Morgantown, W. Va. (May 3, 2012) - Racer
Productions, in conjunction with Yamaha Racing and Snowshoe Resort, is
proud to announce the return of GNCC University to this year’s Motosport.com
Snowshoe GNCC, round 8 of the 2012 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Series. Yamaha’s top off-road ATV and motorcycle racers will be on hand
as instructors of this two-day riding school, beginning with orientation
on Wednesday, June 20 and running through Friday, June 22.
Dean of ATVs, 9-Time GNCC Champion Bill Ballance, will lead this
year's Yamaha Racing ATV instructors, including 2011 XC2 champ Walker
Fowler, Taylor Kiser, 8-Time GNCC Champion Traci Cecco and Johnny
Gallagher.
“Working with the students at GNCC U is a good reminder of how
fortunate we are to be able to do what we love and it’s a great feeling
to pass along some of our knowledge and skills to the younger racers and
just give back to the sport,” said Bill Ballance. “Having this riding
school at Snowshoe makes the event extra special and since we always
seem to be pressed for time on race day, events like this give us time
to relax a little and focus on helping out the students. We hope this
will help to build our sport for the future!”
Led by Dean of motorcycles, 7-Time AMA National Enduro Champion Randy
Hawkins, this year's Yamaha Racing bike instructors include 5-Time AMA
National Hare Scramble Champion Jason Raines, 2009 XC1 Champion Paul
Whibley, XC1 rider Jordan Ashburn, XC2 riders Brad Bakken and Jedediah
Haines, and Women’s class rider Leeann Bange.
“Our team is very pleased to be a part of GNCC U once again this year
and we feel fortunate to be able to give back to this sport and its
younger generation of racers and riders,” said Randy Hawkins. “It’s
always fun to get back to the basics and to be able to spend time
working with students on all elements of woods racing. We’re excited to
bring a few new instructors on board this year and we’re looking forward
to another great week at Snowshoe!”
The panel of professional instructors will head several groups of
students according to bike size and riding level to ensure each student
is learning with a group similar to his/her riding ability. Students
will learn proper navigation of up hills, down hills, grass tracks,
woods, rocks and mud, as well as how to handle competitive starts.
Students will also participate in lectures about sportsmanship,
training, nutrition and mental preparation.
Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis as there are only
40 spots each for both the bike and ATV disciplines - totaling 80 spots.
Students must provide their own equipment and be at least 8 years of
age, and machines must be 85cc or larger.
GNCC University is in session from June 20-22, 2012. Tuition, room
and board—including meals throughout the school is $428 per student.
Registration is now open through Snowshoe Mountain Resort. To reserve a
spot, call the office at 877-441-4386 or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.
Yamaha will also have the ATV and SxS Demo program on site, as well
as the YZ/WR Demo program for all qualified riders and spectators to
test out both ATV and Motorcycle models throughout the race weekend.
Round six of the 2012 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series
heads to Springville, Indiana, May 12 and 13 for The Limestone 100 GNCC.
For more information, go to www.gnccracing.com.
About GNCC Racing:
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America's premier
off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is
produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one
of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling
three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,500 riders through tracks
ranging in length from ten to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including
hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are
tests of both survival and speed and draw talent from all over the U.S.,
Europe, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised and airs
every week on NBC Sports Network. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.