Lake Stevens racer returns to Irby

IRBY-Jolene Janacek of Lake Stevens has been coming to Desert 100 for seven years.

Janacek is a street racer for Angry Possum Racing and was the Northwest Motorcycle Association poker run chairwoman this year.

She helped with the Ladies' beginner ride during the weekend and competed in the 50-mile event. Janacek placed 35th place out of 45 racers in her class.

"I had two bad wrecks that affected my time," Janaceck said. "The first one happened at the 45-minute mark."

She said a broken coolant line caused the first delay.

"I had coolant spraying all over," Janacek said. "Those guys out there were awesome and helped me."

The second wreck crushed her expansion chamber.

"Luckily, I had a screwdriver," Janacek said. "Another guy helped me bend the pipe back and zip-tie it."

Janacek said she was aiming for the three-hour mark, but it was slightly over due.

"I want to thank the Stumpjumper guys," Janacek said. "They allowed me to come on stage and speak before the ladies' race."

Janacek said that women helping women is one of her many passions and encourages new riders to attend the event.

"Anyone can come out," Janacek said. "Even if you're new, there's no judgment. We all want to ride."

Janacek said her travel partner was 16-year-old Rachel Janacek, who helped work the Northwest Motorcycle Association booth over the weekend and rode in the beginner ladies' race.