Woman Attempting Motorcycle World Record Will Make a Pit Stop in Brookfield on June 23

[VALENCIA, California—June 21, 2016] Deena Mastracci never says no to a new challenge. Refusing to be outdone by her fiancé, professional endurance driver Carl Reese (who set the fastest time on a motorcycle from Los Angeles to New York), Mastracci decided to set her own long distance motorcycle record; but first, she needed a motorcycle license, no easy feat in itself.

Her cross-country trip of 9,000-plus miles began June 1 in Santa Clarita, California, where she left the California Department of Motor Vehicles and escaped the gridlock of Los Angeles County freeways only to face the wilds of Alaska and the far reaches of the Arctic Circle. Facing some of the world’s most challenging terrain and extreme weather, Mastracci navigated the wilderness of Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada before crossing back into the lower 48 states.

After traversing Colorado and en route to a finish in Pennsylvania, Mastracci will make a pit stop at MAX BMW Motorcyles’ Brookfield location, where she and Reese are scheduled to arrive between 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. MAX BMW is located at 465 Federal Road, Brookfield, Ct.

Followers can track Mastracci’s progress with live GPS vehicle tracking provided by GPS Insight, a technology leader in fleet tracking software. Mastracci’s live map is available on carlreese.net, and additional updates of her journey will be posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Mastracci’s very first motorcycle ride will not only be an attempt to set a record for “Longest
Distance Traveled by a New Motorcycle Licensee,” but is also a way to bring attention to the work of the Motorcycle Relief Project, a nonprofit charity that helps veterans with PTSD and other injuries. The group arranges multi-day motorcycle tours and other activities and also offers counseling for veterans in an effort to decrease suicides. Additionally, Mastracci hopes her ride will inspire other women who may feel intimidated by driving a motorcycle.

No stranger to setting records, Mastracci (together with Reese and Rodney Hawk) already holds a Guinness World Record for the “Shortest Charging Time Cross-Country Trip in an Electric Vehicle” and as part of Carl Reese’s driving team, has helped set records for the “Fastest Time for Crossing the USA in an Electric Vehicle (EV)” and for a “Double Transcontinental Trip (LA-NYC-LA).” She holds a total of five other independent EV records all set with a Tesla P85 D. For this record attempt, Mastracci will be riding a used F800GT BMW motorcycle purchased at West Valley Cycle Sales in Los Angeles, CA, the oldest BMW Motorrad Dealer in the United States.

Whether as a couple or individually, Mastracci says she and Reese are always seeking to accomplish new driving feats. That’s why when Mastracci rolled-out from the Department of Motor Vehicles, she had no prior on-road experience other than that gained during a one day class at Streetmasters Motorcycle Workshops—on a closed racetrack—as part of her preparation for her motorcycle test.

Mastracci will submit her accomplishment to Guinness Book of World Records for verification. As a safety precaution, Reese will follow Mastracci on her journey on a separate motorcycle.

Regarding her motivation for the ride, Mastracci says, “I am taking on this challenge to show women, veterans, or anyone intimidated by something new that the best way to overcome that fear is to drive through it. It is empowering and freeing to accomplish something that seems impossible, and with each new adventure and record attained, I am energized to take on another.”

Deena Mastracci’s Maiden Motorcycle Ride is sponsored by GPS Insight, First Gear, National Cycle, Clearwater Lights, EarthX Batteries, Streetmasters Motorcycle Workshops and Dillon Optics.

For more OPERATIONAL INFORMATION about this record-breaking trip, contact Carl Reese at carl.reese@mac.com. Please direct all MEDIA inquiries to Kathy Walsh at 410-420-2001 or by email at kathy.walsh@fallstongroup.com.