Welcome to Quick Fill.

As we set out for Round 9 of the AMSOIL GNCC Series this weekend, it’s important to note a couple things unique for this weekend’s event on Snowshoe Mountain. One, don’t forget to pack something for any type of weather. Bring a poncho, a tank top, snowsuit, swimsuit, rain boots and all different types of light and heavy jackets. You really never know what kind of weather you’re going to encounter while on the mountain. However, we do already know that it’s been raining at Snowshoe and things are definitely going to be on the wet side. Looking forward to the rest of the weekend’s forecast doesn’t look all that much better in terms of rain, so be prepared with rain/mud gear and let’s hope we don’t have to have it out all weekend long!

Don’t forget that this weekend’s event will cost $20 for the weekend’s admission, rather than the typical $15. This is because we’re at a standalone facility that includes camping and other amenities we don’t usually have. That being said, if you’re planning on camping in a tent, Snowshoe does have a special lot for you folks and it’s available at no charge. So when you get in, tell the front gate that you’ll be camping out and they will direct you to where you need to go. For the rest of you who may be staying in lodging on site, you will need to check in at the Top of the World, in the South Mountain area. If you’re wondering how to get there, yep you guessed it, follow the path up the mountain. The ATV fans are awesome!

All racers who own a transponder, please remember to physically bring your transponder with you to registration. Since there isn’t tech inspection at this event, we need to tech your transponder and make sure everything is working correctly before the race. You won’t be able to sign up without it, so please bring it with you. The ladies at registration will have extra zip ties to help make it easier to put back on your machine. Also, if you don’t have two helmet tags, please come up and get another one so that your number shows up on both sides of your helmet. The scoring can be a little tricky at this event since there’s riders coming from both sides of the mountain and we just want to eliminate as many issues as possible before the race begins. We appreciate your cooperation in advance and we’re just trying our best to make it a smoother day for all of you.

Snowshoe is one of the most exciting rounds all season and for so many different reasons. The obvious reason is for the luxurious accommodations such as lodging, restaurants, bars and stores located within arms reach in the village. And since it’s the final round before summer break this year, it’s bound to get a little wild on Saturday night. But the best part has got to be the racing! Since this track lends a hand to drawing some of the rough and tough riders on the circuit to the front, we get to see a bit of a switch up in the results. Last year it seemed like the ATV side of things didn’t shake up too much, but on the bike side we saw Rory Mead conquer the Snowshoe terrain, with XC2 Pro Lites rider Jason Thomas atop the overall podium. It’s also interesting to note that with the exception of David Knight’s three wins in a row in ’07-’09, there hasn’t been another repeat winner in the XC1 class at Snowshoe. That goes to show just how unpredictable this place is and also how deep the field of talent has been over the years. I think that Thomas will be a huge threat to the overall podium again this year, especially since he’s coming off an XC2 win from the last round.

We have yet to see a race win from Whibley, Strang or Bach this season, although all three of them have been in the mix quite often. While it’s very possible to see Strang or Bach get the win this weekend, I don’t see it happening from the wounded Whibs. Turns out the Axe Man isn’t just suffering from “defending champ syndrome” but he’s actually been riding through a sports hernia, which is essentially a severely strained/pulled groin muscle. Now I knew Whibley was a tough dude but from the sounds of it he’s been grinding through one of the more painful injuries a person could have while riding a dirt bike. There was talk about Whibley getting surgery post-Snowshoe to hopefully repair the problem so while I think we’ll see Whibley riding this weekend, I don’t think we can blame him for not winning this one.

Speaking of that, GNCC University is in full swing today at Snowshoe Mountain. Judging from the photos, it looks like things were going pretty well with the Yamaha crew over there. Despite a little but of rain Randy Hawkins, Jason Raines, Johnny Gallagher and the rest of the crew are surely teaching the students a whole lot of knowledge and giving good preparation for this weekend’s GNCC.

One last thing before I go, the folks at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC showed us a really cool and easy link to purchase gift cards for all your favorite gear heads. If you head over to their website, it’s as easy as typing in your info and where you want the gift card sent. So if you can’t think of the perfect present for someone, why not just give them the gift of pure freedom in choosing their own sweet accessories?! Check out the link HERE.

Looking forward to a great weekend at Snowshoe! Don’t forget to tune into #gncclive Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM Eastern to see myself, Stu Baylor, Rodney and the rest of the crew for some awesome race coverage!

@JaredBolton:

My Quick Fill contribution this week comes to you officially from the top of Snowshoe Mountain! After driving through the night, I got here around 9am this morning but haven't slept in about 30 hours (long, boring story and I'm sure nobody wants to hear it) so I'm about to catch a quick nap before heading out onto the track this afternoon. So unfortunately I can't give a track update just yet but I can say that it's misty and foggy this morning, but the good news is I haven't heard of any downpours yet, so things are looking decent so far!

