A conversation with a few heavy hitting GNCC amateurs -- Traci Cecco, Bryan
Cook and Jeff Stoess
By Bonnie Hamrick
I am honored to bring you the latest news from the GNCC races from some of our amateur racers. These riders deserve credit just like the pro riders that get interviewed race after race. So here it goes:
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| Traci Cecco (seen here with husband Rick) edged out Stephanie Parton at the Ironman GNCC to take home her third Women's class Championship. |
First I got to talk to Traci Cecco before she had went to battle against
Stephanie Parton for the Women's Championship.
ATV Scene: When you aren't racing on the
weekends, what do you do?
Cecco: We basically have two practice tracks
at our home or we go to Rausch Creek and just ride together.
ATV Scene: Married?
Cecco: Yes. My husband Rick races Four Stroke
A in the GNCCs. He earned 3rd in points for 2003.
ATV Scene: What are your accomplishments?
Cecco: I just won my third GNCC Womens title!
I also won it in 2000 and 2001. I also have two second place runner ups in my
five year career.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Cecco: I guess it hasn't been on the track
as most memorable, but being signed on with Alba Action has been a great honor
to be a part of a team such as that.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Cecco: The mud; there have been a few really
muddy races this year.
ATV Scene: What other series do you race
besides the GNCC's?
Cecco: I race the Pennsylvania Hare Scrambles
as well as District 6. I also raced Fast-Trak's Buddy-Up Cross Country Series
(BUCCS) with Rick..
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| Traci recently teamed up with GNC Women's Class Champs, Angela Moore and Heather Byrd. They rode this Suzuki at the Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America. Their Team Alba Action Girls beat most of the men! They finished a respectable 5th in the A class. |
ATV Scene: Hero?
Cecco: My father.
ATV Scene: What kinds of changes have you
been through this year?
Cecco: Before the summer break I rode a
Suzuki Z400, but I come back from the break on the Yamaha and I love it.
ATV Scene: Who do you have to thank for
the success of this year?
Cecco: My husband first of all and all my
sponsors: Alba Action Sports, Lone Star Racing, PEP, Douglas Wheel, Moose Offroad,
IMS, Rausch Creek Motorsports, Maxxis, Tire Balls, Wiseco, Smith, Fullbore,
PRM, No Toil, Hardkor Engineering, Shoei, DP Brakes, Motion Pro, Pro Clean 1000,
Cycra, Sunoco, Maxima, Works Connection, Outerwears, Spider Grips, Sunstar,
and Baldwin Motorsports.
ATV Scene: What are your plans for next
year?
Cecco: I am going to continue to run the
Women's Class for Alba Action Sports and hopefully get another Championship.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best
thing about this sport?
Cecco: I think the best thing about this
sport is coming to the track and meeting everyone, not only riders, but spectators
and fans. This is a very family oriented sport, and that is what is nice about
it.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Cecco: If you're not racing, I recommend
you try it.
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| Finishing the race after running Pro may have taken a lot out of Stoess, but never fail, after the race he was swapping stories with the Quad Shop crew. |
The battle in the Four Stroke A Class has been incredible this year and
I was able to get my hands on the two riders that battled one another at every
race. First off, Jeff Stoess held the points lead early in the season, but when
the drops came along, Bryan Cook was able to take over the first place position.
Jeff is laid back family guy, and here are a few answers he wanted to share
with you.
ATV Scene: When you aren't racing on the
weekends, what do you do?
Stoess: I just hang out with the family,
play with my kids.
ATV Scene: Married?
Stoess: Yes with two kids. Girls
ATV Scene: What are some of your accomplishments?
Stoess: This year I ended up second in the
Four Stroke A Class and holding Top Thirteenth overall. I have had several Top
Twenty Overalls in the past twelve years and a couple of Mid South Championships.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Stoess: Probably the John Penton where I
took fifth overall. I had a really good time; I picked a lot of good lines and
everyone else was getting stuck while I made it through.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Stoess: Stoess: Probably Loretta Lynn's,
I have always never done good at that track. It really doesn't suit my riding
style. Other than that, I haven't had any DNF's this year.
ATV Scene: What other series do you race
in besides the GNCC's?
Stoess: Mid South Winter Series.
ATV Scene: Heroes?
Stoess: Bill Ballance, William Yokley, and
Bob Sloan
ATV Scene: Who do you think for your success
this year?
Stoess: My wife for one, Elka Suspension,
and The Quad Shop. They have been the main ones helping this year.
ATV Scene: What are your plans for next
year?
Stoess: I am planning on racing Pro Production
in the GNCC's.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best
thing about this sport?
Stoess: All the friends that you get to
meet and hang out with.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Stoess: Ride a lot and have fun.
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| Before the race, Bryan and his father get the quad race ready. He may look nervous, but once the green flag went up on the start, he was too busy to be nervous. |
Bryan Cook took the Four Stroke A Class Championship this year with many
top twenty overall finishes. Next year look for him on Pro Pit row and ask him
for an autograph of your own.
ATV Scene: When you aren't racing on the
weekends, what do you do?
Cook: Hang out and ride.
Cook: Two Mid East Hare Scramble Series Championships, GNCC Open B Class Championship and this year the Four Stroke A Class Championship, with twelfth overall for the season.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Cook: I finished fourth overall at the Georgia GNCC.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Cook: Florida because there was so much
water in the sand, and the effect that it had on the four-wheeler.
Cook: Mid East Hare Scramble
ATV Scene: Hero?
Cook: My father
ATV Scene: Who do you have to think for
all the success of this year?
Cook: You my girlfriend (Yup that's me!!),
and family, Moose, DeRisi Racing, Maxxis, Scott, Outerwears, Klotz, Wiseco,
Pivot Works, AC Racing, IMS, K&N, Maier, Quad Tech, WD-40, Hinson
Cook: I plan on racing Pro Production.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best thing about this sport?
Cook: All the people that you get to meet and become friends with.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Cook: Be safe and have fun.
