by: Jared Bolton
Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 2:05 PM
Welcome to Quick Fill.
The off-season continues to roll on, and while things are really beginning to slow down in the off-road racing world, we’re inching closer and closer to the banquet. In many ways, the banquet is like a 14th round of GNCC Racing, just without the actual racing part. It’s a great get-together for everyone involved in the world of GNCC Racing and of course it’s a great way to honor all the class and national champions.
Of course, time flies and we’ll be past the banquet and already getting back into some pre-season racing before we know it. There’s going to be plenty of opportunities to get in some extra seat time before the season starts, and there will be a number of top riders who take advantage of these opportunities. As always, we’ll be keeping an eye on how everyone does and keep you updated as to what’s going on when that time comes.
Now, the big question on everyone’s minds is “when will we see a 2016 GNCC schedule?” I’ve had quite a few emails, texts, calls, and people asking in person about it and right now we’re still finalizing a few things for next season, while also getting things together for the ATV Motocross banquet this weekend. I can say that if you don’t hear anything before the banquet, you will definitely know the schedule when the banquet comes.
While there are still a few items to square away on next year’s schedule, as of right now it does look like we’re going to have a couple of new races. Both of which are very nice venues and I think everyone will really enjoy them. When the schedule is finalized and released, I’ll be sure to discuss those venues in Quick Fill.
Some big news that came out this week is that the protests handed forward at this year's ISDE have been overturned, and the rider disqualifications will stand. This means a big change in the results and Australia has been awarded this year's World Trophy victory. Check out the full story HERE.
Weekly Updates (Chelsea Taylor)
We’ll be heading up this weekend to Sandusky, Ohio for the AVTMX banquet where I’m pretty excited to see some familiar GNCC faces such as Westley Wolfe and the Digby’s just to name a few! Speaking of banquets, don’t forget about the GNCC banquets on Friday, December 18 for ATVs and UTVs and Saturday, December 19 for bikes! If you are a class champion you should have received an email, but as an extra reminder please make sure to register by November 25 to ensure that personalized championship jacket and contingency will be correct!
Also, as most of you know the Waterfront Place Hotel is an awesome place, so go ahead and make it a weekend trip and get a room! Just make sure to reserve it by December 4 to receive the group discount. Either call 1-866-782-9974 to reserve your room by saying, “2015 Night of Champions” or go online and use the code 282101.
If you follow our social media accounts you’ve probably noticed that the five bikes that were stolen at Ironman still haven’t been returned. Local dealerships now have posters hanging up, but we still need YOUR help. Click HERE to refresh your memory on the bikes and keep an eye out at wherever you are riding this weekend for these bikes. We are determined to get these bikes back to their owners!
If you’re looking for a new job, you just may be in luck! Racer X Illustrated and Racer Productions are looking to hire an Administrative Assistant! We will be accepting resumes through December 4, but for all the details just click HERE.
#RACEHOLE (Rodney Tomblin)
If nothing else, social media has given us a very broad, though incorrect, vocabulary to say the least. I haven’t seen anyone use this hashtag yet but it is one that I am certain could and may gain some popularity over the course of the next couple of months. It may be interesting to see just how folks fill their #RACEHOLE and what kind of creative things will take place. If you are wondering what the definition of #RACEHOLE is it is very simple. It is the dreaded time between races and the long wait for the next one to come around.
Thankfully we have a few things coming up that may divert our attention away from this empty feeling. Thanksgiving is only a week away so we will have time to spend with the family and friends that help keep us grounded. Then of course there will be the banquet a few weeks after that and of course Christmas and New Year’s. Even for some this weekend will be spent in Sandusky, Ohio celebrating the Mt. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship Night of Champions.
