Competing in the WMA Pro class the past few years, Monster Energy Team Green Kawasaki’s Elizabeth Bash is just one example of the competiveness level in Women’s Pro Motocross in America. While it may be argued that Red Bull Honda Racing’s Ashley Fiolek is currently the fastest girl in America, 23 year old Bash is in a tight battle for top five supremacy. As Elizabeth, along with all her fans and friends, try to forget about her severe 2008 crash and injury, this So Cal girl focuses on the remaining 2009 WMA pro races – striving for top finishes. We tracked down Elizabeth just before she captured a Bronze Medal at the 2009 X Games Super X event.

JK: Elizabeth, before we truly get into this tell us about that terrifying crash that you had last year.
EB: Oh wow; I hate talking about that, but since you asked I will. It was by far the worst crash that I have ever had. It happened at the Lake Whitney warm-up race. It was the very first lap of practice; I went over the table-top that goes into the woods and I didn’t see the kicker just before it. I endo-ed over the handlebars, and at first thought that I had broken my hip. They helicoptered me out and took me to a hospital where I stayed for the next 3 or 4 weeks. It ended up that I tore a hole in my pancreas, cut open my spleen, and bruised my kidney. I couldn’t even eat or drink anything for over a month – not even water! I was off the bike about three months, and when I did get back on it I was pretty scared. I just didn’t want to fall, and have the handlebars hit me in the stomach again. But I am fine now, and still pinning it like it never happened.

JK: Okay; let’s begin with what first prompted you to get into dirt bikes and motocross.
EB: Well, I went to visit my cousin in Colorado, and he had an old bike that he had for sale. So I said “teach me how to ride that thing”; he said okay, and I was hooked ever since. I ended up getting a bike when I was 12; then later on in High School when I played Varsity Soccer, I didn’t play my senior year so that I could focus on racing. I’ve been racing ever since then (1998), and I still love it to this day!

JK: What are some of the highlights of your racing career so far?
EB: I have has a lot of great races so far in my life, but the one that really stands out was back in 2005 when I won my first pro title at the Oak Hill National. I’ve also had a lot of top five finishes, and I won quite a few championships as an amateur. 

JK: And this year in the Women’s Pro Nationals you are battling for top five positions too.
EB: Yeah, I am in the running for a top five overall in this year’s series. I just really need to focus on getting good starts, and riding my own race. I am a pretty consistent rider; I just need to worry about myself and let the other girls do their own thing.

JK: Talk more about the competition this year…
EB: Ashley is just killing all of us girls this year. I am very happy for her though; if it’s not me winning, I am surely rooting for her to win. There actually are a lot of fast girls this year; I would have to say that everyone in the top ten is pretty strong. It really all depends on who gets a good start, and can pin it the first few laps! A few of the girls do get pretty tired so it’s also about who is in shape and who is not.

JK: Have things changed much in Women’s Pro Motocross with MX Sports taking the series over?
EB: Things were good before, but they are a lot better now. We are included in the Saturday schedule, and not just thrown in there at the last minute like before. A lot of the factory teams are now starting to look at bringing a woman pro into their team… I think that it’s all great for our sport; I say give it a few more years and it will be twice as good as it is now.

JK: Can you truly make a living racing the Women’s Pro Motocross series?
EB: I would say that right now that Ashley (Fiolek) is likely the only girl that can really make a living at racing. I for sure could not do it without the help and support of my parents and boyfriend. My mom and dad do anything and everything that they can to get me the best equipment and get me to the races. Also, Kawasaki has been there for the past five years now, and I cannot thank them enough for what they have done for me. Whatever money that I do get from racing all goes to practicing during the week.

JK: What do you do besides racing and riding?
EB: Well, I like to talk on the computer to my friends; I also like to shop at the Coach Store. Besides that I like to swim, play soccer, and sing – I could be the worst singer but I do it anyways.

JK: With that said Elizabeth; who do you want to thank?
EB: I would really like to thank all my sponsors that have helped me this year: like Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green, MSR, EBR Performance, DRD, Shoei, Tagger designs, Scott, Dunlop, Maxima, Renthal, RK Chains, ZLT, CP Pistons, Devol, Boyesen, CIT2, ARC Levers, Leatt, Alpinestars, Stomp, Twin Air, Hinson, Wheel Wright, 488 Web Designs, and Vans. Also of course I want to thank my mom and dad, and thanks to Charles; the best boyfriend/mechanic you could have. I couldn’t do it without all these great people and companies!