2004 GNCC Round #8 Rausch Creek AM Race

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The Morning Race had over 230 Quads on the line ready to conquer the rocky terrain of central PA. The weather had been dry for the past week, and with the ground being mostly hard packed coal and rock, the race was looking to be extremely dusty. Fortunately, Friday evening it rained for about 30 minutes which was a small blessing. The track really could have used a really good soaking, but some rain was better than nothing.

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The Women of GNCC Racing

The battle between Stephanie Parton & Traci Cecco was just as intense as it has been for the past two years. This year Both have had there share of problems, which has determined the results of a few of the races.

Last Years Women's Champion, Traci Cecco, had three wins heading into the 8th round and was leading the class, but with five throw aways her class lead was far from secure. Traci fractured her arm in Florida, and rode injuried at the next two races. She finally was back to 100% at Big Buck where she won the Class and finished 2nd Overall, but at Round 6 in Tennesse she ran into stator problems and was forced to limp her YFZ into the finish which set her back again. She came back full force at Sparta winning the Overall and adding to her win list, so I am sure she will be hoping for another win today near her hometown.

Traci Cecco

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Stephanie Parton finished second to Traci last year and it came down to the finish line to determine the Women's Class Winner, but Stephanie still was the most consistent overall finisher and ended up earning the Best Morning number 201.

This year, Stephanie remains on her trusty "Suzy" as she calls the LTZ400. She has one more win heading into Rausch Creek than Traci, but she also has had her share of problems which costed her two rounds. At Big Buck, Stephanies footpeg broke off which set her back, but she still rode to a 3rd place finish and 8th overall which was pretty impressive with only one peg. At Sparta, she got tangled up with a grape vine and only completed two laps.

Both Stephanie & Traci are incredible riders and I again think it will come down to the last race of the year. Traci normally comes on strong in the end to make it interesting.

Stephanie Parton

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Angel Atwell has also been having an incredible year and has capitalized on the other women's misfortunes. She hasn't yet won a Women's Race, but she has come extremely close and is only getting faster every week. She has finished 2nd in the last three races, and I know she is looking for a win. Without any Wins, she will most likely finish third again this year, but next year may be a whole new ballgame.

I must say she is one of the most difficult riders there is to pass in the Morning. I have almost wrecked bad on several occasions trying to get past her, and she is rentless in her quest to stay out front.

Angel Atwell

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Erika Jones is another Women's rider that has really come along this season. Last Year her best finish was 5th place and this year she has already finished with a 3rd and 4th and the season is only half over. She is currently tied for 4th place in points with Stefanie Verkade.

Erika Jones

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Ashlie Whaley made her Women's GNCC Debut at Loretta Lynn's and she has been hooked since. Her best finish so far is 8th, but that can only improve with time.

More and more women are finding ATV racing, and I think it is great for the sport. If anything, they are must nicer to look at than all the guys

Congratulations to all the lady racers

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Women's & Super Senior's Start

Stephanie Parton grabbed the Holeshot with Angel Atwell in 2nd and Traci Cecco and John Gallagher close behind.

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By the end of the 1st lap, Angel Atwell had taken over the lead with Traci and Stephanie both only seconds behind her.

Stephanie Parton hammering it up the rocky hill

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Almost a minute later, John Gallagher came through leading the Super Senior Class. He went on to win the race by eight minutes over 2nd place Ken Vickerd.

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Stefanie Verkade was on the gas as usual with her 450R and rode her way to a third place finish which was her best. Stefanie has been racing for years locally in PA in the Men's B Class and finished in the top 5 last year against over 50+ men riders. She was promoted to A Class and decided it was time to see what she could do against some of the fastest women racers in the Country, and so far she is doing extremely well. She is currently tied with Erika for fourth in her first full year of GNCC racing. Stefanie and her family (Kenney) are a great group of people that have been racing ATVs for years.