Winningest Women in GNCC ATV Racing Announces Retirement at Ironman GNCC

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is celebrating a historic weekend in Crawfordsville, Ind., at the Ironman Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) ATV racing event.

Traci Cecco-Pickens, long-time Yamaha rider and GNCC icon, has made history securing her ninth overall women’s ATV series title and announcing her retirement atop the Ironman podium.

“This ninth championship is very special to me and by far will be the most memorable – it is going to be my last championship,” Traci said. “I am retiring from chasing championships. With nine titles, my health, friends and memories for a lifetime, I finally feel this is the right time for me.”

Traci may be retiring from the track, but that doesn’t mean she’s leaving racing entirely. “I will continue to be at all of the GNCC events supporting my husband and his racing career,” she said. “Racing is a tremendous part of my life, and I will truly miss competing, but it’s time for me to be part of the sport I love in a different way – whether that be representing longtime sponsors at the track, working the gas can in the pits, or mentoring new lady racers.” To all of the up-and-coming women racers out there, she says: “Never quit setting achievable goals, and always act like a lady.”

Cecco clinched her historic championship at the last GNCC round October 6 in St. Clairsville, Ohio, allowing her to enjoy the Ironman knowing her championship is already in the books.

Known as the best woman racer in the history of the sport, Cecco captured six wins and was on the podium at every series stop this year leading up to Crawfordsville.

“Yamaha congratulates Traci on another championship season and reaching the historic milestone of winning nine championships throughout her career,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha’s ATV racing coordinator. “Traci has been an inspiration, a role model, and a champion of the sport throughout her career. She’s broken barriers for women in racing, and she’s proven that she is one of the best riders ever in any class or category. She’s a true champion and ambassador for our sport, and Yamaha is extremely proud to have been so closely involved in her successful career.”

Yamaha rolled a big rig into Crawfordsville for the weekend displaying new ATV models, including the 2013 Raptor 700R that is now assembled in the U.S.A.

Yamaha will continue to have special giveaway items for fans throughout the weekend and display a large racer appreciation banner to solute competitors who rode blue throughout the season.

Cecco’s announcement was capped by a special autograph signing session at the Yamaha truck including all of Yamaha’s top riders.

In the men’s XC-1 Pro series, Yamaha/Ballance Racing riders Walker Fowler and Taylor Kiser came into the Ironman ranked second and third respectively. Their consistency this year, including 12 combined podium finishes, has kept them in the top three this season.

“Yamaha congratulates our entire GNCC ATV racing team for their efforts this year,” said Luce. “Walker and Taylor have had very strong seasons and stayed near the top of the podium all year. We’re excited to see them finish the season strong and know they will be going for wins in these last couple of events.”

Traci turned pro in 1999 and won her first Women’s title in 2000. Since then, she has finished in the top three every year capturing an unprecedented nine overall titles, four second places and one third.

Her career has given her international recognition as a top ATV racer, and Moves magazine named her one of its “Power Woman” in 2010 – an award that honors “25 influential and successful women in various fields.” Among her many career highlights, she remembers “Signing my first Yamaha Racing contract in 2006, being the first woman to win a morning ATV overall race, working with young riders at GNCC University, and traveling the country to promote women in racing,” as some of her favorites.

“Thank you to my loving husband for building championship bikes and for being so supportive in my decision to retire,” she said. “To my Yamaha family, thank you for making my dreams come true. Thanks to my longtime sponsors for always believing in me: GYTR, Maxxis, Hiper, Powermadd, HMF, Scott, GT Thunder, Yamalube, Works Connection, Ballance Racing, Fly Racing, Precision, Wiseco, DP Brakes and Tireballs. And also to my newer sponsors: Rekluse, Quadtech, G4 and Big Nutz Racing. Thanks to the greatest pit crew ever: Johnny Gallagher, Jim Wise, Stoney Livengood and Todd Moskala. A huge thank you to my mom and family for putting up with my crazy passion of racing, and a shout out to ATVRiders.com, Quadzone, and X-Country photos for making us all famous. And thanks especially to my fans and my GNCC family for all the hugs and love through the years! I couldn’t have achieved any of this without each and every one of you!”

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS) a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States. Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia.

For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.

Rapala, the world’s favorite fishing lure and Polaris, the recognized leader in the powersports industry, have formed a strategic marketing partnership, further elevating Rapala’s ICE FORCE brand, which serves the ice fishing market.

This partnership completes Rapala’s fifth business alliance with a Minnesota based company throughout 2012, adding the renowned Polaris brand to Rapala’s industry leading ICE FORCE line of products, the dominant brand in the ice-fishing industry.

