Thursday, April 10, 2014 | 4:35 PM
Following three rounds of unfavorable weather conditions, the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis heads to Union, S.C. with high hopes for dry terrain at the 17th running of the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck GNCC. This Saturday, XC1 Pro ATV points leader Chris Borich will attempt to maintain his top position at Round 4 of the 13-race AMA National Championship series.
Team Maxxis’ Borich has a healthy record of victories at the Big Buck GNCC, as the five-time and reigning champion holds six of the last seven overall wins from the South Carolina venue. Not to mention the Pennsylvania native is coming off a big win at Round 3, where he earned his 69th career win to become the winningest GNCC Racer of all-time. Despite his successes, Borich is keeping his focus on achieving a sixth GNCC National Championship.
“It’s a big monkey off my back to finally get that 69th win but now it’s all about making my own record and leaning towards another championship,” Borich said.
For the first time in recent history, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Walker Fowler came into the last round tied with Borich for the points lead after securing a big win at the second round. However, Fowler lost a substantial amount of ground in the title chase after experiencing issues at the following round. The Ohio native still sits second in the overall standings, but he now shares the position with DWT Racing’s Jarrod McClure at 57 points apiece.
McClure started off the 2014 season with a solid pair of fifth place finishes in the first two rounds, showing his consistency in any type of track condition. But the Pennsylvania native really thrived in the ultra-muddy conditions of North Carolina’s Round 3, where McClure landed a second place finish to boost himself into the battle for second place in the point standings.
RacingPowersports.com/CST Tires/PirateMX.com’s Adam McGill and Precision/Maxxis Tires Chris Bithell sit only three points apart in the battle for fifth overall heading into this Saturday’s Big Buck GNCC. Both McGill and Bithell have experienced firsthand the hardships that come along with cross-country racing, particularly when it comes to mechanical issues. McGill had a problem at the season opener that ended his race early on, and last round it was Bithell who ran into issues while running in a podium position late in the race. Both riders have proven to be a threat for race wins and it’s only a matter of time before one of them capitalizes this season.
XC2 Pro Am points leader Cole Richardson currently sits in fourth overall amongst a deep field of XC1 Pro riders in the championship standings. The N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha rider swept the first two rounds in the XC2 Class and secured a runner-up finish last round. Meanwhile, Richardson has consistently put forth solid rides in the overall running, with his best overall finish being fourth at the season opener.
DeRisi Racing/Team Woodhead’s Braden Henthorn sits in seventh overall, just one point ahead of Yamaha/GBC/HMF’s Johnny Gallagher and XC1 rookies Dave Bayless Motorsports/Dirtworks/DC Cycles-backed Brycen Neal and Maxxis/FLY Racing/ATV Innovations’ Landon Wolfe round out the top ten overall.
SICC Racing/Maxxis-backed Marshal Goings captured his first-ever XC2 win last round in North Carolina, giving the rookie a big rush of confidence heading into the fourth round this weekend. Goings sits in third place in the XC2 Championship standings, just two points behind his SICC Racing teammate Fred Marley. Marley has a consistent string of podium finishes in the first three rounds and the Indiana native looks to secure his first win of the season in the Pro Am division.
With three consecutive podium finishes, ATV Parts Plus/Can-Am’s Bryan Buckhannon leads the way in the 4x4 Pro Class after three rounds. Behind Buckhannon is a talented field of riders, including Round 1 winner and Can-Am X-Team’s Kevin Trantham, Can-Am X-Team’s Jordan Phillips, who took the win at Round 2 and the third unique winner of the season Robert Smith, aboard his BNR Motorsports/Loctite Can-Am. Factory Polaris/Coldcock Whiskey’s Rick Cecco sits in fifth and Factory Polaris/UXC Racing’s Michael Swift is currently sixth.
Round two of the six-race Side-by-Side Championship returns this Saturday with Big Country Powersports at the head of the pack. Team driver John Yokley secured the opening round victory, where he leads Team Can-Am/JB Racing by five points heading into Big Buck.
Youth ATV racing will take place on 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, round two of the Side-by-Side championship 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 4. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com.
The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series resumes this weekend, April 12 and 13, with the VP Racing Fuels Big Buck 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:
FMF Steele Creek GNCC
Morganton, N.C.
Round 3 of 13
Saturday, March 29
XC1 Event Results:
- Chris Borich (SUZ)
- Jarrod McClure (HON)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Kevin Yoho (YAM)
- Jay Shadron (YAM)
- Landon Wolfe (SUZ)
- Brycen Neal (HON)
- Braden Henthorn (HON)
- Jeff Pickens (YAM)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Chris Borich (81)
- Walker Fowler (57)
- Jarrod McClure (57)
- Cole Richardson (47)
- Adam McGill (46)
- Chris Bithell (43)
- Braden Henthorn (33)
- Johnny Gallagher (32)
- Brycen Neal (28)
- Landon Wolfe (27)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
- Marshal Goings (HON)
- Cole Richardson (YAM)
- Fred Marley (HON)
- Blake Kramer (YAM)
- Martin Christofferson (HON)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
- James Green (HON)
- Nathan Wallpe (HON)
- Thomas Koontz (YAM)
- Ryland Johnson (HON)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Cole Richardson (85)
- Fred Marley (67)
- Marshal Goings (65)
- Martin Christofferson (49)
- Thomas Koontz (46)
- James Green (41)
- Randy Hamilton (39)
- Blake Kramer (38)
- Brody Livengood (35)
- Nathan Wallpe (35)