The battle between the duo has been nothing but exciting throughout the first nine rounds of the season, and with a three-month break it could be anyone’s turn to stand in the middle of the box after the two-hour race concludes. The Unadilla GNCC will showcase the riders who focused their summer months on training.

This weekend may serve as the perfect opportunity for Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis-backed Brycen Neal to put it all together and earn his first professional career win. With eight top-five finishes, including six podiums, the Ohio native sits within striking distance of Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki’s Chris Borich in the championship points standings. Both Neal and Borich have become staples on the podium, but both lack an overall victory this season. The six-time National Champion Borich, will look to return to his winning ways this weekend, while Neal will look to capitalize the nearly full-season of training and guidance by Coastal team manager and eight-time National Champion Barry Hawk.

After dealing with health issues majority of the season, N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson was able to turn his season around and earn his first XC1 Pro podium at the Snowshoe GNCC in June. With his fitness regime figured out, Richardson’s latest podium finish could serve as a springboard for his success in the last four rounds of the 2016 season. 

Hygear Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphix’s Greg Covert will race his home race in an attempt to extend his points lead in the XC2 Pro-Am division. However, his biggest championship rival is also a New York native and is equally knowledgeable of the conditions that will be present at Unadilla. Even though they start from the second row, Dillinger's Celtic Pub & Eatery/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Marty Christofferson and Covert are two riders to keep an eye on as they go head-to-head for the XC2 Pro-Am class win. 

The 4x4 Pro class will take to the New York woods during the 10 a.m. race. Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Spider Graphix/Gold Speed’s Kevin Cunningham has command of the lead position, but Team UXC Racing teammates and class veterans Michael Swift and Kevin Trantham will have their eye set on the top spot of the podium as well. 

Starting right behind the 4x4 Pro class is the WXC division where Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Maxxis/Fox Shocks’ Alicia McCormick leads the way in the women’s premier class. Only one point separates GBC/BNR/Spider Graphix’s Kara Merritt and Houser Racing/Maxxis/Ye Olde Cycle Barn’s Kara Frederick who sit second and third.

Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs, 4x4 Pro and Women at 10 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs race at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon will also include 50cc Micro racing taking place at 4:30 p.m. 

Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11), with kids five and under free. Gate admission includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. Camping is reserved for racers, their families and AMA members only. There is no fan camping permitted at this event.

This weekend is co-sanctioned with WNYOA, a series that produces local racing events in New York, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All local racers are invited to compete at this 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 track. To learn more about GNCC Racing please visit the GNCC101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete Saturday on ATVs will be: Mikey Nickels (Super Mini 12-15 and Schoolboy Sr. 14-17), Katelyn Osburn (WXC), David Nappo (35+ C), Morgan Downing (Women Amateur), brothers Dylan (Schoolboy Sr. 14-17) and Devon Feehan (College A 16-21), Kara Frederick (WXC), Austin Conklin (50 Open Jr. 4-6), Marty Christofferson (XC2 Pro-Am), Hunter Hart (College A 16-21), brothers Greg (XC2 Pro-Am) and Steven Covert (Junior A 22+), Jake Callan (Junior B 22+), Boedy Lamoreaux (College A 16-21), Serenity Clark (50 Open Sr. 7-11), Scott Pierson (College B 16-21) and Justin Keller (College B 16-21).