GNCC Can-Am
Utility ATV Racer Hoyt Penland
Seriously Injured in Baja 1000 Crash
LaPaz, Mexico (11/20/2007)
- On Tuesday November 12th while racing
in the SCORE Baja 1000, GNCC Racer Mike Penland’s
son, Hoyt Penland, was seriously injured in an ATV
crash around race mile 470. The track rolled along
fairly smooth until it dropped off sharply and turned
to the right. Hoyt was caught off guard and crashed
hard resulting in a severe broken right leg. The
tib fib area of the leg bone was broke in six places
and was classified as a “open compound fracture,”
which means the bone broke through the skin and
was exposed to the elements.
Hoyt watched several other riders crash in the
same spot and was finally taken out in a non-score
racing ambulance. He was taken to Guerro Negro,
which is south of where he crashed.
After Hoyt was operated on in Guerro Negro, he
was transported to LaPaz to get the final of two
operations. This is where they inserted a rod
into his leg and removed the erector set he was
given in the previous operation. Mike paid for
these operations out of his pocket and by the
generosity of others, and they currently sit in
the hospital in LaPaz, Mexico because they have
to pay the medical bills in cash, which hopefully
will be done by tomorrow.
Rider Down is working on travel arrangements
to fly Hoyt back to Atlanta, and Mike Penland
will be making the long drive back home from Mexico
afterwards. Despite there desperate situation,
the pair has remained in good spirits, which is
largely due to the fact they know their ATV family
is helping them during their time of trouble.
They still need our help as they are not home
yet. Hoyt will most likely need medical attention
when he gets home and will most definitely be
wheel chair bound for a while. Anything you can
do for this family will be greatly appreciated.
Paypal Donations can be sent to the Penland family
through Mikes daughter Chrissy Penland Clarke
at chrissyclarke@windstream.net
.
Thanks from the Penland family
About
GNCC Racing:
The
AMA/ATVA-sanctioned 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, woods, mud, dirt, rocks
and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests
of both survival and speed. GNCC Racing airs weekly
television shows on Versus (formerly Outdoor Life
Network) every Saturday at 3 p.m. and Thursday
at 4 p.m. beginning on April 14. GNCC featured
sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis,
Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka, Geico, Klotz,
FMF, ITP and Tire Balls, and riders compete for
over $3 million in series prizes and contingency
money. Associate sponsors include Alpinestars,
Cometic, EK Chain, HiPer Technology, Laegers,
Motion Pro, Moose Utility Division, Powersport
Grafx, Pro Clean, Race Tools, REM, Scott, Thor,
Twin Air, Weekend Warrior, and MotoTee’s.
Media Sponsors include Racer X Illustrated, ATV
Rider, ATV Sport, www.ATVRiders.com,
Dirt Rider and ATV Insider. 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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