AWMN in Profile: Bobbie “Stitch” Schluter

Racing Against the Odds

When you hear the whine of a ZX1000 roaring down the quarter-mile strip, you might not realise the rider tucked in behind the fairings has titanium rods running the length of her spine. You might not know she was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, and depression before her teenage years. You wouldn’t guess she had to give up a decade-long motocross dream due to double spinal fusion. But that’s exactly what makes Bobbie “Stitch” Schluter’s story so remarkable—because she’s never let any of it hold her back.

Born into a drag racing family with more than 30 years of history at the track, Bobbie was first hooked on two wheels at just four years old. Motocross was her world until a devastating crash changed everything. At 14, she dislocated a hip from the femur, fractured her eye socket, suffered a grade 3 concussion, and had to be airlifted from the track. It was the kind of crash that would end many careers—and it did. But the fire to race didn’t die; it simply changed lanes.

Told she needed spinal fusion surgery, Bobbie made the difficult decision to step away from motocross. But drag racing, which had always been close to home, stepped in to fill the gap. She jumped on a Junior Bike, quickly proving her natural talent. It didn’t take long for Bobbie to carve out her own path—not just as a rider, but as a role model.

Now 18, Bobbie races in the high-adrenaline world of Comp Bike, piloting a ZX1000 capable of running 9.000 seconds at over 153mph, nearly breaking into the elusive 8-second bracket. It’s a category built on national records and performance indexes—meaning every pass is a fight against history as much as it is against fellow racers.

And fight she has. Bobbie is already a two-time national MPH record holder in D/AB Comp Bike, a Winternationals champion in Junior Bike, and a runner-up in her rookie Comp Bike season at the Nitro Champs in Sydney. These are achievements hard-earned—not just through mechanical skill and track time, but through resilience in the face of adversity that few can truly comprehend.

Her nickname “Stitch” isn’t just a call sign—it’s a badge of honour, a nod to the titanium hardware that holds her back together and the grit that keeps her pushing forward. Where others might see disability, Bobbie sees opportunity. “I love doing what I do because I can be a role model to others like me—those who have both physical and mental disabilities,” she explains. “If you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. No matter how different you are or how many times you’ve been told you can’t do it.”

It’s a message that resonates far beyond the drag strip. Diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 14, Bobbie’s journey hasn’t been about ‘overcoming’ who she is, but embracing it—and showing others that it’s possible to chase greatness, regardless of what labels the world puts on you.

Support from friends and family has been crucial. “My friends love the fact that I race,” she says. “Especially knowing I have ASD and Tourette’s—they’re all very proud.” Her journey hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. Backed by Shark Leathers, 477 Garage, SL Fabrications, MJS Hair Beauty Barber, NGK Spark Plugs, and A Plus Automotive, Bobbie’s growing list of supporters reflects not just a talent behind the bars, but a personality worth backing.

And when she’s not suited up in race leathers? Bobbie’s volunteering trackside at Willowbank Raceway. She doesn’t need a certificate to contribute—she learns each position on the fly, making herself an integral part of the racing community on and off the track. Her presence at events is consistent, whether racing or officiating, and she travels far and wide for Comp Bike meets whenever they arise.

But the dream? It’s even bigger.

“No woman in Australia has ever gone Top Fuel Motorcycle,” Bobbie says matter-of-factly. “That’s my goal.” And with the tenacity she’s shown so far, you wouldn’t bet against her being the first.

She’s not chasing this dream alone either. Bobbie credits her mentor Luke Crowley for teaching her “everything I know” and takes every opportunity to thank her family, sponsors, and the friends who never stopped believing.

Bobbie “Stitch” Schluter is not just racing a ZX1000—she’s racing expectations, stigma, and a whole heap of obstacles that would have stopped a lesser person. But here she is, breaking records, building momentum, and sending a clear message: it’s not about what you’re born with—it’s about what you do with it.

And she’s just getting started.