As the father with 4 Girls in the family this racing new sparked my interest and since the whole family rides( we know little Isabella will too before we know it!).
Check out this article about Elena Myers 16, the youngest girl to win a Pro Race in the AMA. Just like I always say to my girls, you can do anything boys do. Let me know what you think
Elena Myers, 16, becomes first female to win in AMA Pro Racing`
By Curtis Pashelka
Posted: 05/15/2010 09:38:35 PM PDT
SONOMA — Discovery Bay's Elena Myers made American professional motorcycle racing history Saturday afternoon.
It just didn't happen quite the way she had envisioned.
Myers, who at 16 is the youngest rider competing in this weekend's West Coast Moto Jam, became the first female to win an AMA Pro Racing event in the circuit's 77-year history as she captured a shortened Pro SuperSport race at Infineon Raceway.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," said an emotional Myers, who was too young to practice at the Sonoma County road course last year at this time. "I'm in another world right now."
Myers was leading Joey Pascarella during the ninth lap of the 18-lap race when Pascarella lost control of his bike and flipped going into Turn 10.
Myers came around and crossed the finish line first as the race's second red flag was brought out to halt the event. After a five-minute delay, Myers was declared the winner, as AMA officials concluded that cleaning up the track and continuing the race would have put the afternoon's program too far behind schedule.
A jubilant Myers then wheeled her bike into the winner's circle, surrounded by friends and family, and was given a loud ovation when she was brought up to the stage and handed the first-place trophy.
"I don't know what to say. It's an amazing moment," said Matt Myers, Elena's dad. "I'm just happy some luck went our way this time. It feels good."
Elena Myers had been suffering from pain in her left foot earlier this week but received shots of lidocaine and cortisone Saturday morning into the nerve that was bothering her to get ready for the race.
She qualified eighth but moved to fifth on the first lap. She held that position until the seventh lap when Jake Gagne slid off the track and went down on Turn 9 to bring out a red flag.
Myers started fourth when the race resumed and moved up to third after the first two turns. She passed Tyler O'Hara for second on Turn 8 of the eighth lap and held that position as she began the ninth lap. She fought off a challenge from Cameron Beaubier for second and then passed Pascarella entering Turn 7 on the ninth lap.
Myers had envisioned that her first AMA win would entail taking the checkered flag after a wire-to-wire performance. But history had other ideas.
"I just kept (Beaubier) behind me and kept pushing, and I thought I could catch up to Joey," said Myers, who officially won by .338 seconds over Beaubier. "I passed him (Pascarella), and I thought, 'I'm in the lead now.' It was the craziest thing."
This is Myers' first season in the Pro SuperSport class, which is designed for riders between ages16 and 21. Riders need to be at least 16 to practice or compete at Infineon, so Myers had previously taken only a few laps before this month at what she considers her home course.
"I think it's huge for the sport," said Petaluma's O'Hara, who finished third. "I think Elena just broke the barrier as far as a woman on a motorcycle at the top level. I'm proud of her."
