by: Chelsea Taylor
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 | 4:40 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chelsea Taylor
304-284-0084
[email protected]
Fowler Takes Control of the XC1 Pro ATV Class Championship
GNCC Racing Returns to Somerset, Pennsylvania’s Mountain Ridge Trail Riding Park
MORGANTOWN, W.Va (September 29, 2015) – With only three rounds remaining in the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, a mere six hours of racing and nine points separate two of the sport’s biggest riders as they battle for the coveted 2015 ATV GNCC AMA National Championship. For both current points leader, Walker Fowler, and current runner-up, Adam McGill, a championship victory would serve as their first-ever overall National championship as well for both, a career milestone.
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha/Maxxis/Lonestar’s Walker Fowler has taken over control of the championship lead going into this weekend’s Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC. While Fowler continues to generate momentum in this second half of the season, CST/PirateMX.com/ LSR/DeRisi/Tireblocks/SG’s Adam McGill isn’t just handing over the championship. At the previous round at Unadilla it was a back-and-fourth battle between Fowler and McGill, until McGill experienced a mechanical issue on the last lap. The infamous “McGill Mafia” came to his rescue by helping push his quad seven tenths of a mile on the last lap, resulting in an astonishing ninth place finish.
“Last year Adam [McGill] and I were the top two to beat at Somerset, and a good pit strategy got me the race win,” said Fowler. “I think it’s going to be the exact same situation this year and a good start, fitness, and a quad that will make it to the finish line will be the key to success.”
JMR/ATVRiders.com-backed Jarrod McClure has put forth an impressive string of finishes this last half of the season, as he heads into this weekend’s race with his first ever GNCC overall win at Snowshoe and a podium finish at Unadilla behind him. McClure is well on his way to earning a career-best overall ranking, especially if he can finish atop of the podium at the remaining three rounds.
Team Maxxis’ Chris Borich holds the fourth place position. While Borich still remains winless in the 2015 season, his second overall at the previous round will ultimately work as motivation for the defending series champion to return to his winning ways.
Maxxis/B. Neal Motorsports’ Brycen Neal finds himself in fifth place in the standings. In 2014, Neal had his season best finish with a third overall at the Mountain Ridge GNCC, and hopes to repeat that success again this weekend.
Bithell Racing/Maxxis/Precision’s Chris Bithell sits back in seventh in the championship standings as he heads into what could be considered his home race on the GNCC circuit. Less than one hour from his Irwin, Pennsylvania residence, Bithell will be looking to secure another win in front of his hometown crowd.
Coastal/Waynesburg Yamaha-backed Jay Shadron sits tied with Fasttrax/Wolf Racing’s Brian Wolf for eighth in the championship standings, and GBC/Yamaha/HMF’s Johnny Gallagher rounds out the top ten overall heading into the Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC.
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha/Maxxis/Lonestar’s Cole Richardson increased his points lead in the XC2 Pro Am Championship with his ninth win of the season, where he now sits 58 points ahead of New York’s Martin Christofferson in second place. RYCO Racing rider Cody Collier moved back to the third spot after a disappointing 15th place finish at the last round, but he still holds a 27-point gap on JMR/ATVRiders.com’s Randy Hamilton in fourth place. Coastal/Waynesburg Yamaha backed rider Blake Tornes rounds out the top five in the XC2 Pro Am championship chase.
Can-Am rider Bryan Buckhannon continues to lead the way in the 4x4 Pro division with two victories thus far, including a total of 10 podium finishes. However, Team UXC Racing/Factory Polaris’ Kevin Trantham is only 14 points behind him, and comes into this round fresh off his Unadilla victory. Trantham’s teammate, Michael Swift, holds third place in the championship standings with three wins under his belt.
Local racers expected to compete in Saturday’s ATV classes will be: Tim Sroka (Super Mini 12-15), Ronnie Rusch (Super Mini 12-15), Hannah Hunter (Super Mini 12-15), Mother and Son Alicia (WXC) and Layne McCormick (125 Jr. 8-11), Colton Stoneking (125 Jr. 8-11), brothers Keaton (125 Jr. 8-11) and Parker Henderson (90 8-12), Emily Lattimer (Girls 8-15), Robert Smith (4x4 Pro), Ronald Varndell (4x4 A/B), Nicholas Eichelberger (4x4 A/B), Brittany Reebel (Women Amateur 13+), John Cunningham (Sport), Seth Wilson (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Eli Kiger (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Cory Blystone (16-18 C), Lodge Bliznesky (30+ C), William Craig (35+ C), Robbie Pecorari (XC2 Pro Am), Cameron Bruce (XC2 Pro Am), Kenny Shick (College A 16-24), Jeffrey Pickens (Vet A 28+) and brothers Keegan Walker (125 Sr. 12-15) and Tanner Walker (College B 16-21).
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 begin at 1 p.m. Micro 50cc classes will compete on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for kids (6-11) for the full weekend (Saturday through Sunday), with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. Local riders are invited to race the event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the event.
Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch LIVE streaming coverage of the Pro ATV race. For more information on GNCC LIVE coverage, visit www.racertv.com. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, December 6 at 4:30 p.m.
The 2015 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series heads to Central City, Pennsylvania this weekend, October 3 and 4, for the Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC. For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.
Previous Round Results and Point Standings
Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC
New Berlin, NY
Round 10 of 13
Saturday, September
XC1 Event Results:
- Walker Fowler (YAM)
- Chris Borich (YAM)
- Jarrod McClure (HON)
- Brycen Neal (YAM)
- Landon Wolfe (HON)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Braden Henthorn (HON)
- Jay Shadron (YAM)
- Joshua Merritt (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings
- Walker Fowler (235)
- Adam McGill (226)
- Jarrod McClure (188)
- Chris Borich (165)
- Brycen Neal (158)
- Cole Richardson (138)
- Chris Bithell (129)
- Jay Shadron (110)
- Brian Wolf (110)
- Johnny Gallagher (101)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2015 National Champion.
XC2 Event Results:
- Cole Richardson (YAM)
- Martin Chirstofferson (HON)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
- Brad Aman (HON)
- Michael Lancaster (HON)
- Nick Wheeler (HON)
- James Green (HON)
- Robbie Pecorari (HON)
- Nathan Thomas (HON)
- Bryson Hoppes (YAM)
XC2 Series Standings:
- Cole Richardson (273)
- Martin Christofferson (215)
- Cody Collier (208)
- Randy Hamilton (181)
- Blake Tornes (123)
- Michael Lancaster (111)
- Thomas Koontz Jr. (106)
- James Green (106)
- Bryson Hoppes (106)
- Brad Aman (88)
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 2,000 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.