Thursday, July 4, 2013 | 8:25 PM
Welcome to Quick Fill.
And Happy Independence Day! For most of you, today has probably been about family, fun and hopefully a little sunshine before the darkness sets in and the fireworks light up the sky. But for our crew, we’ve been posted up in Buchanan, Michigan for Round 7 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at the Red Bull RedBud National, beginning with today’s press day activities. It’s not uncommon to see GNCC folks around the MX Nationals on the off weekends but I was especially surprised to see Charlie Mullins geared up today. Turns out Charlie was there watching for the weekend with his wife, Rachel, and decided to hit the track for press day. Besides the usual motocross sections incorporated in the GNCC courses, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Charlie ride moto before and I was definitely impressed with his speed compared to the seasoned moto guys. While I don’t think Charlie plans to race on Saturday, it was a treat to see him out on the track for press day.
Another GNCC guy that will be actually trying his hand at an MX National this weekend is Chris Bach, number three in the National Championship points on the bike side. Bach attempted to qualify a couple weeks ago at Budds Creek but things just weren’t clicking so he’s going to give it another whirl this Saturday in the loamy dirt of RedBud. It sounds like CB10 is in Illinois with Adam Bonneur (pronounced Bon-Waa) getting some moto practice in before the weekend. Actually they were at my favorite track from back home – Sunset Ridge MX – which is a pretty good prep for what they’re going to see at RedBud. So good luck to Chris and the GNCC community will be rooting for ya!
So we’re officially on summer break for GNCC, which is sort of a bummer because things have just started to get interesting on the racing front. This break between Snowshoe and Unadilla is just enough time to create a blank slate for the final four rounds. I think the biggest distinction between the two legs of the series, besides the weather being a little cooler, is the difference in terrain that the riders will face in the second half of the season. The final four rounds of the series have a whole different feel as far as the dirt and technicality are concerned and while we don’t know much about the all-new Gusher round in Pennsylvania, it will serve as a sort of curve ball in the mix. Actually let’s take a deeper look at the final four rounds of the GNCC Series.
Unadilla will serve as the first stop back after the summer break, September 7 and 8 specifically. This is one of the classics on the tour as one of the most legendary motocross tracks on the circuit today and it’s been on the GNCC schedule since 2005. It would be a shame not to include the historic MX track in the GNCC, which is why JR, Barry and the crew incorporate the U1 track’s sweeping corners, big jumps and steep elevation changes into the dark soiled woods of New York. The ground is much softer here than what racers see at the West Virginia rounds leading up to the break, which definitely favors a whole new crop of riders. And for the ones who like a rough and technical but fun and flowy track, it’s the perfect race to transition into the second half of the season.
Round 11 moves to Foxburg, Pennsylvania for the inaugural Gusher event just a couple weeks later on September 21 and 22. Obviously I haven’t been to this venue before but from the pictures I’ve seen, it looks like an amazing place for a GNCC. We’re actually going to be racing on the property of the beautiful RiverStone Estate, which overlooks the wild and scenic Allegheny and Clarion Rivers amidst the Allegheny Mountains. The course will resemble that of previous Pennsylvania venues, with a little rocky, rooted woods with fresh woods sections tied in. A fresh addition to the schedule, for sure.
And then it’s off to Powerline Park, another oldie but goodie on the GNCC tour. This place is known for its massive mud holes and sometimes-tricky elevation change but the riders always love the grass track sections here to provide some relief from the trickier sections. Probably the greatest part about this place is the MUD FLEAS! There are some serious off-road fans that live in the state of Ohio and they really come out in the month of October. Mud fleas have even been known to make or break a rider’s outcome in the mud hole sections.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Ironman. I know everyone is excited to have this one as the season finale because of the festive environment that surrounds the event. If the championship chases continue to stay close in so many classes, the Ironman season finale could be one of epic proportions on the track, too. There’s nothing better than seeing a title come down to the final moments of the last race of the season. You can’t forget to add that many riders call this track their favorite on the whole tour, which has a lot to do with the insanely good soil, the steep hill climbs and the slick riverbanks that make for a challenging, yet fun, Ironman course.
