12-22-07

Photo:  Steve Bonnau
What’s New with WMA Champion Jessica Patterson

WMA: Now that the motocross season is officially over what are you up to?
 
JP$: Well ,after the WMA series was over I took two weeks off then got ready for the Winter Olympics, and possibly for the WMA Cup.  I ended up getting hurt in Gainesville and broke my sternum. I knew I couldn't go to the Cup race and give it 100%. Since then I have taken some time off to heal up and also have surgery on my wrist for Carpal Tunnel release. It was starting to bother me when I rode so I figured since I couldn't ride anyway I would just go ahead and get all fixed up so I can be ready and 100% for next year.  

WMA: What are the holidays like around there?  
   
JP$: Its pretty much like anyone else. I get to spend time with my family and have fun. My parents and everyone else in my family complain because I don't get to see them as much as they would like, because I travel so much, so while I am here I fill them up with more than they can take of me and then off I go in January for the new year.  Ha, ha.

WMA: How do you stay fit in the off-season?  
JP$: I haven't been able to do much because of my sternum, I never noticed how important that bone is. I mean I can’t do anything and it’s very painful. I usually just try to stay fit but I don't train as hard as I do during the year. I like to take a break and do light workouts so that I will be ready and not burnt out. I will start doing some cardio stuff as soon as I get the stitches out.

WMA: When does the MX season officially start for you?
JP$: I start in January, training, riding and testing. I will be going to Honda of Houston in Texas to start getting my bikes set up and ready for the new season. Then I will be doing some local races around there and maybe some TORC races also. In March I will be racing the Lake Whitney and Oak Hill Nationals then soon after that the WMA Series will start back.

WMA: I heard you have some news about a women’s team?
JP$: Yeah, it’s something that I have been thinking about for some time now. I have wanted to give back to women's racing and help a girl out. I will be helping an amateur rider this year on my team - Jessica Patterson Racing. Right now I just want an amateur rider so that I can still focus on myself for the pro side (at the WMA Pro Nationals). The rider will have the chance to ride a bike just like mine with the same sponsors. This is so one day when women’s motocross grows, women riders will have something to look forward to. The men want to work hard so that maybe one day they have a chance to be on a factory team, and I would like to give that same opportunity to women. One day when I am no longer racing, I would like to have a Pro and Amateur rider and work one-on-one with them and hopefully create a successful women’s team.

WMA: What's new with your program, any new sponsors?
JP$: My program is pretty much the same. Honda of Houston has an in house engine guy who does the race team motors now  - Naveen Dassanayake. Bad Boy Power Drinks has also came out with a new drink called Bad Girl Power Drink and I have also recently signed with Pirelli Tires. I’m looking forward to another great year and I couldn't do it without my sponsors - Honda of Houston, American Honda, BAD GIRL Power Drink, FOX Racing, Oakley,  Factory Connection,  VORTEX , Doug Dubach Racing- DRD, Maxima, Pirelli Tires, Rick Ware Racing, Crower Power, BRPit.com, CTI2, O'GIO, ZLT, IMS, Kicker, SDG USA, Fuel Motorsports,  Works Connection,  Vortex Iginitons, Hamerhead designs, Twin Air, RK Chains, Alpina Rims, MXWebsites.com, N-Fab.com and Cycra.