WMA Budds Creek Race Report
Bend, OR (June 16, 2007) – Round three of the AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship presented by Kawasaki was held this Saturday, June 16th at Budds Creek MX Park, Budds Creek, MD after a month break from the last National. American Honda/Honda of Houston/Bad Boy Power Drink’s Jessica Patterson continued her winning domination with another 1-1 sweep.
In moto one Fox Racing’s Jessica Patterson lined up on the inside gate and edged out Kawasaki Team Green/Thor rider Tania Satchwell for the Girlyz holeshot award. Satchwell kept pace with Patterson for a few laps. Yamaha/Etnies Girl rider Tarah Gieger had moved into third position early on in the moto and was followed by Zoolo/Fox Racing’s Mariana Balbi, Girlyz /Yamaha/Motoworld.com’s Sarah Whitmore, Girlyz/Toyota/Yamaha mounted Alisa Nix and Thor MX’s Vanessa Florentino. Gieger and Satchwell battled for several laps. Gieger finally made the pass that stuck on a down hill jump. Then Gieger began to chase down Patterson but Patterson’s lead was too great. Meanwhile Balbi and Whitmore trading places with Babli crossing the checkers in 4th and Whitmore, after having her spark plug cap come off, took 5th.
After the Men’s LCQ WMA moto two’s gate was dropped and again Patterson got the holeshot with Nix close behind. Nix passed Patterson on the first lap. Patterson didn’t accept that and passed her back. Nix continued to pressure Patterson for several laps but eventually her front wheel slid out in an inside corner and she was out of lead contention. Geiger had moved up and became Patterson’s next threat. Although Gieger gained ground on Patterson she couldn’t quite get close enough to make a move. Brazilian racer Mariana Balbi rode a solid 3rd to get her first podium of the season.
WMA amateur racing took place on Friday. Kasie Creson of California took honors in the Women’s class with Kimberly Kocher of Ohio in 2nd and Megan Cascio of Maryland in 3rd.. Jacqueline Strong’s knee injury kept her out of contention and now Creson leads the WMA Amateur Championship. In the girl’s class Kasie Curtis topped the podium with Amanda Brown in 2nd.
Top Ten Pro Results:
1 1 HON Jessica Patterson Tallahassee, FL 1-1
2 68 YAM Tarah Gieger Vero Beach, FL 2-2
3 5 HON Mariana Balbi Brazil 4-3
4 105 KAW Tania Satchwell Rancho Cucamonga, CA 3-7
5 33 KAW Elizabeth Bash Riverside, CA 7-4
6 75 HON Vanessa Florentino Edgewood, NM 6-6
7 2 YAM Alisa Nix Ukiah, CA 9-5
8 4 YAM Sarah Whitmore Cheboygan, MI 8-9
9 20 YAM Kirsten Raemisch Madison, WI 12-8
10 245 KAW Jessye Davis Sykesville, MD 8-12
Top Ten Points Standings
1. Jessica Patterson 150
2. Tarah Gieger 125
3. Alisa Nix 106
4. Elizabeth Bash 98
5. Mariana Balbi 95
6. Tania Satchwell 87
7. Sarah Whitmore 84
8. Vanessa Florentino 69
9. Leah E. Cantrell 52
10. Tatum Sik 49
WMA is sponsored by Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A, Girlyz Clothing Co, Honda Riders Club of America, Drill Tech Drilling, VP Fuels, Dunlop Tires, Polisport, Powermadd, Alpinestars, Hitachi, Thor MX Gear and ZLT Racing.
Next event: July 21st at Thunder Valley MX National, Lakewood, CO.
For additional information on race events and schedules, please visit www.wmaracing.comor www.womensmxassociation.com