The opening rounds of the 2013 GNCC season will see a new challenger in the Womens class, and while it may be a new face to GNCC Racing, it’s still a familiar face. 6 time Womens Motocross Champion Jessica Patterson will try her hand at GNCC Racing. We caught up with Jessica to talk about her venture into GNCC Racing.

GNCCRacing.com: Hey Jessica, how's it going today?
Jessica Patterson: I’m good, thanks. Just did some riding and training today and it all went good.

Sounds fun! So first and foremost, let me say welcome to the wonderful world of GNCC Racing!
Well thanks! I’m pretty excited to try something different after all these years of racing moto. I decided I wanted to mix it up a little so I’m pretty excited to try it out. 

Have you done any off-road racing in the past?
I have done some WORCS and TORCS races in California and Texas. Obviously those are a bit different than GNCC but I have really enjoyed them. I think mostly because it’s a different type of racing and I always like to challenge myself. 

You've had a great deal of success on the motocross side of the sport. For those who don't know, what are some of your accomplishments?
Yes I have, I have won 42 Amateur National Championships, 6 Women's Pro Championships, featured on 2 EA Sports Video games, Nominated for a 2009 ESPN ESPY Award, 2010 Women's rider of the year, X-Games Medalist and more. 

Wow, that’s quite the resume. Out of those what have meant the most to you?
I would say my 6th WMX Championship. I had went through a lot of troubles the previous year’s just trying to find the right program, bikes, motors and being healthy. In 2009 Yamaha gave me the chance and package that I needed in order to win races and that’s what I did. At the end of 2010 when I won the championship they also surprised me with a good size bonus that I had no idea about and I will never forget it. 

That bonus sounds worth it! So how do you feel about the new challenge awaiting you at River Ranch?
(laughs) Well, I don’t know really. It’s going to be fun, I'm sure. Like I said before, I like challenges and this is definitely going to be one. I’ve never done a 2 hour race either but I do like the sand, and I'm sure it’s going to get rough and be gnarly. I’m excited, nervous and ready to have some fun!

Yeah, as with the sand anywhere, River Ranch can definitely get rough and make for a gnarly ride. Are you prepared for it?
Oh, for sure. Like I said, I like the sand so having to like the sand whoops is part of that. I’m definitely read for it.

What do you think is going to be the toughest part for you?
Just getting used to setting a pace for 2 hours and just going for it not even knowing the course. I’m used to racing wide open for 20 minutes when the gate drops, having 2 motos and also having practice so I can get to know the track before the race. I think I will adapt quickly though, I seem to do ok with that kind of stuff. 

What do you hope to accomplish at the first round? 
Honestly, just making it through the whole race and finish on the podium. After the first round when I get my feet wet I would say it’s time to win races. (laughs)

Have you studied up any on the competition of the GNCC Women's class? 
I really haven't seen too much of it or really paid a lot of attention much but I know of some of those girls that race them and they’re definitely good at what they do. They don’t want a moto chick to just come in and start winning so I know they will be going for it. I think I could learn a lot from them.

Obviously Maria Forsberg is the one to beat in the Women's class, and I know she welcomes any competition, do you see yourself jumping in behind her early and learning her pace or do you plan on trying to jump out front early, or do you have a secret strategy you're not willing to share?
(laughs) I would say I’m just going to go with it. If I get out early and start leading then I’ll just see how it goes. If I get passed, then yes of course I’ll follow and learn some of the little things that I may not know and then go from there. I’m sure having experience in these kind of races helps so if I need to follow for a bit I will, but I’ll catch on quickly and hopefully do well from there.

The Florida round traditionally serves as a good first time GNCC experience for someone from a motocross background, while Georgia is more of a traditional GNCC course. How do you think the transition to the Georgia round will go for you?
Yeah, that’s what I’m hearing. I’m really not too worried about it, like I've said I’ve done some of these type of races before and I know there will be more single track and trees involved but I think I will be able to handle it and make the transition fairly easy. 

So after the opening rounds in Florida and Georgia, are you planning on doing some other GNCC races?
I’m kind of going off of those races to make sure it’s really something I want to do. I have talked to Yamaha about it and they were super pumped, and they said if it is something that I’m wanting to do that they will back me through it 100%. I think that I’ll have a blast and want to continue to do them so I’ll do as many as I can that don’t interfere with any of the WMX rounds. 

With WMX dropping to a 3 round series, what other races do you have planned for 2013? 
I’m going to start off with the RCSX in Daytona, these GNCC rounds, WMX and X-Games LA. I think the GNCC schedule will keep me pretty busy.

This year you're also back on a Yamaha. Was it an easy transition going back to familiar equipment?
Yeah, it definitely was! I rode them for 2 years prior to last year and I really liked the bike. It hasn't changed much so we went back to a lot of the same set up but also switched some stuff to try out which I’ve ended up liking the changes. For the most part it has been great and I’m loving the bikes.

What are the biggest differences for you between the Yamaha and the Suzuki?
I would say handling is the biggest thing. Motor-wise they’re very similar. I’ve had to play with the set up some on both bikes to really get it the way I’ve wanted it to turn and suspension to work. With the Yamaha, Enzo has been working with me in getting it to handle the way I want but also even trying different Dunlop tires have been a huge help. Right now, I think I’m pretty close to where I’m comfortable and will have it working perfect by the time I race.

That’s great! So have you been figuring out much of a woods set up yet?
Not really yet. I kind of know just from riding some off road stuff that I do like my suspension a little softer and Enzo knows what’s going on also, which is a huge help. I’m actually going to Randy Hawkins’ place in SC soon to get some tips, do some riding and a little testing with him and the guys on the team which I think will be a huge help to me because those guys obviously know how to win. 

I always ask Women's class riders this to see this perspective from each rider, but what kind of advice would you give you any aspiring female racers?
I would say you mainly need to have fun with it. We’re racing motorcycles and doing something we love and hopefully for a long time, so just enjoy every time you throw a leg over your bike. Stay out of the drama, work hard and give it 100% if it’s something you really want. 

That’s great advice for just about anyone! That's just about all I have for you but if people want to follow your GNCC experience via social media, where can they find you? 
I have Twitter and Instagram which I will post photos and keep everyone updated on. @JP_Money250 on Twitter and Instagram.  Also you can find my Facebook at www.facebook.com/JessicaPatterson250 Check it out! 

Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
My long-time supporters who have stuck behind me through all these years, N-Fab, Fox, Rockstar Energy, Oakley,  DC Shoes, Dunlop, FMF, Asterisk. Also Yamaha, Enzo, Rockwell Training Facility, WORX Alloy, VIRUS, Galfer Brakes, DT1, Kicker, St. Lawrence Radiology, Ti-Lube, Mototassinari, Motion Pro, Sunstar, Excel, Fusion Graphics. And of course my fiancé Eddie, family, all of my fans and "my crew"