After a superb start to the 2016 Grand National Cross Country season, Pro 4x4 riders, Michael Swift and Kevin Trantham were ready to get it done again. Both riders got off the line mid-pack and made good progress through the course. At the end of lap one, Swift and Trantham were lying 2nd and 3rd and pushing hard for the lead. Before the end of lap 2, they’d moved up to 1st and 2nd and had already pulled a 20 second lead. Swift and Trantham looked comfortable up front but were still setting a superb pace. Their machines were working perfectly and looked set to take another 1, 2. With almost a minute lead over 3rd, Swift hit a tree branch that took out his fan. This caused his motor to overheat and he had to pull off the pace . That left Trantham up front, still with an impressive lead, to take the checker flag and make it another Team UXC/Polaris Factory win. Trantham said, “It was great to take my first win of the season and the 2nd win for Team UXC Racing. The Polaris Factory Racing package put together by Swift showed its strength today.” 

4x4 Senior 40+ rider, Graham Widdicombe, had a strong first lap but took some damage to his machine that forced him to back off the pace after going for the lead. He managed to keep his machine going to the finish to pull off a 6th place, putting him 3rd in the Championship. 4x4 C rider, Nic Snyckers, put in an impressive ride and fought off the competition to finish an outstanding 2nd; his best performance in the class to date. 

The team’s newest rider, Jeff Wright, was adjusting to the tight and rough circuits of GNCC after racing out West in the desert. He finished 12th in a big group and felt he’d really improved since Round 1. Tayton Swift had some issues with his machine after taking on water causing him to DNF. He was frustrated but positive and looks forward to being back at the next round. All riders agreed that they were grateful for the stopping power of the DP Brake pads on such a fast track. It meant they could open up their machines with confidence.