GNCC Racing

Chris Bach Hopes to Make it Two-In-A-Row at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC

Chris Bach Hopes to Make it Two-In-A-Row at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC

Friday, May 22, 2015 | 5:05 PM
by:
Friday, May 22, 2015 | 5:05 PM

Chris Bach Hopes to Make it Two-In-A-Row at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC
Layne Michael looks to get his first win of 2015 in his home state 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (May 22, 2015) – The 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, heads to Marvin’s Mountaintop in Masontown, West Virginia for the 4th annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC.

Prior to the previous round at the Dunlop Tomahawk GNCC, JCR Honda’s Chris Bach made adjustments to his machine, which ultimately paid off as Bach came away with his first-ever GNCC overall win, thus stopping a five race win streak by defending champion, FMF KTM’s Kailub Russell. However, Russell comes into this weekend holding a dominating lead in the championship point standings as he bids for his third-consecutive championship. 

Chris Bach comes into this weekend off his first-career overall win in New YorkPhoto: Ken Hill
Chris Bach comes into this weekend off his first-career overall win in New YorkPhoto: Ken Hill

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Josh Strang still sits second in the points, but suffered a shoulder injury during practice prior to the previous round. Strang still competed in the previous round, but unfortunately after a strong start faded into the back of the pack due to the nagging injury.

N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Grant Baylor currently sits third place in the championship point standings. Baylor has finished within the top five in the previous four rounds and even challenged for the race win two rounds ago at a muddy Limestone 100 GNCC in Springville, Indiana.

Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR backed Thad DuVall has also shown glimpses of brilliance thus far in the 2015 season with three podium finishes. Duvall was also running in podium contention at the previous round before brake issues and a hard crash ended his day early. 

Ryan Sipes had his best finish two weeks ago at the Dunlop TomahawkPhoto: Ken Hill
Ryan Sipes had his best finish two weeks ago at the Dunlop TomahawkPhoto: Ken Hill

AirGroup/Rockstar Energy/Husqvarna’s Ryan Sipes earned his best finish of the season at the previous round with third overall, and currently sits sixth in overall point standings. The former pro motocross rider continues to adjust to the off-road racing world and has shown that he can compete with the front of the XC1 pack. 

In the XC2 Pro Lites, DirtWise/Maxxis/KLIM’s Jason Thomas leads the way in the championship with two consecutive wins and four victories overall. RideMPS.com/AMSOIL/Honda’s Layne Michael comes into this weekend’s race sitting second place in XC2 Pro Lites point standings and will be looking for a solid performance in front of a hometown crowd. Husqvarna Support rider Craig Delong sits third place in the XC2 Pro Lites point standings and looks for his second podium finish of the season.

Jason Thomas holds the XC2 Pro Lites championship points lead heading into round sevenPhoto: Ken Hill
Jason Thomas holds the XC2 Pro Lites championship points lead heading into round sevenPhoto: Ken Hill

Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. All admission includes pro pit access. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.’

The Mountaineer GNCC takes place at Marvin’s Mountain – a private facility that has hosted the event since 2012. A mere three miles from downtown Masontown, Marvin’s Mountain has quickly earned the reputation as a premier off-road racing destination on the tour.

To get to the track, from I-68 take Exit 4, Route 7 (Sabraton). Follow Route 7 east approximately 11 miles to Masontown. Turn left at the Main Pharmacy and follow the signs 3 miles to the race. Food concessions and motorcycle parts and accessory vendors will be on display in the Sponsor Village. 

Layne Michael looks to have a solid finish in front of his hometown crowdPhoto: Ken Hill
Layne Michael looks to have a solid finish in front of his hometown crowdPhoto: Ken Hill

Tune into RacerTV.com on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro Bike race. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com

The 1 p.m. pro races will be televised live on www.RacerTV.com both days, and a highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, August 1 at 12:30 p.m.

For more information on the series, visit the official website www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084.

Kailub Russell has a dominant lead in the championship points standingPhoto: Ken Hill
Kailub Russell has a dominant lead in the championship points standingPhoto: Ken Hill

Previous Round Results

Tomahawk GNCC
Odessa, NY
Round 6 of 13
Sunday, May 10

XC1 Event Results:

  1. Chris Bach (HON)
  2. Kailub Russell (KTM)
  3. Ryan Sipes (HSQ)
  4. Grant Baylor (YAM)
  5. Andrew DeLong (HSQ)
  6. Takeshi Koikeda (HON)
  7. Chris Douglas (KTM)
  8. Adam Bonneur (KTM)
  9. Thad DuVall (HSQ)
  10. Josh Strang (HSQ)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Kailub Russell (175)
  2. Josh Strang (118)
  3. Grant Baylor (108)
  4. Chris Bach (99)
  5. Thad DuVall (81)
  6. Ryan Sipes (72)
  7. Jason Thomas (65)
  8. Jordan Ashburn (60)
  9. Craig DeLong (54)
  10. Layne Michael (52)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2015 National Champion.

XC2 Event Results:

  1. Jason Thomas (KTM)
  2. Tegan Temple (KTM)
  3. Layne Michael (HON)
  4. Ricky Russell (YAM)
  5. Trevor Bollinger (KTM)
  6. Cory Buttrick (BET)
  7. Craig DeLong (HSQ)
  8. Austin Lee (YAM)
  9. Michael Witkowski (KTM)
  10. Callan May (YAM)

XC2 Series Standings:

  1. Jason Thomas (149)
  2. Layne Michael (112)
  3. Craig DeLong (109)
  4. Trevor Bollinger (99)
  5. Ricky Russell (94)
  6. Cory Buttrick (84)
  7. Tegan Temple (69)
  8. Austin Lee (64)
  9. Nick Davis (57)
  10. Callan May (57)