Welcome to Quick Fill.

It’s been a while since I’ve had to ingest cough suppressants and Mucinex DM in order to get myself through the day, but I guess that’s a sign that winter is here. Perhaps the only good part about being under the weather is that I finished all my Christmas shopping in the matter of days, and I didn’t even have to leave my couch!

Like most of you, the people in this office are working their tails off for the next two weeks in order to get projects tied up before the holidays and enjoy a little bit of relaxation time with family and friends. It also means that racers, sponsors and teams are on the grind to tie up loose ends and land last minute deals for 2014. I say last minute but the reality is that most people haven’t locked in their plans for next season just yet. It seems like there’s always a grace period through the holidays and once January 1 comes around, things finally start to get real. I can say that exciting news has been flashing in and out of this office all week and I’m crossing my fingers that everything works out and we see all the major players returning to pro row, plus some.

I was able to catch up with XC2 bike superstar Andrew Delong earlier today and he sounds very positive about his plans for 2014. The recent Husqvarna-Husaberg-KTM collaboration sort of left the F.A.R Husky deal on the outside – not because of anything Freddy did, but because of the direction the entire entity was heading, I suppose. However, it sounds like Delong will make the leap with old faithful and return on a Husky next season, although nothing has been inked or released at this time. As for the off-season, well, Andrew said he has a job working as a “delivery boy” for his girlfriend Angelina’s dad’s construction company and he gave me a call in between deliveries to talk business. I’m going to assume that Andrew wasn’t actually slacking on the job because he seems like one of the hardest working guys out there – on and off the track. It’s always nice to chat with the oh-so-humble guy because he truly appreciates every opportunity he’s been given as far as his professional racing career and he’s determined to continue working hard to achieve that ultimate goal of one day becoming a champ. I definitely think he’s got it in him.

Speaking of champ, there’s been a lot of speculation as to what color of bike 2010 GNCC champ Josh Strang will be riding next season. I reached out to him today and it sounds like he’ll be returning with his Rocky Mountain ATV/MC deal for sure, but he will be lining up aboard an AmPro Yamaha supported ride in 2014. I don't know all the details or specifics on the deal but he sounds excited about the bike and looking forward to next season.

As we enter the holiday season, complete with family gatherings – for better or for worse – there’s always that awkward dead time after everyone is finished eating and before naptime begins. Why not flip on RacerTV.com and catch some of the most recently posted shows by Hoop and the crew? They just posted the Ironman bike show yesterday so be sure to watch that and relive all the excitement of the championship battle between KR557 and the 2011 champ Charlie Mullins. Also, someone recently dug up an old Motoworld feature on the 1988 Blackwater 100 and it’s definitely worth checking out. The video is about 5 minutes long and it’s pretty cool, you can watch it HERE.

Let’s pass things along to Mr. Bolton.

@JaredBolton:

Another day, another dollar. Is it time to go racing yet? I kind of feel like a lot of the GNCC Racing faithful are saying that, or at least thinking it. It seems like most people are pretty well tired of the off-season after the first few days. Regardless, we’re now starting to approach Christmas and once it flies by, the next thing we know, we’ll all be heading to Florida, and a new venue in Florida at that. While it seems like a lot of people I’ve talked to are sad to see River Ranch go, there’s a pretty good excitement about the Mud Mucker and new tracks are always good, too.

As I’ve mentioned in the previous weeks, there’s also the opportunity to do a good bit of off-season racing between now and Florida. This weekend Rattlesnake Ridge in Taylorsville, NC will be hosting a Team/Ironman race on Sunday. It looks like they’re accommodating everyone as well with Mini Quads, Mini Bikes, Big Bikes and Big Quads throughout the day Sunday. In years past their races have drawn decent turnouts and quite a number of top riders have attended. Kailub Russell, Charlie Mullins, Chris Chris Bach, Paul Whibley, Shane Watts, Jesse Robinson, Nick Fahringer and more on the bike side while Kevin Yoho, Jeff and Traci Pickens, Dave Simmons, Kevin Trantham and more have all represented the quad side in the past at Rattlesnake Ridge. Anyway, you can get info HERE.

