GNCC Racing

Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team Excels at The John Penton GNCC

by:
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 | 12:55 PM

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team fought hard to capture nine top-five finishes on Sunday for Round 7 of the 2016 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in Millfield, Ohio. With weather conditions sunny and warm, the ANR Team was prepared to do battle at The John Penton GNCC.

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team showcased 11 riders in the 1 p.m. afternoon race, competing in nine different classes throughout the three-hour race. In the XC1 Pro Class, DuVall was the first class to line up. However, he was the last rider to enter the woods as he went down in the second turn. DuVall has his work cut out for him as he began the six-lap race in dead last.

XC1 Pro Podium: (left) Josh Strang, Kailub Russell, (right) Thad DuVall. Photo: Ken Hill
XC1 Pro Podium: (left) Josh Strang, Kailub Russell, (right) Thad DuVall. Photo: Ken Hill

The West Virginia native rode a solid pace to catch the lead pack, where he engaged in battle to secure a podium position. Despite a collision was a lapped rider late in the race, DuVall was able to maintain a 3rd place position to secure his third consecutive podium finish. 

"It was probably one of the hardest fought rides I've had in a while," DuVall said. "I knew it was going to be a long day with the dust but I was pushing so hard to not let Kailub and Josh get away. It's nice to be on the podium but 3rd place isn't cutting it anymore; I want to win!"

Conner (#101) and his brother Colin (#100) battle for the 4 Stroke A Lites Holeshot. Photo: Ken Hill
Conner (#101) and his brother Colin (#100) battle for the 4 Stroke A Lites Holeshot. Photo: Ken Hill

Colin Keegan put forth an impressive ride in the 4 Stroke A Lites Class, where he earned his best finish of the season with a 5th place in the class and 42nd overall. Brittan Laird also had a great race as he captured the 4 Stroke B Lites holeshot in a close battle with his teammate Hunter Williams. Laird went on to capture his second-best finish of the season with 5th place, while Williams finished 4th.

Brittan Laird (#224) edges out teammate Hunter Williams (#229) for the 4 Stroke B Lites holeshot. Photo: Ken Hill
Brittan Laird (#224) edges out teammate Hunter Williams (#229) for the 4 Stroke B Lites holeshot. Photo: Ken Hill

1 PM Pro Race

XC1 Pro: Thad DuVall - 3rd

XC2 Pro Lites: Luke Parsons - 15th

250 A: Coleman Brinson - 16th

4 Stroke A Lites: Colin Keegan - 5th, Conner Keegan - 16th

4 Stroke B Lites: Hunter Williams - 4th, Brittan Laird - 5th

250 B: Eddie White - 7th

200 B: Sam Hall - 9th

Senior A (40+): Derek Pacheco - 8th

Senior B (40+): Mark Proper - 4th

In the 10 a.m. Amateur race, it was once again an exciting battle between ANR teammates in the 200 C Schoolboy (12-15) Class. Team rider Brandon Keegan began the two-hour race with the holeshot, just edging out Grass Roots Rider Noah Stewart off the start. Stewart went on to finish 2nd in the class, with Cole Groover in 4th, Brandon Keegan in 5th and Grass Roots Rider Chase Sweda in 6th. Keegan leads the Championship Standings after seven rounds of racing, with a hard-charging Groover only two points behind in 2nd place.

Brandon Keegan (#111) grabbed the holeshot and early lead in the 200 C Class. Photo: Ken Hill
Brandon Keegan (#111) grabbed the holeshot and early lead in the 200 C Class. Photo: Ken Hill

10 AM Amateur Race

WXC: Allie Spurgeon - 7th

200 C Schoolboy (12-15): Brandon Keegan - 5th, Cole Groover - 4th, Noah Stewart - 2nd, Chase Sweda - 6th

Newest ANR addition, Allie Spurgeon, was running 5th early on but battled dehydration and heat to fall back to 7th in WXC. Photo: Ken Hill
Newest ANR addition, Allie Spurgeon, was running 5th early on but battled dehydration and heat to fall back to 7th in WXC. Photo: Ken Hill

Canadian Troy Horbaty highlighted the 8 a.m. Youth race with a 4th place finish in the 65 (10-11) Class, while his teammate Jacob Pacheco finished 6th in the 65 (7-9) Class. Dylan Brinson continues his five-race streak of top-ten finishes with an 8th place finish in the Super Mini Jr. (12-13) division.

8 AM Youth Race

Super Mini Jr. (12-13): Dylan Brinson - 8th

65 (7-9): Jacob Pacheco - 6th

65 (10-11): Troy Horbaty - 4th

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 team will return to racing on Sunday, June 12 for the Tomahawk GNCC in Odessa, New York.

The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Pits have everything a rider needs to be at the top of their game on raceday! Big thanks to the entire crew that makes it all happen! Photo: Ken Hill
The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Pits have everything a rider needs to be at the top of their game on raceday! Big thanks to the entire crew that makes it all happen! Photo: Ken Hill

The team would like to extend a big thanks to the supporters that make this program possible: Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Moose Racing, Maxxis, AMSOIL, Husqvarna, All Balls Racing, SunStar, DP Brakes,TM Designs,Samco Hoses,HBD Graphics, Motion Pro,Twin Air,Wiseco,Enduro Engineering, EKS Goggles, IMS Tanks, Bullet Proof, Thor Helmets, ARC Levers, Pro X,Cometic Gaskets, Moto Master Rotors, NEKEN, Super B, Seat Concepts, Pro Circuit, Beaver Creek Cycle, Hinson and Parts Unlimited.

About the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Program 

Whether your dream is to compete in the entire GNCC or Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series or to enjoy the ultimate racing weekend vacation, we can help! With our current unstable economy and the rising cost of fuel, it's making it harder to get to the races, and this burden is hurting racing family's across the country and abroad. We can save you time, money, and hassle! For an affordable fee, KR4 can offset the cost of racing and have everything ready for you. Let us prep your race bike while you train during the week, attend school or work, or spend time with your family. Just before race day, jump in the car, head to the airport or drive to the track, and we will meet you out there. It doesn't matter how far away you live. Your bike, gear, and fuel will be waiting, just Arrive-n-Ride! To learn more and sign up for your Arrive-n-Ride Experience, please contact [email protected] or visit our website.

About KR4 Performance

KR4 Performance is a leading professional and amateur race team that participates in the Grand National Cross Country Championships (GNCC). We are paving the way for the future of off-road racing with our unparalleled Arrive-n-Ride Program. Our team won the 2012 GNCC XC2 Pro Lites Championship, and we were awarded the 2012 GNCC Sport Ambassador Award. Our solid team structure is made up of former GNCC pros, expert motorcycle mechanics, and industry enthusiasts that are 100% dedicated to helping you achieve your racing goals. Check us out at www.kr4performance.com