Johnny G! How's everything going today?
Everything is good! I’m just over at HMF world headquarters hanging out before heading out to do some rehab on this knee and riding this afternoon.


So are you ready for yet another new venue this weekend?
It’s always cool to have new tracks and hopefully expose GNCC to a new group of fans. I've heard it is going to be pretty open with a good bit of rock. A bit like Rock Run was last year and that was best finish of 2011, so I'm optimistic.


What did you think of the last new track?
The mammoth was MUCH different than what I expected coming in. I’ve spent a lot of time just up the road at Ballance's place over the years and I did not expect anywhere near that much rock, or the track to be that tight. Overall though it was a cool throwback to the way GNCC used to be and I faired OK considering the injury I had coming into the race.

How did it stack up with some of the races from years ago?
There were a couple sections that certainly reminded me of the old Hardrock and Elkins West Virginia races and there were some technical bike handling sections that we have not seen a lot of other than Snowshoe in recent years. It was an interesting change of pace I just wish I could have been healthy to see how I could have finished.

You've obviously seen the progression of tracks from tough and tight, to fast and wide and now back to some being a little slower. Overall, what do you enjoy the most?
Honestly I seem to perform better the faster the tracks get which is odd considering I'm one of the last "Old School" GNCC guys, and I come from an area of Ohio where all the local series pride themselves on technical gnarly tracks. I'm not really sure how it happened I just have turned into a rider that excels in the really high speed rough tracks that flow, and honestly I do struggle with speed in the tight trees.


How much has the sport changed since you've been involved?
Well I have been to just about every GNCC race since it was called the Wiseco 100 miler series in the 80's, so it has changed immensely. More riders, 100 times the spectators, media coverage has exploded, and the top riders are now chasing results as a career. Overall, I would say it has gone from a small fringe hobby to a Big Business full on sport. I am happy to say though that the events still maintain the same family friendly feel that they did more than 30 years ago despite all the growth.

Where do you see it going from here?
It sounds cliche, but the sky is the limit. With the exponential increase in spectator turn outs we have seen this year thanks to all the local media stuff, the efforts that the racer productions crew is putting into everything from track layout, to TV Coverage, and the overall promoting of the sport in the mainstream. I can see things not only expanding, but exploding in the not so distant future. I’m looking forward to it that's for sure.

So are you excited to be back teaching at GNCC U this year?
I look forward to it every year, I truly cannot believe how it has taken off since the first year in 2009.

What do you think riders learn the most?
We try to focus on each individual rider and point out there strengths and weaknesses, the idea is that we spend a few days working with them and then even more importantly we arm them with the tools and the knowledge to continue improving and growing as riders and racers long after they have graduated from GNCC University.

How much does it mean to you to be able to help the riders?
It’s an awesome experience. Racing has been my entire life for more than 30 years now and to be able to pass some of what I have learned along and interact with the students is rewarding and a lot of fun.

What can someone expect to learn from you at GNCC U?
I'd say someone can expect to learn anything they ever hoped to learn and a whole lot they never even thought possible. That's what is great about GNCC U, there are many view points and so much experience within the team of instructors. You have past and current and future champions, Young riders, Veterans, and even the female voice of reason in Traci Cecco. I don’t think it would be possible to hand pick a better team of instructors for someone looking to become a better rider and racer.

So what do you hope to accomplish through the rest of 2012 on the racing side?
I'd like to have my best ever season ranking at the end of 2012. I’ve been on the front row since 1996, and my best year was 1999 when I earned number 7. For me to beat that at age 34 with as far as this sport has progressed and as unbelievable as the competition is right now would satisfy my desire at least for the short term. I would also like to stand on top of that podium here real soon to get a chance to thank a whole bunch of people who have allowed me to chase my dreams for many many years now.

Who would you like to thank?
I'd like to thank my Mom, Sister, and of course my Dad there is not a day that goes by that I don't miss him. I also have the greatest group of sponsors anyone could ask for GBC Motorsports, HMF Engineering, Yamaha, CERNICS, Fasst Company, Houser,Fox Racing Shox, Fly racing, Powermadd, Hiper wheels, Rath racing, GT-Thunder, G4, DP Brakes, Motorex, TCX boots, Scott Goggles, ODI grips, IMS, BNR motorsports, and Race Parts Online. A shout out to all my friends at the races who help out in the pits: Traci Cecco, Jim Wise, Stoney Livengood, Hans Luenger and the BNR guys. Chris Borich and Dawn Lahr for putting up with me for 4 months every winter, and Lastly I want to thank every person on the racer productions crew for all their efforts in making GNCC the premier off-road series in the world. I've been around a long time and raced all over and have yet to find another promoter that holds a candle to what you guys do.