Wednesday, September 4, 2013 | 2:50 PM
Following a two-month summer break, the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series returns to racing this Saturday, September 7, for the ninth running of the Can-Am Unadilla GNCC. Held at the legendary Unadilla Raceway in New Berlin, Ny., the Unadilla GNCC serves as Round 10 of the 13-race series where championship battles will begin to unfold in several of the national classes.
In the XC1 Pro ATV class, Pennsylvania native Chris Borich leads the way in the championship standings with a total of six wins through the first nine rounds aboard his Maxxis-backed machine. This weekend, the four-time XC1 Class Champion will attempt to become one step closer to Bill Ballance’s ATV overall win record of 67 as Borich currently holds 65 with four rounds to go in 2013. However, AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler claimed the most recent win of the season at Round 9, giving the Ohio native considerable momentum heading into this Saturday’s race. Fowler’s previous win at Round 6 gives him a total of two overall victories, the second highest of the class, where he currently holds second place in the championship standings.
Only one point separates Reliable Tool Supply/Maxxis’ Chris Bithell and Lonestar Racing/Precision/ITP’s Adam McGill in the battle for third place as the series begins its final stretch of racing. Bithell’s consistency atop the podium has awarded the Pennsylvania native a one-point advantage over McGill, who has finished off the podium at five of the nine rounds so far. However, McGill is only one of three riders to claim an overall victory this season and the West Virginia native, who is known for his perseverance, will look to add another win this weekend in New York.
After claiming his sixth class-win at the last round, Ohio’s Brycen Neal extended his points lead in the XC2 Pro Am Class. Indiana’s Fred Marley has put forth a consistent string of finishes to posses the second place position ahead of reigning XC2 Pro Am Champion Patrick McGuire. Just two points behind in the fourth place position is Pro Am rookie Landon Wolfe.
Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, September 7 and motorcycles will race on Sunday, September 8. Local riders are invited to race the event as well, the entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Spectator passes run $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., amateurs and Women race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m. For more information and directions to the event, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
Previous Round Results and Championship Standings
AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC
Snowshoe Mountain Resort - Snowshoe, W. Va.
Round 9 of 13
Saturday, June 29
XC1 Event Results:
- Walker Fowler (YAM)
- Chris Borich (SUZ)
- Chris Bithell (SUZ)
- Kevin Yoho (YAM)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Jeff Pickens (YAM)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
- Gabe Phillips (YAM)
- Matt Hanna (YAM)
- Braden Henthorn (HON)
Overall National Championship Standings:
- Chris Borich (251)
- Walker Fowler (179)
- Chris Bithell (168)
- Adam McGill (167)
- Kevin Yoho (127)
- Jeff Pickens (116)
- Johnny Gallagher (107)
- Braden Henthorn (104)
- Jarrod McClure (92)
- Brycen Neal (83)
XC2 Event Results:
- Brycen Neal (HON)
- Fred Marley (HON)
- Patrick McGuire (YAM)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
- Chad Jones (HON)
- Thomas Koontz (HON)
- James Green (HON)
- Michael Lancaster (HON)
- Josh Merritt (YAM)
- Dustin Hendershot (YAM)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Brycen Neal (220)
- Fred Marley (166)
- Patrick McGuire (157)
- Landon Wolfe (155)
- Randy Hamilton (133)
- Michael Lancaster (123)
- Josh Merritt (121)
- Blake Kramer (110)
- Chad Jones (109)
- Nathan Wallpe (103)
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series 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 www.gnccracing.com.