Then as we think we have had it rough it really all settles in after the holidays. There are two full months of no GNCC. It’s like time stands still and then all of a sudden it will be like time won’t stand still. All of the moments that we have approaching are the official #RACEHOLE filler and I say we as a GNCC Racin’ Nation use this hashtag this off season and see what kind of crazy things people are up to. I am sure many will be training while others will be building machines and many others will be goofing. No matter this could get interesting. #RACEHOLE
End of Season Ponderings (Jared Bolton)
With the 2015 GNCC season over, there’s plenty of things left to ponder after the season ended. While many racers keep and “heads up” attitude and don’t dwell very much on what could have been, those thoughts still pop up here and there. Most just have the thought, and let it go. However, at times these thoughts can be very valid and serve as motivation moving forward to next season.
Kailub Russell had an excellent 2015 season by all accounts. With 8 wins in the first 9 rounds, and wrapping up the championship at Unadilla, KR’s season was nothing short of successful. However, had Kailub not suffered an injury at the ISDE, could he have continued his domination and swept the final 4 rounds? This would have given him a record shattering 12 wins, just 1 short of a perfect season.
Another question that comes to mind after seeing how well Josh Strang round in the final 4 rounds is, had he not suffered a mid-season shoulder injury, could he have stepped up sooner to come away with race wins? Had Thad Duvall not suffered from some occasional bad luck, could he have snagged more wins? The same could be said for Andrew Delong. Had he not broken his collarbone at round 1, could he have put together the season he had hoped for? Delong showed that he has what it takes to land on the podium, but was struck by some bad luck here and there.
These questions and many more are left on the table. Many fans may sit around debating the exact same thing. However, for these guys who are at the top of their game, they won’t dwell on it very much. They chock it up as part of racing and push forward with the hopes of further improving next season. The good news for race fans is these guys further improving themselves could result in even better racing in 2016. If that’s the case, then everyone is in for a real treat.
Big Plans (Chelsea Taylor)
Brooke Cosner is no stranger to the WXC podium; however, you may have noticed that she was missing from the start line at the last three rounds. Right before summer break was over Brooke face a small setback, but wouldn’t let that stop her from racing Unadilla. And by small setback, I mean broke hand, but this girl is the definition of determined and left Unadilla with a fifth place. The day after the race she ended up going under surgery to get two pins put in to fix her broke pinkie and dislocated knuckle.
Fast forward eight weeks, and she’s finally out of the bright pink cast. However, her first picture back of her riding was on a different color bike. That’s because in 2016 she’ll be riding for Bonzi and Morgantown Powersports on a YZ250FX. She got her first taste of racing this past weekend at the Full Gas Sprint Enduro with only two hours on the new bike. That’s a pretty astonishing feat, so after a full winter of training I think Brooke will be a consistent threat for that GNCC National Champion #1 plate up for grabs in 2016.
Of course, with any new bike a rider will be skeptical but Brooke said that she immediately connected with the Yamaha and new team. With a new bike and team, Brooke will have a lot to prove, but after last weekend’s big win it doesn’t look like she will be slowing down anytime soon. And more specifically in 2016 Brooke plans to compete in the GNCC series, Full Gas Enduro Series and catch a few Endurocross races on her off weekends ultimately looking to add more wins to her record.
Brooke’s 2016 Sponsors: Bonzi Engines and Suspension, Morgantown Powersports, Sunstar, DT1, Mika Metals, Cycra, CV4, Matrix Concepts and Diamond Decals.
Rage In the Cage (Rodney Tomblin)
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, “With age comes a cage!” It’s a saying I have heard many say with a chuckle, especially since the inception of the side by side racing. Referred to as UTV in GNCC, the side by side is becoming a rather popular piece of machinery. It is as versatile on the track and trail as it is in the work places and fields. A tweak here, a mod there, and soon you have a fairly mean machine. Couple that with the fact that the manufacturers build both sport, luxury sport and work type models. They are good to haul load of tools or whatever, as well as the family and the sport model gives an experience you won’t find in many other off-road sports or any sport really.
Over time though, the cage and age issue is becoming much less the idea among the competitors as a younger crowd is starting to filter in amongst the original more mature teams. It quite honestly is becoming a rather competitive sport and a bit more serious among the divisions of GNCC classes. UTV racing is becoming very popular among the fan base and crowds are growing larger and larger for every start.