If I had predictions on the final four races, I would definitely jot them down. But I honestly don’t think there’s anything set in stone with the way things have gone so far. I used to think that summer break was the time for riders to regroup and work on the things they’ve lacked in the first nine rounds but after talking with riders about their summer plans, it almost seems like the new summer break plans are to first regroup, take time off the bike, have some fun, maintain training and continue doing the things that keep racing fun, which is why we’re all doing this anyway, right?!
On that note, the fireworks here in Mishawaka, Michigan are just dying down (from what I hear, because I can’t see a thing) and the bugs are finally chasing me off the back patio of the hotel. I hope everyone is having a safe and fun Independence Day and good luck to everyone racing this weekend.
@JaredBolton:
So the summer break is officially here! Some are ready for a bit of a break and others are probably already jones-ing to race again. Then of course there will be those whose summer break isn’t much of a break as it will be filled with racing other various races over the summer.
Snowshoe is a pretty good way to head into summer break as it’s one of those places that sometimes you never really know what could happen. The course is tough and as I’ve said before, sometimes it’s just all about riding smarter instead of faster. Well, except on the ski slopes and roads. That’s all about speed!
As for the racing action at Snowshoe, it was pretty interesting. Walker Fowler pretty much dominated the entire race and finished 2 minutes and 22 seconds ahead of Chris Borich in the end. It was a battle for the guys a little further back but Chris Bithell ended up rounding out the podium ahead of Kevin Yoho and Adam McGill after all of those guys battled with each other for almost the entire race.
The bike side saw some great racing action as Kailub Russell worked his way through the pack, coming from as far back is 7th place on the 2nd lap, to take the win over Charlie Mullins. Of course, Thad Duvall showed that he was a challenger and led a portion of the race before knocking a shifter off and losing time, but worked his way back up to edge out Chris Bach by 4 seconds on adjusted time to take the final podium position.
In the XC2 class, Grant Baylor took the lead early but Jason Thomas took over the lead and would hold that lead for the majority of the race. However, Grant would put on a charge on the final lap to retake the lead and finish 33 seconds ahead of Thomas while Shane Hufford snagged his first XC2 podium (I called it a while back that we would see Hufford on the podium eventually!) while Scott Grills put in another solid ride to take fourth ahead of Layne Michael.
Now that we’re heading into summer break and only 4 rounds remain when we return, the points battles are really starting to head up. Charlie Mullins still holds the points lead but Kailub Russell has closed the gap up to just 3 points in the overall (which is what counts towards the championship) while Chris Bach sits in third 16 points ahead of Thad Duvall who is now 8 points ahead of Whibley in fifth. In the XC2 class, Grant Baylor has extended his points lead to 19 points over Jason Thomas while Andrew Delong still holds onto 3rd place.
With the summer break officially underway, some will be taking a little bit of time off to reset some things and just generally enjoy some time doing other things. Others will continue to race various local events as well as a couple of National Enduros and other events throughout the summer.
Chris Bach will once again make his bid in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this weekend at one of the most legendary tracks of all, RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan. After failing to qualify at Budds Creek a few weeks ago, Bach knows what he needs to do and what adjustments need to be made. So keep an eye out on this weekend to see how things go.
I hate to cut myself so short again but we’ve got a long summer break upon us and that leaves a long time to chat about some of the other happenings in GNCC Racing. So until next time, Bolt-On out!
Here’s @HotRodney22:
I know I say it often and the reason I say it is because it is truly how I feel, but I cannot believe how fast the season is flying by in 2013. It seems like only a few short days ago we were prepping to head to Westgate River Ranch in Florida. Now here we are only days after round 9 and heading into the traditional summer break and it really doesn't seem possible but here we are. At this point in the season I guess we can all take a deep breath and let it out and relax if only for a moment. As great as this may sound to pause and take a few moments for the masses of the GNCC Racin' Nation, it is not so easy for a select few. Looking back over the first 9 rounds of racing one has to realize that we are surely in the midst of another spectacular season. The weather hasn't always cooperated but the racing has been nothing less than stellar and could be deemed by the season's end as epic once more. And I suppose by true definition the season is reaching epic proportions and the rest of the season could hold more for us than we know.
