The 2026 International Female Ride Day will mark the 20th event for the movement, which began in 2007 as a global synchronization event for women of all levels, experiences, and backgrounds to come together and celebrate unity as women worldwide.

Women Accelerate – 20 Years Strong

2026 marks a milestone year for the International Female Ride Day movement: two decades of women rallying together and showcasing unity and solidarity on a global level.

The 2026 theme #IFRDWomenAccelerate is a nod to the power that women have not only embraced but accelerated within the motorcycle / powersport communities. No longer a novelty, the number of women in motorcycle demographics continues to grow, especially among the younger generations, signifying that women are no longer just joining — they are moving the industry in new directions.

International Female Ride Day Event – How to Join In

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

How to Participate: Ride your ride – solo or in a group – where ever you are located. Celebrate the day by proudly displaying the ride logo (download here) and being visible while you ride out and about.

Synchronize the Ride: Share with others across your platforms your stories, photos and experiences by using the official event tag #IFRDWomenAccelerate

International Female Ride Day Official Event Website

Women Accelerate by:

• Ride publicly and proudly – solo or in groups
• Inviting and welcoming new riders to join into the fold
• Share your personal stories and skills
• Support women in all lanes – cruisers, sport, road, off-road, track, commuting, performance, etc.
• Stand for fair representation – real inclusion, equal opportunity

Where will YOU ride?

Getting a ride together in your area? Comment below, or email us the details, and we will help share and get the word out.

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Here’s a detailed listing of women-focused rides, activities, and related events you can plan around during Daytona Bike Week 2026 (Feb 27 – Mar 8, 2026) in Daytona Beach, Florida. This includes official group rides, scenic runs, bike shows, and key dates that women riders often enjoy — from social rides to custom bike showcases.

IMRC #1949 Daytona Beach Bike Week Ladies Ride

Harley Davidson | Biker Belles – The Morning Ride

Harley-Davidson | Renegade Babes Women’s Ride-In Bike Show

Bike Shows, Rallies & Social Activities Popular With Women Riders

Even if not exclusively women-only, the following events are excellent for women bikers to attend, network, and have fun during Bike Week:

Official Bike Week Events (open to all, great for women riders)

Got an event that ladies should know about?
Let us help get the word out! Comment below, or send us a DM or email!

The post Daytona Bike Week Women’s Events appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

The Ultimate Guide for Riders Who Show Up Prepared

Daytona Bike Week is almost here! Whether you’re riding down for the 85th rally or making your first trip to Main Street, proper preparation is the difference between a trip to remember and a trip you’d rather forget.

Bike Week in Daytona Beach isn’t just another motorcycle rally. It’s miles of bikes, vendors, Main Street chaos, beach air, and Florida heat that will humble you fast if you’re not prepared. This isn’t a generic packing guide.

This is your real-world, rider-tested Daytona Bike Week packing list — built for women riders who want to stay protected, hydrated, organized, and still look like they belong at the front of the pack.

Let’s get into it.

5 essential items you absolutely cannot forget for Daytona Bike Week

Real Talk: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Horsepower & Heels may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend gear we trust for real riders.

Harley Wayfarer

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Global Vision Marilyn 2

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OhO Smart Glasses

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3. Portable Power Bank & Phone Charger
   
   You’ll be using your phone for GPS, photos, finding your friends, and, crucially, having your digital insurance info ready. Outlets are rare when you’re parked on Main Street. A slim, high-capacity power bank is a must.
   
   • Why you need it: To keep your phone charged all day.
   • Our Pick: Portable Charger Power Bank 40800mAh with 3 Built-in Cables,25W Fast Phone Charging Portable Battery Pack,5 Outputs 

Power UP

Portable Charger Power Bank 40800mAh with 3 Built-in Cables,25W Fast Phone Charging Portable Battery Pack,5 Outputs Travel Essentials Outdoor External Battery for iPhone 17/16,Galaxy Android. In Black, Blue, or Pink

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4. Heavy-Duty Disc Lock or Alarm
   
   Bike theft is a real issue during large rallies like this one. We’ve heard first-hand accounts of bikes stolen from right outside hotel room windows smuggled straight to containers at nearby ports. The factory fork lock takes 15 seconds to break. Protect your machine – with thousands of bikes packed into one city, security matters.
   
