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Balls
Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series
Over 1200 Racers Celebrate
at 2006 GNCC Banquet
Champions honored, stories shared and awards
presented
 Morgantown,
WV – 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 GNCC Racing
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,
woods, 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, ITP and Tire Balls, and riders
compete for over $3 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, Race Tools, Powersports GrafX, 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.
About Racer Productions:
For over 30 years, Racer Productions has been
producing professional and amateur motocross and
off-road events. Specializing in motorcycle and
ATV events, Racer Productions produces over 30
events per year. With a focus on racer-friendly
courses and fan-friendly atmospheres, the Racer
Productions events are nothing short of a
“happening.” For more information about upcoming
Racer Productions events, go to
www.GNCCRacing.com
www.RacerProductions.com
www.highpointmx.com
www.steelcitymx.com
www.mxsports.com
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