Once again Byron and Shelli Goggin played host to the 4th Annual ATVA Grand National ATV Awards Banquet held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Drawbridge Inn, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nearly 600 people found their way through the maze like halls of the classy hotel to account for the biggest crowd in all four years!
The hotel, which is only minutes south of the Ohio border near the Cincinnati airport, was chosen for it’s central location to those that follow the GNC series, and for its many attractions – as in pool, bar and 24 hour café,
The NATVMG and the Goggin family made it all happen. They not only found the place, but also completely paid for everything.
As usual, Byron and Shelli, dressed in elegance and style, made a grand appearance and the show was on. Thanks to the many sponsors, nearly everyone went home with prizes and contingencies. Bryon, a master with editing ATV video footage into cool half-hour videos, kept up with his tradition of revealing a highly entertaining video to watch while dinner was served. This one gave tribute to the big Legends 2000 event, promoted by yours truly, John Pellan (Fast-Trak Promotions). The video had it all; legend’s interviews, practical jokes and plenty of exciting shots of pro and amateur race action.
After dinner those that didn’t think fast were hit upside the head with free gifts. Byron loves to throw stuff at you. (In all honesty, he loves giving stuff away – not always aiming to hit you upside the face with a wadded up T-shirt – not his fault if you’re not paying attention). The festive night then moved into awards, awards and more awards – all the while big money, free vacations and tons of quality ATV accessories were constantly being given away. In short, if you missed it you definitely missed out.
“If it weren’t for you, (Byron Goggin) there’s no telling where the sport would be today,” said Open Pro Am Champion, Bryan Shipley”. “We wouldn’t be here (at the banquet). Before the first GNC Awards banquet in back in ’96, I missed going to the races for about three years, then you came along and announced the first ever GNC Awards banquet, it gave something back to the rider, and that’s really why I came back into the sport (because of you). I need to thank my dad for all the years of helping me along and footing a lot of the bills. To come back after all the years and win the National Championship really means a lot to me.”
Dana “Huevos” Creech and Sean “Serm” Sermini scored the big W in the fourth annual Pit Crew Challenge.
The Pit Crew Challenge is now a four year old GNC tradition, in which the industry aftermarket teams compete in organized pit stops – while fans can bet on their favorite team with chances to double their money. The event has earned over $3000 in its four years. The money has been collected to help fund the cost of putting on the annual banquet. This year the event was held on tricycles (they should ban those things) in the midst of the awards banquet. It provided tons of laughs but proved to be the last time running. The challenge was between Nac’s (Sean Sermini and Dana Creech), Duncan (Paul Turner and sitting in for “Doc” Spader John from TC Racing) and the Baldwin team of Tim Farr and Mark Baldwin (the year after year favorites in the Pit Crew Challenge). The Fast-Trak Promotions promoted event got put on hold for 2000 (we had our hands pretty full this year). So the decision to keep tradition alive was made. The challenge was underway in the carpeted isles of the banquet room. One guy would push his teammate for a lap then they would switch drivers for the final lap. The event got lots of laughs, but proved to be too dangerous. It was total mayhem. Little girls getting mowed down, black and blue ankles from hecklers trying to DNF would be winning teams – all in all, it’s safe to say the event wont be held like that again. In a photo finish the Nac’s Racing team of Serm and Creech came out on top. The real winners were those that walked back to their tables without injury.
Jackie Steele doesn’t let being in his fifties stop him from enjoying chasing national championships. Jackie earned himself number two in the +40 class and GNC number 4 in the super competitive +30 class.
Toby Hutchinson awarded Shane Hitt with a dress last year for being such a girl when it came to the motocross events. This year, for all of his crashes, Tim Farr got the pretty pink dress award. “Since you can’t control your ATV and you ride it like a woman, here’s a nice dress for you”, said Toby on stage.
Justin Gandy (in white) and John Bartosek play an ATV Racing video game to settle who wins the trip to Vegas.
John Bartosek’s goin’ to Vegas. That’s SFX Supercross Racing Coordinator, Joel Grover letting him know he’ll hook him up with VIP tickets to the Vegas Supercross as John will be there the same time as the Supercross.
T-Doc’s main man, Paul Turner proudly displays ATV Sports Magazine’s newest cover – That’s the number one plate (Turner’s forefinger) that was made possible by the team’s year long hard work.
Tom Prendergast speaks on being elected the ’01 GNC referee. He warned that there will be far more teardowns with him being at the helm than there have been in the past. With that, he got a standing ovation.
