Welcome to Quick Fill.

I know I’ve said this before, but we’re really back for good this time. We took some time off this summer due to various activities demanding our time but it’s only fair we get back to what matters most and that’s the return of GNCC Racing: Part Deux.

This year’s summer break has seemed to take much longer than usual, which is partially due to the fact that we took the entire months of July and August off this year, rather than try to race in the heat. I don’t think anyone can complain about that. So here we are, one week away from Round 10 and it looks like the temps in New York have been steadily around 70-80 degrees, which means there’s a good chance we’ll see perfect weather conditions come September. However, bring your rain boots, snowsuits and tank tops just in case!

Before we move forward with what’s to come this fall, let’s take a look back at some of the things that kept our GNCC Racers busy this summer. The Heartland Challenge took place a couple weeks ago in Carlisle, Iowa, where several familiar ATV and UTV names competed in the team-based event, switching off man and machine to complete the 4-hour UTV race, 3-hour ATV Youth race or the 10-hour ATV race. And then there were the others, who did what I believe to be one of the most insane things you could ever do to yourself – race an ATV for TEN HOURS STRAIGHT as an “Ironman” competitor. It was none other than 4x4 Lites rider Kevin Trantham who topped the Pro 4x4 Ironman division, where he also finished an impressive ninth overall against the team racers. Looking through the results, Michael Swift came in second in the Pro 4x4 Ironman and Forrest Whorton in third. Kudos to you guys for Ironman-ing it out! And then there was the team portion, topped by The Woodhead Mafia – also known as Adam McGill and Braden Henthorn. They beat out Team Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher, Walker Fowler and Gabe Phillips by less than two minutes and Team MAXC came in third. Team IXCR entered the Series Challenge portion with Fred Marley, Michael Marley and Marshal Goings on board and the Indiana boys won that category, while also capturing fifth overall among a talented field of pros. Congrats to all racers who competed in the Heartland Challenge and for a complete look at this year’s results, check out their website HERE.

As if one team race weren’t enough for Adam McGill, he’s actually headed to France with teammates Joel Hetrick and British ATVMX champion, Paul Holmes to compete in the Pont DeVaux 12-hour team race, taking place this Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1.  The trio will be competing on an LTR-CRF hybrid bike, so it should be interesting to see how that fares. It sounds like the folks at the Pont DeVaux are ecstatic to host the team and have been very accommodating in getting them sponsors for a hotel room, entry fees, and food for the whole weekend so they only had to pay their way over there.

So here’s the way it works: three members share one bike for the 12-hour duration, which is broken up into two sessions. The first session takes place all day and night on Saturday and then they continue into Sunday afternoon. There are only 120 teams allowed and you are either invited or you qualify for the remaining spots.

The LTR CRF hybyrid (pictured)

In 2008, McGill, Taylor Kiser and Tim Farr took second overall with the KTM team and then in 2009 McGill and Josh Kirkland went over to compete with Paul Holmes on the KTM's. They experienced mechanical issues in the last couple hours of the race so they were unable to finish. “Team USA/GNCC” missed out on the 2012 race so they’re looking to make a big statement here this weekend. If you want to follow along with McGill and the boys, follow PDV Racing on Facebook to catch the live feed…if you can read French.

Another race coming up at the end of September is the 2013 International Six Days of Enduro in Sardinia, Italy. Several GNCC Racers will be heading over to represent Team USA, including our very own Women’s Class competitor Rachel Gutish, along with Mandi Mastin and Brooke Hodges.  As we all know, it’s an expensive journey to make it overseas so Rachel will be selling t-shirts online via Moto Option. Head over and support Rachel’s journey and we will keep everyone updated as the other riders announce their fundraising efforts.

Okay, a couple quick things about the Unadilla GNCC. This event will once again be co-sanctioned with the folks at WNYOA so please be sure to fill out the proper info if you’re planning on getting points in both series. You can visit their website HERE for more information. If you were at Unadilla last year, then you know we had a record number of racers and you may remember how congested registration became. Please, do yourself a favor and PRE-ENTER with the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Fast Track. It’s totally worth the time you’ll save at the track, the lines you’ll eliminate and not to mention the $20 gift card courtesy of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. So click THIS LINK and eliminate the most stressful part of racing – registering!

One last thing, we’ve heard rumors through the grapevine that the last round will be switched with bikes on Saturday and ATV’s on Sunday. I hate to break it to whoever started that one, but that is NOT the case folks. Everything will go as scheduled for the last four rounds – where ATV’s race on Saturday and bikes on Sunday.

That being said, I am going to pass things along to Mr. Rodney Tomblin. Looking forward to seeing everyone in just a couple weeks!

Here’s @HotRodney22:

And we're back....wow! What a summer break! At least a GNCC break anyways because this has been nowhere near a break. Just ask Jen Kenyon whom I must say is one of the hardest working people in our industry. The Loretta Lynn's Amateur National and the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross Nationals have come to a close and with only a couple more AMA Motocross Nationals left all attention is about to be turned back to the woods and GNCC. One would have to think the break away from all the hype may be a good thing for many as it gives everyone the opportunity to slow down and kind of recharge from the intensity of the first nine rounds. 

