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AMA/WML Outdoor Motocross Championship Series Round 2: Hangtown Motocross Classic STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG KARCHER RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, MAY 19 n a repeat of last year's Hangtown round, German go-fast girl Stefi Laier rode as if her pants were on fire, against a field that included three current or former champions and many of the best women motocross riders in the world, and she swept both motos of this event, which was run in conjunction with round two of the AMA National Outdoor MX Series. But her win didn't come without some tense moments. When the gate dropped for moto one, 1999 champion Jessica Patterson moved quickly to the front, chased by the 2000 title holder, Stefy Bau. Laier went down in a first-turn tangle with Kaide Garrett. After getting up and calmly shaking the dirt out of her goggles, she restarted the KTM and rejoined the race, albeit now at the back. For the first half of the race, most eyes were on Patterson and Bau, and many failed to notice that Laier was quickly moving up through the field. Riding at a pace that was reportedly more than four seconds faster than that of the rest of the field, Laier slowly picked off riders and worked her way to the front. Bau had passed for the lead and Patterson was about to return the favor when she went down hard, reinjuring her ACL (which she had hurt the day before while racing in the Amateur class), though she did remount and finish the moto to salvage what points she could. This left Bau in control of the lead - or so it seemed. The seven-time Women's Italian National Champion was so surprised when Laier caught and passed her that they made brief contact over a jump. Laier went on to win f side. She hopes to come back to the United States in two years to ride the Supercross Series. Women's Motocross is finally beginning to get the attention of sponsors, manufacturers and the media. Television crews were on hand to film highlights of the WML Pro races at this event, to be shown as part of their coverage of the AMA/Chevy Trucks Motocross Championships. In addition, High Octane Sports (on the Fox Sport Network) filmed the fast women for an upcoming segment. Team Green Kawasaki provided a full semi support vehicle and crew to assist their Women's and Mini riders. AGPRacing.com, an outside industry sponsor, supports the two-rider team consisting of defending champion Tania Satchwell and Sarah Whitmore. Other sponsors both in- and outside the motorcycle industry are also providing support to the series, including Creative Nails, Honda, Dunlop, Scott, Bel-Ray, Alpinestars and Throttle Jockey. eN (Above) Stefl Laler swept both motos of the second round of the AMA-WML Outdoor Motocross Championship Series. (Right) Stefy Bau rode to second overall in Rancho Cordova, California, and now leads the points standings In the series. the first moto easily, with Bau second and defending champion Tania Satchwell third. The second moto resembled the first 125cc (men's Pro) race, in which James Stewart Jr. pulled the holeshot and proceeded to put several seconds per lap on the rest of the field. Perhaps fortunately for Patterson, the motos were held on subsequent days, which gave her knee about a day to heal a little. She never had a chance to challenge Laier for the lead, but she did manage to hold on to second, and although that wasn't enough for the podium, it was nonetheless a courageous performance, considering what she went through the previous two days. Bau rounded out the top three to secure second for the weekend and shore up her standing in the points. The defending champion, Satchwell, crashed hard, busting her throttle and frame in the process and leaving her in last place for the round. Observers noted that the racing in this series gets faster and the competition tougher every year. When they lined up in the starting gate this time, there were three current or former WML Champions. The series is truly becoming an international one, with riders from five different countries making up the top five finishers in the second moto. Keep an eye on 16-year-old Stefi Laier. The resident of Dielheim, Germany, has only been racing select races here in the United States for the last two years, and she has dominated those events. The KTM/Musch/UFO-sponsored rider first threw a leg over a bike 11 years ago and has been racing for the last four. Her father, Hubert, handles most of the tuning chores. Her goal is to be the best motocross rider she can be and to become one of the leading females in all motorsports. In 2001, she won all three WML rounds she entered, as well as the SML International Championship. For 2002, she is focused on her schooling and the German MX Championship, where she is currently sixth in points, but she is also riding select events state- Prairie City SVRA Rancho Cordova, California Results: May 19, 2002 [Round 21 O/A PRO: 1. Stefl Laier (KTM); 2. Stefy Beu (Hon); 3. Sareh Whitmore (Vam): 4. Vania Medrano (Hus); 5. Sheena Petterson (Suz); 6. Heidi Cooke (Hon); 7. Jecki Hudson (Hon); B. AJex HlIupt (Kaw); 9. Jessica Patterson (K8W); 10. Lynette Wosick (Yam); 11. Jessica Snyder (Yllm); 12. Johzmnll Mattsson (Yam); 13. Aubriane Dunn (Kaw); 14. Stephllnie Smith (YllIm); 15. Tifflllny Reed (KTM); 16. Heidi Henry (YllIm): 17. Bonnie WllIrch: 18. CllIrlll Chada (YllIm); 19. TllImrlll Madden (Suz): 20. KllIide Garret (Yam): 21. Emma Hlinna (TM); 22. Tlinia Satchwell (Yam). AM: I. MerrisllI Hampshire (Kaw); 2. Jessye Devis (Yem); 3. Keyle Olson (Suz); 4. Amber Ferley (Kaw); 5. Philo Petricig (Suz); 6. AJison Jones (Kewl; 7. Kimberly Kocher (Kew); 8. Crystel Ponsock Yern ; 9. Tiffeny Holtman (Yam); 10. TllInya Elbers (Suz). MINl: 1. Sherrie Cruse (YllIm): 2. Rory Megan (Hon); 3. Erikll Contreras (Kaw); 4. Crystlll uyton (Suz); 5. Jessica Perten (Yern). Jessica Patterson leads Bau off the start of moto one. cue I e n e _ S • JUNE 19, 2002 63