by: Jared Bolton
Thursday, October 8, 2015 | 3:45 PM
Welcome to Quick Fill.
Another round of GNCC Racing has come, gone and we’re already looking ahead to the next one. I’m sure everyone will agree that Mountain Ridge was cold, windy and a little on the wet side. However, we didn’t receive anywhere even close to the amount of rain that people believed would be coming. In fact, I had quite a few people text, email, Facebook message, etc asking about weather and it really seemed like nobody wanted to believe me when I said “It’s hardly rained at all here!”
With the threat of Hurricane Joaquin, I was told that a lot of weather stations in the south were reporting as much as 8 inches of rain falling in the Somerset area, while the local Somerset station said nothing like that. This left quite a few people confused but my recommendation is to always check multiple sources including weather.com, accuweather.com and pretty much anywhere else you pick.
While it was a wet, wild weekend of weather down south, Somerset really wasn’t that bad! In fact, there were places in the woods that even had dry dirt, and I even saw a little bit of dust in a few places as well. It just goes to show that just because there’s been rain in the area, doesn’t mean that the whole race course is saturated. Overall, I feel like it was a pretty good weekend of racing at Mountain Ridge and it sounded like everyone enjoyed the track, even with a couple of wet spots here and there.
Now we all set our sights on the next round at Powerline Park, coming up next weekend. As always, Powerline promises to be a popular stop, full of action and of course, a couple of famous mudholes. It’s also going to be interesting to watch some of the action unfold as the battle for the ATV championship is on, while the top bike riders look to snag a win before the end of the season. Who will come out on top? We’ll know at the end of next weekend!
Weekly Updates (Chelsea Taylor)
Well hopefully you all have thawed out from last weekend! When I originally wrote that we were in for a taste of fall in last week’s Quick Fill, I didn’t think that we would just skip straight to winter. Now, some of you may be laughing, but being from Tennessee it was pretty cold up there. No matter what season the weather decides to be, we still have race season going on until the end of the month, and in my opinion, that’s the best season of all.
I don’t want to jump straight to Ironman because we still have Powerline Park next weekend, but earlier this week we released that Ironman would once again be deemed a “pink race” in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As usual, we have relaxed the number plate restrictions and encourage everyone to run pink plates. You can purchase those via Powersport Grafx. Same as last year, a $22.95 pink front number plate background will result in a $5 donation; however, this year a full set of front and side number plate backgrounds will retail for a reduced price of $59.95 and includes a $10 donation. You can click HERE for all the details regarding the season finale.
I’m actually writing this edition from the library at East Tennessee State University, because I had to come back to present a project to one of my classes. Even though I’ve started this position I am still in school until December, December 12 to be exact, not that I’m counting the days or anything…. But this weekend I’ll be heading to my home track of Muddy Creek Raceway to see some old friends and to help out with Racer X.
I know that Tennessee may be a little drive for some of you so if you’re looking for something to do this weekend then you should come out to High Point Raceway. There’s something going on for everyone because not only are they are hosting a PAMX round, but also taking place on Sunday is a NECXC hare scramble. They’ll be classes ranging from minis to adult, both bike and ATV, making for a great weekend.
Fun Fast Facts (Jared Bolton)
The 2015 season has seen history made in more ways than one. Kailub Russell seemed to shatter the history books becoming the only rider to claim a GNCC and National Enduro championship in the same season, while he and his dad Jeff became the only father-son duo to claim National Enduro championships, and doing so on back-to-back weekends. Then just a few days after wrapping up the National Enduro title, his wife Chandler would give birth to their first son, Krue. That has to be some sort of record too.
With the bike championship wrapped up, and Kailub Russell sitting out to let his knee heel, the door has been left wide open for different faces to step up and claim overall wins. At Unadilla, Josh Strang would be the first to do so, claiming his first win of the season. This win was also historically significant as it was the first time since Ed Lojak’s 1988 Buckeye 100 GNCC win that a Husqvarna motorcycle claimed a GNCC overall win.
That’s 27 years and 17 days between GNCC overall wins for Husqvarna, making it the longest span between wins for a motorcycle brand. It’s also unique to see things come full-circle. The Husqvarna name was once synonymous with off-road racing. In fact, Husqvarna riders swept the entire 1982 and 1983 GNCC seasons (then known as the Hi-Point 100-Miler Series) then followed that up with winning all but one race in each the 1984, 1985 and 1986 seasons as well.
Of course, the span between Strang’s Husqvarna win and the next Husqvarna win is much, much shorter at just 2 weeks when Thad Duvall would claim the overall win at the Mountain Ridge GNCC. Now, with 2 different winners in 2 different races, it leaves one to wonder whom will be the next to claim an overall win. With Strang and Duvall both logging wins already, it leaves Grant Baylor and Ryan Sipes as the two favorites to contend for wins of their own.
