MISSY THOMAS  #13
MotoGems 1st spotlight rider is Missy Thomas! She's a really cool girl who has a big passion for riding. Scroll down to find out more about her!

Name: Melissa (Missy) Thomas
Age: 18
How long have you been riding? About 6 years
Do you race? No, but I hope to race this season.
What is your current bike? Suzuki RM 80 and Honda 300ex
Favorite riding spot? Motocross Express- Shelby, NC
Your favorite pro racer? Ryan Dungey and Pat Brown
Favorite female rider or racer? Ashley Fiolek, Heather Byrd, and Kelly Winters.
What are your other hobbies besides riding? Drawing, scrapbooking, and cake decorating
What is your dream car or truck? Black, Toyota prerunner with a lift kit.
What kind of music do you like? Country and Gospel
Do you have a favorite song that gets you pumped up to ride? Kwad up- Kasper from the K
Best or favorite brand of riding gear? MSR
Is there one place in the world that you want to ride or race that you haven't yet? I want to race at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, TN and I want to ride in the sand dunes.
Why do you like riding? When I'm riding there is usually nothing else on my mind. I just concentrate on riding. I also love the rush that you get when you slide around a curve better than you ever have, land that jump exactly how you planned, or ride faster than you ever have. I'm sure if you ride you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Why did you pick #13 as your number? When I first got into riding, John Natalie was my favorite rider. So #13 stuck with me.
Most memorable riding or racing experience? When my family and I went to Muddy Creek Raceway and I met a lot of the pro racers. I still have the shirt that they signed.
Most embarrassing riding or racing experience? It was the first time my family and I went riding at a place in Tennessee. We got lost and ended up on the expert trails. We were lost almost the whole day until some other riders finally came by and showed us the way out.
Do you find it challenging being a girl in a male dominated sport and why? Sometimes. There are not many women atv classes where I would race.
What advice would you give to a girl that wants to get into this sport? If you fall, wipe the dirt off and get back on! Always have fun! and remember that girls can race just as good as the guys can!
Favorite piece of MotoGems Jewelry? Dirt bike earrings

Thanks, Missy for being our first spotlight rider! We wish you a fun and safe 2010 season!!!