Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar

Honoring the legendary motorcyclist, racer, fabricator, and TV personality

The news hit the motorcycle industry and community of women riders like a black sheet dropping over the sun. On August 27, 2019, well-known inspirational personality, racer, and metal fabricator, Jessi Combs, died when the jet-powered vehicle she was racing crashed in the Oregon desert while attempting to beat her own personal record of 483.2 mph. The North American Eagle project was developed to take a jet fighter and turn it into the fastest racing machine in history. The cause of the 56-foot-long car’s crash is still under investigation.

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar
Jessi Combs was just 39 years old when she passed away from the crash.

Jessi Combs is recognized as the “Fastest woman on four wheels,” an Ultra 4 National off-road Champion, and a Baja 1000 podium finisher. She used this recognition and her degree in custom automotive fabrication and builder skills to inspire people all over the world through appearances on TV shows such as All Girls Garage, Mythbusters, and Overhaulin’, and her own award-winning series, The List: 1001 Car Things To Do Before You Die. She ultimately met fellow fabricator, Theresa Contreras, at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show and together the two created IAmTheRealDeal.com to inspire more women (and men) to build their ideas, go fast, and get dirty.

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_Theresa Contreras
Theresa Contreras and Jessi Combs, co-creators of The Real Deal, partnered on a project to customize this 2016 R nineT. The award-winning finished bike was showcased at SEMA and IMS shows around the country, serving to inspire and motivate other girls (and men) to break stereotypes and “get dirty.”

As word continues to spread and heart-wrenching posts about Jessi on social media multiply, it is clear that she had a way of touching a lot of people throughout all walks of life.

In fact, the thread of this connection was felt deeply, inspiring Women Riders Now (WRN) Founder, Genevieve Schmitt and WRN’s Leadership Board Co-Chairwomen, Erin Sills and Sarah Schilke to share their own personal experiences with Jessi.

The Racer—The Inspirer

Erin Sills, a land speed racer and world record holder, had met the North American Eagle project founder and lead engineer, Ed Shadle, in land speed racing circles and even received an invitation to race in the very jet-powered vehicle Jessi Combs was driving when it crashed. Although she didn’t know Jessi personally, she considers her a hero and greatly respects the machines and her talent to ride and race them.

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_Instagram
One of Jessis last Instagram posts explains why Jessi was a superstar—she was willing to do what most people would never dream of.

Upon hearing of Jessis passing, Erin reflects, “For anyone who wants to understand what draws someone to an extreme sport like land speed racing, I’m reminded of the quip, ‘If I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand.’ That’s not at all meant to be rude, it’s meant to explain that it might not be explainable. Some of us are born with a strong forward gear. It’s an inability to sit still; a need to continually take on new challenges and the excitement of what challenges the next adventure may bring. We know we are putting our lives on the line, and we don’t take that lightly. We know we have friends and family who love us, and while they respect our skill, they still worry every time we put on our helmets. Our teams take absolutely every precaution to keep us safe because weve become a family in racing. We breathe rare air and are drawn together as a result.”

Erin continues, “I didn’t know Jessi personally, but I can imagine she was one of those people. My heart goes out to all who loved Jessi and to the family of the North American Eagle. Ride in peace, Jessi. We will carry the torch forward, sadder but undeterred as we continue following our passions.”

The Fabricator

Sarah met Jessi Combs at Revival Cycles in Austin, Texas, during its 2016 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show and approached her about doing a customization project on a BMW R nineT. “In my previous role in marketing at BMW, I knew that BMW had just started collaborating with high profile builders on select R nineT customization projects and I wanted the U.S. to be the first country to have a woman spearhead a custom R nineT. I knew of Jessi, so when I met her at the event, I took the opportunity to plant the seed.”

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_BMW
Jessi Combs and the land speed racer-inspired 2016 BMW R nineT.

“Jessi bit immediately at the opportunity and recruited Theresa to partner with her on the BMW R nineT Real Deal build,” recalls Sarah. “I was so excited, and the work of art they ultimately created took my breath away. It is the most striking and beautiful custom bike I have ever seen, and one of the projects I’m most proud of in my career.”

