As if in tune with Tayton’s win, the clouds and rain disappeared as the adults lined up for the morning race. They were left with gorgeous views of the surrounding West Virginia Mountains from 4,848 feet. However, the damage of several days of rainfall would leave the track and the legendary Howard’s Hole rather slick. Getting off to a clean start, the Pro 4x4 racers, Michael Swift and Kevin Trantham headed off down the mountain. 

They were to be chased down by a large number of both fresh and returning entrants to the Pro 4x4 class. Coming through on lap 1, Cunningham had the lead, but Kevin Trantham was tucked right in behind. It would go like this the whole race with both riders trading the lead right up until the last lap. An unfortunate incident with a lapper for Cunningham gave Trantham the opportunity to get back in front, and take the lead and the race win. Team UXC were back on top of the podium and the mountain!! Trantham was singing the praises of his Custom Axis Shocks makingTeam UXC wasf the terrain and allowing him to throw the Polaris Scrambler XP1000 around the course with ease.

When Swift completed his first lap, it was clear he had some trouble with his left rear. We would later find out that he got caught up on a tree and raced the entire race in 3 wheel drive after nearly tearing the wheel off. Under normal conditions, this would be a challenge, but at Snowshoe with its steep ascents and descents this was much worse. Swift was seen crabbing up one hill still holding the throttle wide open. He crossed the line 5th in class and overall and put his ability to finish down to the sheer strength of the RCV Performance axles and Teixeira-Tech chassis components. 

The mountain was to also be kind to Team UXC’s senior 4x4 rider, Graham Widdicombe. After making a great start and slotting into 2nd off the line, Widdicombe would also suffer a lap 1 incident that left him with severely bruised ribs and abdomen.

Unsure if he could continue, the pit crew refreshed his goggles and encouraged him to dig deep. It proved to be the right decision as the determined racer, who finished 2nd at Snowshoe last year crossed the line ahead of the rest of his class and taking home his first ever GNCC win. This also makes him the first Brit to win a GNCC race on a 4x4 ATV. 4x4 A rider, Josh Day, had some issues out on track and was unable to finish. However, the luck didn’t hold for his closest championship rival either.

The excitement would continue as Team UXC also welcomed 2 guest racers to Snowshoe. Returning guest racer, Kev Jones, from the UK and new guest racer, Gustavo Montoya from Miami, FL. Both racers would take on the mountain course in 4x4 C class. Jones would finish in a very respectable 5th. He loved the challenging track and was pleased to tick off a Bucket List item. The same was also true for Montoya, although he tweaked his wrist and was unable to continue to the finish. He made it back to the pits still wearing his big smile!! Swift congratulated both racers and was delighted to have given both riders the race experience they were chasing.