LAS VEGAS ”“ David Knight, Bill Ballance, Traci Cecco, Michael Swift and Walker Fowler celebrated their respective Can-Am GNCC Championships during the Annual AMA Sports Award Banquet over the weekend at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino.

Knight, from the Isle of Man in the UK, earned the 2007 GNCC Bike Championship. This season, "Knighter" took America by storm, overcoming injury to score seven wins in 12 GNCC starts. Prior to his American debut this year with KTM, "Knighter" was a dominant international off road racer.

Ballance, on a Yamaha out-dueled Chris Borich to take a record eighth consecutive GNCC title on the strength of five victories this season. With his eighth championship, Ballance moved out of a tie with Barry Hawk for the most championships in a row. In addition, the ATVA honored Ballance with its Athlete of the Year Award.

Fowler made history by winning the AMA Sports Rider of the Year title. With the award, Walker becomes the first rider to win the title in both ATV and Motorcycle competition.

Knight, Ballance, and Fowler, along with the rest of the GNCC award winners will be honored next weekend at the Annual GNCC Awards Banquet at the Four Points Sheraton in Cranberry, Pa.

In addition to the GNCC Champions, Racer Productions was also honored by the AMA as Off Road Organizer of the Year and ATVA Organizer of the Year.  With average participation of more than 1,400 unique riders from all over the world per event, Racer Productions' Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series is the premiere off-road racing series worldwide.  It is also one of the richest, as riders compete for over $3 million in series prizes and contingency money. Television coverage expanded this season to more than 56 countries, with Versus network carrying weekly telecasts stateside.

The 13-round 2008 Can-Am GNCC Racing season kicks off March 1^st in Florida. For more information about GNCC Racing, visit www.gnccracing.com.

 

GNCC Champions Ballance, Cecco, Fowler, Swift and Knight take center stage in Vegas.

(Photo by Hoop)

  

8-Time GNCC Champ Bill Ballance. (Photo by Hoop)

About GNCC Racing

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1973, 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 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include: BRP Can-Am, Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka, GEICO, Klotz, FMF, ITP and Weekend Warrior. Associate sponsors include Alpinestars, Cometic, HiPer Technology, Laegers, Moose Utility Division, The National Guard, Powersport Grafx, REM, Scott, Thor, Tire Balls, Twin Air, and MotoTee’s. Media Sponsors include Racer X Illustrated, ATV Rider, ATV Sport, ATVRiders.com, Quadzone.com, Dirt Rider and ATV Insider.  For more information, please visit http://www.gnccracing.com/.