For a while now, I've been discussing the various championship battles shaping up and in my personal opinion, Snowshoe could be the one to kind of mix things up. As I've mentioned, the rugged terrain of Snowshoe doesn't always make for the absolutely fastest guy to win, but who can be the toughest, smartest and fastest through the rough stuff. That takes a special skill and there are definitely several guys that plays out to. 

Last weekend saw a bit of racing across the east coast. The National Enduro Series was back in action in PA, and Charlie Mullins came away with another overall win. However, the veteran, Mike Lafferty kept him honest, as he was only 11 seconds behind for 2nd while Nick Fahringer rounded out the podium.

Chris Bach made his bid against the top moto guys at Budds Creek but unfortunately was unable to qualify. Chris said he learned a lot and knows what adjustments and changes he needs to make and will give it another shot at RedBud next weekend. Of course, Bach's weekend wasn't a total letdown as he took the overall win at the Devils Ridge NCHSA race in Sanford, NC. Devils Ridge is actually a former GNCC venue as well!

A little further south in Jonesville, SC (right by Union) the Mideast Hare Scramble Series was in action with Paul Whibley taking the overall win ahead of Trevor Bollinger and Jesse Robinson. Ricky Russell was in attendance as well but broke a chain on the first lap and had to call it a day. 

I threw together a video from the Mideast race, which you can see HERE.

Well I hate to cut things so short but we've got an action packed weekend of racing upon us and its time to get ready. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend! Until next time, Bolt-On out. 

@HotRodney22:

The mountains are roaring with life this morning as the 2nd and final stop of the Blackwater Tribute rounds of GNCC approaches and the GNCC U is once again in full swing with the world's greatest off-road motorcycle and ATV racers pass on their knowledge here near the birthplace of GNCC. As students learn from the best, the GNCC Track Crew is busy once again setting the stage for "America's New Toughest Race". Keeping in tradition with The Blackwater 100, this course will offer some of the most challenging obstacles and terrain the 2013 season will see and for that reason many riders will sign up and dare to complete at least one grueling lap on this near 25 mile loop race.

Granted, the Snowshoe GNCC is not the Blackwater 100, however it has many of the same types of obstacles and terrain that faced the masses many years ago. The really exciting thing is the people that come to race this race. They come from all walks of life from all parts of the world. I know many have told me it that is there test in life and all they want to do is complete at least one lap on one of the most challenging race tracks in the world. The looks I have seen in so many competitors’ eyes is amazing. It goes from pure agony to joy as they limp their battered bodies and machines across the line after nearly 3 hours saying," I made it! I got my lap!"

As nostalgic as this all may be, we must keep in mind the real reason we are here and that is modern day GNCC championship competition and so therefore the course is much tamer than the old school stuff, but there is enough there to make it exciting and make for a great race at the same time. There are only 8 points separating Charlie Mullins and Kailub Russell and with the momentum switch in the last couple of rounds this weekend's battle could end up making for an exciting and dramatic set up for the last 4 rounds of the season. As far as four wheels goes, Chris Borich who has found his struggles in the past few rounds may see more here as West Virginia native Adam McGill is not only on a roll after last rounds win but he has also won this event twice in the past and the "McGill Mafia" will be out if full force to try and see it happen again.

I personally have to say that Snowshoe is a bittersweet race for me. I love the atmosphere and the whole idea of racing in through the village and some of the most extreme terrain on the circuit. That is obviously a sweet part, but the bitter part comes from the fact that I have to work while I am there. Being in my position as series announcer I rarely have an opportunity to witness much in the way of racing other than radio reports and what I see at the finish line. Here at Snowshoe I long to be out there where the action is and see firsthand the struggles that man and machine must make. However, this 7th running of the Snowshoe GNCC will mark the first time that I will get to see more of the track and racing than ever before with this season's addition of Racer TV.

Racer TV has given me and many other race fans an opportunity to see things we may never have gotten a chance to see otherwise. Me obviously because I can't abandon my post but for the race fans it brings them to not only places they may not make it to but for those that can't make it all it brings the races right to wherever they may be. If you have not checked out GNCC Live on RacerTV.com then you should. It sheds so much more light on our sport and with the advancement of technology and the GNCC Live crew's hard work the broadcast are sure to only expand to deeper and more remote locations of trail as time goes on.

If you have been watching then you may realize that you are witnessing history not only through the racing but also through the technology in bringing to you as much visual as possible of one of the world's most prestigious racing championships. It is funny how only a few years ago one thought it was so cool to be on television. Now not only through television but the limitless bounds of the worldwide web where nearly 72 nations tune from each round. Thousands of people across the globe get to experience in a small sense what GNCC Racing is all about. Some may say race wins and championships are what drive them, but this weekend for many it will be to make that one lap just to be able to say "I did it!" If you cannot be there, make sure you join us at 1:00 EDT on both Saturday and Sunday as history unfolds in our tribute race to The Blackwater 100 and round 9 of the world-renowned AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country championship.

That's it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.