Traci Cecco, Bryan Cook and Jeff Stoess
- Updated: May 20, 2003
By Bonnie Hamrick
Traci Cecco (seen here with husband Rick) edged out Stephanie Parton at the Ironman GNCC to take home her third Women’s class Championship.
I am honored to bring you the latest news from the GNCC races from some of our amateur racers. These riders deserve credit just like the pro riders that get interviewed race after race. So here it goes:
First I got to talk to Traci Cecco before she had went to battle against Stephanie Parton for the Women’s Championship.
ATV Scene: When you aren’t racing on the weekends, what do you do?
Cecco: We basically have two practice tracks at our home or we go to Rausch Creek and just ride together.
ATV Scene: Married?
Cecco: Yes. My husband Rick races Four Stroke A in the GNCCs. He earned 3rd in points for 2003.
ATV Scene: What are your accomplishments?
Cecco: I just won my third GNCC Womens title! I also won it in 2000 and 2001. I also have two second place runner ups in my five year career.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Cecco: I guess it hasn’t been on the track as most memorable, but being signed on with Alba Action has been a great honor to be a part of a team such as that.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Cecco: The mud; there have been a few really muddy races this year.
Traci recently teamed up with GNC Women’s Class Champs, Angela Moore and Heather Byrd. They rode this Suzuki at the Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America. Their Team Alba Action Girls beat most of the men! They finished a respectable 5th in the A class.
ATV Scene: What other series do you race besides the GNCC’s?
Cecco: I race the Pennsylvania Hare Scrambles as well as District 6. I also raced Fast-Trak’s Buddy-Up Cross Country Series (BUCCS) with Rick..
ATV Scene: Hero?
Cecco: My father.
ATV Scene: What kinds of changes have you been through this year?
Cecco: Before the summer break I rode a Suzuki Z400, but I come back from the break on the Yamaha and I love it.
ATV Scene: Who do you have to thank for the success of this year?
Cecco: My husband first of all and all my sponsors: Alba Action Sports, Lone Star Racing, PEP, Douglas Wheel, Moose Offroad, IMS, Rausch Creek Motorsports, Maxxis, Tire Balls, Wiseco, Smith, Fullbore, PRM, No Toil, Hardkor Engineering, Shoei, DP Brakes, Motion Pro, Pro Clean 1000, Cycra, Sunoco, Maxima, Works Connection, Outerwears, Spider Grips, Sunstar, and Baldwin Motorsports.
ATV Scene: What are your plans for next year?
Cecco: I am going to continue to run the Women’s Class for Alba Action Sports and hopefully get another Championship.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best thing about this sport?
Cecco: I think the best thing about this sport is coming to the track and meeting everyone, not only riders, but spectators and fans. This is a very family oriented sport, and that is what is nice about it.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Cecco: If you’re not racing, I recommend you try it.
Finishing the race after running Pro may have taken a lot out of Stoess, but never fail, after the race he was swapping stories with the Quad Shop crew.
The battle in the Four Stroke A Class has been incredible this year and I was able to get my hands on the two riders that battled one another at every race. First off, Jeff Stoess held the points lead early in the season, but when the drops came along, Bryan Cook was able to take over the first place position. Jeff is laid back family guy, and here are a few answers he wanted to share with you.
ATV Scene: When you aren’t racing on the weekends, what do you do?
Stoess: I just hang out with the family, play with my kids.
ATV Scene: Married?
Stoess: Yes with two kids. Girls
ATV Scene: What are some of your accomplishments?
Stoess: This year I ended up second in the Four Stroke A Class and holding Top Thirteenth overall. I have had several Top Twenty Overalls in the past twelve years and a couple of Mid South Championships.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Stoess: Probably the John Penton where I took fifth overall. I had a really good time; I picked a lot of good lines and everyone else was getting stuck while I made it through.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Stoess: Stoess: Probably Loretta Lynn’s, I have always never done good at that track. It really doesn’t suit my riding style. Other than that, I haven’t had any DNF’s this year.
ATV Scene: What other series do you race in besides the GNCC’s?
Stoess: Mid South Winter Series.
ATV Scene: Heroes?
Stoess: Bill Ballance, William Yokley, and Bob Sloan
ATV Scene: Who do you think for your success this year?
Stoess: My wife for one, Elka Suspension, and The Quad Shop. They have been the main ones helping this year.
ATV Scene: What are your plans for next year?
Stoess: I am planning on racing Pro Production in the GNCC’s.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best thing about this sport?
Stoess: All the friends that you get to meet and hang out with.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Stoess: Ride a lot and have fun.
Before the race, Bryan and his father get the quad race ready. He may look nervous, but once the green flag went up on the start, he was too busy to be nervous
Bryan Cook took the Four Stroke A Class Championship this year with many top twenty overall finishes. Next year look for him on Pro Pit row and ask him for an autograph of your own.
ATV Scene: When you aren’t racing on the weekends, what do you do?
Cook: Hang out and ride.
ATV Scene: What are your accomplishments while you have been racing?
Cook: Two Mid East Hare Scramble Series Championships, GNCC Open B Class Championship and this year the Four Stroke A Class Championship, with twelfth overall for the season.
ATV Scene: Most memorable time of the season?
Cook: I finished fourth overall at the Georgia GNCC.
ATV Scene: Worst memory of the season?
Cook: Florida because there was so much water in the sand, and the effect that it had on the four-wheeler.
ATV Scene: What other series do you race in besides the GNCC’s?
Cook: Mid East Hare Scramble
ATV Scene: Hero?
Cook: My father
ATV Scene: Who do you have to think for all the success of this year?
Cook: You my girlfriend (Yup that’s me!!), and family, Moose, DeRisi Racing, Maxxis, Scott, Outerwears, Klotz, Wiseco, Pivot Works, AC Racing, IMS, K&N, Maier, Quad Tech, WD-40, Hinson
ATV Scene: What are your plans for next year?
Cook: I plan on racing Pro Production.
ATV Scene: What do you think is the best thing about this sport?
Cook: All the people that you get to meet and become friends with.
ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Cook: Be safe and have fun.