World First for Scary Mary

Papamoa’s “Scary” Mary Perkins is the first woman in history to tour with freestyle motocross legends the Crusty Demons. The 24-year-old is currently the world’s number one female freestyler and holds the record for the longest ramp jump by a woman. “Some of the guys were probably a bit sceptical when I first came along but I think I’ve slotted in well and I just went out and did my thing. I’m not in it for them, I’m in it for me,” said Perkins in the Bay of Plenty Times. The Crusty Demons have just wrapped up their six-stop Kiwi Carnage tour, which has seen them perform before more than 70,000 NZ fans. Next up for Perkins is an attempt to crack the more lucrative US market. “It’s something different and I’m keen to break into the scene, which is pretty big over there,” she says. “It’s not major money – I won’t be getting rich and retiring – but I’m not complaining. I’m doing what I love.”