The year 1996 will long be remembered in NHRA POWERade history as the season which opened the door for female racers in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. That year, along with Stephanie Reeves and Karen Stoffer, Angelle Savoie (then Seeling) made her debut under the tutelage of Star Racing's George Bryce.

It was Angelle who went on to strike gold, winning three consecutive championships from 2000-'02 and becoming the center of attention in all corners of the motorsports media.

At the end of the '02 season, Savoie and Bryce went their separate ways in a highly publicized split which saw Bryce spend the 2003 season tuning for Reggie Showers and consulting for veteran rider Fred Collis while Savoie signed on with her cousin-in-law, Antron Brown, and moved to the powerful racing conglomerate of Don Schumacher with sponsorship from the U.S. Army.

With Showers now off the NHRA tour for at least one year to allow him time to regroup his racing operation and tend to some personal affairs, and Collis searching for new opportunities, Bryce has announced he'll be returning in 2004 with yet another female rookie: Angie McBride.

The 24 year-old graduate of the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School is no newcomer to motorcycle drag racing. She is the current Southeastern Motorcycle Drag Racing Association champion in the Outlaw class and has gone as quickly as 7.28 at more than 191 mph. It's obvious that Bryce is hoping to see lightning strike twice.

"Angie has been to our motorcycle racing class at the Frank Hawley School a total of three times," says Bryce. "And with each succeeding class, she just got better and better. We think she has all the tools necessary to be an excellent drag racer."

"It's a dream come true for anyone who has ever wanted to race," said McBride, who like Savoie, has a background in nursing. "I've always wanted to race in Pro Stock Bike. It was a big step up to ride a Pro Stock Bike from the bike I've been racing. When I was asked by George if I was interested in racing with Star this year, it didn't take me long to say yes. I can hardly wait for the season to start."

Savoie was asked on Sunday at the O'Reilly World of Wheels at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans if her 2004 plans are falling into place.

"Absolutely," she said. "Our team will have more power this year and everyone with the U.S. Army Suzukis are anxious to get back on the track. We missed winning the championship last year and we're hungry to get it back. That's our goal and that's what we intend to do."

Bill Stephens covers the NHRA for ESPN and ESPN.com.