Surely by now most of you folks reading this column have been to the GNCC banquet before, and if you have, you almost certainly had a great time. We all know the hang out aspect of GNCC racing is just as fun as the actual racing part, and this weekend at Lakeview, it's all about hanging out.
Photo By: Jason Hooper
The banquet.
And for once I get to say "see you there" because I'm hosting the thing! It's been a long time since I've been able to hang with my GNCC peeps, so I can't wait.
We've got a few cool new things planned, but our real focus this year is streamlining the whole show. Each year we add a few more classes to the series, and the banquet gets longer and longer. So we're going to work hard to operate efficiently and cut back on the hours this year. "Too long" was the comment we've heard the most, so we're going to try to fix that.
And, as always, banquet weekend includes much more that just a Friday and Saturday night banquet. On Saturday and Sunday morning, we'll have rider's meetings to plan classes and take your feedback on 2011. And I also just got this note:
Make sure you head down to the banquet hall Saturday from 1-4 where Shannon Coombs and her team can show you the latest supplement that just launched worldwide! It increases vitality, endurance, energy, motivation, memory, and focus, while resetting aging at the genetic level. It's biggest thing that's ever hit anti-aging internally!
If you're interested in attacking aging from the outside in, she will be providing demos with the state-of-the-art Galvantic Spa. You'll be looking ten years younger in ten minutes. You'll look so young you will get carded if you're signing up for the vet classes, this product is that good! Just ask Rita.
Okay. I'm off to prepare. Let me turn it over to two of our key contributors and say that we'll see you tomorrow (or Saturday).
Thanks, Jason. It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas here in Oklahoma. The temperatures have been in the low 30s and there's a chance of snow flurries as I write this. I went shopping with my wife last night and the malls were packed, which I hope is an indication that the economy is improving. I know the motorcycle industry could use a boost right now and I'm hoping we're turning the corner when it comes to the country's financial situation. Like I mentioned last week, there were a few guys who got left without a ride when the deals for 2011 got passed out.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Jordan Ashburn will be taking the Charlie Mullins spot on Yamahas next year.
Jordan will be riding the Grand National Cross Country series in ultra competitive XC2 Pro-Class aboard the proven and potent YAMAHA YZ250F bearing the National number 16. Jordan earned top amateur in the GNCC series for 2010 and has accomplished a lot in his young career. At 19 years old Jordan has proven himself every season with the challenges that come with moving up the ranks. Jordan's skills matched with the mentorship of Randy Hawkins will be a great combination for everyone involved and are certain to be a winning combination.
Also for 2011 Jordan will return to the OMA National series in the pro-class and select National Enduro's, aboard the revolutionary YAMAHA YZ450F. "I am really excited to be on Yamaha and I am looking forward to winning with the Obermeyer/Am-Pro Yamaha team," said Jordan of his Pro debut season.
"I feel that Jordan represents the future of our sport and has been a stand out as an amateur, and we are happy to be part of him beginning his pro career, " Said Keith Obermeyer of Obermeyer Yamaha.
Speaking of riders that are signed to a deal for 2011, I just got off the phone with Charlie Mullins and he seems to be very happy with his new KTM ride. Charlie has been in California doing some testing and while he was out there he rode the Tecate Enduro in Mexico. Due to a scoring snafu, there are no results yet, but Charlie thought he did well and he mentioned that he is adapting to the 350, after riding a 450 for a while.
A few weeks ago in this column we buried Cycle News, the longtime "bible" of our sport. Well, CN is back from the dead. The MAG Group, a company that consists of several top aftermarket companies, including Renthal and Vance and Hines, has purchased the Cycle News brand and will be bringing it back in either print or digital magazine form in a matter of weeks. That's good news for GNCC since CN gave GNCC more ink than just about any other publication.
Photo By: Shan Moore
This is such a cool photo.
That's from Shan. Now a word from Jason Hooper:
While a lot of us have done everything possible to stay away from a motorcycle or the track for a while, there are still a few out there getting some end-of-the-year racing in. Josh Strang participated in A Day in the DIrt last weekend at Pala Raceway in California. A Day in the Dirt is a unique race weekend put on by Troy Lee Designs. On Saturday, Strang teamed up with fellow Aussie and new member of the Suzuki Factory Supercross and Motocross team, Brett Metcalfe for the team race. The two Aussies were winning the overall until Strang busted his rear brake line and they ended up finishing second in the race. That same day Strang raced the 40-minute long Pro/Am GP and battle with none other than 7-Time Supercross champ Jeremy McGrath. Strang gave MC a run for his money, almost making a pass a couple of times but ended up second again. If you want to see what it's like to battle with Mr. "Showtime" himself, check out this helmet cam video from the race: http://www.digitaloffroad.com/2010/11/30/josh-strang-day-in-the-dirt-helmet-cam/
Photo By: Shan Moore
Another gem from Shan.
The KTM boys are all out in California doing pre-season testing and I heard that Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, and Strang all hooked up and rode together at Glen Helen Raceway yesterday. That's definitely one of the cool things about GNCC compared to motocross or supercross--these guys are all fierce competitors on the track but still able to be good friends off of it.
Thanks, Hoops. That's it for us. It's banquet season. See you there!
Share