WMA National Motocross Racing
Southwick, MA
August 23-24, 2008
Photos and words by Scott Lukaitis
For the first time in the series history the WMA National Motocross Championship came to the rough sands of Southwick. The ladies would do battle over the course of the weekend with moto one taking place Saturday afternoon and moto number two going off on Sunday morning.
Ashley Fiolek
Moto #1 saw the Red Bull Honda of current points leader Ashley Fiolek jump out to an early lead only to be passed by Bad Boy Energy drink sponsored and defending National Champion Jessica Patterson. Despite suffering from a recent wrist injury Fiolek rode a smart race keeping her points lead safe. As the Saturday afternoon sun was setting over Southwick Patterson would take the first moto victory followed by Fiolek, ZipTy Suzuki rider Sherri Cruse put her Suzuki in third while local rider Marissa Markelon and Sarah Whitmore rounded out the top five.
Patterson trails Fiolek in racing action.
The ladies second moto would take place on Sunday morning and again Fiolek jumped out to the early lead. This time she would hold off Patterson for several laps until the multi time champ Patterson made the pass and took the lead. Patterson would go on to take the moto and overall victory. Fiolek continued her steady pace and finished second with Cruse again rounding out the podium. Whitmore and Tarah Geiger rounded out the top 5.
Sarah Whitmore on the gas.
Fiolek goes into this weekend’s final round with a 28 point lead and could wrap up her first national title in the first moto with a victory over Patterson.
For more on WMA Racing visit their website at www.wmaracing.com
For more photos from the race click HERE
AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship (Moto Finish)
Motocross 338; Southwick, MA
1. Jessica Patterson (Honda) 1-1
2. Ashley Fiolek (Honda) 2-2
3. Sherri Cruse (Suzuki) 3-3
4. Sarah Whitmore (Suzuki) 5-4
5. Tarah Gieger (Yamaha) 6-5
6. Ayla Cabus (Yamaha) 9-7
7. Elizabeth Bash (Kawasaki) 8-8
8. April Zastrow (Honda) 12-9
9. Katelyn Crowley (Suzuki) 11-11
10. Marissa Markelon (Yamaha) 4-19
AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Points
1. Ashley Fiolek 231
2. Jessica Patterson 203
3. Sarah Whitmore 173
4. Sherri Cruse 160
5. Tarah Gieger 155
6. Mariana Balbi 134
7. Elizabeth Bash 113
8. Tatum Sik 110
9. Alisa Nix 105
10. Ayla Cabus 104
