'Scary’ Mary Perkins was both the only female member of the Crusty Demons as well as the world’s number one female freestyle motocross rider.
Mary first became involved with the Crusty Demons when she took part in the East Coast Carnage tour in 2006.
Residing in Papamoa on the east coast of the North Island, Mary was first introduced to a motorbike - a CT90 for riding around the family farm - at the age of 14. Four years later she began competing in motocross, and later moved into freestyle motocross.
Some of Mary’s motocross racing career highlights include: first place in the 2006 Tarawera100 four hour enduro race; second overall in the 2005 NZ Motocross Championship; first in both the 2004 and 2005 NZ four-stroke championship and; first in the 2004 Australia Stadium Cross.
In 2006, Mary also became the first female to complete an AJ Hackett bungy off Auckland’s Harbour Bridge aboard a motorbike. She also holds a current world record of completing the largest motorbike jump by a female at 159.4 feet.
In addition to Crusty Demons tours, Mary has also performed at a range of events and festivals including Big Boys Toys, Parachute Music Festival, Super 14 Rugby games, and in the USA.
In 2008 Mary sustained a career ending injury when breaking both her legs and spending 4 months in a wheelchair. This has left her legs too fragile to handle the impacts of FMX jumping.
Mary has now focused her career on her events business Encounter FMX, studying a counselling degree and growing a non-profit organisation Encounter Camps. She also regularly shares her life’s experiences with others through public speaking opportunities and is eager to influence youth to find purpose in their lives.