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Elkins rider burning up the track

ELKINS — After racing for 12 years and gaining lots of practice, one local rider is finding himself on the podium at the AMSOIL GNCC races.

Kenny Hawkins, an Elkins native, started his racing career in 2005 with the Paul Koontz series and raced a few GNCC events here and there.

The local racing series provided Hawkins with practice and built up his resume. But as with any fast-paced, high-energy sport, injury plagued Hawkins and he found himself trying to heal instead of race.

“In July 2014, I broke my back and in 2015, I had a stick that poked a hole in me, to put it mildly,” said Hawkins. “I had to take some time off of the bike.”

Fast forward two years and you would never know anything had held him back. Hawkins is now back on his bike full time, racing both ATVs and dirt bikes, which is very uncommon. Hawkins races in the Super Senior 45+ class in both races.

At Round Eight of the GNCC circuit at Snowshoe, Hawkins ran a great race and ended up finishing third.

He was not featured on the podium due to the fact the official results and times adjustments came in after the awards were finished. The John Penton GNCC, taking place recently in Millfield, Ohio, has been Hawkins’ best race and finish thus far.

“I had a good race at the John Penton,” he said.

“I was not feeling well at the start on Sunday, but after the second lap I started to feel better,” said Hawkins.

Rain had poured in the area on Friday making some spots of the track rough.

“The track was very slick and I had to be very easy on the gas and braking,” he said. “The track had a lot of bottle necks with bikes laying everywhere. I raced the ATV race on Saturday so I knew how to get through with little time lost.”

Hawkins finished second for the day and was able to enjoy the awards up on the podium this time.

“I love the challenge and competition of racing. It gives me something to get off of the couch for and stay in shape,” Hawkins added. “I love hearing people cheer me on at the races. It helps this old man keep going.”

Hawkins plans on entering some local races on both his ATV and dirt bike during the GNCC’s summer break. His family and sponsors are a big help and he credits them for the success he has at the races.

“I love having my wife, Heidi Hawkins, at the races and I have two sponsors that help me out,” he said. “Big thank you to Ron, Sterling and Jordan at Elkins Motorsports and to Bill at Outlaw Motorsports.”

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