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Admin
11-18-2004, 04:57 PM
The 2nd Annual AMA Sports Banquet was held to honor those that have devoted this past year to AMA racing on various levels. This prestige event is one of the few times each year the motorcycle enthusiast and ATV enthusiast are brought together to celebrate their champions and leaders in the industry.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:01 PM
The Annual event is hosted in the Las Vegas, NV, which is a surreal city built in the middle of nowhere that is completed surrounded by mountains.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:11 PM
The Las Vegas Strip is an incredible spectacle with an array of miniature & life size architectural masterpieces recreated from around the world in one central location. A few of the incredible structures include: Pyramids, Eiffel Tower, Victory Arch, Statue of Liberty, Empire State building, Castles, and various other incredible sites.

The amount of money that flows through Las Vegas casinos makes these incredible undertakings possible, and they definitely weren’t built on the players winning, but if you never have been to Las Vegas, you owe to yourself to atleast visit the city once to experience its beauty.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:17 PM
The AMA Sports Banquet was held on the North end of town away from the Downtown Strip at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:20 PM
The Banquet doors opened to the reception area at 5:30PM.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:21 PM
Ashton Laird, Youth Rider of the Year Nominee, arrived early with his father to socialize with his fellow youth riders.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:24 PM
Once Inside, I found my fellow GNCC racers ( Johnny Gallagher Sr, Stephanie Parton, Jean Lovely, and Jeremy Rice) socializing and talking about their experiences so far in Las Vegas.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:39 PM
Pro Am Stars Jeremy Rice & Pat Brown took the opportunity to exchange a few words, since they compete in separate race series.

GNCC Pro AM Racer, Jeremy Rice, had a terrific season with the transition from his trusty 250R to the Honda 450R. Jeremy went on to win 7 Pro Am races and the Championship, and he finished 8 races in the top 10 Overall, which was enough nominate him to represent the GNCC racers as an Amateur Rider of the Year Nominee.

GNC Pro Am Racer, Pat Brown, also had an incredible race season. He didn’t settle for trying to dominate just one class, but instead, he raced both the Pro Am Production & 265, and had the championship wrapped in both classes with 3 races left, which gave him an opportunity to test the waters in Pro Class the last three rounds. In his Pro debut, he finished an impressive 4th Place Overall. He ran into issue at Southwick that sent him to the back, but he returned at Loretta Lynn’s and finished out the season with a 8th place finish.

Admin
11-18-2004, 05:58 PM
Top GNC Racers, Heather Byrd, Joe Byrd, Doug Gust, and Cindi Hart also were in attendance.

GNC Women’s A Class Champion, Heather Byrd, was able to come out on top after a season long battle with Angela Moore. These two women dominated the series swapping 1st place finishes for the first 5 rounds of the series, but Angela ran into problems on and off the track which set her back in the points, and Heather Byrd capitalized on the opportunity with three wins in a row. Angela Moore attempted a come back, but faulty carburetor gave Heather Byrd the advantage she needed to wrap up the championship at Southwick. These two incredible women actually tied in points, but the advantage went to Heather Byrd for a well deserved title.

For Heather Byrd’s incredible season, she was nominated for Female Rider of the Year.

Joe Byrd wasn’t in a points chase this season for the Championship like last season with Jeremiah Jones. The switch from his aftermarket machine to a factory machine wasn’t a smooth transition for Joe, and he switched from the Yamaha to the Honda mid season to try something else to get him to the front again. His hard work and strategy worked, and he won the Overall for the 2nd year in a row at Loretta Lynn’s.

Doug Gust had an incredible season with the support of Suzuki/Yoshimura, and unless you have lived in a cave all season, you already know about all of his incredible accomplishments, and ofcourse Doug Gust was nominated for Pro Rider of the Year.

Cindi Hart started off the season with two wins out of three races, but a collarbone injury sidelined her for several races and took her out of the run for the Championship, but she will be back near year for another chance in the Women’s B Class.

Admin
11-18-2004, 06:02 PM
Jason Weigandt took some time to explain to Doug Gust & Stephani McIntyre why he wasn't able to defend his Journalist of the Year Award, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him for going for it again next year.

Admin
11-18-2004, 06:03 PM
Before you knew it, the doors were opened to the main Banquet room, and everyone quickly found their seats to get the evening celebration underway.

Admin
11-18-2004, 06:05 PM
I had the pleasure to sit with Doug Gust & ATVA President,Doug Morris as they talked about the possibility of Jason ever winning another award (Just a Joke Jason:D).

Admin
11-18-2004, 06:20 PM
GNC Racers Mitch Reynolds, Brian Edwards and his father all sat together.

