Another GP Rider Abandons Europe For America: Gordon Crockard

Irish GP racer Gordon Crockard is leaving the Youthstream sponsored world Motocross Championship to move to America and race the GNCC cross-contry series for BMW. Crockard will be joined by Scott Summers and Glen Kearney.

‘The 2008 season holds a lot of challenges for me as a professional racer,’ observed Crockard. ‘I will be learning an entirely new style of racing, on a brand new motorcycle. In the past months, I’ve been able to spend time with Scott Summers riding the new BMW 450 bike and I’m confident in both the motorcycle and Scott’s ability to help me make the transition a success. As a competitor, I’ve always enjoyed challenges and never been afraid of hard work. I know how important physical conditioning, mental strength and proper equipment is to succeed in off-road racing. I know that Scott Summers and the entire team will support me 100%, and along with my new BMW motorcycle, I know I’ll have one of the best programs in the paddock in ?08 and the rest will be up to me.’

‘I’m looking forward to working with Scott on a professional level; we have been friends for a number of years now and get along great,’ added Kearney. ‘I’m looking forward to racing the new BMW and making the transition from 2 stroke back to 4 stroke machines where I feel comfortable and aboard which I had some of my best success in Australia before leaving for the US. The BMW I feel will help make this transition an easy one because it is designed to be so user friendly.’

‘We are very excited to welcome Gordon and Glen to our race team. They are tremendous competitors, and will definitely make BMW a formidable contender in the GNCC race series,’ said Arturo Pineiro, head of BMW Motorrad USA.

‘Scott Summers has played a significant role in making the GNCC what it is today, the most competitive cross country class in the world. Now, with the addition of these accomplished riders, BMW XPLOR Race Team is certain to energize the 2008 GNCC series, and make us even more competitive,’ added Dirk Biehler, Manager of Marketing at BMW Motorrad USA.

BMW Motorrad’s sports enduro prototype made its first U.S. appearance at the GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) race in Crawfordsville, Indiana October 27-28. Former motocross world champion Simo Kirssi ‘the lone BMW entrant’ unfortunately, crashed 30 minutes into the 3-hour race on Sunday, October 28. The talented Finn rode the sports enduro to its first-ever victory in the final round of the 2007 European Cross Country Championship, held in Schefflenz, Germany, October 6-7.