WMA Championship Resumes at Thunder Valley MX - News - Dirt Rider Magazine

The AMA/WMA Pro Motocross National Championship will recommence at the upcoming Thunder Valley MX National in Lakewood, Colorado on July 23, 2005. It is still uncertain whether the current points leader, Jessica Patterson, will race due to an injury she recently sustained.This weekend's race comes after a long break in the WMA Pro Motocross National Championship schedule. The five-stop National Championship began at Glen Helen Raceway and saw Bluestarrmx.com's Tarah Gieger (Yam) with a 1-1 moto sweep, Sarah Whitmore (Yam) going 4-2, Stefy Bau going 3-3 (Hon), and Moto XXX Honda's Jessica Patterson, finishing 2-5. Round two took place the following weekend at the Hangtown MX National. Patterson came back strong with a 1-1 win, Gieger dropped down in points with a 6-5 finish, and Whitmore remained consistent with a 3-2 finish. Unfortunately for Bau, mechanical problems resulted in DNF-DNS.Coming into this round, Patterson is the points leader with 88 points, Whitmore is in second with 82, and Tarah is in third with 81. The question still remains; will Patterson be able to race?Patterson, who injured her collarbone during practice at the AMA Motocross Unadilla National this past weekend, is still hopeful about racing Thunder Valley. The two-time women's Pro National Champion was trying to qualify for her AMA Pro 250cc National. She posted some good lap times before crashing on the downhill sweeper. She traveled back to her hometown of Tallahassee to meet with her doctor for a final diagnosis. If Patterson is able to ride on Thursday, she will race this weekend.Either way, Whitmore and Geiger are both still in good position to take over the lead., 2001 Women's National Champion, Tania Satchwell (Yam), who currently lives in Lakewood, CO, will be a podium threat. Also newcomers Lindsey Jellito (Suz), of Falcon, CO and Casaundra Regal of Fowlerville, MI (Hon) will be racing their first WMA Pro National and are expected to place in the top 10.The WMA Pro Racers take the track at 2:30pm on Saturday for their first moto. Their second moto will be at the end of the day following the men's pro qualifiers.The WMA is sponsored by Hitachi, Z1R Helmets, Honda, Kawasaki, Scott, Dunlop Alpinestars, Sick Racing, VP Fuels, Thor MX, Mirage Trailers, Pro Clean, Ready Filter, Champion Wheel, Northwest Motorosports, and Northgate Auto.For More Information visit www.womensmxassociation.