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|
Yamaha's
Traci Cecco wrapped up an early Women's Class championship at GNCC Round 9 by placing third. This would be her 9x GNCC Championship |
Cypress, CA (10/8/2012) - Already a legend in ATV racing, Yamaha's Traci Cecco just proved again why
she is the GNCC Women's series all-time best as she raced her YFZ450R to a
record ninth championship with a podium finish in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on
Saturday, Oct. 6. Cecco has earned six wins and five podiums, including
Saturday's effort, on her way to the 2012 title.
As well, Yamaha YFZ450R's
scored three more podiums during the day, with Ballance Racing's Walker Fowler battling to second in the premier XC1 Pro class – his seventh podium of
the year – and Patrick McGuire and Josh Merritt taking second and third,
respectively, in the XC2 Pro Am class.
Cecco needed a strong finish at ITP Powerline Park to continue her string of
GNCC championships that began way back in 2000. After starting fourth behind
rivals Angel Atwell, Lexie Coulter and Kylie Ahart, she made her move into third
after the halfway point and then held the position, picking up the points
necessary to claim the title – and tie Yamaha legend Bill Ballance's GNCC record
in the process.
"Consistency wins championships, and Traci and her YFZ450R
have continually proven it with solid performances all year," said Yamaha ATV
racing coordinator Donnie Luce. "Her ninth championship is truly special."
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Ballance Racing / Yamaha's #3 Taylor Kiser placed sixth at the Powerline Park GNCC |
When the afternoon XC1 Pro event started, YFZ450R-mounted Jeff Pickens
grabbed the holeshot before Fowler found his way into the early lead. As the
long, two-hour race wore on, the lead swapped between Ohio native Fowler and
rivals Chris Borich and Adam McGill – that is until Borich experienced mechanical
problems and dropped back.
 |
#5 Walker Fowler took the podium aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R ATV placing second in St. Clairsville, OH |
From there to the flag, the fight for the XC1 Pro win
came down to Fowler and McGill, with Fowler finishing second by just 1.8 sec.
Including Fowler, Taylor Kiser and Johnny Gallagher, four of the top eight XC1
Pro riders were aboard YFZ450R's. Fowler and Kiser are now second and third,
respectively, in the XC1 Pro championship.
In the ultra-competitive XC2 Pro Am category, McGuire and his Yamaha took the
holeshot after rival Eric Hoyland jumped the gun, but then dropped to fourth for
most of the event as Yamaha-mounted Merritt charged up to third and then
second after a mid-pack start. In the crucial final laps, though, McGuire turned
the tables on Merritt, moving up to third before reclaiming second at the flag. The
strong finish secures McGuire in the points lead in XC2 Pro Am as the series
heads into the final rounds.
2012
GNCC ATV XC1 Pro Points
|
| Position |
Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Chris Borich |
298 |
| 2 |
Walker
Fowler - Yamaha |
216 |
| 3 |
Taylor
Kiser - Yamaha |
204 |
| 4 |
Adam McGill |
192 |
| 5 |
Chris Bithell |
186 |
2012
GNCC ATV XC2 Pro Am Points
|
| Position |
Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Patrick
McGuire – Yamaha |
253 |
| 2 |
Braden Henthorn |
237 |
| 3 |
Matt Hanna – Yamaha |
193 |
| 4 |
Eric Hoyland |
175 |
| 5 |
Gabe
Phillips – Yamaha |
174 |
2012
GNCC ATV Womens Points
|
| Position |
Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Traci
Cecco - Yamaha |
177 |
| 2 |
Angel Atwell |
171 |
| 3 |
Kylie Ahart |
158 |
| 4 |
Kara
Merritt – Yamaha |
149 |
| 5 |
Lexie Coulter |
129 |
About Yamaha Motor
Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a
leader in the motorsports market, makes the
toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and
Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding
product offerings also include motorcycles,
outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles,
boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of dealers
in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress,
Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha
also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia,
as well as factory operations in Tennessee and
Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit
www.yamaha-motor.com.