   • Why you need it: Security in high-crowd areas.
   • Our Picks:
     • [Disc Locks]:  Kryptonite Keeper 5-S2 Disc Lock or KRASER WA6Y Alarm Disc Lock, Reinforced Disc Brake Lock with 3 keys (others 2), Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Motorcycle Lock with Alarm,110dB
     • [Helmet]: Motorcycle Lock Combo: Helmet & Brake Anti-Theft Handlebar Lock
     • [Frame/Chain]: AKM Motorcycle Chain Lock Anti-Theft 8.2ft/250cm Super Long Durable 12mm Thick With 4 Keys Security – for securing overnight to structures or clustered group
       
5. Portable Phone Mount + Charger
   
   Because you absolute will: Get separated from your group. Need GPS. Want to film. Kill your battery posting stories. A secure handlebar phone mount + waterproof USB charger is non-negotiable.
   
   Don’t cheap out on this one — Vibration will destroy phone cameras (ask me how I know).
   
   • Why you need it:  There’s so much happening – you won’t know what way is up
   • Our Pick: Quadlock Universal Handlebar mount || Quad Lock Wireless Charging Head

Bonus Pro-Tips

• Earplugs: The sound of a few thousand v-twins on Main Street is amazing, but it can get deafeningly loud from noon until 3 AM. Bring EARPEACE Moto – Reusable Motorcycle high-fidelity earplugs to protect your hearing.
• Sunblock (SPF 50+): The Florida sun is intense, even in March. If you’re riding all day, you will burn. Pack 50+ SPF sunblock for your face, neck, and arms. We love this Allure-Winning beauty hack: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen for Face & Body

Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Ride Hard

The best Daytona Bike Week experience starts before you even arrive. Build your Daytona Bike Week packing list intentionally.
Protect your bike. Protect your body. Hydrate like it’s your job.

Then show up ready to ride.
— Horsepower & Heels

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Daytona Bike Week? Let me know in the comments!

The post 5 things you NEED to pack for Daytona Bike Week appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

She’s Back. Louder. Stronger. Unapologetic.

If you’ve been riding with Horsepower & Heels since the beginning — you know we built something different.

And if you’ve been wondering where we’ve been since 2019… You’re right. We went quiet.

Life shifted. The industry shifted. The world shifted.

But the passion? The throttle? The fire behind this brand? Never left.

Today, we officially say this:

Horsepower & Heels is back — and we’re rebuilding it bigger, bolder, and built for the women who ride.

The Rebirth of the Brand

Over the past two decades, Horsepower & Heels has stood at the intersection of horsepower, confidence, and unapologetic femininity. Now, we’re restoring and relaunching with a renewed mission:

To spotlight, support, and elevate women motorcycle enthusiasts across the industry.

This isn’t just an update. It’s a revival.

What’s Coming

You’ll see our motorsports-based content still. That’s not going anywhere. But we’re developing a powerful new content lineup, including:

• Women Rider Features: Spotlighting real women riders — their stories, their builds, their journeys.
• Video Content: Garage installs. Ride days. Event coverage. Real talk.
• Product Reviews: Gear. Parts. Performance upgrades. Apparel designed for women’s needs.
• Install Guides and Customization Tips: Step-by-step installs, customization inspiration, and technical insight — without the gatekeeping.
• Event & Rally Coverage: On the ground. In the scene. Representing year-round.
• Industry Conversations: Brand partnerships, women-owned businesses, and conversations that move the culture forward.

And that’s just the beginning.

Why now?

Because women racers and riders aren’t a trend. We are a force.

The motorsports and motorcycle industries are evolving — and women are no longer asking for a seat at the table. We’re building our own lanes.

Horsepower & Heels is recommitting to being the media platform that reflects that energy — edgy, elevated, and rooted in experience.

