Vicki Golden hopes to become first female in Supercross main event
Vicki Golden grew up in Southern California with a love of racing dirt bikes. That’s what her family did, and she’s progressed enough to contend at the top level of the sport.
It just so happens she’s trying to become the first female rider to do so in the sport’s 42-year history. It’s not something that Golden searched out to do, though.
“What has a woman not done? I need to do that … it’s not that,” Golden said. “There are things I like to do on my dirt bike and this is one of them. I know I’m capable of it.”
She and the rest of the world will find out Saturday at AT&T Stadium if she’s ready to break that barrier. That’s when the 22-year-old Golden will attempt to become the first female to qualify for a Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series main event.
Golden, riding for Hansen Racing, is one of 62 racers in the 250SX Eastern Division class. The top 40 riders with the fastest times will qualify for one of two 20-rider heat races, and then 22 will race in the main event.
“It’s going to be a big experience,” Golden said. “The main goal is to get all the nerves out and really make sure I just do what I’ve been doing back at home at all the practice tracks — just try to replicate that.
“If I do what I do at home, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
But until the green flag drops, it’s tough to know just how well Golden is going to handle the ensuing pressure and nerves. So far, though, she’s handled everything well throughout her career.
Golden became the first woman to complete Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross in Amsoil Arenacross last year, making her eligible to compete in AMA Supercross, and was the female Supercross rookie of the year in 2009. She’s also had success in the X Games and Arenacross.
What’s the key to handling pressure in these moments?
“That’s a good question,” Golden said, smiling. “I’m still trying to figure it out.”
Golden knows her path won’t be easy, and her competitors won’t do her any favors. They want to win and qualify just as much as she does, although some acknowledged that it could be good for the sport to see her succeed.
“It’s going to be a tough task, but I hope she does it,” said Trey Canard, who won last week’s race and is from nearby Edmond, Okla.
“It’d be cool to see.”
Golden, at least publicly, downplayed her expectations for the weekend. She wants to make it, of course, but wasn’t going to make any guarantees of being around for the night heats.
After all, a fast qualifying lap is easier said than done.
“If I don’t make the night program, which is going to be a bummer, but if I don’t hopefully I get close,” Golden said. “And that’ll be a good start.”
Drew Davison, 817-390-7760
2015 Monster Energy Supercross
Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Event times: Practice and qualifying at noon; main event at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: At stadium box office, at supercrosslive.com or ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
This story was originally published February 12, 2015 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Vicki Golden hopes to become first female in Supercross main event."