Heading into Round 13 there was a battle for points and pride between XC1 sophomore Kevin Yoho and veteran Johnny Gallagher. Yoho, enjoying his best season ever, held a slim advantage over Gallagher for 7th place in the XC1 class and Overall standings as the two rolled to the line Sunday afternoon. It was another GBC-equipped rider, Eric Hoyland, which nearly grabbed the XC1 holeshot in only his 2nd race since moving up from XC2.
Yoho would spend much of his day chasing the leaders and finished all alone in 6th place, securing the #7 plate for 2013. “It’s been an awesome season,”à said BNR Motorsports’ Kevin Yoho after the race. “I really want to thank GBC for all the help and for making the best tires on earth. I’m already pumped for next year.”Ã
Hoyland and Gallagher battled over 7th place for several laps before a crash by Gallagher left him with a bent up machine, forcing him to limp to the line for 8th on the day and in the season points. Hoyland’s 7th place Overall was his best of the year and proves that he is more than ready for fulltime XC1 competition in 2013.
In morning race action the story was all about Robert Smith. Taking the U2 class win, Utility Overall, ad 2nd Overall out of more than 250 AM racers, Smith fulfilled his hopes of ending the season on a high note. Smith secured 2nd in the U2 class for 2012 and hopes to grab his first ever national title next year.
Bryan Buckhannon looked to be well on the way to another 4x4 Open class win until a mechanical gremlin sidelined him less than a mile from the finish line. Thankfully Buckhannon had already wrapped up his class championship several rounds prior. Forrest Whorton also took a DNF on the day, but his 11 class victories were more than enough to secure the 4x4 Senior championship.
Other standout rides by GBC racers included: Kylie Ahart - Women Pro 2nd (8th Overall); Kara Merritt - Women Pro 3rd; Jordan Phillips - U2 3rd; Ashley Barbee - Women Amateur 2nd; Jay Shadron - College A 2nd; Brody Livengood - College A 3rd; David Reeves - Junior A 2nd; Todd Moskala - Vet B 3rd.
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