Tuesday, March 25, 2014 | 2:10 PM
The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis heads to Morganton, N.C. this weekend for Round 3 of the 13-race AMA National Championship series. Not only is Chris Borich tied with Barry Hawk for the most career wins in the nearly 40-year history of GNCC, but the five-time champion also sits tied with Walker Fowler in the championship standings. While it’s still early, Fowler and the rest of Borich’s competitors know that the key to staying in the hunt is to keep Borich from pulling away in the beginning.
Team Maxxis’ Borich won North Carolina’s FMF Steele Creek GNCC in 2013, where he hopes to carry the same momentum into Saturday’s event. However, Borich got a much different start to the last season as he swept the first five rounds. While there is no uncertainty about Borich’s will to win or his impressive championship record, the reigning champ will perhaps have to rethink his race strategy in order to keep the young guns at bay.
In the previous season it was Fowler who put an end to Borich’s winning streak after five rounds, but this season the N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha rider accomplished his goal of capturing an early victory at the second round. With that, Fowler jointly holds the points lead for the first time in his professional career.
Precision/Maxxis Tires Chris Bithell trails the leading duo by only eight points heading into Round 3. Following a solid second place finish at the opener, Bithell was in the running for a podium position at the last round but ran into brake problems and settled for fourth overall. The Pennsylvania native has become one of the most consistent riders in the XC1 Pro Class and is expected to compete for overall race wins this season.
RacingPowersports.com/CST Tires/PirateMX.com’s Adam McGill put in a strong ride last round, holding off Borich for the second place position. McGill didn’t score any championship points at Round 1 due to a mechanical issue but the West Virginia native still holds sixth in the overall standings.
DWT Racing’s Jarrod McClure has been consistent early in the season, capturing a pair of fifth place overalls through the first two rounds. Yamaha/GBC/HMF’s Johnny Gallagher holds seventh place overall in the standings, with DeRisi Racing/Team Woodhead’s Braden Henthorn in eighth, followed by XC1 Pro Class rookies GT Thunder/Maxxis/Howser Racing Josh Merritt and Dave Bayless Motorsports/Dirtworks/DC Cycles-backed Brycen Neal rounding out the top 10.
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Cole Richardson has gotten off to an impressive start in his rookie XC2 Pro Am season, sweeping the first two class victories. Richardson also holds a top five position in the overall standings with 4-8 finishes.
SICC Racing’s Fred Marley holds second place in the XC2 Class with two podium finishes so far this season, while teammate Marshal Goings sits in a close third. BNR Motorsports/Loctite/Lobar’s Thomas Koontz Jr. has two top 10 finishes to give him third place in the standings.
With a pair of second place finishes, ATV Parts Plus/Can-Am’s Bryan Buckhannon leads the way in the 4x4 Pro Class after two rounds. Can-Am X-Team’s Jordan Phillips secured a big win at the second round, moving the North Carolina native into second place in the class. Can-Am X-Team’s Kevin Trantham, the Round 1 winner, sits in a close third place while Factory Polaris/Coldcock Whiskey’s Rick Cecco sits in fourth with two third place finishes.
The Schoolboy Class once again draws in some of the fastest up-and-comers in the sport, including Westley Wolfe, Cody Collier and now the addition of 2013 Youth Champion Hunter Hart. Only one point separates all three riders in the class championship, with Wolfe topping the standings after two rounds of racing.
Youth ATV racing will take place Saturday at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs, 4x4 Pro and Women at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and pros at 1 p.m. Following Saturday’s afternoon race, 50cc Micro racing will take place at 4:30 p.m.
Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. All admission includes pro pit access. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro ATV race at Round 3. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com.
The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series resumes this weekend, March 29 and 30, with the FMF Steele Creek GNCC. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.
Stay up-to-date with exclusive content from the AMSOIL GNCC Series by following the series Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Previous Round Results:
Maxxis General GNCC
Washington, Ga.
Round 2 of 13
Saturday, March 15
XC1 Event Results:
- Walker Fowler (YAM)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Chris Borich (SUZ)
- Chris Bithell (SUZ)
- Jarrod McClure (HON)
- Brian Wolf (HON)
- Landon Wolfe (SUZ)
- Jay Shadron (YAM)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
- Kevin Yoho (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Chris Borich (51)
- Walker Fowler (51)
- Chris Bithell (43)
- Jarrod McClure (32)
- Cole Richardson (31)
- Adam McGill (25)
- Johnny Gallagher (24)
- Braden Henthorn (23)
- Josh Merritt (19)
- Brycen Neal (17)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
- Cole Richardson (YAM)
- Marshal Goings (HON)
- Fred Marley (HON)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
- Brody Livengood (YAM)
- Martin Christofferson (HON)
- Nathan Wallpe (HON)
- Thomas Koontz (YAM)
- Jonathan Fugate (HON)
- James Green (HON)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Cole Richardson (50)
- Fred Marley (43)
- Martin Christofferson (33)
- Marshal Goings (29)
- Brody Livengood (28)
- James Green (27)
- Jay Humphrey (24)
- Randy Hamilton (23)
- Jonathan Fugate (23)
- Nathan Wallpe (22)
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series presented by Maxxis 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.