by: Jared Bolton
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 | 3:35 PM
Ellen Pritchard is a familiar face in the ATV world due to the great impact that her husband, Glen “Jody” Pritchard had on the GNCC Racing Nation. Ellen made her racing debut in the UTV event at Big Buck and plans to continue racing the remaining UTV rounds. We caught up with Ellen to talk about racing, Glen, and what GNCC Racing is truly all about.
GNCCRacing.com: How's everything going today?
Ellen Pritchard: Going ok. Thinking of the upcoming weekend!
So are we going to see you behind the wheel of a UTV again this weekend?
Yes, I'll be there with the Polaris RZR.
Great! What was it like to race the Big Buck round?
It was a blast! I was very nervous beforehand. Wasn't sure if I should do it. I wanted to tame that track, most of you know why! (You can read below to find out why)
How did the race go for you?
We got off the line in second, was hit in the side going into the woods, that kind of made me skiddish. But went into the woods in third place. The very first section, I almost hit a tree, had to back up, couldn't hit reverse because my nerves were getting me. After that, I just remembered why I was there, and did my best. We had walked some of the track before the race, but, after the AM and PM ATV races, it resembled nothing like we had seen. I knew that I wanted to finish the race, but, to be honest, when that 2 lap card came out, I was ready to quit. It was rough out there, I was worried about the UTV and breaking something on it because I don't have the means to fix it, but, I was determined to finish.
On the next to last lap, I had to completely stop, get out of my harness, and the netting, get out of the RZR and pull a log, well, it may have been a big stick, but, seemed like a log, out of the A-Arms. Then I had to get back in and get the harness back on and the net back up. I knew we had just passed some people standing along the track so I started yelling for help and one boy ran to us. He helped me get the harness back on and the net back into place. It was good because that net is impossible to fasten from the inside, so I thank that boy, whoever he was. My Co-Pilot, Donna Price, and I enjoyed being out there so much though. That last lap, we mostly laughed and really enjoyed being out there. I appreciate her being there with me.
Our lap times were quite a bit behind others, but, I was told "slow and steady" wins the race. We did finish, earned 3rd in our class and 29th overall. Not a bad finish for our first race. It was very emotional when we crossed that finish line. I had done what I had set out to do, beat that track. The cheers and thumbs up all along the track were wonderful, thanks to everyone who cheered us on.
It's not often you see a female behind the steering wheel racing a UTV, what was it like going up against all the men?
It was really awesome to be the only Girl/Girl team out there, but, it was also scary. Those guys are great though! They are very supportive. Moving out of their way on the track was the most difficult or nerve racking part of the race because there’s not many places to move over. When they came up behind us, I would try to get out of the way as fast as I could, I would throw my pointer finger up, like, "hang on, I'm getting out of the way", so they would know I was trying. They were patient with me, I knew they have a lot more in it than I do, so I appreciate them. They are quite crazy out there. They have nerves of steel and seriously go for the gusto. I respect and admire them very much.
What advice would you give to any other women who want to race a UTV?
If you sincerely have it in your heart to do so, do it!
For those who may not know, tell everyone a little about your late husband.
My husband was Glen "Jody" Pritchard, #737 GNCC ATV racer. He started racing GNCC at Yadkinville in 2005. In 2009 he earned the #203 plate for the 2010 season. 2009 was an awesome year for him, with numerous overall podium finishes. In April 2010, at the Big Buck, that track I wanted to tame, he had a terrible crash and was taken to the hospital, where they did a CT scan. The Doc came in the room and said, "Mr. Pritchard, you have 10 broken bones, and, how long have you had that lung cancer?" We were shocked to hear this news. Jody's response was, "well, we'll just have to deal with it." The cancer was stage 4 and had spread to both lungs, liver, and some lymph. Realizing how progressed it was, we now know, that he had raced with that cancer for a while, including his phenomenal 2009 season.
He began treatments immediately and when the broken bones healed, he returned to race one more race of that 2010 season, and in 2011 he raced 9 races, with 4 class wins. At the 2011 Mountain Ridge he again had a bad crash, and again broke another 10 bones. His right leg was broken in several places requiring surgery. After this race he was no longer able to ride an ATV. After he was diagnosed with Cancer, he would have Chemo treatments on Tuesday, and race on Saturday. He was the most determined person, both in his illness and his racing, he was determined to win at both.
He did return one more time, in 2012, he and our son in law, Rob Sellards, raced the UTV at Masontown. He passed away two months after that race.
I want to say, that when we started racing we admired Mr. John Gallagher so very much. We were star struck with him and he was a wonderful man. Jody loved him, loved talking to him, and loved racing with him. I know that everyone says, "Rest in Peace", but, these two, they aren't resting! They are racing, banging bars, and reminiscing about all the racing they did and are continuing to do together.
What did the GNCC Nation mean to him?
He loved GNCC Racing. He loved all aspects of it. The GNCC family, the meals we all had together on Friday and Saturday nights at the tracks, the racing, working on the quads, talking with and getting to know other racers. He built a practice track here, in the woods with all the same aspects of a GNCC track. We would go there, I would time his laps and he would push to beat his own times each lap. He put his heart and soul into GNCC racing.
