Although the idea, nonetheless the investment, may seem ridiculous to some, the experience that cross country racing relays is more than satisfying; a true adrenaline rush for all who participate. Not to mention, in this scenario especially, the sport is “inviting to the working man;” a statement that is becoming less and less valid when associating the average nine-to-five worker with any form of motorsports.

Joe Krcelich and Jim Goughenour, motorsports enthusiasts and natives of Greene County, Pennsylvania, participate in UTV competition regularly, each following the Amsoil Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Racing Series schedule on a full-time basis, while also entering a select number of local and regional events. Although competing at different levels within the GNCC ranks, Krcelich and Goughenour share a lot of similarities, which includes being introduced to the cross country racing scene at a young age.

"I grew up around ATV’s my entire life before getting involved with UTV’s. Although I rode on my own, my parents wouldn’t let me race when I was young. It’s not that I didn’t want to race, but I was just a spectator until I started to participate when I turned 17. My parents basically told me I was going to do it,” said Carmichaels native Joe Krcelich, a Pro Sport rider on the GNCC circuit. “My first-ever race was actually a fair arenacross race. That pretty much set the tone for my entire career. It has been in my blood ever since.”

"I rode quads growing up. I actually rode co-pilot for a UTV team for two years before getting involved on my own,” Jim Goughenour said, a Pro-Am GNCC competitor from Jefferson, Pennsylvania. “Once I purchased my own UTV, I started racing in and around the local scene before jumping onboard with the GNCC national schedule. Since starting, I’ve never looked back.”

The GNCC UTV national schedule is short, but complex; comprised of six events in four states that span between March and October. The schedule seems limited, but for riders like Krcelich and Goughenour, it is more than enough, especially while attempting to maintain a full-time occupation.

"I work at Mylan Pharmaceutical. That is my full-time job from 7 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. With the racing schedule that we have, we have a minimum of two weeks between races, at the most four weeks, to prepare and rebuild for the next event. That gives us plenty of time to evaluate, order parts, plan our trip, and still maintain a social life and a life at home,” explained Krcelich. “I’ve spent time in the circle track world racing in the crate late model and super late model divisions. Racing week to week in those divisions can be very demanding. It really takes the fun out of it. Not that I’m not up for the challenge, but I enjoy the extra time for preparation.”

"I work for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority, so I’m putting in 40 to 50 hours per week, every week. I’m literally on-call 365 days a year,” Goughenour explained. “With a limited race schedule like we have, the garage time isn’t as demanding. We can spread our time out and work on the machine a few hours each night, as well as save money within our budget. Time is crucial. Time in the garage is time away from the family and time away from other things I enjoy. Racing every week would get tiresome.”

From the perspective of the competitor, again using GNCC as the prime example, cross country events are welcoming to not only the diehard spectators and fans, but also their families.

"I think one of the most unique assets to our style of UTV racing is that, as a spectator, you are right trackside; you’re in the mud, you’re in the woods, you’re right along the race track. You can bring your whole family and treat every weekend like a mini-vacation,” Goughenour said. “You can just kinda ‘show up and race.’ This sport is great for a middle-aged person like myself.”

Most often, UTV divisions are accompanied by other two wheel or four wheel divisions, usually participating in multiple races during the course of each weekend event. Six to seven races are conducted per weekend, allowing riders and fans the opportunity to enjoy other age groups and talent levels. There are exactly 54 bike classes, 40 ATV classes and eight UTV classes.

"When you come to one of these races, you see camping, families spending the weekend together; just a lot more of a laid-back environment,” Krcelich said “We usually make an entire weekend out of one our of GNCC events. On Friday we arrive and kind of hang out; unload, walk the track, set up camp. On Saturday, things get a little more tense because that is usually our day to race, but there are still activities and other races going on the entire day. Not to mention, when it’s my time to race, I get to race for a minimum of one hour. I have experience with dirt car racing at tracks on a weekly basis. Those events are stressful and you are constantly rushed; from the moment you unload the car to the minute you strap it back down at the end of the night. I feel it’s harder for smaller teams and inexperienced teams to keep up with that atmosphere, let alone keep from getting frustrated.”

With funding so crucial to maintaining a stable and competitive race team, finding sponsors and partners to help support those ambitions can be difficult. But in the world of cross country racing, where multiple start-up and inexpensive divisions exist, the younger crowd attraction is strong and families have the ability to become involved without relying on major funding and support.

"This world of off-road, ATV, UTV, motorcycle racing doesn’t require as much funding as to, let’s say, full-size car racing to get started. That allows the younger generations to become involved quicker, I feel,” Krcelich explains. ‘This sport doesn’t require a full-time crew to stay active and competitive. It doesn’t have to be like a second 40-hour job.”

Only one event remains on the 2016 GNCC UTV schedule, with that taking shape in Crawfordsville, Indiana, during Halloween weekend. Joe Krcelich and Jim Goughenour will each be in attendance, each continuing their enjoyable road to success.

Joe Krcelich is currently third in the GNCC Pro Sport national rankings, highlighted with four top-five finishes thus far this season. The first generation UTV racer has finished as high as second in his class during the first five rounds of competition; once while in action in Palatka, Florida, and once again in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Jim Goughenour will enter action in Crawfordsville, Indiana, currently eighth in the GNCC Pro-Am national standings, also earning two runner-up finishes during his first four rounds of completed action.

"It’s just a lot of fun,” Goughenour said. “This is really enjoyable to me.

Those seeking additional information regarding the Amsoil Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Racing Series should visit its official online home at www.gnccracing.com .