Debbie Kalsow

Debra Lynn Kalsow (b. January 23, 1968 from Lansing, Michigan U.S.) was an American amateur "Old School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years were from 1981 to 1985.

Racing career milestones

Note: Professional first are on the national level unless otherwise indicated.

Started racing: At age 11 in 1979. She persuaded her reluctant father to let her race like her brother Dennis "Digger" Kalsow.

Sanctioning body:

First race result:

First win (local):

Home sanctioning Body district(s): National Bicycle Association (NBA) District "A" (Arizona) 1979–1981;American Bicycle Association (ABA) Arizona-1 (AZ-1) 1979–1985.

First sponsor: East Langsing Cycle Shop 1979.

First National race result: Third place at a National Bicycle League (NBL) in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 4, 1979. Unlike other forms of bicycle racing, BMX racing involves pulling up on the handlebars to generate torque in aiding the legs in accelerating the bicycle out of the starting gate, lifting the front wheel over moguls and wheelieing out of turns. Appropriately accelerating out of turns is called "Pulling", a slang term created by Pro racer Ronnie Anderson.

Racing habits and traits

Post BMX career

Inducted In to the BMX National Hall of Fame

Miscellaneous Debbi's father Denny Kalsow was an ABA track operator of the Chandler Jaycees track in Chandler, Arizona, the ABA's home track. until 1984 when he transferred the track's sanction to the United States Bicycle Motocross Association (USBA). Debbi's brother Dennis "Digger" Kalsow was a respected racer in his own right. Debbi was one of the female racers who advocated and lobbied the ABA for the girls to have their own separate points ranking and National No.1 plate.

BMX press magazine interviews and articles "CW'S #1 Girl" ABA Action April 1983 Vol.6 No.4 pg.18 "Debbi Kalsow" Bicycles and Dirt July 1983 Vol.1 No.10 pg.54

BMX magazine covers

Note: Only magazines that were in publication at the time of the racer's career(s) are listed unless specifically noted.

Bicycle Motocross News: None Minicycle/BMX Action & Super BMX: None Bicycle Motocross Action & Go: None BMX Plus!: None Total BMX:

Bicycles and Dirt:

NBA World & NBmxA World (The official NBA/NBmxA membership publication):

Bicycles Today & BMX Today (the official NBL membership publication with one name change):

ABA Action, American BMX'er, BMXer (the official ABA membership publication with two name changes): April 1983 Vol.6 No.4 standing with Brent Patterson, Steve Veltman, Robert Fehd, and Greg Hill (ABAA).

USBA Racer (the official USBA membership publication):