by: Chelsea Taylor
Friday, September 8, 2017 | 8:10 AM
The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, picks back up this weekend, September 9 and 10, after a two-month break over the summer. The iconic Unadilla MX will host the world’s fastest off-road racers this weekend for the 13th Annual Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, New York.
With only three points separating championship contenders Kailub Russell and Thad Duvall, the final four rounds of the GNCC season were set to be perhaps one of the best year’s in recent time until a recent announcement from the Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing rider of Duvall.
Heading into this weekend, it was questionable if Duvall would be able to race after injuring his wrist at the FIM International Six Days Enduro in France just two weeks ago. Not knowing the extent of his injury, Duvall was hopeful to race this weekend but just received word from his doctors that the extent to his injury was less than desirable and would require a cast – ultimately taking him out of competition for at least this round.
With Duvall’s absence, the question now becomes who will be able to challenge the FMF/KTM Factory racer of Kailub Russell. Russell started off the season in a dominate fashion, but it’s been four rounds since he’s stood in the middle of the box. N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell, Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Grant Baylor and SRT/KTM’s Steward Baylor all have wins accredited to them this year and the Unadilla GNCC has the opportunity to add another name to the history books this Sunday.
Sunday’s race schedule is as follows: youth bike racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and women at 10 a.m. and pros and top amateurs at 1 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 will be available at no additional charge to racers only. Camping is reserved for racers, their families and AMA members only. There is no fan camping permitted.
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 $50 and riders can sign up at the track. To learn more about GNCC Racing, please refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.
Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be Paul Best (65 10-11), Colby Davis (200 C Schoolboy 12-15), father James (Vet A 30+) and his son Timothy Steiner (Open A), father Jeffrey (Super Senior A 45+) and his son Hunter Hart (4-Stroke B Lites) and Johnny Manera (200 A).
For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Parts Unlimited Unadilla GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.
Tune in to RacerTV.com on Saturday at 1 p.m. EST to catch live streaming of the pro bike race. For more information on GNCC LIVE visit www.racertv.com. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, October 28 at 4:30 p.m.
To get to the track from Albany and I-90, take exit 25A which will turn into I-88. Then take exit 13 and make a right at the top of the exit ramp. Continue following Route 23 west toward Morris, go straight through the light in Morris onto County Route 13. County Route 13 will end at Route 8 in New Berlin, bear right onto Route 8 and proceed directly to the track.
To get to Unadilla MX from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse take exit 32 from NYS Thruway (I-90) and proceed through the toll booths where you will turn left at the light following them. Go approximately three miles to Judd Road and turn right. Judd Road will turn into Route 840, which turns into Route 8 South. Continue on Route 8 South until you reach the track entrance.
For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
The Wiseco John Penton GNCC
Millfield, Ohio
Round 9 of 13
Saturday, July 9
XC1 Open Pro Event Results:
- Grant Baylor (HSQ)
- Thad Duvall (HSQ)
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Ryan Sipes (HSQ)
- Chris Bach (KTM)
- Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
- Trevor Bollinger (HON)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Philippe Chaine (KTM)
- Josh Strang (HSQ)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (205)
- Thad Duvall (202)
- Steward Baylor (152)
- Ricky Russell (147)
- Josh Toth (137)
- Grant Baylor (119)
- Trevor Bollinger (100)
- Jordan Ashburn (99)
- Josh Strang (89)
- Craig Delong (87)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2017 National Champion.
XC2 250 Pro Event Results:
- Layne Michael (HSQ)
- Josh Toth (YAM)
- Craig Delong (HSQ)
- Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
- Mike Witkowski (KTM)
- Jesse Groemm (KTM)
- Austin Lee (HON)
- Sam Evans (KTM)
- Zack Hayes (KTM)
- Drew Higgins (BET)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:
- Josh Toth (243)
- Craig Delong (186)
- Layne Michael (186)
- Mike Witkowski (159)
- Jesse Groemm (140)
- Austin Lee (126)
- Ben Kelley (118)
- Zack Hayes (109)
- Sam Evans (85)
- Zach Nolan (79)
FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am Event Results:
- Hunter Neuwirth (HSQ)
- Mark Heresco Jr. (KTM)
- Devan Welch (YAM)
- Jason Thomas (HSQ)
- Jaryn Williams (YAM)
- Josh Adkins (YAM)
FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am Points Standings:
- Jason Thomas (232)
- Mark Heresco Jr. (180)
- Hunter Neuwirth (180)
- Jack Edmondson (145)
- Josh Adkins (115)
- Jaryn Williams (114)
- Devan Welch (97)
- Paul Whibley (67)
- Dustin Gibson (61)
- Nate Smith (47)
About GNCC Racing
The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1975, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. The series draws talent from all over the U.S., Central America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised weekly on NBC Sports and RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
-RP-