If Grant Baylor were able to claim an overall win in the final two rounds, he would become only the 2nd rider to claim an XC2 championship, and follow that up with an overall win in their rookie XC1 season. Kailub Russell is the only rider to have ever done that before. If Ryan Sipes is able to claim an overall win in the final two rounds, he would become the only rider in the world to boast Supercross, ISDE, National Enduro and GNCC overall wins. Actually, he can already claim the first three together, while Shane Watts, Juha Salminen and David Knight all can claim ISDE and GNCC overall wins and a good number of riders can boast GNCC and National Enduro wins (Jeff Russell, Terry Cunningham, Charlie Mullins, Kailub Russell, Mike Lafferty, just to name a few off the top of my head)
Chris Bach is another rider that has already shown he can put it together as he won the Tomahawk GNCC earlier this year. It would be Bach’s first ever GNCC overall win. While we’ve seen him on the podium multiple times since his XC1 debut in 2010, the Tomahawk win would be his first. He would also give Honda it’s first GNCC overall win since 2013, and become only the 7th rider in the history of GNCC Racing to claim an overall win aboard a Honda (Steve Martin, Timmy Coombs, Scott Summers, Doug Henry, Paul Whibley and Thad Duvall are the others)
Only time will tell as to exactly what will happen through the final two rounds, but there’s no doubt that there’s a number of riders who would like to claim a win before the season ends and these could prove to be some of the best races of the 2015 season.
“Fill-in” King of the Hill (Rodney Tomblin)
The absence of newly crowned and three time GNCC XC1 Pro Bikes champion Kailub Russell has sparked a new life into the front row in the closing rounds of 2015. As Kailub’s season comes to an early end, a new life seems to have been breathed into the class as a whole. Now that he is out riders have convinced themselves that they can now win and the struggle to be the “fill-in” King of the hill has begun.
It is good time for the class to see the spark of life that has come its way. It is unfortunate for Russell but this may be just what this class needed. The last few years have been dominated by Russell and Charlie Mullins and the rest of the row has conceded to the fact that they are racing for positions behind those two. Of course Mullins has been out for a while and the anticipated return of Hot Rod in 2016 could be an added challenge for Russell.
The idea I am trying to convey here is simply that the confidence factor is starting to build and with everyone actually feeling they are now capable of winning may lend an emotion carried on to the next season. Anyone that has paid any attention knows it's just a matter of time before Josh Strang reaches that level of confidence that may put him on the same plane as Russell and Mullins. The relative full circle pattern we see of Josh going from full factory to privateer and now back under a big tent with Husqvarna helps his confidence as well. He stated this past weekend how strong he felt and knowing he has the program to build on next year is leaving him feeling very confident in his chances of being a factor in next years title hunt.
Chris Bach is another to keep an eye on, as he is the only one to beat Russell straight up this season. Chris may, at time,s seem like things have reached a lull in his program but I think what we are witnessing is the building of something huge between him and the JCR Honda team. Consistent strong finishes and showing some signs of progression each race, this program is being built around Chris and providing him with everything needed to win. Rome wasn't built in a day I feel the Chris Bach empire is growing before our very eyes.
Then of course there is Thad Duvall, who is really starting to mature into a class of rider that many have expected him to be for a long time. The good thing about this for Duvall is that even though it has taken time to reach the point he is reaching, his program is designed for the long haul as well. If Thad would have came on strong in the beginning, then he would have never known struggle. This is something he never did until making his way into the XC1 Pro class and honestly it may have been best it happened this way or he may never have recovered from being defeated once it came if he started out on top. Anyone who knows Thad and his program knows that he was a little spoiled and winning was all he knew. It took him a while to get over the fact he wasn't winning all the races and once he realized it was part of the process it has give him plenty of room for growth.
There are more that stand a chance at growing in confidence including Jordan Ashburn and Grant Baylor. Ashburn is showing signs of bigger things on the horizon and quite honestly the difference in him since the summer break is quite noticeable, The young Baylor on the other hand still holds the opportunity to score big this season but honestly he maybe suffering from the same scenario of Duvall. Grant has known nothing but winning and he is struggling for the first time in his life. Though he still sits top three in points, each week you can see the grind and the heat of XC1 is taking it's toll and starting wear on the young man. He may be another that needed to learn how to lose before he could really learn what winning is all about.
So ultimately there are many riders that can rise to the occasion and if they can carry this momentum into next year the championship may have a whole different look in 2016. Imagine knowing that on any given day any one of 10 different riders could actually win and not because Kailub had a mechanical or just an off day. This is something we need to see back in the two-wheeled side of things to create the excitement we haven't seen for a couple of years. So let the game begin.
ATV Side is Heating Up! (Jared Bolton)
It seems like the ATV side of GNCC Racing never seems to disappoint. While the past several years have been dominated by Chris Borich, it always seemed like the racing it took to make it to that point was some of the best racing the series has ever seen. This year, things have been quite a bit different and with just 2 rounds remaining it’s obvious that there will be a new ATV champion for the first time in 7 years, but the question is; who will it be?
