Cypress, CA (April 22, 2008) – Everyone at Vans is excited to announce the signing of rising young motocross star Ashley Fiolek to the Vans Motocross team.  At 17 years of age, Ashley just recently turned pro and is also the first female to join the Vans Motocross family.  The St. Augustine, Florida native is looking forward to a successful rookie season in the WMA series.

Fiolek, perhaps one of the most naturally talented women in the world on a MX bike, has taken the sport by storm, capturing 13 amateur national championships and a slew of other awards over the past few years. While Fiolek boasts a record that would be impressive for any racer, it’s one that’s especially notable because she is both young and profoundly Deaf.  

Fiolek got her first bike at age 3 and has been participating in motocross since age 7, training herself to ride and shift by feeling the bike’s vibrations. Fiolek hasn’t let being Deaf slow her down in her pursuit to become the fastest women’s motocross racer in history, and has leveraged her enthusiasm and ambition to do the improbable - excel in a male dominated sport that relies heavily on sound.  Today, Fiolek, who cites her father as her mentor, coach, and communicator has gradually worked her way from minis to big bikes and is now riding comfortably on a powerful four-stroke Honda CRF250Rs.

“Ashley’s an inspiration to all the young riders out there and what she is doing for Women’s Motocross and the sport in general is pretty amazing,” said Vans Motocross Marketing Manager Jerry Badders.  “We are so happy to have her on board with Vans and can’t say enough about her talent and potential.”

Fresh into her first year as a full-time WMA professional, Fiolek has a busy 2008 ahead that includes a trip to Europe to compete in the prestigious FIM World Motocross Series.  Fiolek will also be checking in with Transworld Motocross, for whom she writes a monthly column.

Ashley’s sponsors in addition to Vans include Honda, Oakley, Alpinestars and Red Bull.

For more information on Vans and Vans’ Motocross, please visit www.vans.com/mx