Brazilian racer, Mariana Balbi hits the track rolling in her debut race in the Brazilian Motocross Championship on MX3. MX3 is a motocross class for men over 34 and women of all ages. Balbi spend much of the pre-season practice session honing her skill, and it showed.

Race day was a warm 104°(f) and filled with some of the best veteran Brazilian racers, and Balbi was the only female racer of the weekend. Even with the high temps and the strong field, Balbi places a very respectable 8th place finish.

Mariana Blabi had this to say about the series:

There were at least 10 former Brazilian Champions and more than 100 drivers. This is going to be the hardest year on this championship and I'm very happy with my result

Balbi ended the WMA (Women's Motocross Association) in 5th, on her rookie season last year. She would likely have finished better, but got hurt in the last stage and did not finish. She said she was using the Brazilian Championship to prepare for the WMA races this season.

She feels confidant that with her experience and better knowledge of her competition, she'll be able to challenge for the title this season. Her biggest setback could come from sponsorship, or lack there-of. Brazil doesn't have the interest nor the contingency that the US has. But she should be able to make a big impression after her great rookie finish last year.

At 18 years old, she's been racing for 13 years, and had her eyes on the WMA the entire time, hoping one day to compete with the top of the class. She's done that in her first year, and it looks like her charge to the front has only just begun.