Over 1200 Racers Celebrate
at 2006 GNCC Awards Banquet
Champions honored,
stories shared, awards presented
Morgantown, WV
(11/29/2006) -It was
the biggest celebration ever for the biggest year ever
in the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series, as
over 1200 racers and family members celebrated at the
annual series' banquet. The much larger Four Points
Sheraton Hotel in Cranberry, PA opened its arms wide
to greet GNCC racers, with 600 plus attending Friday's
ATV banquet and another 600 plus attending the bike
banquet on Saturday.
The top ten riders in each GNCC class were honored
with trophies and a chance to thank their sponsors on
stage, and the top five received lucrative contingency
prizes from GNCC sponsors.
There were also special awards voted on by the racers.
Highlights included Bill Ballance collecting the Rider
of the Year Award for winning his seventh-straight Suzuki
GNCC Title. Ballance also received a GNCC Championship
Ring encrusted with seven diamonds, a trophy, a number-one
plate and a fist full of cash for his accomplishment.
"Things just keep getting better" said Ballance.
"I'm 30 now, and I definitely feel it more than
I did when I won my first one. It takes me longer to
recover, and the ankle I crushed last year still hurts
sometimes when I'm walking. But as soon as I get on
that starting line, I don't feel a thing. Honestly,
I feel better than ever."
One of the highlights of the evening came when Ballance
presented the Youth Rider of the Year award to Walker
Fowler. Ballance asked Fowler "So, when are you
moving on to the bigger machines?" Fowler answered
with, "I'll ride the 13-15 Youth Production class
next year. When I'm old enough maybe I'll move up to
the pro class and try to race you guys." Ballance
then joked, "See, that's why I was asking. I'm
hoping it's a few years, because maybe I'll be about
done by then. I don't want to be sharing secrets with
you if you're going to be racing against me, because
you're going good enough as it is!"
Even bigger laughs came during the revival of the famous
GNCC Best Bod contest. Here, the top Women's Class racers
nominate six male racers for the award, and the six
must come on stage and pose in hopes of winning the
award. The crowd was reeling as Adam McGill, Brandon
Sommers, Jeff Pickens, Brandon Ballance, Kurtus Marshall,
Tyler Lenig, Chris Borich and Chris Bithell headed to
the stage. Ultimately, in a tough vote, the award went
to Sommers, who is also the Four-Stroke A Champion (and
a great dancer).
Other special awards included the Most Improved Rider
Award to Duane "The Rock" Johnson, who jumped
from number 15 in 2005 to number three this season.
Women's class racer Stephanie Verkade won the Hard Luck
Award. Utility star Broc Parker won the Sportsmanship
Award, while Four-Stroke B racer Kurtus Marshall won
the Good Samaritan Award. The Knucklehead Award went
to Josh Kirland, who tore down 200 feet of new track
banner when he ran wide in a corner at Unadilla.
The coveted Rough and Ready Pit Crew Award always represents
the spirit of the series. Several riders sent in letters
representing their crew, but the award went to Cheryl
Bithell, the mother of rookie pro Chris Bithell. No
one is more enthusiastic in the pits than Mrs. Bithell-even
though she made a few funny flubs this season.
The Sponsor of the Year Award went to GT Thunder, which
provides help for riders in virtually every GNCC class.
American Honda won the GNCC Manufacturer's Cup for collecting
the most points in the overall standings
In much more serious news, GNCC Racing asked for a
moment of silence in remembrance of Ron Cousins, a member
of the GNCC family who passed in 2006. A special teardrop
plaque was made in honor of his memory.
The Award of Media Excellence went to Chuck DeBault,
who has started a new magazine called ATV Exposed.
After everyone ate dinner and thanked their friends,
family and sponsors, the GNCC Family celebrated late
into the night on the Sheraton dance floor. It was a
fitting celebratory end to the biggest season yet.
About
Suzuki GNCC Racing Series:
The
AMA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country
series is America's premier off-road racing series.
The 13-round series is produced exclusively by
Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one
of the most physically demanding sports in the
world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead
as many as 1800 riders through tracks ranging
from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied
terrain including hills, trees, mud, dirt, rocks
and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests
of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors
include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli,
Wiseco, Klotz, FMF and ITP, and riders compete
for over $2.8 million in series prizes and contingency
money. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility
Division, Scott, Acerbis, Alpinestars, Cometic,
Outerwears, Twin Air, Polisport Plastics, Thor,
Motion Pro, Hyper Wheels, Elka Suspension, MotoTee's,
Weekend Warrior, Owens Motorsports, Tom's Marina
Polaris, EK Chain and Laeger's. Media Sponsors
include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine,
www.ATVRiders.com
and Racer X Illustrated. For more information
log on to www.GNCCRacing.com.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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