by: Kayla Bolton
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 | 2:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]
America’s Largest Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Racing Series
Travels to Miami County May 4 and 5
Local Racers Line Up to Compete Against Nation’s Best Off-Road Talent
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (April 30, 2019) – America’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series moves to Miami County this weekend, May 4 and 5, for the 3rd Annual X-Factor Whitetails GNCC, to be held in Peru, Indiana, at the popular X-Factor Whitetails Hunting Ranch. This event serves as the fifth round of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship.
Over 1,300 racers are expected to compete in the X-Factor Whitetails GNCC, and this event will draw several thousand spectators from the surrounding community, as well as all over the U.S., ultimately bringing an estimated $1.3 million in revenue to Miami County and neighboring areas. Riders will compete on highly tuned dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs, and the race will include top talents, such as U.S. National Champions and World Champions from Europe, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Austin Abney comes from Veedersburg, Indiana and is looking forward to his first home state GNCC of the year. Abney finished in the XC2 Pro-Am runner-up position last season, and although he has not raced the beginning portions of the GNCC series this year he is aiming to take the class win when it comes to the race in his home state.
Two Indiana natives will take to the woods of their home state on Sunday afternoon in the XC2 250 Pro class. Michael Witkowski and Austin Lee both made an appearance on the podium at the previous round in South Carolina, and Witkowski currently sits second in the National Championship standings. Witkowski has been steadily improving each round, and continues to show he has what it takes to run at the front of his class. This weekend could be the weekend he breaks through for his first XC2 250 Pro class win.
Local racers expected to compete this Saturday on ATVs will be: Austin Abney (XC2 Pro-Am), Matthew Blankenship (XC2 Pro-Am), Quinn Bergman (90cc Limited 8-12), Hunter Carey (65cc 8-12), Daniel Peters (College A 16-21), Alexis Keyes (Girls 8-15), Daulton Keyes (College B 16-21), Ethan Meyer (College B 16-21), John Williams (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 13-15), Justin Brown (Sport 15+), Levi Burkemper (90cc 8-12), Bryce Cooper (4x4 C), Jase Cooper (Schoolboy Jr. 13-15), Alan Daniels (College A 16-21), Tanner Fowler (4x4 B), Aaran Greenwall (College B 16-21), Nate Harvey (Schoolboy Sr 14-17), Justin Ison (Junior B 22+), Anna Nicely (Girls 8-15), Brody Pullen (125 Jr. 8-11), Bryce Pullen (90cc Limited 8-12), Caden Spires (125 Sr. 12-15), Casen Spires (90cc Stock 8-11) and John Williams (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 13-15).
Also expected to compete this weekend on motorcycles will be Michael Witkowski (XC2 250 Pro), Austin Lee (XC2 250 Pro), Joshua Carey (Vet B 30+), Adam Miller (Senior B 40+), Cody Brunck (250 C Schoolboy 14-17), Josh Brunck (85cc 12-13), Tanner Cowart (4-Stroke A Lites), Jake Froman (FMF XC3 125cc Pro-Am), Rod Marshall (Masters A 50+), Jared Meranda (Open B), Trent Watkins (250 C Schoolboy 14-17), Colton Wilkes (Open A) and Elizabeth Perez (WXC).
Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, May 4. Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by micro (50cc) ATVs at 9:15 and micro (50cc) bikes at 10 a.m., then amateurs, 4x4 Pro and Women at 11 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs race at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, May 5, the motorcycles will take to the woods of Indiana following the schedule of youth racing starting the day off at 8 a.m., women and amateur riders’ race at 10 a.m. and the pros and top amateurs will start at 1 p.m.
The event is co-sanctioned with IXCR, a series that produced local racing events across Indiana, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $40 if racers pre-enter, and $50 if riders sign up at the track. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.
Spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for children (6-11), and kids five and under are free for the full weekend (Friday through Sunday), with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.
The 1 p.m. pro races will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com both days. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, July 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.
- Facebook: @gnccracing
- Instagram: @gncc_racing
- Twitter: @gnccracing
- YouTube: @racertv
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized 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 2,400 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., Central America, South America, 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.
How to Watch
Racer TV and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) are the official homes for coverage of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) events. All 13 rounds, from the season opening Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina to the finale at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, will air in 30-minute, taped-delayed telecasts on NBCSN, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 1 p.m. ATV and motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at http://www.nbcsports.com/ and http://www.racertv.com/.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.