ATV Scene.com's GNCC Correspondent, Bonnie Hamrick
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Name: Bonnie Hamrick |
ATV Scene: Congratulations on your graduating
from college! Where did you graduate from and what was your major?
Hamrick: I graduated from Gardner-Webb University
in Boiling Springs, NC. I received my Associate Degree in Nursing to be eligible
for an RN position.
ATV Scene: How long have you been going
to the GNCCs?
Hamrick: Let's just say I
was wearing pull-up training pants, it has been that long.
ATV Scene: Why are you so interested in
GNCC ATV racing?
Hamrick: There are a lot of cute racers.
No, really I just love Cross Country racing. The sport thrills me.
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| Bonnie and father at the Millfield, OH GNCC mud race. |
ATV Scene: Tell us more about your own
racing career. Why have you focused your efforts on writing about racing rather
than racing yourself?
Hamrick: I raced in the Women's Class when
it first started in 1996, winning the championship that year. I broke my femur
the next year. After my injury, I went back to racing, but finished second twice,
never to regain my championship. Once I started college, Dad and I decided I
should put racing on hold to get a career. (Which was BIG TIME smart). So, here
I am done with college, and still not racing, Why? I don't know. I love racing
and I miss it like crazy, but right now there is a special person in my life
and I want to support his racing. Plus, I know our relationship would be over
if I ever beat him.
ATV Scene: What is your dad’s role
at the GNCCs?
Hamrick: My dad is the greatest man in the
world. Every racer should know my dad and thank him for all those alternate
routes around deep mud holes at the GNCCs. He works with Jeff Russell and Rita
Coombs laying out trails and hosting the Big Buck Grand National. Back in the
day, Big Dave Coombs recruited my dad to help. The next thing he knew, he was
traveling to all the races, (even missing his daughter's college graduation),
to put on races. He loves what he does and is at "one with nature."
ATV Scene: Do you travel to the races with
your dad?
Hamrick: I have traveled with my dad from
day one. On Friday after school, we would load up in the motor-home heading
out to the GNCC races, not to arrive home till late Sunday night (sometimes
Monday morning). But this year is my first time traveling without him. I have
had the privilege to ride with my boyfriend and his parents to the GNCC races.
ATV Scene: So you get there early and stay
late. What do you do usually do while you’re there for all that time? Does
Rita and Carry Jo put you to work too?
Hamrick: A few years ago, I worked at sign
up for Rita. Before that, I punched handlebar tags in the woods (long before
computer scoring was out). Now, I just help my dad if he needs me. On Saturdays,
I pit my boyfriend during the quad race, Lucas Towery - during the Mini race,
and on Sunday, when I am there, I help pit Robby Towery and my brother.
ATV Scene: Who do you see coming up the
ranks as tomorrow’s star?
Hamrick:Well right now Bill Ballance is
on a great roll, but I see him being unthroned one year, by my favorite Pro
Rider, Matt Smiley. Matt is a nice guy and a great rider. Last year he was right
there nearly every race, but this year he is having a few problems early on.
What ever you do, don't count him out! The Pro Rider that is full of the most
potential and talent is Santo DeRisi. Santo is a wonderful friend to everyone
at the track. I have watched his career all the way from when he started it
on a Banshee, and he has done nothing but improve. Mark my words, he is coming.
ATV Scene: Ever been to any GNCs?
Hamrick: No, I haven't, but I have heard
about Jeremiah Jones, Kory Ellis and all the other great motocross and TT riders.
I would like to make it to one soon.
ATV Scene: Any heroes?
Hamrick: My dad, without a doubt. My dad
is a cool guy and works hard at everything he does. Sometimes people think he
wastes his time traveling to all the GNCCs and putting on his own series because
he isn't rich, but he loves what he is doing. I want to be just like that.
ATV Scene: Do you have a favorite pro racer
you root for?
Hamrick: I cheer for everyone I know, sometimes
people I don't even know. I think that if they are on the first two rows, they
are trying to prove themselves, therefore they deserve a cheer for confidence.
But, of course a girl has her favorites!
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Bonnie and her boyfriend, Four stroke A (soon to be Pro Production) - Bryan Cook. |
ATV Scene: Boyfriend?
Hamrick: Yeah, the greatest guy and fastest
racer. Bryan Cook from Casar, NC. He races 4 Stroke A this year and is looking
forward to Pro Production next year.
ATV Scene: Did you play any sports in High
School or College?
Hamrick:Between racing motorcycles while
in High School, I didn't get to be too involved in sports, but I played on the
Volleyball team and had the highest score- off-serves average. Then in college,
there was no way you could have a life while trying to pass Nursing classes
and play sports!
ATV Scene: Do you follow any other sport?
Hamrick: I admit, I am a girl from the South,
so Nascar of course. Plus I am a sucker for Professional football and baseball.
ATV Scene: Favorite place on earth?
Hamrick: Anywhere with my boyfriend at a
race. If I can't be at a race, I want to be in France.
ATV Scene: What CD is in your player right
now?
Hamrick: One that I burned. A little country
(Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith), a little alternative (Linkin Park and Trapped),
and a little R&B (Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez).
ATV Scene: Most embarrassing moment?
Hamrick: Now you are getting deep! Probably
the day I broke my leg, October '97, at Crawfordsville, IN. They had to cut
off my riding gear to stabilize me to the stretcher (so they said). I was stripped
down to my purple underwear in front of a bunch of people gawking at me as I
screamed in horror and pain. That was bad.
ATV Scene: What’s the best thing about
our sport?
Hamrick: It's for boys and girls too, even
though the guys hate to admit it sometimes.
ATV Scene: What’s the worst thing?
Hamrick: Even though this sport originated
for fun and a lot of people still do it for fun, it cost so much money!
ATV Scene: What can ATV Scene readers look
forward to now that you’re part of the team?
Hamrick: A great story about some awesome
racing, so that if they couldn't be there to see it, it will make them feel
like they were.
ATV Scene: Any parting words?
Hamrick: Hope to see you at the track and
don't be afraid to stop by and say hello, or give me the scoop on an interesting
news piece You can e mail me at bonnie@atvscene.com
