Georgia -- They grow peaches, peanuts, onions and ATV champions!
Here's a few up and coming riders who call Georgia home.
Jason Rich
2001 250-B National Champion
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ATV Scene: First off, what part of Georgia
are you from and how long have you been racing ATVs?
Rich: I'm from McRae, Ga. Been racing ATV's
for 3 & 1/2 years.
ATV Scene: What is your opinion of the Georgia
racing scene?
Rich: Georgia quad racing has definitely
came along way in the past several years. The riders have almost doubled. I
think that it must have been because of the national.
ATV Scene: What is your favorite track in
Georgia?
Rich: Echeconnee
ATV Scene: You've been credited as the racer
that put Georgia on the map, has that reputation hurt or helped you?
Rich: I think that it has definitely helped
because people from down south aren't recognized or even heard of hardly on
our circuit. It is all guys from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and up north
that you hear about. So I think its great for the south to be known.
ATV Scene: After winning the 250-B championship
in 2001, in 2002 you came out swinging at round 1 in the 250-A class and then
disappeared, what happened to you? Where did you go?
Rich: I actually broke a vertebra in my
neck, bruised my sternum really bad, and broke my collarbone in a Sunday morning
practice. I still rode the race in 250a and finished 2nd in the main and 3rd
overall. After the race I went to the hospital and they told me I was fine so
I kept on riding. A month later I went back a different doctor because of the
pain and they took more x-rays and found the breaks.
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ATV Scene: What convinced you to make this
comeback?
Rich: Nothing really convinced me. It is
just that racing is just my thing and I don't think that anything could make
me quit. I for sure didn't plan on being out that long but I'm back now.
ATV Scene: What classes will you be running
this season, and what are your goals?
Rich: I'll be running the 250a class. I
hope to get win or get a top three finish. I'd like to win a few races. Mainly
just be consistent and stay healthy.
ATV Scene: Your home state will field three
serious contenders for the 250-A
Rich: Championship (Kyle Taylor, Patton
Thompson, & yourself), do you think you guys can go 1,2,3? If so, who's
coming out on top?
I definitely think that we could go 1,2,3 depending on who else is in the class
this year and who stays healthy.
ATV Scene: Who's helping you out this year?
Rich: Nac's /Cannondale, Shift, Smith, Capitol
Cycle, PEP, ITP, Premier Powder coating, tag metals, pro art works, mom &
dad.
Kyle Taylor
2002 250-B National champion
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ATV Scene: First off, what part of Georgia
are you from and how long have you been racing ATVs?
Taylor: I am from Alma, Georgia and I have
been racing for three years.
ATV Scene: What is your opinion of the Georgia
racing scene?
Taylor: The Georgia racing scene is very
interesting because the competition is so stiff and anyone can win on any given
weekend.
ATV Scene: At what point did you realize
that winning a National Championship was a realistic goal?
Taylor: I realized it was a realistic goal
when I won the second round at London, KY in 2002.
ATV Scene: Are you treated any differently
now that you're the 250-B champ?
Taylor: Yes, because it has helped me gain
more sponsors for the 2003 season.
ATV Scene: How did your fellow students
and teachers react to your championship?
Taylor: They were all excited because no
one in our town has ever won anything nationally.
ATV Scene: Has the #1 plate helped you out
with the ladies?
Taylor: Not one bit.
ATV Scene: What is it about Georgia that
produces champions?
Taylor: We work really hard and the good
weather.
ATV Scene: What is your favorite track in
Georgia?
Taylor: Echeconnee
ATV Scene: What is your favorite track in
the USA?
Taylor: Echeconnee, because of the sand
and the rough sections.
ATV Scene: What classes will you be running
this season, and what are your goals?
Taylor: The main class I will be running
this year will be the 250A class and I will run the 250 Pro-Am and the 16-24
classes on the side.
ATV Scene: Who do you feel will be your
biggest competition?
Taylor: Patton Thompson will be my biggest
competition in the 250A class.
