Thursday, May 9

On The Air

Press Release

The Women's Motocross League (WML) announced today that they will be working with AMA Pro Racing to showcase highlights from a number of the WML Outdoor Motocross Championship Series events as part of the ESPN telecast of the AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championships.

"We are excited we will be able to show some footage of women's racing this year, said John Farris, Vice President of Commercial Development for AMA Pro Racing. We believe the women's race will create added interest among television viewers and we are happy to be able to recognize these riders for their efforts."

WML President Miki Keller said, "We are thrilled that the women will be receiving increased exposure for their racing this season. There are some really interesting and talented riders on the circuit and some viewers may be unaware women race motocross. This coverage is a way of creating heroes for tomorrow's champions and new opportunities for women racers. We look forward to working with AMA Pro Racing, the National Promoters Group and the producersto create some great entertainment this summer."

The women compete on 125cc motocross bikes on the same course as the men. The women's second pro moto will run following the morning men's qualifying events and prior to the afternoon main event finals on Sunday.

The 2002 WML Pro series schedule is as follows:

Round # 1 May 11 -12 Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA
Round # 2 May 18 - 19 Hangtown MX, Sacramento, CA
Round # 3 June 15 - 16 Budds Creek MX, Budds Creek, MD
Round # 4 July 27 - 28 Washougal MX, Washougal, WA
Round # 5 Aug. 15 ­18 Spring Creek MX, Millville, MN
Round # 6 Aug. 24 - 25 Broome-Tioga Sports Center, Binghamton, NY
Round # 7 Aug. 31 -Sept.1 Steel City Raceway, Delmont, PA

First Airdate:

AMA MOTOCROSS (250 CC) 05/18/02 SAT 3:00P Replay: 05/24/02 FRI 03:30A
AMA MOTOCROSS (125CC) 05/19/02 SUN 11:00P Replay: 05/24/02 FRI 01:30A

There are many talented women racing the WML Series with one of the most anticipated battles of the season being between 2001 WML Pro Champion Tania Satchwell (AGP Racing/Yamaha/Answer), a 22-year-old from Taupo, New Zealand, and 2000 WML Pro Champion, Jessica Patterson (Kawasaki/Creative Nail/Fox), a 19-year-old from Tallahassee, Florida. Jessica was out with a broken femur for the entire 2001 season and Tania was out with a broken navicular bone the year before. 2002 will be their first head-to-head WML Championship racing. Both have their sights set on winning the title and being the first to win the WML Pro Championship two times. Other hopefuls for the title are 1999 WML Pro Champion Stefy Bau (V3/Honda/UFO), a 24-year-old from Milan, Italy; WML National # 3 Sheena Patterson (Concord Motorsports, Suzuki, Thor) a 19-year-old from Dublin, CA; and WML National # 4 Sarah Whitmore (AGP Racing/Yamaha/Answer) a 17 year-old from Cheboygan, MI.

At all the events, the WML will be hosting an autograph signing at Dunlop Tires in the pro pit area in the paddock, from 10:30 am ­ 11:30 am on Sunday.

For event information visit www.mxnationals.com, for television information www.usmotocross.com, and for womenıs racing information visit www.womensmxleague.com