It’s been a season-long battle between Walker Fowler and Adam McGill. Fowler experienced some tough luck at points earlier in the season, while McGill experienced tough luck before and after summer break. McGill’s Snowshoe misfortune would tighten the championship battle up as the series headed into summer break, and McGill’s Unadilla misfortune would propel Fowler into the lead. Then Fowler’s win at Mountain Ridge pushed him further ahead. However, it’s not over yet.
With 2 rounds remaining, anything can happen. If McGill were to be struck by bad luck again at Powerline Park, Fowler could wrap up the title early. However, if McGill wins or stays close to Fowler, Fowler will have to stay in front of McGill at The Ironman. These final two rounds are crucial for both riders as it’s still up in the air and could go either way.
They’re not the only ATV riders with a title on the line. The 4x4 Pro class is seeing it’s title hunt of its own shaping up with the final rounds approaching. Defending class champion Bryan Buckhannon currently holds the points lead, but Michael Swift sits just 14 points behind Buckhannon. Realistically, all Swift needs to do is tie Buckhannon, and he’ll come out on top in the tiebreaker due to more race wins.
The 4x4 Pro guys always offer up some great racing, so it should be pretty interesting to watch that championship battle unfold as well. With a lot of titles already wrapped up the XC1 and 4x4 Pro titles are the two on the line that will definitely turn heads. Powerline and Ironman have the potential to break some of the best ATV racing of the 2015 season, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Fearless Females (Chelsea Taylor)
The Mountain Ridge GNCC brought a new face to the podium in the bike division with Australia’s Tayla Jones. Tayla is no stranger to the podium, because at last year’s season finale she found herself standing on the top of the box. But Tayla isn’t done making a name for herself in this last half of the season, and we are sure to see her on the podium at the last two rounds representing the N-Fab AmPro Yamaha team.
It seems like all the talk this season has been about Kacy Martinez, which is understandable with her having an almost perfect season, winning every round but one where she finished second. Last year she raced 4 Stroke A Lites at the last round finishing 15th. Unfortunately I haven’t heard any speculation about her racing in the afternoon class at the remaining rounds, but with the championship already wrapped up it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw her battling it out with the boys.
In the ATV division, there’s been a bigger selection of winners including Angel Knox, Kylie Ahart, Alicia McCormick, and Katelyn Osburn. Kylie is only trailing Angel by four points, but at Powerline Park anything can happen, including adding a new winner to this year’s list. Both Kara Merritt and Kara Frederick are looking for their first taste of victory this season, and with Frederick’s podium finishes at the last two rounds she may just be the one.
I think a shout out is due to Korie Steede who took home another class win in the Super Mini 12-13 class last weekend. Korie continues to make history in the male class, all while holding third place in the championship standings.
GNCC Banquet is Just Around the Corner! (Jared Bolton)
While December 18th and 19th may sound like a long time away, it’s going to be here before you know it! Now, here’s the important part. You need to hurry up and make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Registration for the banquets will be open early next week, but the sooner you make hotel arrangements, the better.
In order to get your room at the discounted group rate, you must have your reservations done before December 4th, but the sooner you make the arrangements, the better! You can call the Waterfront Place Hotel at 1-866-782-9974 and mention “2015 Night of Champions” or make your reservations online at www.waterfrontplacehotel.com and use the code 282101.
The discounted GNCC room rate is $120 per room, per night or $159 for a King Suite. Also, while you’ll need to register with us for the banquet, the hotel reservations are separate, so you can go ahead and make the reservations before you register for the banquet. The banquets are big fun for everyone, so make sure you get yourself squared away with plenty of time!
Headlines
Ironman GNCC Goes Pink in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness
Fowler Further Extends Points Lead in the XC1 National Championship Chase
Duvall Secures First Overall Victory of the 2015 Season
Mountain Ridge Photo Galleries
Tuesday Toolbox: Marty Christofferson
Video Report: Mountain Ridge ATVs
Video Report: Mountain Ridge Bikes
What's New on RacerTV.com?
RacerTV has been busy lately! They are working hard to get the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Motocross Remastered videos up and avaiable for your viewing. Along with the #GNCCLIVE and highlight videos that are always available for viewing after each round. Plenty of videos are uploaded daily, so be sure to check them all out on RacerTV.com!
Next up: GNCC Live from Powerline Park in Saint Clairsville, Ohio.
ATV Racing takes place on Saturday, Oct 17th at 1:00 p.m. followed by UTV Racing at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Oct 18th, Bike Racing will begin at 1:00 p.m. Don't miss the penultimate round of the 2015 AMSOIL GNCC Series presented by Maxxis.
News from GNCC, Riders and Sponsors
Congratulations go out to GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell as his wife Chandler gave birth to their first son, Krue Kees Russell, last Friday morning. With a GNCC championship, a National Enduro championship and newborn son in the span of 3 weeks, Kailub and Chandler definitely deserve a break!