GNC regular, Cody Hurst, leaves us way too early
June 10, 2002
By: John Pellan

Orrville, Ohio's Cody Hurst (JB Racing/Kames Sports) died Saturday while navigating his ATV through a set of whoops at the Birch Creek GNC MX in Ringold, VA. Apparently Cody got slightly off rhythm in the section and went over the bars. His feet got caught in the handlebars while the quad pushed him under the 300lbs machine. The impact broke his neck.

On-site rescue personnel from Laurel Grove Rescue Squad transported Hurst to Danville, VA Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

A memorial auction was held Sunday at the event to try to raise money for the Hurst family. Thanks to the caring and generous GNC riders, sponsors and promoters nearly $7,000 has already been raised to help the family with the cost of his funeral.

On a personal note, writing this piece is not easy for me. Cody very much reminded me of how obsessed I was (and still am) with this great sport. He lived, ate and breathed ATV racing (especially TT events). Always grateful for what his father, Rick, and mother, Chris, provided to make it all possible, and always happy to be going to the next round - Cody's attitude should very much be followed by all teens.

photo by: Debi Bartosek

When we announced the Orrville, Ohio GNC TT (only minutes from the Hurst homefront), I found how helpful and nice Cody and his family truly are. With Cody's eagerness leading the way, The Hurst's quickly had the town of Orrville, OH behind the event and hometown fans marking the event date in their calendars. Cody's involvement very much helped the event break the all time GNC attendance record.

I'll push my sleeves up this week (like Cody usually wore his jersey) and remember him as that helpful, happy, ambitious kid with Tim Farr-like dreams in his eyes. I, and everyone here at ATV Scene.com, send our deepest condolences to the family and friends that so loved Cody. May God provide him a heavenly TT track up above.

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