Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 4:00 PM
As part of its continued alliance with the Japan National Cross Country (JNCC) Series, Japan’s all-motorcycle cross-country championship, the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, is proud to announce that GNCC XC1 Pro rider Jordan Ashburn will compete in Japan’s AAGP finale this Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Jigatake Ski Resort in Omachi City, Nagano.
Coming off his best GNCC season ever, Ashburn will head into the JNCC finale with the AMA National #3 plate from GNCC Racing in the United States. The N-Fab AmPro Yamaha-backed rider will compete aboard a YZ250 FX in Japan, thanks to Yamaha of Japan. Ashburn will be accompanied by his father Dave Ashburn and GNCC Pastor and Team Faith Director Chuck LeMaster.
“I am really excited for the opportunity to finish off a great season with a trip to Japan,” Ashburn said. “I’m honored to represent the N-Fab AmPro Yamaha team, GNCC and America. I’m looking forward to meeting some new people, seeing new things and having a good time on the bike.”
Ashburn follows GNCC Racers such as Paul Whibley (2006), Jason Raines, Charlie Mullins and Rodney Smith (2007), Nate Kanney and Thad DuVall (2008), Josh Strang and Kailub Russell (2009), Cory Buttrick (2010), Jesse Robinson and Jason Thomas (2011); and most recently, Rory Mead and Josh Strang (2013).
It is a tradition for JNCC President Masami Hoshino to invite GNCC riders to the season finale in exchange for Japanese riders that will compete in the opening round of the GNCC series. In June, Hoshino came to the Snowshoe GNCC with one of Japan’s most talented off-road racers, Manabu Watnabe.
The three-hour AAGP in Japan follows the same format as an American GNCC and the winner receives 100,000 YEN. For more information on the JNCC, visit http://www.jncc.jp/index.html.
The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series concluded its 13-round series last weekend in Crawfordsville, Indiana with the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC finale. For more information on the series, visit www.gnccracing.com.
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