Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Arrive-N-Ride Team Takes on All-New GNCC Course in Georgia
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | 11:45 AM
Only seven days after the opening round of the 2016 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series opener, the Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Arrive-N-Ride team ventured to Sparta, Georgia for an all-new course and experience at the Cannonball GNCC. ANR team members adapted to the new terrain, capturing 12 top-ten finishes throughout the Youth, Amateur and Pro ranks.
In the afternoon race, XC1 Pro rider Thad DuVall had his sights set on placing his Husqvarna FC 350 to the center of the podium on Sunday. DuVall had a great start, where he rounded the opening lap in the 4th place position, before making the move into podium contention on lap two. DuVall maintained the third place position for a majority of the race, until the final lap when disaster struck. DuVall's bike began sputtering and it was quickly determined that he was out of gas.
The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR Arrive-N-Ride crew gave DuVall enough gas to make it to the finish line, where he was able to salvage 8th place in the XC1 Pro Class.
"The whole team is gut wrenched for Thad," said Team Manager Fred Andrews. "This was his race to get a podium finish. He's more prepared than he's ever been and unfortunately he just can't catch a break so far this season. We're taking a look at the bike but we feel that there's an issue with the fuel injector that may have caused him to run out of gas sooner than expected."
Hunter Williams extended his momentum from the season opener, where he captured a season-best 2nd place finish in the 4 Stroke B Lites Class, while his teammate Brittan Laird finished 6th in the class.
Conner Keegan improved his score from last week, securing a 6th place finish in the 4 Stroke A Lites Class, while Colin Keegan finished 9th in the same class. Derek Pacheco landed another top-ten finish in the Senior A (40+) Class with 7th place for the day.
1 PM Pro Race
XC1 Pro: Thad DuVall - 8th
250 A: Coleman Brinson - 10th
4 Stroke A Lites: Colin Keegan - 9th, Conner Keegan - 6th
Senior A (40+): Derek Pacheco - 7th
4 Stroke B Lites: Hunter Williams - 2nd, Brittan Laird - 6th
In the 10 a.m. amateur race, WXC competitor Sarah Baldwin made her return to the podium with a 3rd place finish in a highly competitive class. Wyatt Barth made his return back to racing following a short injury, where he captured a 2nd place finish in the 200 C (16+) Class. His teammate Ethan Greve earned his second podium finish of the season with 2nd place in the 4 Stroke C Lites Class. Brandon Keegan also scored a podium finish at round two with an impressive 2nd place in the 200 C Schoolboy (12-15).
10 AM Amateur Race
WXC: Sarah Baldwin - 3rd
Women Amateur: Cierra Pacheco - 6th
200 C Schoolboy (12-15): Brandon Keegan - 2nd
4 Stroke C Lites: Ethan Greve - 2nd
Senior C (40+): Troy Ayres - 19th
In the Youth division, Jacob Pacheco finished inside the top five once again with a 4th place in the 65 (7-9) Class. With 31 riders lining up in the 85 (12-13) Class, the young ANR riders had their work cut out for them as they lined up in Georgia. Ethan Pacheco led the team with 15th place, followed by Jack Groover in 16th and Brian Keegan taking home 25th in the morning's largest class.
8 AM Youth Race
Super Mini Jr. (12-13): Dylan Brinson - 14th
85 (12-13): Jack Groover - 16th, Brian Keegan - 25th, Ethan Pacheco - 15th
65 (7-9): Jacob Pacheco - 4th
The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/FAR team will return to racing on Sunday, April 3 for the Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton, North Carolina.
The team would like to extend a big thanks to the supporters that make this program possible: Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Moose Racing, Maxxis, AMSOIL, Keegan Wireless, Husqvarna, SunStar, DP Brakes,TM Designs,Samco Hoses,HBD Graphics, Motion Pro,Twin Air,Wiseco,Enduro Engineering, EKS Goggles, IMS Tanks, Bullet Proof, Thor Helmets, ARC Levers, Pro X,Cometic gaskets, Moto Master Rotors, NEKEN, Super B, Seat Concepts, Pro Circuit, Beaver Creek Cycle, Hinson and Parts Unlimited.