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World's Largest Off Road Racing Series Visits
Snowshoe Mountain This Weekend
Can-Am GNCC
Series Readies for Start of Fall Swing
SNOWSHOE, W. Va. (September 10, 2008) -- The
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) kicks
off its Fall Swing this Saturday and Sunday at
Snowshoe Mountain. America's largest off-road
racing series will feature top riders on
off-road motorcycles and ATVs at Snowshoe's
all-new race course.
Spectator passes are $15 for the full
weekend, which includes access to the Pro pits
and the Pro autograph session. On both Saturday
and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m.,
beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top
amateurs and the Pros race at 1 p.m. For more
information on the racing series, check out the
official series website at
www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084. For
more information on Snowshoe Resort, please
check out
www.snowshoemtn.com.
The race through the rugged slopes of
Snowshoe serves as Round 10 of the 13-stop
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country tour, with
many racers expecting the toughest racing
conditions they have faced all season. Nearly
1,500 competitors from all over the world will
compete, with several thousand spectators lining
the facility to catch the action.
This year's event marks the
second-consecutive year in which the GNCC Series
has competed at Snowshoe. To further add
excitement to the competition, and to make the
venue even more fan friendly, the race course
has been completely redesigned.
"We had a lot of feedback from racers and
fans after last season's event and we have
responded," said Event Director Tim Cotter.
"GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell and his
experienced team have spent many hours creating
what we think is one of the most demanding and
exciting tracks on the circuit."
In addition to full days of racing on both
Saturday and Sunday, the race weekend also
includes a golf tournament to benefit RiderDown
Foundation on Friday, as well as a large midway,
great food, as well as other activities for the
entire family.
"Each GNCC race is a unique expression of
what we like to call a 'Racing Festival,'" said
Cotter. "No other ski resort holds a dirt bike
or ATV race of this magnitude. Snowshoe’s
hotels, shops and restaurants will house racers
and spectators, with the victory podium
assembled at the center of the Snowshoe Village.
Surrounding that, the track features 12 miles of
trails that wind up and down the ski slopes,
with a ski chair lift shuttling fans down to
remote sections of the track.
"This is truly a marquee event," concluded
Cotter.
Racing action has been fierce this season,
and with a long summer break under their belts,
the riders will be hungry to get back on track.
Current GNCC Champion David Knight has
brought international intrigue to the series
from his home in Isle of Man, UK. For Sunday's
dirt bike race, Knight will face pressure from
New Zealand's Paul Whibley and Australia's Josh
Strang, who have each won races and sit second
and third in points, respectively. The American
racers, including Pennsylvania's Barry Hawk,
Ohio's Charlie Mullins and New York's Nathan
Kanney, have logged consistent finishes all year
and expect to contend for victory at Snowshoe.
In the ATV class, legendary Kentucky ATV
rider Bill Ballance has turned the tables on his
younger competition, showing that veteran poise
easily trumps youthful exuberance. Ballance has
won three races in a row to snag the Series’
points lead, a place he'd like to keep as GNCC
racing moves into fall. As Ballance fights for
his record-breaking ninth GNCC Championship,
West Virginia's own Adam McGill is ready to
challenge and his home state advantage will be
strong at Snowshoe.
McGill led the standings early in the season
before falling into a slump, one he hopes to
break here. In addition to the Pro ATV racers,
top amateur and 4X4 riders will compete.
Fast Facts:
What: The
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is
the largest off-road racing series in the
nation. The top pro racers make a lucrative
living in the sport, reigning in six-figure
salaries and endorsements, as well as a share of
a $130,000 prize purse and more than $3 million
in contingency and bonus money. GNCC events also
offer classes for amateur riders of all skill
and experience levels. Four-wheeled ATVs will
compete throughout the day on Saturday,
September 13, and dirt bikes will race on
Sunday, September 14. Riders can sign up at the
track. The amateur racer entry fee is
$40.survival and speed.
When:
September 13 and 14, 2008
Where:
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Who: The
Can-Am GNCC Series pits the best of the best in
off-road racing against each other. More than
1,500 amateur racers are expected to compete on
custom-built dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs.
Top pro motorcycle riders include David Knight,
Barry Hawk, Jr., Charles Mullins, Jimmy Jarrett
and Shane Watts. ATV pro riders include Bill
Ballance, Chris Borich, Chris Bithell, Matt
Smiley and Adam McGill.
Note: Media
members wishing to cover the event should
contact Justin Anderson at 704-589-2100.
About RiderDown Foundation:
RiderDown Foundation is a non-profit
organization dedicated to helping responsible
off road motorcyclists and ATV racers who have
been injured while riding. Proceeds are used to
provide assistance to the riders and their
families when faced with medical expenses and
related issues. For more information, please
visit
www.riderdown.org.
About GNCC Racing:
The Can-Am Grand National Cross
Country series is America’s premier off-road
racing series. The 13-round championship series
is produced exclusively by Racer Productions and
has run since 1973. 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 1,800 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 will air weekly television shows on the
Versus network starting August 2. GNCC featured
sponsors include Can-Am, Parts Unlimited, Moose
Racing, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka,
Geico, Klotz, FMF, ITP and Weekend Warrior, and
riders compete for over $3 million in series
prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors
include Alpinestars, Cometic, HiPer Technology,
Laegers, Moose Utility Division, The National
Guard, Powersport Grafx, REM, Scott, Thor, Tire
Balls, Twin Air, Ogio, Rekluse, and MotoTee’s.
For more information log on to
www.gnccracing.com.
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