GNCC Racing

Coastal Racing ATV Team Report: X-Factor GNCC

Monday, May 22, 2017 | 3:40 PM

Round 5 of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented a wild weekend of racing for it's first-ever running of the X-Factor GNCC. Heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the race made for extreme conditions on the course and despite many challenges, the Coastal Racing/Answer/Maxxis/Waynesburg Yamaha ATV Team was able to come away unscathed and with valuable points in the championship chase.

Due to the extreme track conditions, the afternoon ATV race was shortened to only two laps, totaling just over one-hour for the top pro racers. With a unique format and a very muddy course, racers were in full survival mode for Round 6.

XC1 Pro ATV

In the XC1 Pro ATV class, Brycen Neal got off to a decent start where he began the opening lap inside the lead pack. While following close behind the front-runners, Neal made a bad line choice in an attempt to get by and he ultimately suffered by getting hung up for a substantial amount of time.

From there, Neal focused on pushing ahead where he was able to pick off a few riders to finish 9th place in the XC1 Pro class.

"The X-Factor was a wild one for sure," Neal commented. "I think that's the most times I've ever been off my bike during a race in my life. I finished the race and got some points so I'm thankful for that. This is one behind me now and I'm looking to bounce back strong at my hometown race this weekend in Athens." 

Track conditions were muddy on Saturday for the X-Factor GNCC. 
Track conditions were muddy on Saturday for the X-Factor GNCC.  Ken Hill

College A (16-21)

Drew Landers didn't get the best jump off the line as he battled his way through the muddy woods of Indiana to bring himself into the 6th place position on the opening lap. His teammate, Eli Kiger, checked in just behind him in 7th place as the Coastal Racing/Yamaha duo chased the top five on the second and final lap.

About halfway through the last lap, Landers fell victim to a broken chain - which ultimately ended his day early. Despite the misfortune, Landers was still able to salvage a 9th place finish in the class to earn valuable points in the championship chase.

"After a bad start and getting hung up behind other riders early, it made it tough to catch back up. Being a two-lap race in such terrible conditions really changed our strategy but we were prepared to fight through. I came through in 6th place on the first lap but knowing how bad the conditions were it was anybody's race. Mid-way through the second lap, I was working my way through the pack one rider at a time until misfortune struck with a broken chain to put me out of contention. My Coastal Racing Yamaha was pushing strong in the mud and I can't thank my team enough for all they do to get me out there on the race track. No doubt we are looking forward to the next round and we are ready!"

The Coastal Racing Team would like to send a big congratulations to Drew Landers, who flew home immediately after the race to receive his High School diploma on Saturday. Way to go, Drew!

Kiger continued to climb on the final lap to ultimately finish 4th in the class and 28th overall for the day. Kiger's top-five performance allowed him to move up one position in the College A (16-21) Championship Standings where he now sits two points ahead of his teammate Landers with seven rounds remaining.

"I got off to a good start around 5th place but I got stuck around the first mile and fell way back," Kiger said. "I battled people and conditions all day long to eventually make my way back to 4th place. It was a race of survival out there."

Next Event: GNCC Round 7 - May 27, 2017

Results from the X-Factor GNCC - Saturday, May 20, 2017

XC1 Pro ATV Results

  1. Johnny Gallagher
  2. Walker Fowler
  3. Adam McGill

9. Brycen Neal (YAM)

College A (16-21) ATV Results

  1. Boedy Lamoreaux
  2. Seth Wilson
  3. McCain Jennings
  4. Eli Kiger (YAM)
  5. Tanner Walker

9. Drew Landers (YAM)

Overall ATV Championship Standings

  1. Walker Fowler (175)
  2. Adam McGill (124)
  3. Brycen Neal (112)
  4. Chris Borich (91)
  5. Jarrod McClure (90)

College A (16-21) ATV Championship Standings

  1. John Glauda Jr. (100)
  2. Eli Kiger (94)
  3. Drew Landers (92)
  4. Boedy Lamoreaux (87)
  5. Tanner Walker (84)