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GNCC Racing Announces New ATV Pro Class Structure
Pro Class adopts production rules, Pro-Am Class added
Racer
Productions, the producers of the AMA Grand National
Cross Country Series, has announced the ATV pro class
for the 2004 GNCC Series will race exclusively on
production-based ATVs. Most of the top GNCC pros began
racing production ATVs this season, and moving to
production-only rules may spur ATV manufacturers to
sponsor GNCC race teams.
"It's great to see the manufacturers stepping up and
producing ATVs that can win GNCC races," says GNCC Trail
Boss Jeff Russell. "And it's great to see our top riders
riding them. The only thing missing is factory support
from the manufacturers, and we believe that by moving
production ATVs to the forefront of the series, we can
get that support for the riders. If the riders aren't
riding production equipment, they will never get factory
support."
The production move retires the 15-year old Honda
TRX250R from the top level of GNCC Racing. All machines
in the pro class must run production-based frames and
engines from recent-model ATVs, although some
modifications are legal. The new rule is expected to
lead to tighter racing, reduced costs and greater
spectator interest.
The move has already paid off for the racers. Four-time
and defending GNCC Champion Bill Ballance has announced
that Yamaha will provide him with YFZ450 ATVs this
season to pursue his fifth championship. And since all
of the top riders have to choose a production machine to
race, the hope is that ATV manufacturers will begin
offering contingency plans to convince racers to race
their machine.
GNCC Racing began running a Pro Production class
alongside the existing pro class in 2002. Riders in that
class proved production machines can be competitive, as
Chad DuVall took an overall win over all the pro riders
on a Honda 400EX. The Pro Production class grew in 2003,
with former GNCC winners like William Yokley and Brad
Page moving to the class. Yokley and Brandon Ballance
took overall wins this season on Suzuki LT-Z400s.
Production ATVs collected 46 percent of the available
podium positions this season (18/39) as well as 9 of 12
spots (75 percent) in the final four rounds of the
series.
With the Pro Production and the Pro class uniting for
2004, a Pro Am class will be added for riders still
working their way into Pro status. The Pro Am class will
allow the use of all ATVs, including 250Rs and
aftermarket frames. Rider eligibility qualifications for
the Pro and Pro Am classes are posted on the rulebook
section of GNCCracing.com.
The ATVA Grand National Cross Country series is
America's premier off-road racing series. One of the
most physically demanding sports in the world, the
nearly three-hour long cross-country races lead as many
as 1300 riders through tracks ranging from eight to
twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including
hills, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC
races are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC
featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis,
Yamaha, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF, Dunlop and ITP, and riders
compete for over $500,000 in series prizes and
contingency money. The series airs on Speed Channel
every Tuesday night and Sunday afternoon. Associate
sponsors include MUDD, Scott, Alpinestars, Cometic,
Outerwears, Pro Armor, Race Tools, Twin Air, SFB Racing,
Thor, Racer X Illustrated, EFM, Motion Pro, Tire Balls,
GPR Stabilizer and Laeger's.
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