Theresa and Jessi had traditionally worked on V-twin category builds, and wanted to go a different direction for this unique bike. After presenting the concept to a few of their Real Deal gal pals at a Sturgis event, the idea for building a land speed bike was formulated. Specifically, the front fairing, the lamp grill, upgraded suspension, wide pegs, and eventually a nitrous oxide system provided added speed and stability, giving the bike homage to dry lake beds.

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_BMW custom build
Jessi and Theresa spent their days planning, grinding, shaping, welding, fastening, painting, polishing, and inspiring many along the way.
Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_custom BMW R nineT
The BMW R nineT build, like many of Jessi and Theresa’s projects, was intended to invoke a spirit of the Real Deal values—self-confidence, breaking stereotypes, healthy decisions, hands-on training, creative development, positive images, community involvement, and grabbing life by the balls.

The bike was unveiled at the SEMA show where Jessi and Theresa originally met. From there it toured with the International Motorcycle Shows with BMW where it won recognition in the Ultimate Builder Custom Show.

“I hope the Real Deal R nineT will continue to be in the public eye as an on-going remembrance of Jessi’s lovely, unique, and inspired spirit,” says Sarah. “Godspeed.”

The Faithful Woman

Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar_Sturgis
Genevieve first met Jessi Combs when they were both invited to share their views on women and motorcycling as part of the Biker Belles event panel discussion taking place during the 2012 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Genevieve says, “I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back God had me sandwiched between two faith-based women. That’s so God!” Laura Klock (to the right of Genevieve) is a motorcycle builder and influencer herself.
Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar)_Biker Belles
This photo of Genevieve and Jessi taken with the Tenacious Dames women’s motorcycle group from Miles City, Montana, at the 2019 Biker Belles event at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally happened moments after Genevieve finished giving Jessi God-focused advice about her life and her career. Jessi shared with Genevieve that being part of the women’s motorcycling community was something she very much enjoyed and was a nice balance to a career that focused mainly on cars and motorsports. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Kransky, center with badge.)

Genevieve would occasionally see Jessi during women’s motorcycling events. She recalls, “The few times I ran into and spoke with Jessi at these events, the topic of our brief conversations was about our shared faith. It warms my heart to know that she was a believer. When I think back on Jessi’s life, I understand why she was so well loved by those who knew her personally as well as those who knew her only from afar. Influence combined with humility. Wit combined with genuineness. Simplicity combined with beauty. Faith combined with love.”

A celebration of Jessi’s life is being planned and a foundation is being created to continue her efforts to empower women and young girls to follow their dreams.

Read more about Jessi on her website and social feeds:
JessiCombs.com
Instagram.com/thejessicombs
Facebook.com/JessiCombsOfficial

WRN readers: we invite you to share your memories of Jessi, and a photo if you have one, in the comments below. We know she touched so many people in all that she did.

3 thoughts on Jessi Combs: Reflections on the Life of the Powersports Superstar

  1. I will miss her hugs, her smile, and our wonderful conversations. This photo was a proud moment when she was Grand Marshall of Sturgis Rally 2017. XXOO. Rest in peace, sweet girl.

  2. An absolutely wonderful and inspiring article and I thank you Genevieve. Yourself, Jessi, and Laura, whom I have followed for many years on Facebook are truly a blessing for those young women looking for direction and encouragement in the field of building and racing—doing those things which have been traditionally a male passage.I am almost 66 and if I had to live my life over again, I would be trying my darnedest to be the best. I absolutely love motorcycles, muscle cars, and racing. Unfortunately, here in Australia, we are far behind you in the USA. We put down a woman who aspires to partake in a male dominated field… but it is changing. Thank you again for this fabulous article.

  3. Rest in peace, Jessi, and I hope there is an endless highway in heaven with no speed limit!How I wish I had met Jessi! I’m a self-taught auto and motorcycle mechanic. I started wrenching and showing cars in 1968. Tooled around in my Elva Courier, then my ’73 Vega which I customized, modified, and still have. Also my Mom’s ’68 327/350 modified Camaro, which I, ahem…raced… (sorry Ma!)I live, love, and breathe cars. Jessi, even though you are gone too soon, you are one heckuva role model for me!

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