Top Women Riders Vie For Top Spot in Women's MX Championship

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (May 18, 2007) – Two new events highlight the six-race 2008 AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross National Championship presented by Kawasaki. The 2007 champion, Jessica Patterson, guns for a stellar achievement as she looks for her fifth-straight title aboard her Fox/Bad Boy Energy Drink Honda. However, front runner Sarah Whitmore of Shift/Etnies Girls Suzuki and Etnies/Answer Racing/Red Bull/FMF Yamaha’s Tarah Gieger, last season’s runner-up, are ready to take the next step from race winners to championship contenders.

The WMA will once again accompany the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF, racing its first moto on Saturday and its second moto on Sunday following the AMA action with exception to Thunder Valley, where both motos will be run on Saturday. The WMA season kicks off at the oldest motocross circuit on the tour with the Hangtown Classic, helping celebrate the track’s 40th Anniversary. The tour then travels to the first of its two inaugural races at Freestone in Wortham, Tex. After supporting the first ever night race at Thunder Valley in Lakewood, Col., the schedule takes the series to Washougal, Wash. for round four. The 2008 season draws to a close over its final two weekends of action with its first ever event at Motocross 338 in Southwick, Mass. and concluding at Steel City in Delmont, Penn.

Patterson took the top step of the podium in four of the six races last season, including nine moto victories. Gieger finished on the podium in the first four rounds, boasting an overall victory on the strength of a second moto win at Thunder Valley, while Whitmore overcame a tough season to end on a high note, taking the top spot at the WMA season finale in Steel City.

A class of colorful rookies will provide an added level of competitive excitement, headed by the ultra-talented Ashley Fiolek, the first deaf competitor in professional motocross. Alongside, highly-successful amateur Jacqueline Strong joins the fray as the youngest competitor at just 15 years old.  Tatum Sik prepares for her first full season as a professional after a stellar showing at the WMA Cup.

Additionally, supporting sponsors Honda, Dunlop Tires, Alpinestars, Pink Box and Thor MX will help encourage the continued growth of the up and coming series.

Coverage of the AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross National Championship can be found online on the Racer X Motocross Show on www.motocross.com as well as www.wmaracing.com.

2008 AMA/WMA Women’s Motocross National Championship Schedule

May 31-June 1           Hangtown MX              Sacramento, Calif.

June 7-8                      Freestone MX              Wortham, Tex.

June 27-28                  Thunder Valley MX      Lakewood, Col.

July 26-27                    Washougal MX            Washougal, Wash.

August 23-24               Motocross 338            Southwick, Mass.

August 30-31               Steel City MX               Delmont, Penn.

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at Media@MXNationals.com or by phone at 951-203-2605.

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

Credential requests for each round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF must be submitted via email to Media@MXNationals.com three weeks prior to the race. Media members interested in interviews with the riders of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF should contact Brandon at 951-203-2605 or email Media@MXNationals.com.