GNCC Racing

Walker Fowler Continues Success at the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC

Walker Fowler Continues Success at the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC

Saturday, March 18, 2017 | 10:20 PM
Saturday, March 18, 2017 | 10:20 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walker Fowler Continues Success at the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC
Fowler Makes XC1 Pro UTV Debut in Florida

PALATKA, Fla. (March 18, 2017) – Just one week after the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, season opener, Walker Fowler headed further south to Palatka, Florida for the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC.

With the added momentum of his win in South Carolina, Fowler grabbed the holeshot and lead the way through the sandy Florida woods. With a clear track, Fowler focused solely on his own race and ran his own pace. With strategically placed crew members, Fowler had the assistance he needed to safely navigate the various mud holes throughout the first lap, being as he was the first rider through them. “My team did an awesome job and took the guess work out of the tricky sections,” said Fowler.

Throughout the first hour of the race, Fowler challenged himself to build up a large lead so that for the second hour of the race he could concentrate on consistency. With only one lap remaining, Fowler had an issue with a lapped rider where he got off the main course and into the nearby brush. After remounting his quad and getting back on course, Fowler rode a safe race until the finish where he crossed the line victorious.

Walker Fowler rode his way to the center of the podium at the Wild Boar GNCC in Florida.
Walker Fowler rode his way to the center of the podium at the Wild Boar GNCC in Florida. Ken Hill

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s performance at these back-to-back rounds,” said Fowler. “It wouldn’t be possible to claim the first two wins of the season without them, and it’s a great way to start off our journey to earning another National Championship.”

With only a few minutes to regroup and suit up for his XC1 Pro UTV debut, Fowler headed to the start line once again. Already familiar with a few of the track sections from his ATV race, Fowler calmed his nerves and used them to his advantage. With the already developed lines, Fowler navigated his YXZ1000R machine with ease.

However, he would find a challenge in the UTV specific portions of the track. After checking through timing and scoring in thirteenth on the first lap, Fowler continued to advance to a top-ten position when he found himself in an unfavorable position. After crossing a few sand whoops heading into a turn, a hidden tree stump revealed itself a little too late. Fowler’s car framed out and wheelied through the upcoming turn, right into a nearby tree. Unlike his ATV race, Fowler’s mistake would cost him. A broken left knuckle on the steering rack relayed to the steering, causing Fowler and his co-pilot to end the race early.

After hitting a tree stump and losing his steering, Fowler was forced to cut his UTV race short.
After hitting a tree stump and losing his steering, Fowler was forced to cut his UTV race short. Ken Hill

“UTV racing will continue to be a challenge, but I love a good challenge,” said Fowler. “I have a few setup changes to make to the YXZ1000R, which should help minimize mistakes. I need to remind myself this is a completely different race, and restart and read the course differently than I do on my ATV. My goal for the second round is to slow down to go faster, minimize mistakes and just finish the race.” 

Fowler heads to Sparta, Georgia this coming weekend, March 25, for the Maxxis Cannonball GNCC, which serves as the third round of the GNCC series. UTV racing will return in South Carolina on April 22, with the CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC.

2017 WFR Sponsors:

Yamaha | Maxxis | FLY Racing | FMF | LSR | Moto-Xperts | Goldspeed | Tire Balls | Fasst Company | CV4 | Cycra | VP Racing Fuels | ODI Grips | Alpinestars | Fuel Customs | IMS | Antigravity Batteries | Works Connection | Waynesburg Yamaha | Weller Racing | Hess Motorsports | Factory UTV | Scott Goggles | Atlas Brace | FOX Shox | Hill International Trucks | Hinson Clutch Components | Graphix Worx | Precision | Vortex Ignitions | Moto Seat | DP Brakes | Cryo Heat | GYTR | Maxima Oils | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC | Web Camshafts

-WFR-