THE 2012 KTM Hattah Desert Race - the toughest and most popular off-road races on the national calendar - will see a new class of competitors gearing up to take on the 38 kilometre track through the Mallee scrubland just outside Mildura this weekend, July 6-8. 

The 2012 edition sees the additions of new female classes. The Tenacious Women of Hattah, sponsored by Smart Homes Victoria, has a great line-up of women competing, including the top three ladies from the 2012 Yamaha Victorian Off-Road Championships.

Teneil van Doorn, who was instrumental in setting up the Ladies class at Hattah, is currently leading the VORC Ladies class and is all set for the big adventure through the trees, wide open blasts through open paddocks and sand hills of the uncompromising Mallee terrain of north-west Victoria.

Another one to watch in the Tenacious Women of Hattah, and coming off her seventh consecutive Women’s title 2012 Victorian Senior Motocross Championship, is Kristy Gillespie. Kristy has previously competed in the Pony class and can’t wait to give it a go in the Ladies class.

In the new Junior Girls class sponsored by Gawler Motorcycle Centre, 12-year-old Danielle Foot is looking forward to competing at the Hattah for the second time.

“I competed in this event last year and finished with a podium, a second. I loved it last year!” said Danielle, who also competed in the Junior Girls class of the 2012 Victorian Junior Motorcross Championships

“I am wishing to do great again in this new year of the Hattah. Hopefully the weather's all good,” added Danielle.

14-year-old Chelsea Newsome of Williamstown, South Australia has been racing against the boys in the J2 class in the South Australian Off-Road Championship and said it made her day when she found out she would be racing in a class against other girls.

Chelsea’s dad Tim Newsome remarked:  “Let’s hope it’s a sign of things to come and the creation of the female classes will encourage more females to give off-road racing a go.”

Another one to watch is 11-year-old Chloe Leehane of the Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club competing with the boys in the 85cc 2 Stroke 9-u12 (SWO) & 80cc-150cc 4 stroke.

Motorcycling Victoria’s Manager of Female Participation Program, Peta Thomas, will be attending the event to help support the new classes and meet the girls competing. Peta will also be presenting a ‘Girl Rider Encouragement Award’ to each class.

Girl Rider are specialists in clothing for the female motorcycle enthusiast and are generously providing a gift voucher for each class.

“I am really looking forward to attending my first Hattah and getting amongst it with the Hattah crew.

“A big thank you to Gary Leeson and the North West Victorian Motorcycle Club for their support in getting these classes off the ground,” remarked Peta.

The 2012 KTM Hattah Desert Race kicks-off on Friday, July 6 with scrutineering and sign-on. On Saturday, July 7, Junior and Senior Prologue will be followed by the Junior KTM Hattah Desert Race and on Sunday, July 8 the KTM Hattah Desert Race begins.

For regular updates on the Ladies and Girls classes during the event, please check out the MV Women & Girls Facebook Page.