Chris Bithell raced his Reliable Tool Supply / Maxxis Tire’s backed Suzuki LTR 450 to his first podium of the season. Bithell ran one of the most exciting races of the season at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC and earned second place in the XC1 Pro Class; he led four of the five laps and had the fans cheering at every turn.

Bithell got great start on his Suzuki and went into the woods in fourth position. Bithell made quick work of the pack and took over the lead midway through the first lap. He continued his charge and held the lead through a wheel to wheel battle with another Pro. On the second lap Bithell and the rest of the lead pack pitted; the pack was tight and it was a race to get him back out. He was able to fuel and get fresh goggles quickly and edge out the rest of the pack to hold the lead.

On lap four, Bithell’s wheel to wheel battle was closer than ever. He and the fellow racer went through scoring at the exact same time; although marked in second he came out of scoring physically in first. Bithell continued his charge into the final lap; he dropped to second at the top of a steep hill climb, but kept steady pressure on the leader.

Bithell held on to the second spot and crossed the checkers just 03.125 behind the leader. Bithell’s second place finish boosted him to third in the overall point’s standing.

“The race went great. I had an awesome time and my Suzuki worked flawlessly. The fans were great and I couldn’t have asked for a much better race,” regarded Bithell from the podium.

Bithell will be vying for another podium spot in just two weeks at the fourth round of the AMSOIL GNCC. Round four will take place Saturday April 20 in Union, South Carolina.

2013 Chris Bithell Sponsors:
Reliable Tool Supply, Maxxis Tires, FOX, ATV Innovations, Ye Old Cycle Barn, HMF, IQ, Hiper Wheels, FLY Racing, FourWerx Carbon, Walsh Race Craft, Mosites Motorsports, G4 Graphics, Precision, DP Brakes, Twin Air and QuadTech.