Katherine Prumm to Yamaha for 3rd title tilt
World Women’s Motocross Number One plate holder, Katherine Prumm today announced she will strive to create history by winning her third consecutive world title on board a Yamaha
World Women’s Motocross Number One plate holder, Katherine Prumm today announced she will strive to create history by winning her third consecutive world title on board a Yamaha YZ250F.
New Zealander Prumm burst onto the world motocross scene just two years ago when she travelled from South Auckland to Europe to take victory in the World Women’s Cup at the age of 18 – two years before she had planned. Last year she was recognized as one of the leading female talents in motocross racing and was attributed with raising the bar within the sport when she won back-to-back world titles. This feat combined with her popularity with fans saw her called upon by the FIM to provide feedback on ways to continue to build the foundations of women’s racing.
With the support of Yamaha, Prumm will contest the 2008 Women’s World Championship with the highly respected Van Beers European Yamaha team which is based in Italy. The series will expand from a three to five round series and will run in conjunction with the MX1 and MX2 championships which are conducted throughout Europe. When free from international duty, Prumm will contest the Australian and New Zealand Women’s and Pro Lites Championships with former world motocross championship runner-up, Darryll King and his Subway Yamaha motocross team.
"I am certainly looking forward to joining the ‘blue side’ in 2008 and believe that Yamaha will be able to provide me with the machinery to claim my third world title," Prumm said from her home in South Auckland. "As a whole, women’s motocross is becoming more and more competitive and recognized not only in Australia and New Zealand but also internationally."
South African born Prumm took to the gate for her first motocross race at the age of nine after watching her brother compete in races across New Zealand. She is also a regular competitor in the men’s Pro Lites class of the Australian Motocross Championship. "I really enjoy racing alongside the boys and think that the experience I have gained competing against them has helped me when it comes to my success at an international level – the boys are always pushing you to do a lot better," Prumm said. "Along with defending my women’s titles I also want to build upon my position in the Pro Lites championship and one day qualify to race in the MX2 series [internationally]."
Steven Cotterell, General Manager of Yamaha-Motor Australia and New Zealand said the manufacturer was pleased to have Prumm join their squad of successful riders competing on the world stage which includes Australian Supercross star, Chad Reed.
"Katherine is a leader in our sport and will help pave the way for new and emerging female talent," Cotterell said. "We look forward to an exciting years’ racing ahead which will also see Katherine aim to carve up some of New Zealand’s top Pro Lites motocross riders in the male competition."
Yamaha’s Motorsport Co-ordinator, Cheryl Muldoon said that the signing of Prumm adds to the already comprehensive support provided by the manufacturer to women’s motocross. "It is a real coup for Yamaha not only in Australia but worldwide to have the reigning Women’s world champion [Katherine Prumm} join our team," Muldoon said. "YMA has been a strong supporter of Women’s racing over the years and have sponsored the Australian Women’s National titles and offered professional status to leading female racers." I
n 2007 Prumm also won the Australian Women’s Motocross Championship, New Zealand Motocross Championship, NZ International Grand Prix – Women’s and NZ Women’s Four Stroke Championships
