GNCC Racing

Borich Secures Last Minute Victory at VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC

Borich Secures Last Minute Victory at VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC

Saturday, April 20, 2013 | 8:25 PM
Saturday, April 20, 2013 | 8:25 PM

Borich Secures Last Minute Victory at VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC
Neal Grabs Third Win of the Season in XC2

UNION, S.C. (April 20, 2013) – After two plus hours of intense racing action at the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC, defending champion Chris Borich put his signature last-lap pass on teammate Chris Bithell to claim his fourth consecutive victory in 2013. Bithell came through only six seconds behind the leader and Walker Fowler put a valiant charge to claim the final XC1 podium position.

The XC1 holeshot led by winner Chris Borich
The XC1 holeshot led by winner Chris Borich Photo: Ken Hill

Things were aligned just right for Maxxis-backed rider Chris Borich on Saturday as he kicked off Round 4 of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series in a big way, claiming the $250 Team Woodhead/DeRisi Racing Holeshot Award. However, Borich has made it apparent that he doesn’t like to lead the race early on and that’s when the 4-Time champ went into reserve mode.

AmPro Yamaha’s Fowler took the reigns from there and led the entire opening lap but it didn’t take long for Lonestar Racing/Precision/ITP’s Adam McGill to try his hand at the lead on Lap 2. McGill led Fowler, Borich and Bithell into the VP Racing Fuels Pro Row where all the top riders received their first fuel stop. Borich interjected himself into the lead several times throughout the first half of the race, but it was Reliable Tool Supply/Maxxis-backed Bithell who maintained the position out front.

Borich secured his 63rd career win in GNCC Racing
Borich secured his 63rd career win in GNCC Racing Photo: Ken Hill

“The track was super brutal out there,” Bithell said. “I made a couple of smart moves and ended up catching the leaders. Borich let me by in the creek section but I knew he was right there pressuring me. I just kept my head and didn’t make any mistakes.”

The race long battle between Bithell and Borich became more of a reality when the white flag flew, signaling one lap to go in what turned out to be a five-lap race. Borich immediately turned things up a notch, making the pass on Bithell during the final lap of the two-hour race.

Fowler put in a solid third place ride
Fowler put in a solid third place ride Photo: Ken Hill

“I think I got around Bithell down by the creek section, he went right and followed a lapper and I was able to make my way out front,” Borich said.

The Suzuki-mounted duo battled it out until the very end but experience overpowered all once again as Borich claimed his fourth consecutive victory in 2013. Borich’s win also put him one step closer to beating the all-time win record of 67, as the champ now holds 63 career wins.

McGill dropped back halfway through the race where he engaged in a battle with Fowler for the third place spot. Fowler turned up his intensity when the 2-Lap card fell and that’s when he made the pass stick on McGill. Both riders charged to the finish line but this time it was Fowler who claimed the final podium position by less than one second over McGill.

XC1 podium: (left) Bithell, (center) Borich, (right) Fowler
XC1 podium: (left) Bithell, (center) Borich, (right) Fowler Photo: Ken Hill

“I had a good race today. I made a couple of mistakes out there but I just flat out got beat,” Fowler said. “I’m going to keep on plugging away.”

JB Offroad/Can-Am’s Jarrod McClure started his day around tenth place but quickly moved into the top five by Lap 2. McClure finished five minutes behind the lead pack, securing fifth overall for the day. Team Woodhead/DeRisi Racing’s Braden Henthorn finished sixth, while HMF/GBC/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher came in seventh. Waynesburg Yamaha’s Gabe Phillips put in a solid ride to take eighth place, while BNR Motorsports’ Kevin Yoho and Greg’s ATV and Cycle’s Matt Hanna rounded out the top ten.

XC2 podium: (left) Wolfe, (center) Neal, (right) McGuire
XC2 podium: (left) Wolfe, (center) Neal, (right) McGuire Photo: Ken Hill

Defending XC2 Pro Am champion Patrick McGuire got off to a great start, immediately putting himself out front in a field of twenty XC2 riders. Fred Marley grabbed the $100 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award once again and it was Michael Lancaster who jumped into second right away.

Landon Wolfe eventually made his way into podium contention behind McGuire and Neal, where things became interesting on the final lap. The rookie duo of Neal and Wolfe slipped past McGuire in the final moments of the race, knocking the defending champ back to third place in the XC2 class. Neal went on to grab his third win of the season, while Wolfe came in second.

Marshal Goings took the Top Amateur Award
Marshal Goings took the Top Amateur Award Photo: Ken Hill

Marshal Goings edged out his biggest competitor Jay Shadron, taking home the College A class win. Goings posted a thirteenth place overall, claiming the Top Amateur honors for the day.

Round 2 of the UTV Series saw an all-new overall champion as Team Big Country Powersports/Polaris topped the XC1 Modified division for the first time this season. Team Jacks II put in an impressive ride, taking the XC2 Limited Class win and placing second overall for the day. It was March-Westin Company rounding out the overall podium, grabbing a second place finish in the XC1 division.

Photo: Ken Hill

The 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series continues May 4 and 5 with the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mammoth GNCC in Park City, Kentucky. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.

Stay up-to-date with exclusive content from the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC Series by following the series Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About GNCC Racing

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series 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 1,500 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., 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.

XC1 Event Results:

  1. Chris Borich (SUZ)
  2. Chris Bithell (SUZ)
  3. Walker Fowler (YAM)
  4. Adam McGill (HON)
  5. Jarrod McClure (CAN)
  6. Braden Henthorn (HON)
  7. Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
  8. Gabe Phillips (YAM)
  9. Kevin Yoho (YAM)
  10. Matt Hanna (YAM)

XC2 Event Results:

  1. Brycen Neal (HON)
  2. Landon Wolfe (SUZ)
  3. Patrick McGuire (YAM)
  4. Blake Kramer (YAM)
  5. Chad Jones (HON)
  6. Josh Merritt (YAM)
  7. Brody Livengood (YAM)
  8. Michael Lancaster (HON)
  9. Randy Hamilton (HON)
  10. James Green (HON)

XC1 Series Standings:

  1. Chris Borich (120)
  2. Walker Fowler (85)
  3. Chris Bithell (82)
  4. Adam McGill (74)
  5. Kevin Yoho (58)
  6. Johnny Gallagher (57)
  7. Jarrod McClure (57)
  8. Jeff Pickens (54)
  9. Braden Henthorn (51)
  10. Eric Hoyland (45)

XC2 Series Standings:

  1. Brycen Neal (111)
  2. Patrick McGuire (88)
  3. Landon Wolfe (77)
  4. Chad Jones (67)
  5. Fred Marley (65)
  6. Michael Lancaster (55)
  7. Randy Hamilton (47)
  8. Blake Kramer (45)
  9. Josh Merritt (44)
  10. Nathan Wallpe (44)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

  1. Chris Borich (120)
  2. Walker Fowler (85)
  3. Chris Bithell (80)
  4. Adam McGill (65)
  5. Johnny Gallagher (54)
  6. Kevin Yoho (53)
  7. Brycen Neal (50)
  8. Braden Henthorn (49)
  9. Jarrod McClure (48)
  10. Jeff Pickens (44)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2013 National Champion.