Many top racers from the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, were in attendance to the AMA Championship Banquet in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend, where the American Motorcyclist Association presented champions their 2014 AMA National No. 1 plates, recognized the season's best organizers and announced the 2014 AMA Athletes of the Year.

GNCC Racers made an impressive showing, claiming two of the evening’s highest competitive honors. Thanks to votes from AMA members all over the country, two-time GNCC XC1 National Champion Kailub Russell won the AMA National Championship Series Athlete of the Year Award. Russell has made a big impact in the off-road racing world as the Factory FMF/KTM rider recently earned top American honors at the International Six Days Enduro, in addition to two consecutive GNCC titles and many other accolades in U.S. racing.

"It was a good year for me, both in the GNCCs and going to the ISDE, and I appreciate this award," Russell said. "I have to thank my family, my wife and the Racer Productions crew. It takes a large group of people to win a national championship, and it's tough to get the job done, but motorcycle racing is a fun sport."

Six-Time GNCC XC1 ATV National Champion Chris Borich won AMA ATV Athlete of the Year Award, following one of the most highly contested GNCC championships in quite some time. With 73 career wins to date, Team Maxxis’ Borich surpassed eight-time GNCC Champion Barry Hawk (68 career wins) in 2014 to become the All-Time Winningest GNCC Racer.

“I really appreciate all the AMA members who voted for me to win this award, it’s a real honor and a good way to kick off 2015,” Borich said. “Unfortunately I wasn’t able to be in Ohio to accept the award but I can’t thank everyone enough for sticking behind me all season.”

Racer Productions, organizers of the Grand National Cross Country Series since 1975, also received a great honor as the AMA’s 2014 Off-Road Organizer of the Year.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized as AMA Off-Road Organizer of the Year,” said Racer Productions President Rita Coombs. “We have a lot of people that work very hard to make our events special. This award is for them.”

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series kicks off its 2015 season March 7 and 8 in Palatka, Florida with the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC. For more information on the series, please visit www.gnccracing.com.