Though the UTVs are popular, there are only six races in their series. This makes for a rather interesting national title fight and means consistency may be your best friend. Speed is a good thing but being fast race to race and finishing are critical in winning the championship. Another thing that helps if you can’t be consistent is to win as much as you can because lots of things happen in this title fight.
When you look at this year’s championship point battle it looks a lot close in points than it was. Kyle Chaney with Co-Pilot Chris Bithell won their second consecutive title. It was a rough start for Chaney finishing eleventh at the UTV opener in Georgia but he quickly rebounded and drove to three straight victories. Meanwhile his closest and toughest competitor this season was the amazing Tim Farr. Farr has won championship in motocross, TT countless other one off and championship races over his time as an ATV racer. Regardless of Farr’s accomplishments they are not going to win the championship alone and Kyle Chaney scored his second UTV XC1 National Championship.
Since moving to the UTV Farr has progressively found his flow and his place in the new form of off-road. After two non-point paying finishes in the first two rounds he rebounded back to take two third place finishes and two wins to close out the season. He ended the season 18 points behind Chaney in the overall points, and 26 behind Chaney in XC1 Pro class points, but gained valuable knowledge to be more of a threat in 2016. You can also say had it not been for those two no point races this championship could have been even closer. No one will know for sure ever but it does set a good stage for next season.
Several players will be new and old will be busy this winter gaining knowledge and skills that are required to be at the top of this sport. Larry Hendershot who came in second in the XC1 class, and 3rd overall, is another one to watch out for in the coming championship. He has always been fast but didn’t always finish but looking at this seasons results he made some major steps forward scoring points in every round finishing 25 points behind Chaney in the overall points, but came away 2nd in XC1 class points 24 points behind Chaney and 2 points ahead of Farr.
Bill Patterson became a bit of a surprise as well. A virtual unknown drove consistent races landing himself a fourth overall for the year and only two points behind Hendershot. Mouse Pratt had two less than stellar races but also landed on the podium which netted him big points and helped him secure a top five overall number for next season.
A big one two blow to the UTV championship’s first two rounds came from Treavis Poynter. Poynter won the opening UTV round and took second at round two. Then he ran into trouble at round three in Masontown, WV which ultimately put him on a downward spiral in points before rebounding back the final round at Ironman to claim a seventh which beat his 56th and 58th places from earlier in the season. A perfect example of not staying consistent and how quickly it can all turn around for you no matter what causes.
Former top players in this genre found themselves struggling this season. William Yokely who is a former champion of this class and his nephew John Allen Yokely are considered to be a threat every time they line up. John Allen actually took second in the season opener but like his uncle was plagued with more problems than he could overcome and will have to write this chase off to a learning experience and move on. At least hopefully they both have learned something because each one has the potential and talent to stand in the center of the podium each and every round. Only problem for them is that there are several more with the same shoes.
#ThrowbackThursday (Jared Bolton)
It’s been a while since we’ve including some cool throwback photos, but with the off-season in full-swing, now is the best time to bring them back. I’ll keep these coming as we work our way through the off-season and as always, if you have any cool throwback photos to share, drop me a line at [email protected] and let me see what you’ve got!
Headlines
Competition Bulletin 2015-4: 2015 Tentative Top 10 Posted for Public Review
Tuesday Toolbox: Walker Fowler
Australia Declared 2015 ISDE Winner
Now Hiring Administrative Assistant
What's New on RacerTV.com?
Did you miss a race this season, or want to re-watch all the action? Check out all of the archived footage on RacerTV.com right now!
New from GNCC, Riders and Sponsors
Don’t forget about the GNCC banquets on Friday, December 18 for ATVs and UTVs and Saturday, December 19 for bikes! If you are a class champion you should have received an email, but as an extra reminder please make sure to register by November 25 to ensure that personalized championship jacket and contingency will be correct!