Morgantown, WV - Racer Productions, producer of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, will end the 2007 GNCC tour with the biggest event of the year: the Klotz Ironman in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with an expected 1500 racers and one of the best tracks of the year, several special events are planned for this weekend only, including the following:
Swap Meet! The Ironman will host the first-ever GNCC swap meet. The season is over, so racers and fans are encouraged to clean out their garages, work shops, trucks and vans and sell whatever they no longer need. No special permits are required to buy or sell--just set up your spot in your pit, or take a stroll through the pit area to see what's available.
Side by Side Race! For the first time ever, UTV/Side by Side machines (Yamaha Rhinos, Polaris Rzrs, Artic Cat Prowlers and others) will race at a GNCC! A special course is being set up for these machines, and it will treat these Ultimate Terrain Vehicles to real cross-country style racing, including hills, trees and mud! They will race at 5 p.m. on Saturday, the entry fee is $40 per vehicle and everyone must have a driver and a passenger (it's more fun that way). Hit gnccracing.com/news/UTV for more information!
Demo Rides! Can-Am, Polaris and Yamaha have all set up demonstration riding areas to let fans and racers alike take a spin on select 2008 machinery. This is the only opportunity this year to ride the new equipment from all three manufacturers, and it's free. Can-Am has even contracted popular supercross track builder Dirt Wurx to build their demo track, so make sure you get in line early!
2008 Displays! Even if you're not riding, Can-Am, Polaris and Yamaha will have their 2008 line on display, as well as BMW.
Halloween Costume Contest! In the spirit of the scary season, everyone is invited to wear their Halloween best. Costume contests will take place on the starting line of the 1 p.m. pro races on Saturday (ATVs) and Sunday (Bikes). Trophies for the winners just like in the races!
Titles on the Line! Both of the premiere titles in GNCC Racing, the Bike and ATV XC1 pro titles, are still on the line heading into the Ironman finale. World Enduro Champion David Knight will attempt to hold Am-Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk at bay to capture his first U.S. GNCC crown on bikes. Knight's Red Bull KTM teammate Justin Williamson is also looking to clinch the first-ever GNCC XC2 Lites Championship. On ATVs, Yamaha's Bill Ballance can make history if he wraps up another number-one, as he will become the first GNCC racer ever to notch eight-straight overall number one plates. East Coast ATV's Chris Borich is still in contention though and wants to break Ballance's streak more than anything. ATV pros race Saturday and 1 p.m. and bikes race Sunday at 1 p.m.
The BMW 450! BMW is working on a real off-road weapon, a 450-single cylinder dirt bike prototype that could revolutionize the sport when it goes into production. BMW will mark the machine's US debut when they put the machine into GNCC competition at the Ironman. Finnish star Simo Kirssi will be at the controls during the maiden voyage, and many believe has can put the bike right up on the podium!
The World Enduro Champions! Veteran World Enduro Championship stars Mika Ahola and Samuli Arro will compete in the GNCCs for the first time, and there's no doubt to anyone in the off-road world that these boys can go fast. Also, Australian Enduro Champion AJ Roberts will compete on his Shennendoah Honda. This just adds to the field of international talent competing in every GNCC, including Knight, Australia's Glenn Kearney and Josh Strang, and New Zealand's Paul Whibley.