To our Community

If you’ve supported us since day one — thank you.

If you’re new here — welcome to the ride.

We’re rebuilding intentionally. Publishing consistently. Expanding strategically.

And we’re doing it with the same grit that started this brand over 20 years ago.

Strap in. The throttle is wide-open. Horsepower & Heels is back.

— Erica

Founder, Horsepower & Heels

The post Horsepower & Heels: on 2 Wheels appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

Welcome back to the 2019 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards!   This annual award program allows our readers and fans to nominate and recognize their favorite choices for woman of the year in motorsports based on their performances on and off the track.

2019 HORSEPOWER & HEELS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORIES

The 2019 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year awards recognize women in seven award categories:

• Female Racer of the Year
• Female Crewmember of the Year
• Female Motorsports Professional of the Year
• Female Rookie of the Year
• Female Team of the Year
• Most Improved
• Most Influential Woman of Motorsports

Each category allows fans to select one woman for nomination.  Once the ballots have been counted, the woman with the most votes in each category will be declared the winner.

View Previous Winners

• 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Winners
• 2015 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Winners

Voting is open now through December 29, 2019 11:59PM EST.  Votes will be collected into a database and winners will be calculated by tally of votes.   Only one nominee per category, and one ballot per person/email accepted.   

Winners will be announced on December 31, 2019 and posted on this website.

VOTE NOW | 2019 HORSEPOWER & HEELS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The post 2019 Women of the Year Awards appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

Erica Enders – Pro Stock

Erica Enders (on right) took home the 2019 Pro Stock World Championship, making her a “thrEEtime” champion.

Leah Pritchett – Top Fuel

Leah Pritchett (right) finished the season in the fourth position in points for Top Fuel.

Angie Smith – Pro Stock Motorcycle

Angie Smith and her Elite Motorsports Denso Auto Parts EBR finished the Pro Stock Motorcycle 2019 season eighth in points.

Angelle Sampey – Pro Stock Motorcycle

Angelle Sampey finished the season seventh in points for Pro Stock Motorcycle on her Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

Karen Stoffer – Pro Stock Motorcycle

Karen Stoffer finished the 2019 Pro Stock Motorcycle season fourth in her White Alligator Racing Suzuki.

Megan Meyer – Top Alcohol Dragster

Megan Meyer celebrated winning the 2019 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster championship.

The post NHRA Awards Banquet 2019 appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

The stakes were high coming into the closing race of the NHRA season. It was down to the wire for Pro Stock driver, Erica Enders, battling to claim her third NHRA Pro Stock World Championship.

Gossip and drama in Qualifying

The suspense and drama began in qualifying. Enders, who has claimed three No. 1 qualifying spots in the countdown, and has qualified second at the last two races, would again earn the No. 2 position entering eliminations.

That’s where things get complicated. In what many viewed as a calculated move, rival Greg Anderson strategically placed himself at the bottom of the qualifying ladder in the No. 15 position, in hopes to send Enders home first round and give his Summit Racing teammates a chance at the Championship.

Not at all intimidated, Enders spoke at the top end following qualifying that she and Anderson have a long history of controversial encounters.

“That guy has hated losing to a girl since the day I first set foot out here and I plan to keep it that way,”

Erica Enders, via NHRA.com

Critical Round wins in Eliminations

Everyone was talking about the epic first round match up of the NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

The tension could be felt throughout the crowd as the two foes pulled to the starting line. Both had previously won in Pomona, Enders in 2014 and Anderson six times previously.

They left the line with nearly identical reaction times – Erica with a 0.017 and Anderson a 0.016. Both thundered down the track side-by-side, but Enders would come up with the win light by a mere 16 inches.

In a career-defining round win, Erica defeated Greg Anderson with a 6.570 ET at 210.41 mph, to his losing 6.575 at 210.31 mph. The crowd and her team on the starting line went wild in celebration.

