Ashley Fiolek Wins First-Ever Professional Moto At AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Opener

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 31, 2008) – American Honda/Red Bull/Alpinestars’ Ashley Fiolek won the opening moto of the 2008 AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship Presented by Kawasaki at the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic. The win was Fiolek’s first of her professional career.

American Honda/Honda of Houston/Fox Racing Jessica Patterson took the Meterman Holeshot Award aboard her. Fiolek, who was making her professional debut, followed closely in turn one, but hit neutral, and crashed. Patterson, a five-time WMA champion, extended her lead for the next two laps before a slight bobble caused her to stall the bike. Team Green Kawasaki’s Tatum Sik capitalized on Patterson’s error, followed by Suzuki/Shift’s Sarah Whitmore and Zip Ty Racing’s Katie McGuire. Fiolek rebounded from her early misfortune to pursue in fifth.

While in the lead, Sik also found trouble on the challenging terrain, and allowed Whitmore and Fiolek to sneak by. Fiolek made the winning pass on lap five and proceeded to pull away over the final three laps of the eight-lap moto to capture the win.

“It feels just awesome. I really can’t believe it yet. I can’t wait to get back on the track tomorrow,” said Fiolek.

Whitmore brought home second, followed by McGuire, while Patterson rebounded for eighth.

The final moto of AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross takes place on Sunday, immediately following the first set of motos of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF.

AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship - Moto One

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda

2. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Suzuki

3. Katie McGuire, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha

4. Tatum Sik, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

5. Alisa Nix, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha

6. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Kawasaki

7. Seyaka Kaneshiro, Torrance, Calif. Suzuki

8. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda

9. Ayla Cabus, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha

10. Tarah Gieger, Vero Beach, Calif., Yamaha

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

About the National Promoters Group (NPG)

The National Promoters Group (NPG) comprises 12 individual promoters of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF which sanctions outdoor motocross events throughout the United States, and remains the Nation's premier outdoor motocross championship series. NPG's mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.