Courtesy of Blogs.DirtRider.com
IRVINE, Calif., (Aug. 11, 2010) – As if GEICO AMA EnduroCross, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, isn’t tough enough – think if you showed up to race and ended up getting smoked by chick!
That’s entirely possible this weekend given Oklahoma’s Kerrie Swartz has signed up to contest the Amateur Open class at Guthrie’s (Okla.) Lazy E Arena on Saturday, Aug. 14th.
“Given the rough and rugged nature of GEICO EnduroCross we don’t usually get women competitors. In fact, it’s quite rare,” said Mike Karsting VP of Events for Source Interlink Media. “However, when we do have a woman sign up she’s usually pretty darn good.”
And such is the case of Swartz. The 33-year-old mother and professional ICU nurse picked up on the thrill of dirt bikes a little over a decade ago and has been WFO on the Oklahoma and Texas enduro scenes ever since.
“We eat, sleep and breathe dirt bikes,” said Swartz, whose son, Alex, and husband, Allan, both race as well. “We’re all seriously addicted!”
Admittedly, Swartz points out that you won’t see a lot of 1st place finishes on her race resume. The reason? “I ride a lot with the guys,” she says. Still, Swartz’ efforts caught the eye of the AMA’s International Six Days Enduro selection committee and Swartz was tabbed as a 2010 team member to compete for the United States when the 85th annual ISDE comes together in Morelia, Mexico (Nov. 1-6).
“It’s been a dream of mine to compete in the ISDE and an honor to be selected to represent the United States in Mexico this year,” said Swartz.
First things first, though, as this weekend Swartz will face a uniquely tough event in its own right – GEICO EnduroCross at Guthrie’s Lazy E Arena. Swartz is pumped for sure, but also cautiously optimistic regarding her chances in her first-ever EnduroCross at placing well in the all-male Amateur Open field.
“I think I’ll be alright, just try to ride clean,” says Swartz in a guarded tone. “My husband’s raced EnduroCross, so I’m familiar with it. I do a lot with log crossings and that, but that Matrix has me a bit worried. And the rocks in the corners – man, I wish I could just ‘Taddy Blazusiak’ that!.”
To check out more on Kerrie Swartz, hit up her website at: http://www.kerrieswartz.com/
EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole … and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. With its excitement and unpredictability the EnduroCross championship has always gone down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live.”
ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of Source Interlink Magazines, LLC.
For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sourceinterlink.com.
For TV airing dates/times visit www.motorsportshour.com
Related Articles
Share
About Author
Introducing She Devil Racing
I was under the thought that Susan (Roush) Mc Clenagahan was compaingi
Sad Day in Motorsports
That's what happens when you let a woman with no interest in racing pr
NASCAR's First Black Woman Driver Talks Race & Racing
And 90% of the official photos she's in are all sexed up. Even when sh
What Type of Male Driver Are You?
As long as a woman gets into the cockpit solely based on merit I don't
F1, No Girls Alowed?
I think the problem is caused by something else. This is F1, this is n