“It was the race of the year for me, so I couldn’t be more proud. I found it bit interesting (the qualifying games), but it is what it is. I’ve said it before that I would rather race someone like him first round. We went out there and they gave us all they had, and today it ended in our favor. It was a great drag race.”

Erica Enders

Securing the championship

With that monumental win behind her, she just had one more round win to clinch a third championship: the quarterfinal match up against Chris McGaha. McGaha is another rival of Enders, with an equally colorful history of past encounters as well.

But Enders got the last laugh, as she proved deadly on the tree enroute to a holeshot win. Her reaction time of 0.019 over McGaha’s 0.050 was enough to keep her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in front with a 6.597 at 209.69 mph to a losing 6.593 at 210.08 mph.

“Going against Chris in the second round, it’s two of my favorite guys to beat in the same day (in Anderson and McGaha), so I was just thrilled for our entire organization. What an honor.”

Erica Enders

After turning on the win light that made the championship official, Enders coasted around and lingered inside the car gathering herself for the ensuing celebration.

“This one means a lot because of the valleys we’ve been through. It was a challenge for us and I’m thrilled. It’s just an awesome feeling to be back on top, and it’s the reason why you never give up.”

Erica Enders

“Today ended up being a great day with us locking up our third championship and my teammate, Jeg Coughlin, winning the race and solidifying the second position. For everyone at Elite Motorsports to take home the top two positions in NHRA Pro Stock, it’s a huge thrill for us. We take a lot of pride in what we do and it paid off this year. I’m just really proud.”

Erica Enders “thrEEtime” Pro Stock Champion

It’s been the perfect storm of a championship chase for the Elite team led by crew chiefs Rick Jones and Mark Ingersoll. They entered the chase in fifth place, and really turned it up during the Countdown . Hoisting the championship cup was the culmination of all that immense amount of work. Enders becomes the lowest-seeded driver to win a championship in Pro Stock history.

Enders proved she is fire under pressure, winning St. Louis and Las Vegas during the playoffs, qualifying at the top of the field throughout and putting together a string of consistent performances.

The 2019 championship marks her third career NHRA Pro Stock title. She’s already adopted the new hashtag “thrEEtime champ” – a play on her initials. She previously won championships in 2014 and 2015. Enders joins Angelle Sampey and Shirley Muldowney as the only females in NHRA history to win three world titles.

She ends the year with her two countdown wins and five final round appearances, a total of 25 career victories. The Vegas win was the 150th overall wins for females in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series history – and 51 final round appearances.

“To give your whole life to something, it’s been a really long road and it hasn’t been easy at all,” Enders said. “You persevere and you just never give up.

Erica Enders

The post Erica Enders wins Pro Stock World Championship appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

 “The really, really, really big news that we wanted to announce this [week] at SEMA that I’ll be the first Top Fuel team as the owner/driver and three women – women of power and really strong women – Ashley Fye will be my crew chief and Jenna Drake, formerly Jenna Haddock, will be my car chief.”

Audrey Worm, team owner

After becoming only the second female team owner in NHRA history after legendary Shirley Muldowney, Worm aims to make her 2020 campaign a historic first by featuring an all-female team.

“I am so excited to own my own team, and can’t wait for the 2020 season, where we hope to show the boys what girl power looks like.”

Audrey Worm, team owner

Crew Chief – Ashley Fye

Ashley Fye began her NHRA racing career as part of Scott Palmer’s Top Fuel operation. Learning the ropes on a small, growing team meant Ashley often had to assume many roles during the average race weekend.

Ashley’s background growing up in a machine shop meant she was already suited to the mechanical side of the sport. Initially, she intended to tackle team marketing but quickly shifted focus, realizing she is a much better fit on the technical side of the ropes.

She served as crew chief under Scott Palmer previously. The hands-on experience in all roles of a smaller fuel team that grew into a respected operation helped to mold and shape those skills.

“I grew up in a machine shop and have been a gear head my whole life.”

Ashley Fye

Most recently, she has been an asset on the Hirata Motorsports A-Fuel team and has also jumped in to aid on Terry McMillan’s Top Fuel team in Bristol previously.

