Meghan Rutledge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEC 2011 - Meghan Rutledges end of year report

Hi everyone,

Wow what a amazing journey I have had this year. I started the year as a junior with my first big event being the Queensland Women's State Titles where I won the 13-15 years 4 stroke class and the 13-15 years 2 stroke class, I also finished 2nd in the 13-15 years Male support class. I turned 16 two weeks after this event and decided to race seniors for rest of the year. My first senior event was the NSW State Titles at which I won the Women's class. I competed in 2 rounds of the under 19's MX Nationals with a best finish of 18th at Albury. In August we travelled to Coolum again for the Women's Nationals, were I won all 5 races to become the Australian Women's Champion. Troy Carroll offered me the use of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team mechanics and quick shades at this event, for which I am extremely grateful. The conditions at Coolum were wet and very muddy, to be able to concentrate on my racing while Ben kept my KX250F clean and maintained made for an enjoyable event for myself and my parents, who would have normally been the ones standing in the rain cleaning everything. A huge thank you to Troy, Ben and Lachy for making the Aussies an event I will never forget. It was then off to Melbourne for the first round of the Australian Super X series at which I got to pit with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team in the truck. I competed in the under 19's class and was the only female competitor, I managed to make 3 of the 4 finals that I competed in. During this series I went to bike shops for signings with the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team riders and attended media days, of which I loved every minute. I was a finalist in the Deadly Awards for Female Sportsperson,and am currently a finalist for Junior Sports Star of the Year. I have had media coverage in magazines, newspapers and on TV, even having a profile piece on Living Black . However the highlight of my year came on Friday at the Australasian Dirt Bike Awards night were I was awarded the "Women's Rider of the Year" and the "Rookie Rider of the Year". These awards have capped of an incredible year in which I have achieved many of my goals plus more. There are so many people that have helped me achieve these results this year I would like to say a huge thankyou to Glenn MacDonald from Kawasaki Australia for being such a great mechanic, Rudi Baker also from Kawasaki Australia for getting my profile out there, Troy Carroll for his help and guidence in recent months, Mick Sinclair from Fox for keeping me looking good in the awesome Fox gear, Jan and Terry from Race Tech for setting up my bikes, Darren and Dave from Motul for there great products, Myles from Unifilter for keeping my motor protected in the dirt, Richard from Kawala for the handle bars and grips, Rach and all the guys from Tee n Cee Graphics for keeping my looking like new, all the guys from Southern Highlands Motorcycles, Pirelli Tyres, Pod, Pro Circiut, Rk Chains, JT Sprockets and a special big thanks to Greg Moss from Moss Institute of Coaching for all his help, support and beleif in me over the past 12 years. Greg is the reason I have achieved so much with out his coaching and the support of all the Moss family there is no way I would be able to compete at the level I do. Last but not least thanks to mum, dad and my sisters for all there support and understanding.