Higgins Wins Girls Title at Loretta Lynn’s
Cycle News Staff | August 5, 2011
HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2011) — Jessica Patterson and Ashley Fiolek better watch out. Taylor Higgins, from Mesquite, Texas, raced her JM Racing Honda conservatively to fourth place finish and that was all she needed to be crowned AMA Girls (12-15) Motocross Champion Friday at Loretta Lynn’s. Coming into Friday’s third and final moto Higgins was in the driver’s seat having scored a second and a win earlier in the week. She needed a top-five result to secure the championship and she rode a smart and conservative race to take fourth. Brandy Richards won today’s moto over Kaitlyn Morrow and Hannah Hodges.
“I just wanted to put in a smart ride,” Higgins said. “I was a little nervous at first, but once I got racing I was able to focus on my riding. It feels great to win this championship. I don’t think I’ll go pro yet. I still need a couple of years on the big bikes before I make that jump.”There were a slew of championships decided today, with even more to be decided Saturday.Amateur sensation Justin Bogle continued his dominant run at Loretta Lynn’s. He scored his third straight moto victory in the 450 A class to sew up that championship. He’ll be gunning for the 250 A class title Saturday.Bogle got away from the rest of the field early and beat Jacob Hayes and Jessy Nelson to the flag. Hayes and Nelson finished second and third overall respectively in 450 A.
“One down and hopefully one more to go tomorrow,” Bogle said. “I knew I didn’t have to win today, but it’s easier to just go out and ride your race and not do anything different. It’s an honor to win here at Loretta Lynn’s. You look at all the champions who have won here and it’s great to have my name up there with them.”In the battle of the old pros Keith Johnson won the battle, but Clark Stiles won the war in the Vet 35 Plus class. Stiles, the Barber Cycles Kawasaki rider from Tanner, Alabama, went 1-1-2 to win Vet title.Saturday wraps up the 30th Annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by Amsoil, at the Loretta Lynn Ranch.For results click here:
http://lorettas11.tracksideresults.com/index.asp
