Bonnie Hamrick 6-7-03

 

ATV Scene: Congratulations on your graduating from college! Where did you graduate from and what was your major?
Hamrick: I graduated from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. I received my Associate Degree in Nursing to be eligible for an RN position.

ATV Scene: How long have you been going to the GNCCs?
Hamrick: Let’s just say I was wearing pull-up training pants, it has been that long.

ATV Scene: Why are you so interested in GNCC ATV racing?
Hamrick: There are a lot of cute racers. No, really I just love Cross Country racing. The sport thrills me.

ATV Scene: Tell us more about your own racing career. Why have you focused your efforts on writing about racing rather than racing yourself?
Hamrick: I raced in the Women’s Class when it first started in 1996, winning the championship that year. I broke my femur the next year. After my injury, I went back to racing, but finished second twice, never to regain my championship. Once I started college, Dad and I decided I should put racing on hold to get a career. (Which was BIG TIME smart). So, here I am done with college, and still not racing, Why? I don’t know. I love racing and I miss it like crazy, but right now there is a special person in my life and I want to support his racing. Plus, I know our relationship would be over if I ever beat him.

ATV Scene: What is your dad’s role at the GNCCs?
Hamrick: My dad is the greatest man in the world. Every racer should know my dad and thank him for all those alternate routes around deep mud holes at the GNCCs. He works with Jeff Russell and Rita Coombs laying out trails and hosting the Big Buck Grand National. Back in the day, Big Dave Coombs recruited my dad to help. The next thing he knew, he was traveling to all the races, (even missing his daughter’s college graduation), to put on races. He loves what he does and is at “one with nature.”

ATV Scene: Do you travel to the races with your dad?
Hamrick: I have traveled with my dad from day one. On Friday after school, we would load up in the motor-home heading out to the GNCC races, not to arrive home till late Sunday night (sometimes Monday morning). But this year is my first time traveling without him. I have had the privilege to ride with my boyfriend and his parents to the GNCC races.

ATV Scene: So you get there early and stay late. What do you do usually do while you’re there for all that time? Does Rita and Carry Jo put you to work too?
Hamrick: A few years ago, I worked at sign up for Rita. Before that, I punched handlebar tags in the woods (long before computer scoring was out). Now, I just help my dad if he needs me. On Saturdays, I pit my boyfriend during the quad race, Lucas Towery – during the Mini race, and on Sunday, when I am there, I help pit Robby Towery and my brother.

ATV Scene: Who do you see coming up the ranks as tomorrow’s star?
Hamrick:Well right now Bill Ballance is on a great roll, but I see him being unthroned one year, by my favorite Pro Rider, Matt Smiley. Matt is a nice guy and a great rider. Last year he was right there nearly every race, but this year he is having a few problems early on. What ever you do, don’t count him out! The Pro Rider that is full of the most potential and talent is Santo DeRisi. Santo is a wonderful friend to everyone at the track. I have watched his career all the way from when he started it on a Banshee, and he has done nothing but improve. Mark my words, he is coming.

ATV Scene: Ever been to any GNCs?
Hamrick: No, I haven’t, but I have heard about Jeremiah Jones, Kory Ellis and all the other great motocross and TT riders. I would like to make it to one soon.

ATV Scene: Any heroes?
Hamrick: My dad, without a doubt. My dad is a cool guy and works hard at everything he does. Sometimes people think he wastes his time traveling to all the GNCCs and putting on his own series because he isn’t rich, but he loves what he is doing. I want to be just like that.

ATV Scene: Do you have a favorite pro racer you root for?
Hamrick: I cheer for everyone I know, sometimes people I don’t even know. I think that if they are on the first two rows, they are trying to prove themselves, therefore they deserve a cheer for confidence. But, of course a girl has her favorites!

ATV Scene: Boyfriend?
Hamrick: Yeah, the greatest guy and fastest racer. Bryan Cook from Casar, NC. He races 4 Stroke A this year and is looking forward to Pro Production next year.

ATV Scene: Did you play any sports in High School or College?
Hamrick:Between racing motorcycles while in High School, I didn’t get to be too involved in sports, but I played on the Volleyball team and had the highest score- off-serves average. Then in college, there was no way you could have a life while trying to pass Nursing classes and play sports!

ATV Scene: Do you follow any other sport?
Hamrick: I admit, I am a girl from the South, so Nascar of course. Plus I am a sucker for Professional football and baseball.

ATV Scene: Favorite place on earth?
Hamrick: Anywhere with my boyfriend at a race. If I can’t be at a race, I want to be in France.

ATV Scene: What CD is in your player right now?
Hamrick: One that I burned. A little country (Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith), a little alternative (Linkin Park and Trapped), and a little R&B (Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez).

ATV Scene: Most embarrassing moment?
Hamrick: Now you are getting deep! Probably the day I broke my leg, October ’97, at Crawfordsville, IN. They had to cut off my riding gear to stabilize me to the stretcher (so they said). I was stripped down to my purple underwear in front of a bunch of people gawking at me as I screamed in horror and pain. That was bad.

ATV Scene: What’s the best thing about our sport?
Hamrick: It’s for boys and girls too, even though the guys hate to admit it sometimes.

ATV Scene: What’s the worst thing?
Hamrick: Even though this sport originated for fun and a lot of people still do it for fun, it cost so much money!

ATV Scene: What can ATV Scene readers look forward to now that you’re part of the team?
Hamrick: A great story about some awesome racing, so that if they couldn’t be there to see it, it will make them feel like they were.

ATV Scene: Any parting words?
Hamrick: Hope to see you at the track and don’t be afraid to stop by and say hello.

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