That’s Josh Ross, who narrowed out his brother Cory by only one point to win the 70cc Youth National Championship. Number three went to Keeton “The Bull” Hanks respectively.
Keeton makes sure he doesn’t forget anyone in his speech.
ATV Sports Magazine presents the Peoples Choice Awards. Left to right is Associate Editor – Jerrod Kelley, Publisher – Carey Bohn and the cutie on the right is Senior Sales Rep. – Allison Kohx.
Next to the elite GNC pro class, the most exciting class is the Women’s Class. Here are a few shots of some of the world’s fasted females. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a shot of GNC Women’s number 3, Paula Shank. Paula has progressed over the years and was even a nominee for the most improved rider in the amateur ranks. You go girl!
Leslie “The Outlaw” Wells easily won the championship. Leslie is now living in Florida with her boyfriend. The two plan to train hard all winter and show up to round one ready for kick-butt domination.
Here’s another girl with fire in her eyes. Angela says she’ll be back next year chasing her third national championship.
Always a class act and fierce competitor Heather Rose. Rose crashed hard at her Red Bud, MI hometown track. She badly broke her leg and had to sit out the rest of the year. Heather thanked all those that prayed for her and reported she is also coming on strong in ’01.
Women’s Class Short Track National Champion and GNC TT number 4, Mandy Brodil made the trip from Los Banos, CA.
The long cool woman in the black dress is GNC number four — Christine Gary. Who says ATV Racing isn’t elegant.
ATV SPORT PEOPLES’ CHOICE AWARDS
ATV Sport magazine sponsored the third annual ATV Sport People’s Choice Awards. The award categories are pre-selected by Goggin. The nominees are then distributed to the ATV racing community and later returned via fax or mail. The winner is selected by majority vote and only known to Goggin and ATV Sport Magazine prior to the ceremonial awards banquet.
Engine Builder of the Year
Nominees: Tom Carlson/TC Racing; Mark Baldwin/Baldwin Motorsports; Curtis Sparks/CS Racing; Loren Duncan/Duncan Racing, Harry McDermott/Trinity Racing; Arlan Lehman/LRD.
Duncan Racing
Mechanic of the Year
Nominees: Mark Baldwin, John Lawson, Paul Turner, Toby Hutchinson, John Shelburne.
Paul Turner
Most Improved Amateur Rider of the Year
Nominees: Mike Haas, Dana Creech, Mark Kendall, Paula Shank, Tavis Cain.
Mark Kendall
Most Feared Youth Rider
Nominees: Josh Ross, Cory Ross, Brian Eakin, Cole Robbins.
Brian Eakin
Most Feared Rider In The Nation
Nominees: Dana Creech, Tim Farr, Doug Gust, Shane Hitt, Travis Spader, Jeremiah Jones
Travis Spader
Race Team of the Year
Nominees: Duncan Racing, NAC’s, Baldwin Motorsports, Performance Racing Concepts, Sparks Racing, Trinity Racing.
Duncan Racing/Roll Design/Golden West Cycle
Outstanding Promoter of the Year
Nominees: Fischer Cycles, Daniel Boone, Donny Banks, Fast-Trak Promotions, Victory Sports
Fast-Trak Promotions (two in a row! :)
Outstanding Sponsor
Nominees: NAC’s Racing, Maxxis Tires, Baldwin Motorsports, K&K ATV, Legacy ATV, PEP
NAC’s Racing
Most Influential Manufacturer
Nominees: Laeger’s, PEP, Doug Roll, Duncan Racing, ITP.
PEP
Additional Awards:
Darren Naccarato Perseverance Award: Presented by Jim and Shirly Naccarrato of Nac’s Racing in the name of their son Darren.
Wayne Mooriadian, PEP
Randy Howard Memorial Award: Presented to the amateur racer or individual who shows outstanding professionalism, determination and above all sportsmanship. Ray Howard chooses the winner of this elite award each year in the name of his son Randy.
Matt Bartosek
Gary Denton Championship Cup: Travis Spader
This new award is named after the guy that is about the biggest stand out in the sport of ATV racing – 8 time National Champion Gary Denton. The Denton Cup will be presented to the national champion in the elite pro class each year.
Much like the Stanley Cup in hockey it will be passed on each year with the names of past champions forever etched on its face. The name ‘Travis Spader’ will forever be a member of this elite award. He earned the honors and took the Denton Cup to New Jersey, where it will proudly be displayed at his home for at least one year.
For a complete listing of all MX, TT and GNC national champions click here:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/00atv/00atv.html