ICE FORCE consists of the ice-fishing industry’s premium brands including legendary Minnesota-based Rapala, StrikeMaster, MarCum Technologies, Otter Outdoors and now Polaris, providing consumers and tackle dealers with a complete line of ice-fishing products, including augers, shelters, sleds, electronics, lures, line, accessories, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.

“The ice fishing industry is a large and growing market,” said Tom Mackin, president of Rapala USA. “Polaris is synonymous with ice fishing enthusiasts as the top brand for getting them and their gear on and off hard water. This partnership is the perfect addition to our premium ICE FORCE brand.”

“Over the years, Polaris has evolved its offerings and have become number one in the off-road industry with the best and most-innovative Snowmobile, ATV and Side-by-Side offerings,” said Marc Hoffman, corporate marketing manager at Polaris. “We are excited to partner with the iconic Rapala brand and it’s prominent ICE FORCE line of products. This is the perfect marriage of premium brands serving frozen water fishermen.”

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com

Rapala was unofficially founded in 1936 when Lauri Rapala invented the Rapala fishing lure. Rapala has grown from humble beginnings to become a market leader in the fishing tackle industry. The Rapala brand’s functionality and high quality are known by fishermen around the world. Rapala maintains its strict standards of craftsmanship while delivering its fishing products to anglers in more than 130 countries. For more information on Rapala, please visit www.rapala.com

Three Can-Am Outlander ATV racers finished on the morning overall podium and swept the 4×4 Open class at round 11 of the 2012 Can-Am GNCC Racing series in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Can-Am X-Team racer and reigning 4×4 Open class champion Bryan Buckhannon, won the morning overall and his class, beating fellow Can-Am pilots Michael Swift and Zac Zakowski.

In the afternoon session of ATV racing, Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Pro racer Chris Bithell finished third overall in the XC1 ATV class. XC1 Modified side-by-side driver Joe Krecelich also earned a third-place podium finish in his Can-Am Commander 1000 X.

“Can-Am ATV racers made their presence known at Power Line Park in Ohio, by not only sweeping the morning overall podium, but also earning five of the top 10 finishes in the morning and a coveted XC1 class podium in both ATV and side-by-side racing this weekend,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Bryan Buckhannon and Michael Swift continued their highly competitive, yet friendly battle for the 4×4 Open class crown. I was very thrilled to see both Chris Bithell and Joe Krecelich each earn a place on their respective Pro class podiums. The bottom line is that we had a great weekend, but now we need to shift our focus on round 12, the famous Ironman GNCC in Indiana, and continuing our effort to win several 2012 class championships.”

The 10.5-mile Power Line Park course was soaked by rain Friday night, greeting the racers with wet-and-muddy track conditions on Saturday. Can-Am racers started the weekend off in a positive manner as Buckhannon, Swift and Zakowski swept the 4×4 Open class podium, overall morning podium and utility podium in Ohio. Buckhannon, winner of nine races this year, continued to expand his points lead and to repeat as 4×4 Open champion.

“We had a great day of incredible racing and our setup [on the Outlander] just worked awesome in today’s conditions,” said Buckhannon.

Robert Smith, a Can-Am Renegade ATV racer from Conneautville, Pa., recorded his first U2 class win in Ohio, edging class stalwart and reigning champion Cliff Beasley (UXC Racing / Can-Am) and Can-Am racer Scott Day. Forrest Whorton, the defending 4×4 Senior class champion, finished more than 25 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor to earn his 10th win of 2012. Josh Copeland, notched his first class overall of the year, winning the 4×4 Novice class aboard a Can-Am Renegade ATV.

In XC1 ATV action, Bithell was determined to carry the morning riders’ success into the afternoon session and looked improve upon his unusual 13th place finish at the last round. The Motoworks / Can-Am racer did just that as he recovered from a challenging start to earn the third step on the XC1 class podium. Bithell garnered his fourth top three or better finish of the season and currently sits fifth in the Pro class points race.

“I did not get a great start, but made some things happen in the first few turns that sent me into the woods close to the leaders. The track was a great mix and had some sections where I could really use the power,” said Bithell. “I have to really thank my mechanic Darrin Thomas who had my Can-Am DS 450 ATV really dialed in. Everything really worked today and I am so happy to be on the podium.”

In the final session of the day, Krecelich continued the Can-Am podium trend as he piloted his Jack’s Excavating/Team Krecelich Can-Am Commander to third overall in the XC1 Modified class, rallying from his eighth-place position after lap one.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2012 schedule, the ’12 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.