MAPLE GROVE, MN (January 3, 2007) —Bill Ballance, the 2006 Grand National Cross Country series Pro class champion, has earned the 2006 ATV Sport People’s Choice Award for Cross-Country Pro Rider of the Year. Ballance’s Yamaha teammate Traci Cecco and youth racer Brayden Shick were also honored with an award, which are hosted by ATV Sport magazine.

Ballance, Oakland, Ky., started off the season slowly in Florida, but recovered to record 11 podiums in 12 rounds, and yet another championship. It was his seventh consecutive GNCC Pro class title, which tied Barry Hawk for the most ATV titles in GNCC history. Ballance also wrapped up 2006 with a victory at the Elsinore GP in California. First runner-up: William Yokley, Tompkinsville, Ky.; Second runner-up: Chris Borich, Sunbury, Penn.

Cecco, of Shamokin, Penn., was selected as the 2006 ATV Sport People’s Choice Award for Cross Country Amateur Racer of the Year. Cecco had one of her best seasons ever, with 10 class wins and eight GNCC morning overalls aboard her Yamaha YFZ450. The 2006 championship was her fifth Womens class title. First runner-up: Brandon Sommers, Millersburg, Ohio.; Second runner-up: Ryan Morphew, Cookeville, Tenn.  

 
Shick competed on the GNCC series in the Youth ATV 70 Prod (6-11) class, where he finished second. He earned three class overalls, and finished in the top five in his class at eight rounds. The Cranberry, Pa., racer was voted the winner of the 2006 ATV Sport People’s Choice Award for Cross Country Youth Racer of the Year. First runner-up: Walker Fowler, Rogers, Ohio.; Second runner-up: Buddy Williams, Blythe, Calif.  

“Bill Ballance and Traci Cecco are two of the biggest names in our sport and well deserving of these awards,” explained ATV Sport Editor Jerrod Kelley. “Along with Brayden Shick, a talented young rider, we are honored to award these racers with the first official ATV Sport People’s Choice Awards in the cross-country discipline.”

ATV Sport has attended the Grand National Championship MX/TT (ATVA) postseason awards banquet since its inception, in 1997. A new publication in 1998, ATV Sport gladlytook over the awards portion of the program from banquet organizer Byron Goggin, per his request. Goggin created the banquet awards to reward riders for their successful season and further recognize this growing sport. As Goggin intended, the awards were voted on by the people, hence the name. ATV Sport maintained Goggin’s vision and continued to award the “eagles” at the postseason banquet through 2005.

In their eighth year, the ATV Sport People’s Choice Awards were altered to better accommodate various racing disciplines. For the first time, awards were created for motocross, utility, flat track and cross-country racing. The awards were also taken online to coincide with our magazine redesign as well as to allow both online visitors and magazine readers the opportunity to vote for their favorite racers.

About ATV Sport
In 1998, Ehlert Publishing Group added its second ATV publication — ATV Sport. This magazine is the market's "No. 1 Sport Quad Magazine." ATV Sport serves as the informational source for sport quad news and events. This publication focuses on the high-performance section of the ATV market. Its in-depth race coverage, special-feature issues, creative writing, and informative design highlight ATV Sport. ATV Sport is published 10 times per year and is available via subscription or at newsstands.