What dumb luck to have the largest women’s motocross race in history taking place in our very own backyard! Yes indeedy, the Cycle Ranch in Floresville, Texas, hosted the 2006 Z1R Helmet WMA Cup over the past Thanksgiving holiday weekend. And what better way to wrap up a usually lackadaisical time with the relatives, than to surround yourself with the chainsaw-like buzz of a dirt bike rattling your brain while hiking over fenced obstacles of red dirt just to catch a glimpse of one. For these first-timers it was sheer exhilaration!

The single day we spent at the Cycle Ranch somehow changed us. We met the friendliest, most uninhibited (in a good way) people – the very folks who eat, breathe and live the MX life. People like WMA President, Miki Keller, who is responsible for putting women’s MX on the publicity map with coverage in mainstream and motocross media, as well as a long list of other major feats such as increasing the number of female riders to the sport. We also met   Train2Ride instructor, Tami Rice, who has the energy and spunk of a teenager. She also helped pioneer females MX as one of the first members on the US Suzuki Racing Team in the late 80s; early 90s. With nearly 40 years of dirt bike experience under her belt, Tami remains an active racer in vintage motocross during the AHRMA National and motocross events as the WMA.

Miki and Tami weren't at the event just for business, nope. Every year they have a friendly rivalry to settle on the dirt. A day before our interview, Miki and Tami had a ball competing in the annual Vet Class series (we'll leave you hanging on who won this year's bragg'n rights). Don't let the title "Vet" fool you though, because the criteria for this race consists of females ages 25 and older.  That's right, the majority of the Women’s Pro Racers are well, teenagers!  No doubt you'd have to be with the rigorous, physical demands on the physique these gals endure during daily practice necessary just to stay competitive.

At age 19, Angela Keith (pictured below) has already been racing for over six years. She recently rejoined the MX circuit after a fractured elbow and shoulder injury sidelined her for two years. Getting back on track has it's hurdles too. "I practice at least three times a week (and work out every morning), but it's tough fitting school, work and motocross all in," she states. Angela hopes that all of her hard work and dedication will move her up in rank so that potential sponsors will take notice, which would help ease the cost associated with the sport.

And just like all pro sports, an MX sponsorship would help open the door for a real shot at racing stardom. Not surprisingly, their are many big-name companies that support the WMA, but it's the smaller companies such as Girlyz Clothing Co. that have really put their company behind these girls, providing a $10,000 pro purse* -- the largest of the year -- for the winner of this event. We spoke to Shasta Johnson, Vice President of Girlyz, about Girylz commitment to female racers and her new role with the company. Shasta notes that the recent merge between Sick Racing (the company she founded in 2002) with Girlyz has been beneficial in  elevating the company to new, exciting heights, including the ability to sponsor more racers and attend more venues. Pictured below, a check for $250 made to Jessica Patterson (who also took home the 10K that day) for getting the "holeshot."

No matter the broad range of age, experience or rank, it’s evident that the females who participate in this sport are fierce athletes. Dirt Goddesses. The day proved so inspiring to us, that we have pledged to try it out, of course with the assistance of a professional and new-found friend, Tami Rice. Who knows, maybe two new names will be added to that WMA Vet Class race next year? Stay tuned for that adventure.

 

 

 * Correction 1/10/07: The pro purse at the Cup was posted partially by the title sponsor Z1R Helmets and the rest by the WMA.