Admin
11-18-2004, 06:22 PM
The Rausch Creek crew also made the trip out to show their support to the racers. Tiffany Tobias & Guinn Lickman talk with Rausch Creek regular Pat Brown before Dinner was served.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:18 PM
After Diner, the award ceremony was kicked off with Jason Weigandt interviewing several of the Champions present at the event. Representing the ATV community was Doug Gust.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:31 PM
Greg White, Two Wheel Tuesday's, and Tim Cotter, Arenacross Announcer, worked together to announce the nominees and hand out the awards as they kept the ceremony lively.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:34 PM
Tim Cotter welcomes the GNCC XC class champions to the stage to be recognized.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:36 PM
Women's Champion, Stephanie Parton, and Pro Am Champion, Jeremy Rice walked to the stage together to be recognized.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:40 PM
Women’s GNCC motorcycle Champion, Heather Wilson and friend Stephanie Parton line up side by side with Johnny Gallagher and Jeremy Rice to their Left.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:44 PM
GNC TT Champions, Mandy Brodil(Women's Class),Mitch Reynolds( Production A), and Briand Edwards(Production)

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:54 PM
The AMA FMF Racing Hare & Hound Series is dominated by bikes, but they do allow one ATV Open Class, which normally attracts around 20 quads at each event. This West Coast 6 race series for the ATVs was dominated by Charles Lamson from Ridgecrest, CA. He won two of this years races season aboard his Gas Gas Machine, which was enough for him to finish out the season with a 45 point lead over 2nd place finisher J C Ray also from Ridgecrest, CA

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:55 PM
The GNC MX Champions were also called up to the stage to accept their medallions.

Admin
11-21-2004, 08:58 PM
Doug Gust, GNC Pro MX Champion:macho

Admin
11-21-2004, 09:01 PM
GNC MX Champions that made the trip out to Las Vegas to accept their medallions.

Left to Right
Wesley Smith(265C), Heather Byrd(Women's A), Pat Brown(Pro Am 265 & Production), Bobby Ross(Production A), Ashton Laird(90 Production), and Doug Gust(Pro)

Admin
11-21-2004, 09:07 PM
After all the Class Champions were recognized, it was time to present the nominated awards to the top athletes, organizers, websites, broadcasters, and photo & media Journalist.

ATVA Youth Rider of the Year Nominees:
Ashton Laird, GNC MX
Ricky Stair, GNC MX
Landen Williams, GNC TT

ATVA Youth Rider of the Year award went to GNC MX racer Ashton Laird (90cc Production).

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:25 PM
AMA Youth Rider of the Year

Ashley Fioleck won the Motorcycle Youth Rider of the Year Award, and she may not ride ATVs, but I was truly inspired by achievements the past year. Ashley swept every moto in the Girls (9-13) Class, and she didn’t let her hearing disability hold her back from doing what she loves and that is racing.

It is great to see her parents not holding her back, and traveling to all the races from St Augstine, FL.

Congratulations!!!

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:28 PM
ATVA Veteran/Senior Rider of the Year

The Nominees:

John Gallagher, GNCC
George Loring, Hillclimber
David Porter, GNC MX

The award went to none other than GNCC Super Senior Rider, John Gallagher. John was in complete shock to hear his named announced and be recognized for his incredible racing season.

It was very obvious that he was truly honored to receive such a award.

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:33 PM
Johny Gallagher took a moment to thank his wife for supporting him and arranging their schedule around his racing year after year. He also was very thankful for the great series that Racer Productions developed over the years that he has given him so many found memories. Finally, he thanked his sponsors for all the support they have given him over the years.

Congratulations John!!!

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:41 PM
ATVA Female Rider of the Year

Nominees:
Mandy Brodil, GNC TT
Heather Byrd, GNC MX
Stephanie Parton, GNCC XC

The award went to Stephanie Parton(Women’s GNCC Champion). All three of these ladies had incredible seasons, and Stephanie smiled ear to ear as she walked to the stage.

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:43 PM
Stephanie Parton was joined on the stage by AMA Female Rider of the year, Heather Wilson, GNCC Women's Motorcycle Champion.

It was great to see these great woods riders being recognized for their outstanding performance on the track this season.

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:51 PM
Amateur Rider of the Year

Nominees:
Mitch Reynolds, GNC TT & MX
Bobby Ross, GNC MX
Jeremy Rice, GNCC

The award went to Mitch Reynolds for his terrific racing performance in both the MX & TT Series. Mitch Reynolds won the Production A Class in TT with three first place finishes. He also finished several times in the top 10 in the Pro AM Production Class against some of the Top GNC Pro riders.

In the MX Series, he finished 3rd for the season in Production B and 4th in 265B.

Admin
11-22-2004, 08:56 PM
Athlete of the Year

Nominees:
Bill Ballance, GNCC
Pat Brown, GNC MX
Doug Gust, GNC MX
Keith Little, GNC MX & TT

The award went to none other than MX Champion, Doug Gust. ATVA President, Doug Morris presented Doug with the Award.

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:04 PM
Doug Gust took the Podium, and thanked everyone for all their support this season and especially Suzuki & Yoshimura. Doug was excited to see factories once again supporting ATV racing, and he hopes that the other factories step up their support next season for some of the other riders.