It’s very true that after we became "empty nesters", and began racing. GNCC was a huge part of our lives. Everyone knows that feeling of how slow the time passes between The Ironman in October and River Ranch in March. It was excruciating for us and we looked forward to each new season. Our yearly vacation was the Florida/Georgia races. We would leave on Wednesday from West Virginia, travel to Florida, spend the weekend at River Ranch for the race, go to Durhamtown for the week, then on to Georgia for the General. This was the only vacation we took every year. So our vacation was "literally" spent with our GNCC family.
What do you think he would want to see happen in the future of GNCC Racing?
I believe he would want to see it basically unchanged, he loved it the way it is. He would want it to continue to be a family sport and the atmosphere to be that of family and support of each other, no matter the class you race in or who you are. He would also want it to remain affordable for the working man and his family.
What did you think about the amount of support the GNCC Nation gave throughout his battle with cancer?
The Nation was, and continues to be, absolutely phenomenal. What a wonderful family to be part of! I honestly don't think I could ever truly express the gratitude we have toward our GNCC family. There aren't enough words for the fundraisers, phone calls, emails, visits, prayers, kind words. Checking on us, asking if we needed anything, even keeping up with us through forums. I truly don't think there’s another sport out there that would show so much love and support for one of their athletes.
So how about you, what does the GNCC family mean to you?
The GNCC family is truly that, a FAMILY. They mean the world to me. They’ve kept me going through Jody's battle with cancer and the months that have followed his death. The support from everyone has been a true blessing. These people are people you really do miss in the off season, and even between races. I know that I could reach out to anyone in the GNCC family at any time and they would reach back. I’d do the same for any of them. I have met and hold in my heart so many GNCC friends who will be in my family forever.
How many more times can we expect to see you racing the UTV?
I hope to race the remaining UTV races, as they are all close to home. I'm not sure about the Ironman though, it's a little far. I also have to keep in mind the UTV itself, I have to run my race in such a way as to really take care of it, the expense of repairing it is out of the question.
What is the meaning behind your racing name: "Team GBAFR"?
GBAFR stand for "Gonna Be A Fun Ride"! Without the fun, why do this?
That’s awesome! Alright, before we wrap this up, who would you like to thank?
Oh my, this question is a good one, but, do you have enough room here for me to thank everyone I truly thank? (laughs)
We all should always thank Mr. Dave Coombs and Rita foremost. I know I am very thankful for them.
First, Rodney "Rowdy" Baker for getting us started in GNCC in 2005. Without him, I wouldn't be here thanking anyone else.
My daughters Valerie and Michele and son in law Rob, as well as Shawn, for supporting me and being "proud of me".
Kim Held, a very good friend of mine, for encouraging me and telling me I CAN do it, I CAN do anything I want, and pushing me when I think I can't!! Honestly, without her originally encouraging me, I don't think I would have raced.
Donna Price, for being my Co-Pilot at the Big Buck.
Michael Swift for encouraging me to race, and supporting me, and answering a million questions. No matter how silly my question may seem he is always there with an answer.
Bryan Buckhannon for the endless texts and support as well. Always willing to help, answer questions, and give advice.
Justin Lawson, my mechanic at home. He worked so hard to get the Polaris RZR ready for me to race. He takes me riding and is very patient, coaching me and giving me great advice. I have no sons of my own, but, Justin is truly a "son" in every sense of the word. At the same time, Karissa Wheeler and the newlyweds Brandon and Brittany Frazier, these kids are amazing, and have been my rocks.
The GNCC staff for cheering me on! All of You, Your Love and Support mean so much!
Glenn and Amy McConnell, Dave and Evie Simmons, Dave and Heather Smith. For their unwavering love and support.
Gabe Phillips, Chris Bithell, Chelsea Ann, Adam McGill, Haylee Henthorn, Chris Borich, Dawn Lahr, Kevin Trantham, Ken Hill, Vickie Fowler, Walker Fowler, Donnie and Lynda Pruett, Jeff and Traci Pickens, Rodney Tomblin, Linda Zakowski, Zac Zakowski, Shawn and Sara Smith and their sons, Mark and Clara McGill, The Evans Family, The Phillips Family, The Chad and Penny Smith Family, Donna Macan, Debby Hawk, Brian and Annie Wolf, Brent Sturdivant, Angel Atwell, Mr.GNCC-Johnny Gallagher, and all the other very important people I'm forgetting. The love, support, advice, pats on the back, thumbs up, and everything else from these people and so many others has been awesome, inspiring, and is so appreciated.
Lea Ann Bowen, my best friend, for always being there for me.
My Carlisle Girls, and my many days at Camp Carlisle as a child. Now as grown women we have a bond and friendship that will never be broken, and will carry us through. The support of these women, has truly seen me through some VERY Dark Days. "I'm a Carlisle Girl, I can do anything!"
Family and friends here at home, and my Amazon co-workers, thank you for loving me and supporting me.
My parents who are no longer with us, for always making me know I could do anything.
My late husband, Glen "Jody" Pritchard #737, I hope you are looking down on me and proud of what I am doing.
God, I thank you most of all, thank you for my health, and the ability to go race. And as is always said at each race by, the inspiring, Mr. Ricky Towery, “for our safe travels, and that we all have this sport we love so dearly, and to return to it week after week.”
Can't wait to see everyone in Millfield!