Results of the 2000
PRO-CLEAN Ladies British MX Invitational
August
19, 2000
Elsworth Moto Park, Camgridge - England
"What
inspired it?" someone asked.
It all started in January 1999 when Alan Wakely phoned
America asking, "Is this America?".
The number he had dialed led him to the home of Tami
(then Rice) Haase, long time motorcycle enthusiast and
advocate of the women's motocross promotions.
"Is this Tami Rice?" He asked.
"I would like to reach Tami Rice".
Alan had read about women's motocross in the States for
quite some time and wanted to bring his daughter Katie, then 6
time British Schoolgirl Champion, over to compete against
women races of her same ability.
Mr.
Wakely contacted Mrs. Haase for more information on the WML
aka U.S. Women's MX League. The WML is the only women's
organization in the States to provide venues for women on a
professional level, rank its' riders and have their Champ
recognized as the US Women's National Champion at the AMA
(American Motorcyclists Association) Awards Banquet.
These venues take place during a 5 event series run in
conjunction with the AMA Outdoor Nationals.
The AMA-WML National Series is well known worldwide.
For
the Wakely's, it only made sense that Katie would want to
travel the America and compete.
From the moment Katie's father phoned America, to the
minute they stepped off the plane, plans were underway to
secure the American sponsors necessary to insure a successful
racing trip for Katie.
TRPro.com
worked on securing sponsors such as Thousand Oaks
Yamaha/Kawasaki's, Jef Harriet, who provided Katie with a 99'
YZ125 to compete on during her trip.
Steve Marolda of Motowest.com provided the financial
support necessary, while White Bros also contributed.
Donna and Freddie Edwards of Perris Raceway welcomed
Katie as she practiced the week prior to Round #1 of the
AMA-WML Nationals at their track.
With
the great welcome and support from the Americans, the Wakely's
returned home in 1999, inspired to return the favor.
Eight years prior to this venue, Phil Holt established
a successful Women's International MX with a line up of
girls/women classes ranging from the Auto (Pee Wee) to Adult
levels. This event is currently run by the Portsmouth
SSC at Elsworth Moto Park in England.
The Wakely's inspiration and a well established event
led to the development of an International venue for women
called the 2000 Pro-Clean Ladies British MX Invitational.
Alan
Wakely and event coordinator, Elaine Watts, contracted with
TRPro.com to provide them with an Internet presence, develop
International awareness while drawing the American riders
needed to help make this event a success.
Mr. Wakely was responsible for providing the American
riders with bikes to compete on and host families to stay with
while touring England. Sponsors
included; Gary Colins and his Pro-Clean product, TRPro.com and
Perris Motorsports Association aka: America's Perris Raceway
for their financial contribution towards the TV coverage,
BIKESPORT Race Kits, Pope Racing, Tupperware, Broker Loan
Services, Phil Holt's Black Cat Carpets, MD Racing Products,
Pro-Grip, Mito UK, Poole Motorcycles, and John Gough.
With
110 participants from 10 countries (Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
Sweden, Isle of Man, Belgium, Holland, Italy, England and
USA), the event got off to a splendid start.
The Americans were a bit nervous however, as the vans
and race rigs began to roll in on Friday, the day before the
race in pouring down rain.
Had they traveled half way around the world to sit
under tents in the rain?
This is apparently a typical situation in England.
The pits continued to fill as families worked together
pitching their tents and race areas while preparing for the
tech inspection.
This
weekends venue was an all female event.
The BSMA and its' officials graciously worked together
to provide women with their once a year chance to be crowned
the "British Champion".
Kenny Kay from KVS Productions was on hand covering the
event for Sky Sports Television. Local newspapers sent
their photographers and writers in to cover the event as well.
Ray from ActionSport Photography was also on hand taking
action shots of all the riders.
Altogether,
there were 8 classes to include 3 blocks (motos) of racing
with ages ranging from 5 years to 45 years old all ready to
test their skills against riders of their age groups and
abilities.
The
AMX (Adult Motocross) class is equivalent to the 125 Pro class
in the States. This
class had a line up of 19 of the fastest ladies in the world.
Rachel Taylor took both holeshots in motos 1 & 2,
only to finish second to "Isle of Man's" Louise
Kennedy. Kennedy
went on the take the over all in the Pro class with three 1st
place wins. Kennedy,
who lives on an island on the West coast of England, Isle of
Man, plans to travel to America to compete against the well
know American riders later this year. The "A
Day in the Dirt" event will host the Women's Pro-Am
Grand Prix 2000 on November 26th
at Los Angeles County Raceway (LACR). This once a
year venue is geared around Hollywood and the View Finders
Grand Prix held in the 60's & 70's.
The exposure Kennedy receives in America will help her
secure the necessary sponsors she needs to return in 2001 and
compete in the WML International Cup.
Perhaps
the most exciting racing of the day was what is known as the
Senior class. These
riders range from 14 to 17 years of age.
In Europe, riders cannot race Pro until they are at
least 18. These
up and coming riders provided to have what it takes to race in
the Pro class. Elin
Mann from Sweden went on the challenge Katie Wakely, 7 time
British Schoolgirl Champion.
Mann won her first moto, but due to a poor start, place
2nd in moto #2, giving Wakely her well deserved
checkered. Mann
and Wakely diced it out in moto #3, as they both knew they
were up for the number one position.
Initially Mann got away well but was soon out-placed
and relegated to second by Wakely.
This was soon remedied though, and Mann claimed back
first position with awesome style.
Once in front, Mann went on to take the checkered flag,
with Wakely to follow in 2nd.
Plans
are underway for a return trip to England in 2001.
Organizers and riders alike know what it takes to put
on a top rated event. A
big thanks to Elaine Watts and Alan Wakely for organizing this
one and showing the world it can be done. To
the volunteers who came together to help out, thank you too.
To the riders and their families who traveled so far,
thank you for supporting our sport.
You are #1….
| Official Overall Results -
'00 PRO-CLEAN Ladies British MX Invitational
England |
||||||
 Louise Kennedy of Isle of Man grabs the hole shot in moto 1.
|
||||||
| Adult Motocross "AMX" 125 Pro Class | ||||||
| Rider | # | Bike | ||||
| 1. | Louise Kennedy | 8 | YZ | |||
| 2. | Rachel Taylor | 62 | YZ | |||
| 3. | Marie Ridley | 37 | KX | |||
| 4. | Emma Cooper | - | - | |||
| 5. | Christine Donavon | 14 | YZ | |||
| 6. | Louise Curtis | 54 | YZ | |||
| 7. | Anita Doran | 77 | YZ | |||
| 8. | Clare Wiltshire | 31 | CR | |||
| 9. | Jenny Holt | 11 | YZ | |||
| 10. | Rebecca Horton | 1 | RM | |||
| 11. | Emma Clack | 59 | YZ | |||
| 12. | Helen Morgan | 2 | KX | |||
| 13. | Charlotte Ashton | 30 | KX | |||
| 14. | Jayne Reeve | 80 | KX | |||
| 15. | Alex Berry | 68 | KX | |||
| 16. | Rachel Smith | 7 | RM | |||
| 17. | Louise Williamson | 48 | CR | |||
| 18. | Vittoria Amati | - | - | |||
| 19. | Kelly Williamson | 49 | RM | |||
Event Credit: Results provided by BSMA's Elaine Watts - England.
Photos provided by ActionSport
Photography.