Then after New Year’s, I’m once again putting on the Zoo City GP in Asheboro, NC on January 4. I mentioned this race previously and we’re still hard at work on it. There will be some contingency cards for top finishers in each class, giveaway prizes and more, in addition to the racing. The course layout that I have in mind should be a blast. Since it IS a GP, the track will be a bit on the fast side, but with a great flow to it. There’s also going to be an optional extreme section, and it will definitely be slower to go around it. The track should end up being around 2.5 miles with just under a mile of that being motocross. Unfortunately, I’m not able to work quads into the event this time but there will be a 1-hour UTV race! So, all you UTV guys that are looking to do some racing this winter, I’ve got you taken care of! Come on out and race. I’m working on the details but expect to see something soon on my website, www.jaredbolton.com.

Zoo City MX had put on a couple of similar GP’s in the past but being motocross folks, don’t have a very big tie to the off-road world. I jumped in last year and helped them make the event even better and hopefully this year will be even better-er. I hope to see a lot of you out. I don’t do this event for the few extra bucks I’ll make (it’s honestly not a whole lot) but I do it to give everyone the chance to come together and do some racing during the off-season, have the chance to win some cool giveaway prizes as well and just generally have a good time riding. It pays no points to any series, so it’s all about having fun and it’s just another way I like to give back to the sport.

Most of the time, racers just want to race. That’s understandable, that’s why we do this. Not everyone is capable of going out and putting on a race. It’s a lot of work for not a whole lot of reward other than knowing you provided your friends with a place to race. However, giving back to the sport can be as simple as hanging out and helping out some of the little guys when they struggle, or instead of selling that set of used gear, maybe you just give it to someone. The little things are just another reason our sport is so special and we should never lose that.

Anyway, on the silly season side, things have been mostly quiet, so there’s really not a whole lot to discuss there. I did hear that Jordan Ashburn may possibly land back with Am-Pro Yamaha. It sounded like Jordan would be doing his own deal for 2014 but there was a rumor floating around last week that he’ll be back on the blue machine. Chris Bach is still without a ride, which is pretty mind-blowing that the #3 guy is left without a ride and is working a real job but there’s also some stuff floating around that he’ll end up with some support from somewhere if nothing else works out (was I vague enough there?).

Well, that’s all I have for this week. Until next time, (insert goofy wave here) Bolt-On says bye.

You probably get tired of reading the same old thing, by the same old people week after week, so we’ve decided to throw an additional voice into the mix this off-season. You may know him as the guy behind the lens at all the GNCC’s but Kenny Hill is a multi-talented dude and we’re proud to have him on board for another season of racing. So we’ll turn him loose for his first edition of Quick Fill (at least the text side of things).

Kenny “Jalapeno Jam” Hill:

Hey GNCC Racin' Nation! Wow, can you believe we are just a few days away from Christmas! Usually Quick Fill is full of interviews or tidbits of info from around the GNCC family but for me, I cannot overlook the holiday season without commenting on how much I’m looking forward to seeing everyone's Christmas pictures as they make their way through social media! Family time is the best kind of time to share and when we are all apart in the off season, that family attitude just keeps shining through and it is what makes the GNCC crowd truly family.

I headed up to Racer Productions HQ yesterday for a meeting to discuss the upcoming 2014 season and found an office full of busy folks putting fires out. The people behind the series never quit and there is no real way to show you all how much they really do care about you and this sport we all love. You can hear it in their voices as they discuss things, you can see the pride they take in their work and they always seem to try and exceed their own expectations, and yours.

Ok, enough buttering them up so I don't get coal in my stocking! The 2014 season is coming at us like a runaway train. Chatter about heading south is reaching a fever pitch and it won't be long before the series front-runners are heavy into their training programs for the new season. I was able to get some numbers from the media side of things and they are impressive! The RacerTV and NBC Sports shows were incredible with the ATV round at Unadilla setting the record for the year with the most views. Almost 1 million viewers for the season is an outstanding number! For you racers, this should be an incredible tool to use to show your sponsors exactly what you do. This is a huge success not only for the fans of GNCC Racing, but for those thrust into making it all happen! The numbers for all social media were indeed up and again and the thanks lies on your shoulders as you help us spread the word about who we all are and what we love to do, and for that we thank you!

