By her estimation, Jamey Parks has earned more than 80 trophies throughout her 16 years as a dirt bike racer.

But her second-place finish in the professional women’s class at last weekend’s 47th annual Desert 100, one of the top dirt bike races in the Inland Northwest, ranks near the top of the list.

“This is definitely a big one for me,” said Parks, 34, a massage therapist in Coeur d’Alene. “Motocross has always been my passion.”

Parks finished the 50-mile course which featured big rocks, bumps and mud holes in 2 hours, 22 minutes, some eight minutes behind the winner.

“Last year I got eighth, and to get second this year was really big,” said Parks, who attributed her improvement from last year to a lighter, easier-to-handle bike, training and better parts from lining up more sponsors.

Parks also competes at races in St. Maries and the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, sometimes competing against — and beating — the guys.

Parks, who figures she caught the motocross bug from her father, who owned a motorcycle, often competes against other women nearly half her age.

“I’m doing better now than I did when I was younger,” said Parks, who grew up in Baker City, Ore., and has lived in Coeur d’Alene the past five years.