Yamaha's GNCC University Returns

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
Yamaha GNCC University

Yamaha Racing’s GNCC University will return this year at the Snowshoe Campus. Yamaha’s top off-road ATV and motorcycle racers will be on hand as instructors of this two-day riding school, beginning on Wednesday, June 26 just three days before the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC, Round 9 of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.

Led by Dean of motorcycles, seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion Randy Hawkins, this year’s Yamaha Racing bike instructors include five-time AMA National Hare Scramble Champion Jason Raines, reigning XC1 Champion Paul Whibley, XC1 rider Jordan Ashburn, XC2 riders Brad Bakken and Jedediah Haines, and Women’s class rider Becca Sheets.

Professor of ATVs, XC1 Pro Class rider Johnny Gallagher, will lead this year’s Yamaha Racing ATV instructors, including XC1 riders Walker Fowler, Jeff Pickens, Gabe Phillips and nine-time GNCC Women’s Class Champion Traci Cecco.

“Our team feels so fortunate to be a part of GNCC University at Snowshoe Resort for the fifth year in a row,” says Randy Hawkins. “We enjoy spending time with students one-on-one and in a group setting in order to teach them the elements of woods racing and most importantly to have some fun.”

The panel of professional instructors will head several groups of students according to bike size and riding level to ensure each student is learning with a group similar to his/her riding ability. Students will learn proper navigation of up hills, down hills, grass tracks, woods, rocks and mud, as well as how to handle competitive starts. Students will also participate in lectures about sportsmanship, training, nutrition and mental preparation.

Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis as there are only 40 spots each for both the bike and ATV disciplines – totaling 80 spots. Students must provide their own equipment and be at least eight years of age, and machines must be 85cc or larger.

GNCC University is in session from June 26-28, 2013. Tuition, room and board-including meals throughout the school is $470 per student. Registration is now open through Snowshoe Mountain Resort. To reserve a spot, call the office at 877-441-4386 or visit www.snowshoemtn.com.

Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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