Doug accomplishment came from a season of dedication to trying to be his best, and he is already in California training for next season with new teammate, Jeremiah Jones. To be a champion today requires 100% dedication from the rider, and Doug Gust has that drive.

Thanks Again, Doug Gust for putting ATV racing in the spot light from all of your hard work and dedication.

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:29 PM
AMA Sport Website of the Year

Nominees:

www.cyclenews.com
www.exriders.com
www.racerxill.com

I am proud to announce the award went to EXriders.com. It was an honor just be nominated for such an award, but it was an incredible feeling to actually win such an award with racerxill.com and cyclenews.com as the other nominees. These two publications/websites are top notch motorcycle publications, and after a year of working so hard to try to provide the ATV world with the same level of race coverage as motorcyclist have enjoyed for years, it is great feeling to know that it didn’t go unnoticed.

I have loved riding since I found my first ATC 125M under the tree for Christmas in 1985, and I have been riding every since. I live and breath ATVs, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to provides photos and race reports for everyone to enjoy.

I couldn’t have made all of this possible if it weren’t for all the great people around the Country that provided race coverage from the events that I couldn’t attend. Also, I thank my wife, Tina, for putting up with me being away from home so much in the past year, so I didn’t let down my members.

Also, all my race coverage wouldn’t have even been possible if it weren’t for many two companies. C&D Racing and T&T Racing have covered most of the expenses involved in traveling to the races, and I thank them so much for all their support, and I hope you also appericiate their behind the scenes support of ATV racing and think of them the next time you decide to replace a part on your machine.

Burgard Cycle, HMF Engineering, Elka Suspension, ITP, IMS Products, Laker Custom, Pro Armor, Rekluse, Tireballs, Fullbore also provided terrific support to me as well this past year, and I believe they are all dedicated in making Exriders.com even better next season.

Most importantly, I would like to thank all the members that call Exriders.com home. I think the community that has formed on Exriders.com is top notch, and everyone of you that have provided me the drive to want to do even more in the future. Also, I especially thank all the members that have become “Supporting Members” voluntarily to help me with my goal of building Exriders.com into the best ATV website on the Internet.

Thanks Again for all your Support!

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:31 PM
To conclude the evening, all the champions and winners joined together on the stage for a group photo.

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:34 PM
In the end, it was great to see many of the nominee’s congratulating the award winners.

Mandy Brodil (GNC TT Women's Champion) came over and congratulated Stephanie Parton on her Award.

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:37 PM
Racer Productions were excited to see so many of their GNCC riders winning several of the awards. Rita Coombs came over to congratulate Stephanie as well, but her wildlooking purse quickly became the conversation piece.

Admin
11-22-2004, 09:40 PM
Finally, I had the pleasure to sit with Wesley Smith and his father, and it was great to see another father being so closely involved with the sport.

I hope everyone enjoyed this report, and please feel free to share your comments.

Pappy
11-23-2004, 06:35 AM
great coverage..and congrats on the award:D

YLW400
11-23-2004, 11:18 AM
Awesome as usual Harlen.... Could you post more pics of Stephanie Parton please? :o :D

SAND LUVR
11-23-2004, 12:41 PM
Thats great harlen. Congrats on the award. When was that in vegas? I was there this past weekend. nov. 19 thru the 21st.

redrunner
11-23-2004, 02:20 PM
and congrats Harlen....:)

sammy5x
11-23-2004, 07:31 PM
Incase any of yous suckas can't read correctly, HARLEN RULZ!!!!!!!!!!!!Now Harlen, just stay out of my GNCC Pro-Am class so I won't have yet another person finishing ahead of me.;)

zephead400ex
11-24-2004, 03:16 PM
Harlan, congrats man! You have done one hell of a job with the site and look forward to watching the site grow!

I've said this before but I'll say it again, you the man Harlan, you the man!:D

Ericthered rdr
11-24-2004, 06:00 PM
Thanks Harlen without this site I would not have been able to meet so many friends and found so much valuable info.

EXRIDERS RULES THE NET:macho

QuadRacer041
11-24-2004, 07:19 PM
Originally posted by YLW400
Awesome as usual Harlen.... Could you post more pics of Stephanie Parton please? :o :D



tell me about, she is a hottey.:D

YLW400
11-26-2004, 05:42 AM
I was starting to think I was the only person who thought so, Lou! :D

QuadRacer041
11-26-2004, 09:35 AM
Originally posted by YLW400
I was starting to think I was the only person who thought so, Lou! :D

dude, no way she is way hot:devil:

KILLAQuad
11-26-2004, 09:38 AM
Originally posted by QuadRacer041
dude, no way she is way hot:devil:

:D

YLW400
11-26-2004, 09:45 AM
I agree 110%!!:p

beerock
01-02-2005, 01:55 PM
Harlen, congrats it is well deserved. this site went from a decent site to a PHENOMENAL site.

congrats harlen:D