Podcast 678: From the Archives - Carolynn Sells
Carolyn Sells made history in 2009 as the first woman to win a motorcycle race on the Isle of Man's legendary TT course, a feat that cemented her as a trailblazer in a sport long dominated by men. Her journey—from growing up alongside her racing father on the Isle of Man to overcoming a traumatic first race and a panic attack in her helmet—reveals a relentless spirit forged in adversity. What makes her story even more powerful is her ongoing commitment to the community: she now serves as a rider liaison, mentoring newcomers and ensuring the legacy of the Manx Grand Prix endures. Her victory wasn’t just about speed or skill; it was about defying systemic exclusion, including the TT organizers’ 1960s decision to revoke Beryl Swain’s license purely because she was a woman. Carolyn’s refusal to stop, even after being knocked out in her debut, and her bold decision to race without a pit stop—winning by over a minute—showcase not just physical courage but mental fortitude. Today, she’s a mother, a mentor, and a living symbol that the road isn’t just for the fastest, but for those who dare to keep going.
Carolyn Sells became the first woman to win a race on the Isle of Man TT course in 2009, ending a 20-year gap since women were first allowed to race.
She won the Manx Grand Prix ultra lightweight race on a modified FZR400, completing all four laps without a pit stop—rare in road racing.
Her first race ended in a crash and a panic attack due to claustrophobia in her helmet, but she returned the next day and raced anyway.
She rebuilt her VFR400 from scratch in her backyard, doing all the wrenching herself, including powder coating wheels and installing a Penske shock.
She now serves as a rider liaison for the Manx Grand Prix, helping new racers prepare for the course’s extreme challenges.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
A Retrospective Gem: Introducing Carolyn Sells
“I will be going to the Isle of Man TT and leading the Legacy Lap along with the other women of the Women Riders World Relay, and Carolyn will be joining us. So this is a bucket list event for me.”
The Legacy of Women in Isle of Man Racing
Carolyn recounts the exclusion of women from the TT and Manx Grand Prix, including Beryl Swain’s license being revoked in the 1960s and the first woman, Gloria Clark, only allowed to race in 1989.
Childhood on the Move: Racing Roots
Carolyn shares her childhood spent following her father’s racing career, including a 4-week European road trip on a 1950s Norton ES2 sidecar, which she hated at the time but now cherishes.
The First Ride and the Dream Begins
Carolyn describes her early motorcycle experiences—crashing into a greenhouse, riding on farms, and getting her first road bike at 16, including her beloved RD350LC.
The First Crash and the Panic Attack
“I was lying face down on the floor and I'm like, I can't breathe, I can't breathe. And they're pinning me down, going, no, don't get up. You've hurt yourself.”
“I completely stripped the 400 that I had, took it down to just the frame. Took the engine out, took everything out of it, took all the footrests off, the handlebars, everything.”
“You know, in circuit racing, nobody wants to tell anybody anything because they might do better than they do or they might nick their idea or they might fucking, you know, bounce them off the line on the circuit. But in road racing, it's different.”
“I could have stopped for a splash and dash on lap three. I could have stopped for a full pit stop on lap two because I won by over a minute and two seconds.”
Hosts
Guest
Carolyn Sells
person
Isle of Man
place
Manx Grand Prix
other
Yuri
person
Liza
person
Emma Darling
person
Naked Jim
person
Beryl Swain
person
Gloria Clark
person
Ken Haylock
person
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