2005 GNCC Year End
ATV Riders Meeting Proposals & Suggestions
Morgantown,
WV (11/29/2005) -
Bright and early Sunday Morning at the Lakeview
resort , many of the GNCC racers that stuck around
after an evening of celebration at banquet converged
for one final time for the GNCC end of year riders
meeting, which is held to discuss rule changes,
suggestions and ideas to make this series better
for everyone next year.
There were plenty of things to discuss and the meeting
went on for several hours, but it was well worth it
as there were plenty of new ideas for ways to improve
the series for 2006, but since everyone couldn’t
attend the meetings racer productions is still looking
for more input from the racers on any of the already
slated rules changes and other proposed changes.
There were two meeting held with one dedicated to Pro
issues and the other dedicated solely to the amateurs,
and here is an overview of the meetings from www.gnccracing.com
If you have any concerns of questions about the suggestions
below, it is important that you contact Racer Productions
right away via email (info@gnccracing.com)
or phone (304-284-0084) because your
feedback is very valuable in improving the GNCC series
for 2006.
Pro
ATV Racers Rules:
Radios - Last year a suggestion
was made to allow pro riders to use two-way radios
with their pit crews. This would add a new element
to the TV show and the live-event announcing.
We're still looking into a reliable radio system
that might work. If anyone has any suggestions,
let us know.
Man-made obstacles - To put on a better
show for spectators and TV, we suggested building more
obstacles for our pro ATV riders. They could be pro-only
sections that are difficult, but would allow the rider
to save time if he makes it through. Riders suggested
using these as long as it's not mud - rocks and logs
would be okay. If anyone else has an idea on the subject,
let us know.
Remember, with factory support coming into ATV racing,
we want to help our boys put on a good show so they
can get more fans, more exposure and more support.
Amateur ATV Racers Rules:
Utility Class Structure - A few
of our fast Utility ATV Racers want a shot at
the overall win in the morning. So it was suggested
to rotate the Utility Classes right into the front
row. Then the idea came up to start a Pro Utility
Class, but the room agreed the current class structure
is good and there is no need to change it - but
just let them start up front a few times. Write
us with pros/cons you have noticed with starting
these classes up front.
Sport Class - Move it to the morning
- the class isn't drawing well in the afternoon. Everyone
seemed okay with this - let us know your concerns.
Four-Stroke Stock Class - This is a
really fast class now with a few expert level racers.
We suggested splitting the class by adding a Novice
division, but most racers felt the class is okay as
it is. Let us know what you think. As far as equipment
goes, Tire Balls will no longer be permitted in the
class to help keep costs down. Should bead locks be
outlawed as well? What about Flexx Handlebars? Also,
over the years many racers have asked us about longer
steering stems - this way taller riders could be more
comfortable. Is this needed? Should longer stems be
permitted or is this just adding another part to the
stock class?
One note on the Stock Class Rules:
If it's not on the list, it's not legal. At the moment
it doesn't say longer steering stems are permitted -
so they are not legal. It also doesn't say revalving
shocks and replacing springs is legal - so that is not
legal, either. If you have a TRX450R or Yamaha YFZ450,
for example, leaving your suspension the way it came
from the dealership.
Also,
a few manufacturers will be building "race replica"
type ATVs for 2006 - presumably Yamaha and Polaris.
These machines will not be allowed in the stock class
if they do not use the same pipe/exhaust system as the
regular version of the machine.
Youth ATV Racers Rules:
Four-Strokes in the 90 Class - The ATVA
allows 125cc four-stroke ATVs to race against
the 90cc two-strokes in Motocross and Short Track/TT
racing. Many have suggested we use the same rules
and allow those with 90cc four-strokes to bore
or stroke up to 125cc in GNCC. What are your suggestions?
How many Youth ATV Rounds? - We're still finalizing
locations for 2006, so we don't have the official
schedule for Youth Racing yet because not all
tracks/facilities are suitable for youth racing.
At the Rider's Meeting, we had a suggestion to
hold 8 Youth ATV Races in 2006. How does that
number sound to you?
The Youth 13 - 15 Class: The ATVA also
runs a 13-15 year old class for 200cc two-strokes (Blasters)
and 300cc four-strokes (300EX) in Motocross and Short
Track/TT. We have had this class suggested to us as
well, but we are not permitted to race 13 - 15 year
olds on the track with 16 and over riders at the same
time due to regulations. This isn't a problem in motocross
where everyone runs seperate motos anyway, but it makes
it difficult in GNCC. This class would require its own
class, race and start time. Any suggestions?
Other notes:
We are considering moving the Youth Bike Races to Sunday
Morning to open up more time for our ATV program. Our
Sunday schedule is very cramped since the afternoon
bike race runs 3 hours. We will have to discuss this
at the Bike Rider's Meeting this Sunday.
We hope to have the TBA Rounds filled in on our schedule
soon. We are not going to Texas in 2006. We are working
on a location in Kentucky.
We are restructuring the GNCC Television Shows to cover
a wider variety of classes - including Women, Youth
and Utility Classes. For a preview, check out the Power
Line Park GNCC on Tuesday, December 6 @ 5 pm, Thursday,
December 8 @ 11 am and Saturday, December 10 @ 2 pm.
This show will feature classes in all of the races,
and we're using this episode as a test for 2006. Walker
Fowler, Traci Cecco and Billy Good - don't miss this
one!
Finally - thanks for coming and sharing your ideas
with us. We're all one big GNCC Family, and we're
glad you can be a part of it!
About
Suzuki GNCC Racing Series:
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, trees, 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 and ITP, and riders compete
for over $2.8 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, Owens Motorsports, Tom's Marina
Polaris, 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.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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