(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association and Racer Productions announce that the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis will be an AMA-sanctioned national championship series for 2014.

“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. “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 No. 1 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 AMA-sanctioned races for our athletes and race teams, and of course all of the fans who follow the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.”

Riders in the GNCC series will receive access to the online AMA Race Center and all benefits of AMA membership, including American Motorcyclist magazine, which is available in two versions. One version focuses on street and recreational riding, while the other covers off-road riding and AMA-sanctioned competition events. In addition, full AMA members who elect to auto-renew their AMA memberships receive AMA Roadside Assistance for no additional charge. They also are eligible to purchase rider accident medical insurance through the AMA.

“We believe that GNCC racers will appreciate the improvements that the AMA has made since the series was last sanctioned in 2011,” Massey said. “We have worked hard to improve not only the racer experience, but promoter support. We are looking forward to a successful 2014 season, but most importantly, we are excited to recognize GNCC class champions at the 2014 AMA Championship Banquet on Jan. 17, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio, with their AMA national No. 1 plates.”

As AMA-sanctioned events, GNCCs have access to the AMA Competition Rulebook, which dates to 1924 and is updated annually by AMA Congress, the elected rulemaking body that represents riders, clubs and promoters from across America. In addition, the AMA provides a rider appeal process, risk management guidelines and facilitates event insurance. Each GNCC also will be supported by an AMA referee, as well as AMA staff, to ensure that AMA memberships are processed smoothly.

“Another key benefit of AMA membership is government relations,” Massey said. “The AMA exists first and foremost to protect your freedom to ride and race motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. The threats to our sport are very real, whether those involve land access or ridiculous laws like the lead law that temporarily banned the sale of youth dirt bikes and ATVs a couple years ago. Those who choose to be AMA members — and those series that choose to be AMA sanctioned — are the power behind our voice. The more of us who stand together, the more effective we can be as we fight for the future of our sport.”

There are several options for joining the AMA to be eligible to compete in an AMA-sanctioned event. Racers can join with a $49 AMA Competition membership, as part of a $98 family membership that covers up to five immediate family members living in the same household, or with a $29 youth membership if they are 11 years old or younger. For membership details, see http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Those new to the sport can also compete with the one-event pass option sold trackside. For $20, a non-member can participate in a single event. The $20 fee can be applied to full membership dues if the rider upgrades within 60 days.

Full AMA memberships can be purchased through the AMA membership links at http://www.gnccracing.com. Family and youth memberships are available by phone by calling the AMA at (800) 262-5646. In addition, youth memberships also can be purchased at the track.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series presented by Maxxis is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,500 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit http://www.gnccracing.com.