GNCC Racing

Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team Report: Unadilla GNCC

Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 10:30 AM

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team returned to GNCC Racing on Sunday with Round 10 of the series taking place in New Berlin, New York. The Arrive-N-Ride program was in full force as the crew welcomed Japanese riders Saiki Tatsuya and Ren Ishidoya to race in the U.S. for the first time, where they joined their XC1 Pro teammate for the weekend, Thad DuVall, in a rough three-hour battle through the woods of Unadilla.

Japan's Saiki Tatsuya made his GNCC Racing debut at Round 10. Photo: Ken Hill
Japan's Saiki Tatsuya made his GNCC Racing debut at Round 10. Photo: Ken Hill

Following a small amount of rain on Sunday morning, the track conditions were ideal for the start of the 1 p.m. race as 10 Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride team members lined up in seven different classes. DuVall led the way from the XC1 Pro front row, where he shot out to the early lead aboard his Husqvarna FC350. DuVall battled back-and-forth with Josh Strang for a majority of the three-hour race and the 2nd place position came down to the final lap of racing. DuVall held the advantage late in the race but a last-lap fuel stop allowed Strang to reclaim the 2nd place position, where DuVall finished only three seconds back in 3rd overall.

Thad DuVall showcased an exciting race for the New York fans. Photo: Ken Hill
Thad DuVall showcased an exciting race for the New York fans. Photo: Ken Hill

"I gave it my all. You can never be unhappy when you feel like you left it on the track and I feel like I did that," DuVall said. "I felt like I rode well all day and had a pretty epic and fun battle with Strang. I tried to put my head down and charge after getting around him but decided to play it safe and pit at the end and I wasn't able to catch him before the finish."

Saiki Tatsuya competed alongside DuVall in the XC1 Pro class aboard a KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Husqvarna FC450, where he worked his way from the back of the pack to finish 13th in the class. Ren Ishidoya finished 25th in the XC2 Pro Lites Class, with Luke Parsons finishing 16th in the class.

Saiki Ishidoya competed in the XC2 Pro Lites Class for his first-ever race in the U.S. Photo: Ken Hill
Saiki Ishidoya competed in the XC2 Pro Lites Class for his first-ever race in the U.S. Photo: Ken Hill

Conner Keegan had a breakout performance to earn his first top-five finish of the season in the highly-competitive 4 Stroke A Lites class, while Colin Keegan secured a top-ten finish after being forced to make his way through the pack after a crash.

ANR team rider Derek Pacheco continued his streak of top-ten finishes this season with a 4th place finish in the Senior A (40+) class. Grassroots rider Will Bryan finished 14th in his first appearance in the the Vet B (30+) class this season and Hunter Williams continued his bid for a National Championship with a 7th place finish in the 4 Stroke B Lites class. Williams now sits two points outside of the top spot with three rounds remaining.

1 PM Pro Race

XC1 Pro: Thad DuVall - 3rd, Saiki Tatsuya - 13th

XC2 Pro Lites: Luke Parsons - 16th, Ren Ishidoya - 25th  

4 Stroke A Lites: Colin Keegan -10th, Conner Keegan - 5th

4 Stroke B Lites: Hunter Williams - 7th

250 B: Eddie White - 25th

Senior A (40+): Derek Pacheco - 4th

Vet B (30+): Will Bryan - 14th

In the 10 a.m. Amateur race, Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride teammates once again dominated the 200 C Schoolboy class, securing four of the top-seven positions in the class. Grassroots rider Noah Stewart captured the class win, with ANR rider Cole Groover in 4th, Brandon Keegan in 6th and Grassroots rider Chase Sweda in 7th.

Cole Groover put up a good battle in the 200 C Schoolboy class to earn 4th. Photo: Ken Hill
Cole Groover put up a good battle in the 200 C Schoolboy class to earn 4th. Photo: Ken Hill

Grassroots rider Ethan Greve earned his second victory of the season in the 4-Stroke C Lites class where he currently holds 2nd overall in the championship standings.

10 AM Amateur Race

Sportsman A: Coleman Brinson - 15th

200 C Schoolboy (12-15): Brandon Keegan - 6th, Noah Stewart - 1st, Cole Groover - 4th, Chase Sweda - 7th

4 Stroke C Lites: Ethan Greve - 1st

In the 8 a.m. Youth race, Canadian Team rider Troy Horbaty made the jump from the 65cc division and to compete aboard a KR4 85cc Husqvarna for the first time, securing a 4th place finish in the 85 (7-11) class and an impressive 27th overall out of over 160 riders. Additionally, Jacob Pacheco had an impressive ride with a 3rd place finish in the 65 (7-9) class.

Troy Horbaty made an impressive jump into the 85cc division on Sunday. Photo: Ken Hill
Troy Horbaty made an impressive jump into the 85cc division on Sunday. Photo: Ken Hill

Jack Groover finished 13th in the 85 (12-13) class, while Ethan Pacheco finished just behind in 14th place. Grassroots rider Ronnie Kosarik finished 18th in the Super Mini (12-13) class, while Dylan Brinson unfortunately suffered a mechanical problem to finish 19th for the day. Dylan Kosarik finished 14th in the 65 (7-9) class.

8 AM Youth Race

Super Mini Jr. (12-13): Ron Kosarik - 18th, Dylan Brinson - 19th

85 (12-13): Jack Groover - 13th, Ethan Pacheco - 14th

85 (7-11): Troy Horbaty - 4th

65 (7-9): Jacob Pacheco - 3rd, Dylan Kosarik - 14th

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 team will return to racing on Sunday, September 25 with the Mountaineer Run GNCC.

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, Husqvarna, All Balls Racing, 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, Trail Tech, Acerbis and Parts Unlimited.

About the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Program 

Whether your dream is to compete in the entire GNCC or Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series or to enjoy the ultimate racing weekend vacation, we can help! With our current unstable economy and the rising cost of fuel, it's making it harder to get to the races, and this burden is hurting racing family's across the country and abroad. We can save you time, money, and hassle! For an affordable fee, KR4 can offset the cost of racing and have everything ready for you. Let us prep your race bike while you train during the week, attend school or work, or spend time with your family. Just before race day, jump in the car, head to the airport or drive to the track, and we will meet you out there. It doesn't matter how far away you live. Your bike, gear, and fuel will be waiting, just Arrive-n-Ride! To learn more and sign up for your Arrive-n-Ride Experience, please contact [email protected] or visit our website.

About KR4 Performance

KR4 Performance is a leading professional and amateur race team that participates in the Grand National Cross Country Championships (GNCC). We are paving the way for the future of off-road racing with our unparalleled Arrive-n-Ride Program. Our team won the 2012 GNCC XC2 Pro Lites Championship, and we were awarded the 2012 GNCC Sport Ambassador Award. Our solid team structure is made up of former GNCC pros, expert motorcycle mechanics, and industry enthusiasts that are 100% dedicated to helping you achieve your racing goals. Check us out at www.kr4performance.com.