While women’s place in the world of motocross is not clearly defined, 2015 looks like it will be a year of changes. Already in 2014, Hannah Hodges impressed us with being the first girl to participate in the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas. On a super-mini, her 85cc Suzuki, she finished in 10th position behind 9 boys. This is quite an achievement, and especially wonderful progress for women in an overwhelmingly male sport.
United States
For 2015, the WMX series, Women Motocross Championship held in the United States, will have 8 rounds. In addition, the races will be held during major amateur events and even during professional events, such as the ‘‘Lucas Oil Motocross Championship’’ which is sanctioned by the AMA. This announcement is very positive for women athletes since they will probably be entitled to more visibility in the media, especially that the WMX is putting much more effort into its web site, www.racewmx.com, a site dedicated to women, their results and their profiles.
Women’s place in the world of motocross is taking on even more importance in the United States with the highly anticipated arrival of a woman in the Monster Energy Supercross. Yes, a woman!!! Vicky Golden will be (or is) the first woman to make an appearance on a 250 in the Eastern division. She is with the HRT team, Hanson Racing Team, on a 250 Suzuki. Vicky was the first woman to complete the ‘‘Ricky Carmichael Road to Supercross’’ which allows her to participate in the Monster Energy Supercross.
Canada
In Canada, the CMRC (Canadian Motosport Racing Corp.) handles the women’s Nationals. Since women are not sponsored as much as men are, and Canada is such a huge country, Canadian women are divided in two groups, East and West. This makes it easier to have more women participate. This year again, each division will have 3 rounds.
In the West, destinations remain the same, that is:
- Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloops, British Columbia
- The Wastelands in Nanaimo, British Columbia
- Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary, Alberta
In the East, the third destination is changed, while the other two stay the same:
- Gopher Dunes in Courtland, Ontario
- Sand Del Lee in Richmond, Ontario as well
- Motocross Ulverton in Ulverton, Québec
After having been held for several consecutive years at Motocross Deschambault in Québec, the third destination is changing over to Motocross Ulverton. Getting a part of the Women’s Championship will be a first for them, and they will also be hosting a round of the Rockstar Energy Pro Nationals Championship for a second consecutive year.
We may also see a woman in Canada reach the professional level and race with the men in the Rockstar Energy Nationals. We hope so, but a women’s class in the Nationals would be even better! Maybe someday, you never know! Of course, an increase in sponsorships for women would be an excellent first step, because in most cases, the money runs out and the girls give up.
So good luck, have a great racing season everyone and success in 2015, Braaap!
You will also like Prepping your motocross for the summer.
Photos:
WMX (Jordan Roberts)
cdnwmx.com
