Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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CN III ARCHIVES BY LARRY LAWRENCE M aybe it was because she was Miss Camel during the heyday of the AMA Grand National Championship, or perhaps because she served in that ca- pacity longer than others, or she was by all accounts the most outgoing and friendly of the Miss Camels, whatever the reason, when long-time race fans think about Miss Camel (and later Miss Win- ston), Lynn Griffis is the one that comes to mind. Griffis, who has since changed her name to Grif Griffis, looks back fondly at her years of helping promote motorcy- cle racing and was surprised to find that racers and racing fans of the era remem- bered her so fondly, that they were anx- ious to bring her back and honor her in some way. She finally had an opportunity to reunite with some of her friends in the motorcycle industry this past October, when she was invited as a guest to the Barber Vintage Festival. Griffis is a Southern girl, born in Alabama and spent time growing up in Georgia and Mississippi. She began modeling at 19 and was a three-year veteran representing RJR in auto racing when she came to the AMA's Camel Pro Series in 1975. She would stay with the Grand National series for six years, getting to know many of the riders and their families and coming to the events early to help pro- mote the races. With tobacco money it was perhaps the most lucrative period in the championship and a time when crowds were at their peak as well. Griffis said it was the friendly family atmosphere in the pits of AMA races that made her feel so comfortable. "Family was so important to me and everyone on the motorcycle racing circuit were so down home and friendly," Griffis recalls. "It seemed natural and easy to get to know everyone and become a part of the family. I grew up with three brothers, so it was like hanging out with my brothers. I gravitate towards friendly people who like to have a good time and that defi- nitely described that group (of racers) during that time (Griffis laughs). It was the perfect segue from leaving Alabama to enter this crazy world of the racing circuit. It was such a fun time. Everything was exciting, new and dear to my heart." While many fans who only saw Griffis at the race perhaps viewed her as something of a glori- fied trophy girl, her involvement went much deep- er than passing out the trophies at the end of the night and giving the winner a kiss. RJR put Griffis to work, helping to promote the races. She would come in early for most events and attend pre-race media functions. THE MOST MEMORABLE MISS CAMEL P92