As a new addition to Quick Fill, I will keep it short as we prepare for an explosive 2014 GNCC season!

Thanks, Kenny. Here’s @HotRodney22:

The next couple of weeks will be the hardest for me and this whole GNCC off-season thing. Many folks are busy tying loose ends in contract deals and prepping for the move to warmer and dryer conditions to prepare for the upcoming season of “epicness” for the “battle royal” that is set to wage for 2014. (That was for Dean Van Leeuwen) All the quiet times in the GNCC Racin’ Nation makes me anxious.

I have to admit I have been a little out of the loop as far as things go here in the somewhat frozen tundra of southeast Ohio. The hi is only supposed to reach around 22 today and I am beginning to think about making plans to head south to escape myself. I know this cold weather can’t be good for my vocal chords if only because I complain so loudly and so much about how miserable it is to be cold I could actually strain my voice. So I have decided to start taking donations for the “Save the Ten Seconds Fund.” This is a fund I am setting up to get me the heck out of here and headed south. Donations can be made directly to me. And one more reminder, it is the season of giving, so give me a break on my weak attempts at humor. (Not kidding about taking any donation you want to send though…lol).

Seriously though, what is going on in the GNCC Racin’ Nation? I know everyone I have talked to is seemingly excited about Christmas and then heading to South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia or Florida for some winter riding. That seems to be a tradition amongst our tribe and this year shouldn’t be any different. Of course we would like to hear what you have going on this off-season so don’t be afraid to send some information. Just drop me an email or message me on “The” Facebook and we will pass the word on. How are things going? What are your plans for next season? Who are your new sponsors? And nearly anything else you want to share. You can email at [email protected]. And if nothing else, please send us copies of your and/or your children’s Christmas Wishlist. I am curious what folks really want this year. I think it will be amusing so get them in by next Wednesday. (editor’s note: Rodney will not purchase those gifts for you or your children)

I spoke with Rick Henthorn of The Team Woodhead/Derising Racing Team. Rick says that Braden Henthorn is ready to tackle 2014. The year started off with a bang for the young XC1 Rookie but then he just kind of hit a plain. I asked him through the season what was going on and why we hadn’t seen the pizazz that was normally associated with his rides. He just simply told me that the level the XC1 class was running was something he wasn’t ready for. It was a pace that was even faster than he realized. Then in Ohio I asked him what his problem is now. “Why aren’t you at least hanging a little tighter with them? You should have the speed figured out now. You said you knew what was wrong and you were going to fix it.” He looked at me with a kind of blank stare and said I don’t know.” I told him he knows what to do “now just go do it.” I had been watching Braden’s results and he was consistently running sixth the last few rounds. I knew he was on a threshold and needed a little push.

Braden may not have understood why I kind of attacked him a little in the pits that day but it gave him some food for thought. I think the fifth in class and sixth overall that day in Ohio may have opened his mind a little because when he showed up at the Ironman, Braden Henthorn seemed a little different. The heir of confidence seemed to be returning and by the end of the final round he captured his first podium of his XC1 career and left Indiana knowing what’s next. I am not sure how long it will take him to figure things out but Braden Henthorn is hot on the heels of Walker Fowler who worked from the Youth Division to where he is now and behind Braden is a wave of madness that could change the whole face of the GNCC ATV racing for a new era of GNCC. Was 2013 the beginning of the new era with Walker’s learning to win against the veterans? Was the podium finish by Henthorn at the Ironman another bell ringing to signal the coming? I am not sure but I would have to say that 2014 will be the most challenging to date for the 5 time champ Chris Borich. Chris still has plenty in the tank but he knows as well as anyone the game is about to change.

Rick Henthorn who is Braden’s team manager and father told me, “Braden will be heading down to the Billy Houpe compound in Florida the day after Christmas. He says he's going to train everyday while he’s down there and stay until the Florida race. That podium at the ironman got him fired up I think. He is still riding the Honda with backing from Derisi Racing. Go team Woodhead! Haha”

Sounds like good things are on the horizon. That’ll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.