As the ramp up to the "GNCC Final Four" gets underway the championship battles could not be more exciting. On the ATV side of things defending XC1 Pro Champion and point leader Chris Borich, who seemed nearly unbeatable, took three quick jabs before the break as Walker Fowler and Adam McGill stung the champ with a couple surprise hooks. Fowler snagged two wins with McGill snagging a nail biter in Masontown for the Mountaineer Run GNCC. One has to think that the training regiment for these three may have stepped up quite a bit this summer and the conclusion of 2013 should be nothing less than a "thrilla" as we head to Unadilla. (I had to do it...sorry!)

As far the XC2 Pro Am class is concerned, class rookie, Brycen Neal has all but dominated the majority of the 2013 season. Like Chris Borich, Neal has won 6 out of the first 9 rounds and anyone paying any attention knows that when he is on, there may be no stopping the "Bidwell Bullet." By all accounts this may be the one Chris Borich should be watching out for because Neal has known nothing but instant success with each move up through the classes and I am sure he will be attacking the XC1 class the same way some day soon. However, that is a big step away and could still be another season or so away. 

The XC2 Pro Am class is deep in talent though and even with the near domination of Neal this season there has been plenty of excitement in this class like the XC1 Pro. Fred Marley, who has shown surprising speed and consistency, sits in 2nd place and is the only rider of the top 5 that has not taken a class win. Marley starts strong and has pulled several holeshots and is likely to pull a win or two before the season is over. 

Another one to watch in this class is the obvious #591 and defending class champ Pat McGuire. Pat has had a less than ideal season and has had more than his share of problems. McGuire continues to do what won him the championship last season and that is trudge on through the adversity. Don't be surprised if you see a difference in the final rounds of the season for the champ, as this time off may be just what the doctor ordered.

Big Sky XC Podium: (left) Brad Bakken, Charlie Mullins, (right) Jordan Ashburn

Even though Landon Wolfe may be out of the hunt for the championship this season, he could play the biggest spoiler for others in the hunt. Though Wolfe's results have been consistent, they have been consistently really on or really off. Wolfe has one win in the class and five other podiums. The only problem is that his non-podium finishes have been just short of productive and may keep him out of the title. But if he puts together a win streak for the end of the season anything is possible. 

The College A class is another exciting battle shaping up. This class has been the stepping-stone for the past few seasons to the Pro Am class. The Youth Division has produced some great riders that are working there way through the ranks right now and even though the College A championship is important, it seems riders in this class also strive to achieve top overall amateur or non pro or pro am class honors. 

There are three College A standouts this season: Jay Shadron, Marshal Goings and Cole Richardson. Jay Shadron has scored only three wins this season but has been inside the top three regardless of where he has finished this season. This consistency has given him the points lead, but like stated previously, the last four rounds will be the deciding factor for the championship in 2013. Shadron is a former GNCC Youth standout and as a part of the wave of the future, he, like some of his classmates, are surely going to make the XC1 Pro Class perhaps the most elite it has ever been. The talent pool that is getting ready to flood the front row in the coming years is mind boggling and the days of total dominance by riders like Barry Hawk, Bill Ballance and Chris Borich may soon be coming to an end and the likelihood of Chris Borich actually winning 10 championships to beat Ballance's 9 Championships may be further from reality than one may think. At least Chris has the all time wins record to shoot for and that is a record that may never be beaten....ever!

Marshal Goings is without a doubt one of the fastest riders in the woods today. Goings has won 4 races this season and he too has not finished off the podium except for the Mammoth-mudder where he scored no points. Aside from that round, he would be in the points and once the drops come into affect it may not matter as long as he can pull off another win or two this season. In reality, the points may not reflect just how tight the championship is in this class right now. If you throw out one race now, Goings has a slight lead in points and this championship is still wide open.

Cole Richardson may be the biggest surprise in the class this season. A virtual unknown, Richardson has taken his talents and showcased them posting two class wins and four other podium finishes. Had it not been for a couple bad rounds, Richardson could be right there. Now is the critical time for all three riders as the last four rounds could turn around for Richardson with some wins and inconsistency for Shadron and Goings.

The Junior A 25+ class is another class that has been exciting to watch this season. William "Duck" Lloyd, who is a top motocross-er, as well as GNCC-er, started the season off with a bang. Three wins and what looked like a dominating season before mechanical issues began to plague the hopeful. Still in the points lead heading into the final rounds, Lloyd will not be able to contest the rest of the championship it doesn't appear due to a double ankle injury that seems to have sidelined him for the season. Knowing Duck though, if he can at all ride any of the final rounds, he will be there giving it his all.

The Vet A 28+ has had its moments this season as well. Todd DeMaree has been a dominant factor in this class again in 2013. However, DeMaree has had his challenges this season. He has five wins thus far and with only two bad races this season himself, everyone else in the class has struggled and allowed DeMaree to pull way ahead in the points of this class.

The Senior A/B 40+ has seen some good battles this season. Brian Schmid and John Glauda Sr. have seen some good battles. Schmid has five wins himself with Glauda's one but the point difference right now is only seven points.

Only a couple weeks away and we will begin to write the final chapters of 2013. I am expecting plenty of great racing and some big surprises that will keep the off road racing community on the edge their seats till the final checkers fly at the Ironman GNCC in late October.

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