by: Chelsea Taylor
Friday, October 6, 2017 | 8:35 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chelsea Taylor
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]
GNCC Racing Set to Invade Powerline Park this Sunday
Ryan Sipes Aims to Repeat Previous Round Success
MORGANTOWN, W.Va (October 6, 2017) – The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series packs up and heads to St. Clairsville, Ohio this weekend, October 7 and 8, for the Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC.
Ryan Sipes comes to the penultimate round fresh off his first-ever overall win just two weeks ago where he won in commanding fashion – leading every lap from start to finish. From winning the Colorado 125 Dream Race, Full Gas Sprint Enduro, competing in the 92nd Annual FIM International Six Days Enduro and now winning a GNCC, Sipes has made a name for himself in a variety of disciplines. Sipes’ last win could serve as the extra confidence boost he needs to become a permanent fixture on the podium.
FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell has the opportunity to wrap up his fifth-straight National Championship this weekend in Ohio. Russell has had to overcome a lot of issues this season, but still continues to hold the lead in the championship standings and shows no signs of letting the pressure get to him.
N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell is known for his ability to exceed at the last four rounds, and Russell has proven that he isn’t ready to just settle for just one win this season. After his impressive ride at the last two races, Russell has his yes set on the middle of the box for this Sunday.
XC1 Pro class rookie and JCR Honda’s Trevor Bollinger has yet to make a podium appearance this year. After making some change-ups in his setup Bollinger could be a force to be reckoned with this weekend.
With the XC2 250 Pro class title now in hand, N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Toth will be looking to cap off his season with another win. However, that win won’t come easy for Toth due to the fierce duo of Layne Michael and Crag Delong. The Coastal Racing/Husqvarna teammates have constantly been in contention for the class win this year, and this weekend won’t be any different. The rest of the XC2 250 Pro class have all shown they are capable of making a podium appearance though.
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.
This weekend is co-sanctioned with WEXCR, a series that produces local racing events in Southern Ohio and West Virginia, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. Local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the 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, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.
Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be: Tyler Soriano (Open B), Adam Prysmont (Masters C 50+), Gary Byers (Senior C 40+), Becca Sheets (WXC), Cope Beckert (Open A), Noah Stewart (200 B), Dakoda Devore (250 B) and Kyle Prysmont (250 B).
Tune in to RacerTV.com on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST to catch live streaming of the Pro Bike race. For more information on GNCC LIVE coverage, visit www.racertv.com. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, December 2, at 12:30 p.m.
To get to the track from Ohio I-70 take exit 213 onto Route 331 N. Follow Route 331 N for a couple of miles and then make a right onto Hammond Road for approximately one mile. Take a left at Lee Road for another half of a mile, and the track entrance will be on the right.
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.
The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series heads to St. Clairsville, Ohio this weekend, October 7 and 8, for the Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities, please visit the Powerline Park GNCC event page on the series website by clicking HERE.
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC
Masontown, West Virginia
Round 11 of 13
Sunday, September 24
XC1 Open Pro Event Results:
- Ryan Sipes (HSQ)
- Kailub Russell (KTM)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Steward Baylor (KTM)
- Grant Baylor (HSQ)
- Trevor Bollinger (HON)
- Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
- Mason Atherton (HSQ)
- Chris Bach (KTM)
- Josh Strang (HSQ)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Kailub Russell (260)
- Thad Duvall (202)
- Steward Baylor (193)
- Ricky Russell (184)
- Josh Toth (167)
- Grant Baylor (144)
- Trevor Bollinger (129)
- Layne Michael (116)
- Craig Delong (114)
- Jordan Ashburn (112)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2017 National Champion.
XC2 250 Pro Event Results:
- Josh Toth (YAM)
- Craig Delong (HSQ)
- Layne Michael (HSQ)
- Michael Witkowski (KTM)
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Austin Lee (HON)
- Brendan Riordan (YAM)
- Dylan Macritchie (KTM)
- Jesper Borjessen (HSQ)
- Jesse Groemm (KTM)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:
- Josh Toth (301)
- Craig Delong (238)
- Layne Michael (237)
- Mike Witkowski (195)
- Ben Kelley (159)
- Austin Lee (158)
- Jesse Groemm (151)
- Zack Hayes (131)
- Sam Evans (100)
- Zach Nolan (94)
FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am Event Results:
- Jason Thomas (HSQ)
- Paul Whibley (YAM)
- Jack Edmondson (HSQ)
- Chris Venditti (YAM)
- Hunter Neuwirth (HSQ)
- Tayla Jones (HSQ)
- Devan Welch (YAM)
- Jaryn Williams (YAM)
- Mark Heresco Jr. (KTM)
- Josh Adkins (YAM)
FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am Points Standings:
- Jason Thomas (292)
- Hunter Neuwirth (217)
- Mark Heresco Jr. (205)
- Jack Edmondson (178)
- Jaryn Williams (137)
- Josh Adkins (137)
- Paul Whibley (117)
- Devan Welch (111)
- Nate Smith (62)
- Dustin Gibson (61)
For more information on the series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com 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.
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-