Coming into the season 4-Time and Defending GNCC ATV Champ Chris Borich stood at the threshold of becoming one of the greatest GNCC racers of all time. Chris had accumulated 59 overall GNCC wins in his Pro career and was only 8 wins away from tying Bill Ballance's all time win record for ATV racing at 67. 9 wins would give him the title and then tie him with Barry Hawk, who has 68 total wins on both bike and ATV. Anything more than that and he will be achieve a feat that may never be matched, at least not for a long time.
This past weekend I was in the Snowshoe Village Square where Victory Lane was located and I saw Overall Youth Points Leader Hunter Hart roll past Chris Borich and then Chris smiled a real big Chris Borich smile and started to laugh. Chris told me that as Hunter rolled by, "You're gonna have to quit losing, you're killing me!" If you wonder what he meant by that it is this. Hunter could be considered the Chris Borich “Mini Me”. Hunter likens his gear and machine after Chris and somehow these two do seem to be cosmically connected this season for as every time Chris comes up short, so does Hunter. Each time that Chris hasn’t won his race, the next race Hunter comes up short. Even though it is purely coincidental it is funny to see how it pans out and since Chris lost both West Virginia rounds it looks like Hunter will probably come up short in his home state of New York when the series continues in September. I am not saying Hart is doomed to defeat there but it will be interesting to see how it all works out. As far as the XC1 championship is concerned though and Chris Borich's record, it is still very conceivable that Borich will achieve the record and another championship. Then becomes the argument, "What makes a better rider? Would it be more championships or more race wins?" I am not real sure but I cannot wait to hear the arguments. I know for one thing for certain and that is if Chris wins the championship it will be his 5th and he will have to win 5 more to claim the most titles and looking at the youth of today's up and coming competitors, the next 5 championships will not be nearly as easy to achieve. In reality, Hunter Hart could be the one to eventually stop him if McGill, Bithell, Fowler or the up and coming Braden Henthorn, Brycen Neal, Pat McGuire, Landon Wolfe, Marshall Goings and more doesn't do it first.
The bike side of racing has really gotten interesting since we made the trek north. Charlie Mullins showed early season dominance over teammate Kailub Russell and the rest of the field. Russell would seem to be in position and somehow Charlie would pull away in the end leaving Russell frustrated. However, the winds of change have started blowing there as well and roles have been reversed for the last few rounds. Both riders now have 4 wins each and sit only 3 points apart in the overall championship battle. What the closing rounds of 2013 hold for the XC1 Pro bike class is going to be interesting to watch.
Not only will we see a champion emerge but look for field of competition to begin to rise and define itself for what 2014 will hold. Many race fans eyes will be watching the silent but effective attack that Chris Bach has put together this season. Bach is showing a slow consistent approach achieving winning speed and this could be what makes him a much stronger rider in the future. He has taken a few knocks in the past showing the speed. It looks like now he is trying to pull it all together to know when to push and when to just ride. It very well could have been impatience that has impeded this riders hopes but a new and different approach seems to be working for a few riders now.
While Thad Duvall has proven more than enough speed to win this season. Duvall will need to catch a few breaks in the latter part of the season to be a championship contender this year but the knowledge he has gained and applies at the end of the season could be enough to set the stage for a 2014 championship. Duvall himself realized that the grassroots program that Shenandoah Honda put together for him breathed a new life not only into his racing but his racing career. Duvall admittedly spoiled through his early years has learned to appreciate what now hard work and determination can do for a person if he wants something bad enough.
If you are looking for some things to do this weekend, The ATV Stampede will roll into Steel City Raceway this weekend. The Mtn. Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Championship will race Saturday and Sunday for Amateurs. Pros will race at 1:00 and 3:30pm local time. Pro Am competition will be featured on Sunday with the Amateur program but always offers excitement and it seems like a new winner every race.
Also if you are going to be in the South Eastern Ohio area, WEXR is holding a race near Rio Grande, Ohio, which is where the original Bob Evan's Farms Restaurant is located with a museum and some other pretty cool stuff around the area.
That's it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