ATV Scene: Who's helping you out this year?
Taylor: Mom and Dad, Nac's Racing, Baldwin
Motorsports, PEP, Lost Creek Cycles, Digby Sales, LRD, K&N, JPMX, Mothers,
Shift, Motocore Racing, RPM, & Galfer
Hunter Johnson
2003 250-B Champion?
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ATV Scene: First off, what part of Georgia
are you from and how long have you been
racing ATVs?
Johnson: I live in Metter, Georgia. It is
about 60 miles west of Savannah. I have been racing for two and a half years.
ATV Scene: What is your opinion of the Georgia
racing scene?
Johnson: I really enjoy racing the GPG series.
I think the series has some great tracks. Since I have been racing, I have seen
the ATV classes grow. It is not uncommon to have a full gate with more than
one A-class rider. I don't know about other places, but the Georgia racers try
to keep in touch and help each other out.
ATV Scene: What is your favorite track in
Georgia?
Johnson: It has got to be Echeconnee. I
have not always had great luck there, but it is still a fun track.
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ATV Scene: You've got some pretty big shoes
to fill in the 250-B class; do you think you are up to the task?
Johnson: I have been training hard. With
a little bit of luck, I think I can keep the 250-B championship in Georgia.
ATV Scene: What kind of ATV will you be
riding?
Johnson: The bike I'm riding is a PRP custom
frame powered by a Yamaha YZ 250 motor.
ATV Scene: Who's helping you out this year?
Johnson: Yamaha of Statesboro, Digby Sales,
+40 rider David Edwards, and my mom and dad.
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Have you ever wondered how it is that ATV racers go from hometown heroes to National Champions? Who guides these kids? Who shows them the ropes? Well if you live in the state of Georgia, that person would be Norris Quinn. Just about every racer in the Southeast has dealt with Norris at one point or another, whether it is here in Georgia, or at the Terry Racing booth at the Nationals where he does on site shock service. Here's what the "Guru of Georgia ATV Racing" has to say.
ATV Scene: First of all, what part of Georgia
are you from and how long have you been involved in the sport of ATV racing?
Quinn: I am from northeast Georgia, about
one hour north of Atlanta. I started riding ATVs in 1988, and started racing
in 1995.
ATV Scene: How has the Georgia racing scene
changed since you first became involved?
Quinn: Most of the people I started racing
with are gone now, a lot of these riders were very good, but its just to expensive
to stay for the long haul, I guess I am just stubborn. Now that there are more
choices in ATVs from the manufacturers, thing are starting to change. Hopefully!
ATV Scene: What is it about Georgia that
produces champions?
Quinn: One advantage is the amount of time
in the year we have to ride; up north this winter those guys are hurting.
ATV Scene: Tell us a little bit about Quinn
Motorsports; who are you helping out this year?
Quinn: I started building my own motors
in 1997, because I was unable to rely on others, it sort of snow balled from
there. I help out all of my customers; I get in trouble when asked this question
because I cannot remember everybody when asked. Patton Thompson, Casey Thompson,
rich Buckley, Brian Reese, Seth Fligge, Terry Herring, Stan Digby, Jeremy Wright,
Don Ivester, Don Burnette, Billy Webb, Chris Harper, Julia Neace, WL McCarlly,
Jorge Cuartas, Travis Lucas, Tim West, Steve Royaackers, Chris Miller, Van Puresr,
and many more.
ATV Scene: Will you be racing this season?
Quinn: I plan to run in the 30+, maybe even
the 40+.
ATV Scene: If you could give any advice
to the new racers, what would it be?
Quinn: Buy a dirt bike! No just kidding,
get involved in the NQRA, (NATIONAL QUAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION) you can contact
Randy Dinkins at 336-463-4414, their first race is at Virginia Beach the first
weekend in may, yes the same weekend as Michigan.
If you would like to contact Norris Quinn, you can reach
him at (706) 384 4795