For 2020, Ashley will take on the role of Crew Chief on Audrey Worm’s newly formed Top Fuel operation.

Car Chief – Jenna Drake

Taking on the car chief position will be fellow Top Fuel driver Jenna Drake (formerly Jenna Haddock). A former top fuel driver herself, Jenna has direct experience driving the car Audrey purchased.

Drake competed in 15 national events during her driving role during the 2014-2015 seasons. She notably scored an upset victory against veteran Tony Schumacher in 2014 for her first round win. Drake also earned one of the nominations for rookie of the year honors for her efforts.

2020 NHRA Schedule

The team has selected 9 NHRA events as their preliminary schedule with main sponsor, Strutmasters. Those events primarily focus on the eastern coast events. They hope to add to the schedule with expanding dates as more sponsorship is secured entering the season.

The post Audrey Worm expands team appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

The girls, aged between 11 and 14 years old, were invited from local secondary schools in the area to take part in a host of fun STEM skill building activities. The mission: for each to experience what a future career in automotive and motorsports could look like.

Hands-on for Motorsports

The students took on the ‘Pirelli Pit-Stop’ challenge, where they worked in teams as a pit crew would to change a wheel against the clock. Life saving techniques taught by Dare To Be Different Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Clare Morden, helped them understand resuscitation. Students learned about important emergency aid measures, including how to use a defibrillator.  

An exciting meet and greet session was arranged with leading female W Series racing driver Esmee Hawkey. This allowed the girls the opportunity to ask the Carrera Cup driver questions, get autographs and take all-important selfies with her Carrera Cup race car. 

Future Inspiration for Automotive Careers

The girls then enjoyed an in-depth tour of the Porsche Cars facility workshops and were given insight into Porsche’s electrification program and the future of mobility. 

Two of Porsche’s female personnel, Technician Charlotte Hargreaves and After Sales Manager, Louise Jenkins-Smith – spoke to the group of young ladies. Each offered valuable career advice and sharing their personal experiences as women in the field with the enthusiastic young audience.

We were delighted to host Dare To Be Different at Porsche Headquarters and our Centre in Reading yesterday. The girls were highly engaged in all of the activities and it was great to observe a real sense of excitement as well as a growth in confidence in all of them throughout the day.  Events like this are an absolute necessity if we are to encourage more females into automotive and I really hope that we have inspired and maybe even helped shape the future for one, two (or even more!) of the girls that were here.”

Alasdair Jakes, Porsche Retail Group

Dare to be Different

The Dare to Be Different organization was co-founded by retired veteran racer Susie Wolff and The Motor Sports Association, the governing body of motorsports in the UK. Upon retirement, Susie wanted a way to help drive female talent in the sport, which despite being performance based and not driven by gender, still sees few females with long term careers in the industry.

“First of all a huge thanks to Porsche for hosting our event at their superb HQ. It was wonderful for the girls to be able to get up close and personal with the road and race cars and have insight into the day-to-day workings of a manufacturer like Porsche. 

Susie Wolff, Dare To Be Different founder

The international initiative’s mission is to inspire, connect, showcase and develop women who either currently work in, or want to work in the motor sport arena. They work by organizing events and programs that foster STEM-based skill sets, and help introduce exciting career opportunities to interested girls.

We are working hard to improve the numbers but there is still a considerable shortage of women across many disciplines in automotive and motorsports. It’s up to us to show them at a young age what potential career opportunities exist, especially when they are making important life choices. My hope is that one day one of these girls will say, “I remember that day – it’s what made me want to be a mechanic/ designer/ sales manager or whatever it is she chooses for her future.”

Susie Wolff, Dare To Be Different founder

The post Daring to be Different with Porsche appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.

Record Setting Qualifying

Her winning weekend began in qualifying Friday night, when Force and her Advance Auto Parts team set the Top Fuel national speed record after running 338.17 mph in the second session. She now owns both ends (ET and MPH) of the national record in Top Fuel.

