GNCC Racing

Raines Riding University 2015 Team Announced

Friday, December 19, 2014 | 12:45 PM

Washington state native, Ricky Russell, returns for his second year with the team to compete for the 2015 GNCC XC2 championship aboard the all new Yamaha YZ250FX. In 2014, Ricky captured two wins and never finished outside of the top five in the XC2 class. Although he was unable to compete in the final three rounds, he still managed to finish third in XC2 points and tenth in the overall GNCC standings.

New for 2015, Austin Lee from Bedford, IN will make his debut in the XC2 class while riding the all new Yamaha YZ250FX as well alongside Ricky Russell.  Lee put in impressive rides during the 2014 season while competing in the ultra-competitive 250A class. Austin scored three wins and nine podiums plus five top 20 overall finishes. He finished his season out second and looks to have an excellent 2015 season.

Cody Ruckle will return once again to the team after a great 2014 season in the 200B class on his YZ125 where he captured the championship with two rounds remaining after winning eight rounds. Once the championship was sealed he made the move to the 250A class and finished third in the final round of the season in 2015, Cody will compete in the 250A class on a Yamaha YZ250 class where he looks forward to extending his success on the track.

Alex Beroth will also join Cody in the 250A class in 2015 and just like Ruckle, Alex will ride the Yamaha YZ250. Alex was very competitive in the 250A class in 2014 and still managed to finish in the top 5 despite a broken leg during the season. He hopes to build on his fifth place finish in the class moving forward in the 2015 GNCC season.  

Conner Smith joins the team as one of two youth riders in the group aboard his Yamaha YZ85. Conner competed in the Super Mini (14-15) class in 2014. He came away from the season with a class win, overall win, 9 top five finishes and 8 top five overall finishes. He ended the year fourth in his class and hopes to carry that momentum to a championship in 2015.

Brody Johnson returns to the team in 2015 competing in the Super Mini (12-13) class while riding the Yamaha YZ85. Johnson had a stellar season in 2014 aboard his Yamaha in the 85 (7-11) class. He captured seven wins and the championship in his class. Once the championship was locked Brody made the move up to the Super Mini (12-13) class for the final round where he managed a second place finish in the class. 2015 looks to be just as promising for the Landrum, SC native as he chases another championship.