season of the championship will kick off in Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and comprise six rounds (two races at each round) integrated within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. A provisional permanent entry list with 24 riders has been announced. We caught up with some of the riders on the entry list, today we give you the first installment in this series, the story of South African rider Jessica Howden.
Photos © Jessica Howden
Coming from a motorsport family, Jessica has been surrounded by people competing in motorsport. Her father Ian Howden has been a rally and circuit racing driver. But in the end, it was motorcycles that finally caught Jessica’s attention. “My father used to race cars, and he would take us to the circuit. In 2017, my brother was racing motocross, and I said to my father that I wanted to try as well. But when I saw a superbike at the race circuit, that was what I really fell in love with. I’ve wanted to be a rider ever since.”
After racing in South Africa for a few years, Jessica moved up to the Women’s European Cup in 2022. Her win in Misano took the world by surprise. It also made history. “For me, the best moment was entering the Women’s European Cup as an underdog and winning the first race in Misano. The feeling was incomparable. To be the first African woman to win a race in Europe was a nice feeling.”
But the next season didn’t continue on this high note. “Last year I had a tough time. I broke my thumb and dislocated my shoulder in the pre-season, but I kept going so I could start the season. I was crashing numerous times and hurting my body. For me the hardest part of this sport is the mental side, it can affect my day-to-day life. When I moved to Spain, it was to train more and travel less. But when you are alone racing, without the support of your family or friends, it’s difficult to be happy. If I’m not happy off track, I can’t perform on track.”
During this difficult time in Europe, Jessica decided to move back to South Africa and go back and forth for the races. “I decided to go back home to South Africa and rather travel to each race and train more in South Africa. I have the right people at home who always encourage me to keep going. The budget for this is high, and sometimes I can’t train, so I go into a race without much time on the bike or the track. When I can train, it helps me to keep going as I feel more ready and then it helps me be more positive. “
At the same time, as she realized it is important to be mentally strong in the sport, Jessica also took on mental training to strengthen this part. “I have had mental strength coaching, and from that, I have learned what’s better to do during those moments when I’m stressed or anxious. For me, it was a good idea to remember and practice mindfulness. I give myself the space to breathe and think about my reactions. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also helps me with having a positive attitude in life. It reflects onto the race track.”
Having raced against many of the other riders on the entry list of WorldWCR, Jessica has a pretty good assessment of herself and the field. “I feel that my strength at the moment is that I have run the pace and at times beaten some of the more fancied riders. I know some of the circuits. But my disadvantage will be that the Spanish girls have an advantage at Jerez and Portimao. In the past I would say my weakness was making mistakes at critical times, I have managed this with my team and only push when the bike allows it.”
Also among the riders is Nicole Van Aswegen, who used to be an idol for Jessica.“In 2018, I was new to the sport. Nicole was the only girl in South Africa I saw riding. So I saw her as an idol back then. Now she is just a rival to me. How I feel about racing her is how I feel about racing anyone on the grid. ”
The championship will be using a single-model Yamaha YZF-R7. Even though Jessica hasn’t raced with it before, she and her team are ready to get her familiarized with the model. “My team has an R7 so we are going to do some tests at some of the circuits we will be racing at. We want to be on the bike as much as possible to learn it. I feel the R7 and Pirelli tyres will allow me to use the front more and suit my riding style a bit more on the brakes.”
Another element of her preparation is her physical training. Even though it’s difficult to manage all the training in South Africa, Jessica is trying her best to do as much as possible. “What I normally do is go to my gym in the morning and try to study more about the bike. I am interested in the future to work more on my own bike and maybe also on others. The disadvantage is that I can’t ride a lot as I don’t have a bike in South Africa. Other than racing, I have been advertising for a company called Flash Motors who have been very kind to help me financially for the 2024 Season.”
I would like a positive year. It’s always tough to say what you expect before the season, but I know for sure I will give my 100%.
Alongside WorldWCR, Flash Motors will also take Jessica into electric scooter racing. We wish her all the best in the 2024 season!
The 2024 WorldWCR Calendar
1. Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, MWC “Marco Simoncelli” – 14-16 June
2. Prosecco DOC UK Round, Donington Park – 12-14 July
3. Pirelli Portuguese Round, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve – 9-11 August
4. Hungarian Round, Balaton Park Circuit* – 23-25 August
5. Acerbis Italian Round, Cremona Circuit* – 20-22 September
6. Prometeon Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto – 18-20 October
* Subject to homologation
In our next installment of this series, we give you the story of Italian rider Roberta Ponziani
Paddock Sorority 
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