Force’s Friday qualifying pass reset the Vegas track record for ET at 3.659, positioning her as the provisional No. 1 position. She also earned bonus qualifying points as the quickest ET of session Q2, and 2nd quickest in sessions Q1 & Q4.

However, her provisional pole would not stand, as Leah Pritchett would reset the track record again in the final session, just five-thousandths of a second quicker with a 3.654. Brittany Force would enter eliminations in the No. 2 position.

Winning Vegas Eliminations

Beginning eliminations, Brittany Force opened race day with a commanding win against Pat Dakin, who lost traction early for only a 7.786-second pass against Force’s 3.689-second pass at 333.16 mph.

This would pair her against No. 10 qualified teammate Austin Prock for Round 2 eliminations. He held a 3-0 record against her in prior meetings. Prock would take the advantage at the starting line, but Force would reel him back in with a 3.709-second pass at 330.72 mph to his 3.732 at 331.69. The race was a close one, with the margin of victory at the finish just 13 inches or 0.0022 seconds.

The semifinals would prove to be the most pivotal overall in championship standings. All of the top 4 contenders remained – so the outcome of the semi final match ups would have big point implications. Brittany would watch Doug Kalitta, who sat ahead of her in the No. 2 points position, fall to the current points leader Steve Torrence.

She would then take lane choice against Steve’s dad Billy Torrence, the No. 4 in points. Brittany knew that a loss here could allow the father and son pair to take the top points positions entering the final race of the countdown.

With the pressure on, Force needed the Vegas win to move her ahead in the standings. Leaving the tree first, she stayed out front to beat Billy Torrence on a holeshot thanks to her .063-second reaction time on the tree and a 3.714-second pass at 329.99 mph. Torrence would run 3.710 at 332.10 with a .087 reaction time.

This meant Brittany was facing off with the reigning world champion and points leader, Steve Torrence, in the final round. Force and the Advance Auto Parts team would reclaim the Vegas track ET record, laying down the quickest pass of the event at 3.652-seconds, 334.73 mph to defeat Torrence’s 3.719 at 330.63.

“Las Vegas is a home track for me. I grew up out here racing super comp and A-fuel. I’ve always wanted to win here. This weekend has just been incredible for this Advance Auto Parts team. We have the record with mph, a 338. It’s incredible to hold that with the Advance Auto Parts boys. And we set the ET this year too. We’ve accomplished a lot but really what we’re going after is a championship together.”

Brittany Force

The win would mark the 10th career victory for Brittany Force, her first at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (she finished as runner up in 2017) and the second victory of the season.

Valuable Points win in Vegas

Winning Vegas moves the Advance Auto Parts team up to the No. 2 spot in the Mello Yello points standings. With just one race remaining in the countdown, Force trails leader Steve Torrence by just sixteen points.

“It’s a Vegas win, it’s a win in the Countdown which is huge and it moved this Advance Auto Parts team that much closer to the No. 1 spot so, this is a big win for our team. Like I said, it’s been since Houston since we’ve won so we’ve been out of the game for a little while but we’re turning a corner at the right time,” Force said. “We have Vegas and then we go right to Pomona. There’s one left and our minds are in the right place now.”

Brittany Force

Female Double up Win in Vegas

Brittany shared the podium this weekend with Pro Stock’s Erica Enders as well. Just moments before Force crossed the finish line, Enders took the Pro Stock win in Vegas, making her the 150th female win in the history of the sport. Brittany Force’s Vegas win made the 151st win for women in the NHRA.

“I always cheer the ladies on. There’s only a few of us out here and you know, Erica Enders, what she’s done for this sport, with two championships, I’ve always looked up to her. She’s incredible. She started in Jr. Dragsters. I remember watching her movie when it came out on Disney. Courtney and I would watch that thing over and over to get us pumped up before we’d go race in Super Comp, so to share the winner’s circle with her this weekend is pretty awesome. She’s a great friend, she’s an incredible driver and pretty cool that we did 150 and 151 today.”

Brittany Force

The post Brittany Force earns Vegas win appeared first on Horsepower & Heels.