Dirt Sweat & Gears promises big money for new early-season race

The inaugural Dirt Sweat & Gears 12-hour race is reaching out to professional women and men to come to their big money early season race. In a sport in which men often earn more on the podium than women, this race promises an equal payout to men and women. The prize purse is estimated to be at least US$10,000 for the Fayetteville, Tennessee event.

Race director Clay Higgins said registrations are coming in daily. "Female pro athletes see this as a chance to back us up, to show up and make a statement," Higgins said.

Higgins expects some big names to attend, including Dejay Birtch, who in 2005 placed first at the 24 Hour World Championships and 24 Hour National championships. Birtch is looking forward to the new race. "I like hitting up first year events due in fact that the attention is mostly focused on the fun of the sport and you never really know who is going to show up to throw down."

The race will also feature a purse for the single speed category. The winning male and female single speeder will take home US$1,000 each.