TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

On Track For More Success

Contributed photo

Lake Placid's Paige Cowell has made a name for herself on the Duro Extreme Dirt Track ATVA circut this season, narrowly missing out on the 265 C class championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 14, 2008

LAKE PLACID - Hurricane Gustav caused billions in damages back in September, with the winds and rain paving a path of destruction from Louisiana to Illinois.

The flood waters made travel nearly impossible, and for a small race track in Browstown, Ill., the storm shut down not only racing for the weekend, but the hopes of a national championship for Lake Placid's Paige Cowell.

Cowell and her family were just hours away from the track when they got word that the final round of competition in the Duro Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals was cancelled, leaving the 18-year old ATV racer just one point away from eventual 265 C class champion Thomas Amesbury.

"You can't imagine how shocked and hurt I was to find out that I was going to miss out on a championship by one point," Cowell said. "What really hurt was that I had missed two series races. I can't believe I got so close and came up short."

Cowell has been riding ATVs since the age of seven and at the competition level since she was 13 years old. Racing has been in her blood since she can remember and what could've been seen as a weekend hobby could turn the corner to a beautiful career for the Lake Placid native.

"I've always loved racing and being competitive," Cowell said. "It isn't so strange today seeing women in motor sports. I look at a woman like Indy Car driver Danica Patrick and gain so much inspiration for the path she's paved for us.

"I can take my cues from her, being a lady in a men's sport, and show that we can do anything a man can do on the track."

Early on in her ATV career, Cowell would hear whisperings from some of the other male riders, but all that ended then she started adding to her win total.

Cowell has won 16 races over the past two seasons, including winning two out of five races in the ultra-competitive Extreme Dirt Track Nationals series, where she races in the Women's "A" Class and in the Men's "C" Class.

But what Cowell thinks about when looking back on her 2008 season is a pair of second-place finishes on the circuit that could've been the difference later in the season.

"If I knew then what I know now, I might have taken more chances and maybe turned the fortunes of one of those races from a second to a first-place finish," Cowell said. "But I can't worry about past races. I'm focused right now on gathering sponsors and thinking about the 2009 season and building on this year."

From now through November is crucial for an ATV rider, as this is the time when all the riders make their pitch to potential sponsors who'll contribute to next season.

Cowell has been busy making herself noticed in the sponsorship circles.

"It's a waiting game, really," Cowell said. "You send your resume and letter of reference to every company you want to have consider you for sponsorship. Then you wait and wait and hopefully you get the phone call telling you that they're on board."

Moto Candy has been a sponsor for Cowell last season and is set for another run with the 18-year old, who has also been modeling with various companies in advertising campaigns as a way to help pay for her habit.

The 2008 Lake Placid graduate also races in the same circuit with Avon Park's Casey McKibben, who took first in the 4-Stroke A Class in the Nationals circuit this season.

The goal for Cowell hasn't wavered since she was 13, and that's to reach the pinnacle of her sport and become a professional rider.

"I've got to earn a top five finish in the 'A' class in pro-am to get my pro card," Cowell said. "This season I'm going to compete in the Men's 'B' and Women's 'A' class and keep working towards my goal."

When asked if it ever gets old racing in a sport where she's an exception and not the rule, Cowell laughs and is quick to retort.

"It never gets old," Cowell said. "I get so excited before a race or even when I'm practicing. I guess that's the adrenaline rush people talk about.

"And as far as what the guys think of me. I think I've earned their respect by just going out and giving it my all and never backing down from a challenge."

Paige's 2008 Highlights

1st -- Quad Women at Quad Olympics in Dade City

1st - Quad Women FTR MX in Bartow

1st - Men's 265/450C Exreme Dirt Track Nationals Greendrieer, Ark.

1st - Men's 265/450C Extreme Dirt Track Nationals Greenville, Tenn.

2nd - Men's 265/450C Extreme Dirt Track Nationals Danville, Va.

2nd - Men's 265/450C Extreme Dirt Track Nationals Franklin, Pa.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT