CORRECTION:  In regards to the below Press Release, In 1999 both Melissa Berkoff and Anna Garrison both qualified for the 1999 AMA 600cc Supersport race at Daytona though neither woman started the race. Hurst is the only woman to actually race in AMA Supersport at Daytona between the years of 2008 to 1997, according to AMA Pro Racing's results archive. 

Canadian roadracer Misti Hurst First Woman to Qualify and Race AMA 600 Supersport at Daytona International Speedway

March 6th 2008, Daytona International Speedway- Canadian roadracer and California Superbike School coach Misti Hurst enjoyed an outstanding debut race at Daytona International Speedway last Thursday during the AMA 600 Supersport race. 

According to all available sources, Hurst made history during qualifying on Wednesday when aboard her Slednecks Racing, Etechphoto supported Kawasaki ZX6, she became the first and only woman to ever make an AMA 600 Supersport Grid at the famous Daytona International Speedway.  After only an hour of practice on the track she qualified 44th out of 51 riders with a time of 1:48.93. "I'm so stoked that I qualified!" said an excited Hurst "With all that has gone wrong this week, this is amazing! Thank you to EVERYONE that helped out."

Hurst arrived at Daytona Feb 26th in order to get some practice time on the unfamiliar Daytona speedway during the local CCS races.  Unfortunately, after only three sessions her connecting rod broke, pierced the starter, and destroyed her motor.  She was on the banking doing approximately 160 mph 

With her spare bike still in Portland, Hurst called motor builder EDR Performance.  "Within 4 hours they had the motor dropped, drained, wrapped, secured, delivered to Forward Air and en route to Daytona for me, complete with a "GO MISTI GO" note attached.  Those guys rock!" said Hurst.

Her spare EDR motor arrived Tuesday morning and fiancée/mechanic John Parker and Slednecks Racing teammate Josh Galster worked all day to prepare the bike and have it ready for Wednesday's qualifying session. 

The 22-lap AMA 600 Supersport race on Thursday saw her move up from 44th position to finish a strong 41st.

Teammate and fellow California Superbike School coach Josh Galster also enjoyed a great debut performance at Daytona.  His first AMA pro race, Galster surprised many by qualifying a strong 37th aboard his Slednecks Racing Kawasaki ZX6 with an outstanding time of 1:47.26. 

During the race on Thursday Josh got a great start and continued to pick his way through the field, moving up 11 positions to finish a very impressive 26th  "The banking was nuts at first, but once you got used to it, it was so much fun to use the famous Daytona drafting to help slingshot yourself along the straightaway. The race was incredible, and my Slednecks Kawasaki worked great!  Thanks to all of my sponsors! place, with a personal best time of 1:45.69.

See Misti and Josh race at the next AMA Supersport Race at Barber Motorsports Park April 18th-20th.  For more information, results, and race reports please visit www.mistihurst.com

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