The idea was to create multiple classes for women to race in where they could not only race their gender, but their skill, their bike size, and their own age group. We ended up with 15 different classes for the girls/women to race.

In general, things have gotten better for women’s racing. There’s a series in Canada, there’s now the FIM Women’s World Cup, there’s more opportunities on a local and amateur level, better class structure, better contingency, more women racers I think we have directly or indirectly influenced this.

Most recently, the WMA has been instrumental in getting Women’s Moto X included in ESPN’s X Games, as a medal event, for the first time in the history of the sport. Being part of the X Games is a huge step for women’s motocross. ESPN is a marketing machine and has been getting the word out about Women’s MX. Recently they saw that Jessica Patterson was included in the nomination for an ESPY Award for Best Female Action Sports Athlete for winning the WMA Championship in 2007.

Do you feel they are getting better?
Absolutely. As I mentioned the opportunities for women of all levels of skill to race have really increased. The top professional women are now making a living from racing sponsorship. They aren’t receiving factory rides and salaries in the U.S. yet but it is getting better. Also, it seems that the NPG and AMA are trying to integrate the women more into the nationals and our program there just continues to improve.

What is your immediate vision for the WMA?
Making the most of our championship this year. Continuing to improve the conditions for the women racers and demonstrate our value. Additionally, I am very focused on the X Games and the opportunity we have there to show our sport (women’s mx) to a much larger audience on live ABC television. The WMA racers competing in the X Games are very focused and committed to representing our sport to the best of their abilities.

Where do you see the WMA five years from now?
I hope to see us fully integrated into the Nationals. Equal practice time, timed qualifiers, and so forth. I think that if we had timed qualifiers and more exposure, more top women racers would come out to race.

There are a lot of talented women that just can’t afford to attempt the Nationals, so I am hoping that support continues to grow. I see more opportunities like X Games and possibly an indoor series for the pro women.

What do you need to make all of these things happen?
A little time and more vocalized support for the motocross industry. Again, I feel like the NPG and people like Davey Coombs are really making an effort to give the women a better platform to showcase their talents. I really feel now that the play is set in motion.

How can the women MXers help?
By being positive role models and showing an interest in women’s pro motocross. Watch the shows on motocross.com, Speed Channel, and tune into the Women’s Moto X on ABC, come to the races as fans and show your support, if you see an article you like on women’s motocross write a letter to the editor, or maybe race the WMA Cup, you know, strength in numbers.

When I arrived at the autograph session there were already some girls (riders) there... that was most impressive considering they probably were all teenagers. They were already signing some hats and shirts, and having a general good time interacting with the fans before the session began... I noticed  that I never saw Jessica Patterson or Tarah Geiger. These 2 riders are your showcase talent and have been for many years. I would have thought that they would have been the first ones there and the last ones to leave....
The WMA is fortunate to have some of the best fans and most of the riders see the autograph signing session as a really positive experience and a great way to connect with their fans, but it is not mandatory that the women attend. Of course, sometimes at the Nationals, schedules are hectic and there are more and more demands on the top racers – plus, often times our WMA paddock is at a more remote location than is optimal and we hold our WMA autograph sessions right in the middle of vendor row at the busiest time of the day.  Usually we have close to, if not, 100% participation at the sessions.  I believe Geiger showed up late due to a sponsor commitment with FMF.

It’s common knowledge that every year the professional women of the WMA race against the amateur women at Loretta Lynn's for an Amateur National Title. How do you feel about that ?

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