GNCC Racing

Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Report: Steele Creek

Monday, March 30, 2015 | 4:55 PM

The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KR4 Arrive-N-Ride team made its mark in Morganton, North Carolina over the weekend as 26 team competitors hit the track for the 16th annual Steele Creek GNCC. XC1 Pro championship contender Thad DuVall led the team's accolades at round three with his second straight podium finish of the 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.

The Steele Creek GNCC is known for its beautiful scenery and very rough track conditions and the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride team muscled through to capture 12 top-ten finishes for the weekend. The team's factory mechanics spent countless hours prepping the Arrive-N-Ride Husqvarna machines for each specific rider and when the green flag dropped it was time to go racing.

KR4 rider Thad DuVall (right) finished atop the podium at round three
KR4 rider Thad DuVall (right) finished atop the podium at round three Photo: Ken Hill

In the afternoon race, Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride/FAR's Thad DuVall put forth another impressive ride aboard his Husqvarna FC350. DuVall got off to a great start and kept himself within the lead battles all afternoon, including an exciting race with 2010 GNCC Champion Josh Strang in the final laps of the three-hour race. DuVall ultimately finished third overall to give the West Virginia native third place in the XC1 championship standings. 

"I can't thank the KR4 crew enough for sticking behind me this season and giving me the tools I need to go after race wins in 2015," DuVall said. "I knew Josh [Strang] had me on the final lap so I played it safe. Any time we finish on the podium is a solid day for championship points and we're looking for the center next!"

After battling for the early lead in the XC2 Pro Lites class, team rider Nick Davis experienced a mechanical issue that took him out of competition. Despite a day of bad luck, Davis maintains third place in the XC2 championship standings.

ANR rider Coleman Brinson finished 7th in the 250 B class
ANR rider Coleman Brinson finished 7th in the 250 B class Photo: Ken Hill

The KR4 Arrive-N-Ride program welcomed two riders all the way from Finland to compete in the third round of GNCC. Arto Kallioinen took home a 13th place finish in 4 Stroke B Lites and Henri Petman finished 12th in Vet B (30+), giving both riders something to be proud of as they head back to their native Finland. 

KR4 Afternoon Race Results

XC1 Pro: Thad Duvall - 3rd 

XC2 Pro Lites: Nick Davis - 22nd

250 B: Coleman Brinson - 7th
Conner Keegan - 12th
200 B: Kaleb Williams - 7th
4 Stroke B Lites: Arto Kallioinen - 13th
Vet B (30+): Henri Petman - 12th

Brooke Cosner continues to break ground in the morning race and the WXC class
Brooke Cosner continues to break ground in the morning race and the WXC class Photo: Ken Hill

In the morning race, Sarah Baldwin led the way with a podium finish in the highly competitive WXC class. Finishing third in the class, Baldwin nearly made the overall podium as well with an impressive fourth overall. Brooke Cosner put in a solid performance as well, finishing 6th in WXC and 11th overall for the day. 

Pennsylvania's Brittan Laird earned his best finish of the season in the 4 Stroke C Lites class, taking home 5th in the class and 48th overall out of nearly 600 racers in the morning.

Sarah Baldwin (left) captured a third place finish but keeps her sights set on a victory in the WXC class
Sarah Baldwin (left) captured a third place finish but keeps her sights set on a victory in the WXC class Photo: Ken Hill

KR4 Morning Race Results
WXC: Sarah Baldwin - 3rd/4th overall, Brooke Cosner - 6th/11th overall
Women Amateur: Brooke Slaughter - 2nd
4 Stroke C Lites: Brittan Laird - 5th, 48th overall

In Youth racing, KR4 Arrive-N-Ride competitor Jack Groover earned his best finish ever with an impressive 2nd place in the 65 (10-11) class. Chase Rutan also earned his best finish of the season with 9th place in the 65 (10-11) class. Grant Davis maintains the points lead in the 65 (7-9) class after a second place finish in North Carolina.

Dylan Brinson making his way through the mroning fog at Steele Creek
Dylan Brinson making his way through the mroning fog at Steele Creek Photo: Ken Hill

KR4 Youth Race Results
Super Mini (14-15): Clayton Andrews - 34th, Cole Groover - 19th, Brandon Keegan - 13th, Remington Andrews - 31st
Super Mini (12-13): Korie Steede - 5th
85 (12-13): Dylan Brinson - 16th, Brian Keegan - 21st, Ron Kosarik - 30th, Peyton Whipkey - 27th
65 (10-11): Jack Groover - 2nd, Chase Rutan - 9th
65 (7-9): Grant Davis - 2nd

Ronnie kosarik powered his way through the trail in a highly competitive 85 (12-13) class
Ronnie kosarik powered his way through the trail in a highly competitive 85 (12-13) class Photo: Ken Hill

Round two of the Micro 50cc Championship returned to action with Dylan Kosarik leading the way in the premier MicroXC (8-9) class. Kosarik finished 8th place on Saturday, just ahead of teammate Tucker Whipkey in 11th. Carter Cranmer raced his first GNCC of the season, finishing 11th in the 50 Sr. (5-7) class.

Team Manager Fred Andrews signaling Nick Davis in the pro pits
Team Manager Fred Andrews signaling Nick Davis in the pro pits Photo: Ken Hill

KR4 Micro 50cc Race Results
MicroXC (8-9): Dylan Kosarik - 8th, Tucker Whipkey - 11th
50 Sr. (5-7): Carter Cranmer - 11th

The KR4 team heads to Union, South Carolina on April 11 and 12 for the Big Buck GNCC. Racing action from round three will begin on Sunday at 8 a.m. with Youth Bike racing, followed by Amateurs and WXC at 10 a.m. and the XC1, XC2 and top amateur classes will compete at 1 p.m.

For more information on the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride program and its riders, please visit www.kr4performance.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Hookit and Flickr.