VOL. 51 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 28, 2014
GNCC/
AMA REACH
AGREEMENT
P29
The GNCC series will again be an AMA National Championship after
Racer Productions were able to come to an agreement.
A
n historic agreement reached by
the AMA and Racer Productions
ends a two-year-old feud between
the parties that at one point came to
the threat of legal action being taken.
This also renews the AMSOIL Grand
National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis as an AMA National
Championship Series.
Key provisions in the agreement
include innovative rider licensing
terms that give riders "new to the
sport" an opportunity to race without requiring
them to buy the full $49 AMA membership. Riders
can now compete with the one-event pass option
sold trackside. For $20, a non-member can participate in a single event. According to the AMA, if
a rider continues to race in the series those fees
already paid will apply to a full AMA membership, if
the rider upgrades within 60 days.
This is thought to be the first time in memory
that the AMA has offered a one-day competition
license.
"American off-road motorcycle competition is stronger when the AMA and the GNCCs
work as one, and we're pleased to partner with
Racer Productions to recognize GNCCs as an
AMA National Championship Series in 2014,"
said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff
Massey in a news release issued today by the
AMA. "Without question, in terms of rider participation and media exposure, the GNCC series is the
premier off-road racing series in America. We are
proud to see them return as an AMA-sanctioned
series, and we look forward to supporting Racer
Productions and honoring GNCC class champions
with AMA national number-one plates in 2014."
Rita Coombs, who founded the GNCC series
with her husband, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer
Dave Coombs Sr., in 1975, said that she is eager to
work with the AMA going forward.
"Our family and the AMA go back to 1972, working together on countless events in both off-road
and road, including the Blackwater 100, the Grand
National Cross Country Series, the AMA National
Dual Sports Series, the AMA Amateur National
Motocross Championships and many more great
races," said Coombs, President of Racer Productions and an AMA Life Member. "Now is the time
for the AMA and the GNCC Series to renew our
mutual commitment to promoting the sport of motorcycle racing, while showcasing the most prestigious off-road championship in the country. We
look forward to many more years of hosting AMAsanctioned races for our athletes and race teams,
and of course all of the fans who follow the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series."
Larry Lawrence
