VIR Co-Owner has Ride of Lifetime

John Ulrich, Connie Nyholm, and Chris Ulrich

Connie Nyholm, co-owner of Virginia International Raceway, is well-known as a risk-taker. She is a highly- successful commercial real estate developer and along with partner Harvey Seigel, has resurrected VIR into one of the premier motorsports facilities in the country. But her risk-taking is certainly not limited to her business life.

During the 2nd annual VIR Lightning Nationals held in August, the 3.27-mile road course hosted the top motorcycle road racers in the country. Nyholm, who does ride a street bike of her own, had often marveled at the skills and fearlessness of the motorcycle road racers who often compete at the track.

"They are indeed so exciting to watch and I have to admit that every time I saw them out there, I just felt a need to experience that type of racing," Nyholm said. On the first day of the three-day AMA ProRacing-sanctioned event, Nyholm got her opportunity.

John Ulrich, publisher of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology and owner of Team Valvoline EMGO Suzuki, asked the brave-hearted Nyholm if she wanted to go out for a few "hot laps," riding on the back of one of his race team's bikes and piloted by his own son, road racer Chris Ulrich. Without hesitation and with her trademark huge smile, she accepted.

After donning a full set of leathers, boots, gloves, and helmet provided by Marietta Motorsports, Nyholm took several laps on the back of Ulrich's Suzuki, reaching speeds in the 140+ miles per hour range along the front stretch.

"Wayyy cooolll!" was Nyholm's first comment after the bike stopped on pit road. "It gives me a whole new respect for what this folks do.It's like a whole new world out there."

Asked if she would ever do such a thing again, Nyholm replied quickly, "I want to go back out now!"