Traci Cecco rides across the finish line and into the ATV racing history books.
6 Hours of ATV America at Paradise Park
Macon, GA
May 8, 2004
Presented by: Fast-Trak Promo and GA Promoters Group
The second stop on the Maxxis 6 Hours of ATV America tour was Paradise Park in Macon, GA. Hot weather added another level to the six-hours challenge. About a half hour before the event, co-promoter and ATV legend Donny Banks, decided to team up with yours truly (John Pellan) and friend, Russ Wood, who happened to have a bone stock 400EX in the back of his truck. Banks lined up along side of the other riders and prepared to run to the red Honda 400EX that awaited him on the other side of the line.
The starting gun fired and riders sprinted to their ATVs. After doubling through jumps that most rode through, Donny led the pack into the woods followed by Team Alba Action Girls’ Angela Moore. Moore soon after crashed while trying to keep up with Donny “The Bull Dog” Banks. While Moore gathered herself and re entered the race almost last, Banks continued to charge just like he did back in the day. Lap after lap, Banks demonstrated how to ride the very course that he laid out. He looked incredibly fast and smooth on the stocker. Six laps later with that legendary behind-the-grab-bar riding style that made him always stick out in a pack of riders, Banks remained in the lead. He sprinted the number 58 400EX through the pits and handed the lead over to teammate Russ Wood. “I didn’t eat anything today. Combine that with this heat and I got pretty sick out there”, said Banks modestly about his remarkable hour-long ride.
Referee of the 6 and 12 Hours of ATV America, Tom Prendergast, said it best…
“Who would have thought that out of all these three man teams – six hours later none would be able to beat two girls.”
While Donny had to leave the event for a family function, Russ slowly surrendered his inherited lead spot to an incredibly fast team from Missouri called Team Zip Tie. This was the same team that maintained a top five overall for the first hour at last year’s mighty Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America in Iowa. As Team Zip Tie negated through the course, the Alba Action Girls of Angela Moore and Traci Cecco advanced through the pack. As the day went on the girls consistently logged impressive laps. They rode smart and steadily passed back each and every rider that got past them when Angela crashed in the woods on that first lap.
With an hour to go in the race, Missouri’s Team Zip Tie remained strong and kept within a few minute of the Alba Action Girl’s inherited lead. “They’re extremely fast and putting a whooping on us. It’s really hard to keep up with them.”, said a frustrated Matt Ryberg from his pit spot.
Missouri’s Team Zip Tie used this Dirt Works Honda 450R to keep the girls on their toes all day.
It appeared that Team Zip Tie had an advantage as the race wound down to one hour remaining. After all, they had three fast young men on their team while the girls only fielded two. “We’re getting tired. No doubt about it, but I think we can pull it off”, said Traci Cecco with twenty minutes to go.
In the end, the strongest survived. The Alba Action Girls of Traci Cecco and Angela Moore became the first all female ATV racing team to win an overall ATV team race. “We had a blast today. This was a lot of fun. I think I did my part in the woods pretty well and Angela handled her part, the motocross area, very well too. That’s one of the many reasons we do so well together on these endurance team races”, explained Traci Cecco about their newest place in ATV racing history. For more on this read our interviews with Traci Cecco and Angela Moore.
Pit Talk
Team SRS Racing
“We don’t blame anything on anybody. We had some problem with our bike but had a great time here today. I have no intentions of ever getting one of those thumpers though. I’m a die hard 250R guy.” — Chris “Frankenstein” Harper
Team Robinson Racing
“It’s getting pretty warn in. We really don’t want to DNF and end all the fun. We just want to keep the thing going. That’s basically our strategy at this point”. — Chris Robinson
Team Bull Dog/Capital Cycle
“This is my first time racing this kind of thing. It’s totally different from motocross. I promise you that. Donny said he wasn’t feeling too well, so I’ve been just clipping along all day. I want to finish what we started. I can tell you that I’m really happy and thankful to have John Pellan’s 7 laps. I’m beat!” — Russ Wood
Team Mitchell Racing
“The only goal I had was to finish the 6 Hours of ATV America. And we did it! — Clay Mitchell
Team ATV Rage.com
This thing is so cool. You can race any quad out here. Speed is nice but endurance is the main thing at these races.” — Kevin Johnston
“My goal today is to beat Mike Pendland. I’m pretty close to Mike’s fastest lap, so I’m trying to beat it today. — Scott Griffin
“We had a blast! It was our first one but wont be the last.” — Dan Garrett
Team PBR
“Tell Scott it’s time to wake up. He’s not going to beat my lap time. Go shake him and wake him up! In all seriousness, it’s getting really good out there today. This is really fun! It’s more fun than I thought it would be as dry as it is. I really like these things. I’ve raced with a lot of the guys here today at the GNCCs. It’s a pleasure to see them again today and race with them again.” — Mike Pendland
“I think this is a good course. It’s got a good mixture of everything just like it’s supposed to.” – Morris Penland
Team Revis Racing Industries
“We just rode hard all the way to the end. We overheated our Polaris once and had a few problems. I don’t know what happened but it stayed together and allowed us to finish. We had a blast! This was a great race for sure.” — Brian Revis
Team Zip Tie
“Our 450R worked great. The track was fantastic and we had a lot of fun. We got second overall. Not bad. Those two girls are extremely fast! Simple as that.” — Matt Olson
“Strategy and preparation are key at these things.” — Matt Ryberg
