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Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna Team Report: Ironman GNCC

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. (November 1, 2017) – The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series came to a close this past weekend, October 29, with the popular Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The 23rd annual event boasted the largest rider turnout of the season along with the chilliest temperatures of the year, but it didn’t stop the Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna team from coming out swinging at the season finale. 

Grant Baylor finished just off the overall podium in fourth, after starting the first lap in seventh. Baylor had a successful season where he never finished outside of the top-ten, and even won the John Penton GNCC! Baylor’s consistent results leaves him ranked fifth overall heading into the 2018 season. 

After struggling with strep throat, bronchitis and a sinus infection, Hunter Neuwirth lined up in the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class not sure what to expect. Neuwirth powered through and ended up landing his sixth podium finish of the year with third; he also finished the season ranked second! 

The newly crowned WXC champion, Tayla Jones, ended her GNCC season in the XC3 class as well. Jones beat out many of the big names in the class and stayed on the lead lap, placing sixth. 

Chase Sweda didn’t get off to the best start, but put his head down and pushed through for fifth, and finished third overall for the year in the highly-competitive 250 B class. Conner Keegan raced his way to fourth in the 4 Stroke A Lites class, which also put him fourth overall in the title chase, while his brother, Brandon, finished fifth in 200 B and fourth for the year.

With the Ironman GNCC being the most popular race on the circuit, both Mat Herrington and Jonathan Theisen utilized the KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Program. Wisconsin native, Mat, finished eighth in Vet A (30+), while Jonathan travelled back home to Minnesota with a 13th place finish in 4 Stroke B Lites. 

Jason Baldwin, Director of Motorsports at Kenda Tire, decided to put his work to the side and join in on the fun in the 10 a.m. amateur race. Baldwin borrowed a Husqvarna FC 250 and ended up taking the win in the Senior C (40+) class! Ted Horbaty also raced in the same class, and walked away with sixth. 

Ted’s son, Troy, ended the season on a high note with fourth in 85 (7-11), securing fourth in the class for the year. Camryn Horbaty competed in her first GNCC ever, and made a podium appearance in the Girls (8-15) class in third! 

The Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna Team travels to Alabama for the final National Enduro weekend.

KR4 Performance Team Results 1 p.m. Race: 

• Grant Baylor – XC1 Pro – 4th (End of season ranking: 5th)
• Hunter Neuwirth – XC3 Pro-Am – 3rd (End of season ranking: 2nd)
• Tayla Jones – XC3 Pro-Am – 5th (End of season WXC ranking: 1st)
• Chase Sweda – 250 B – 5th (End of season ranking: 3rd)
• Conner Keegan – 4 Stroke A Lites – 4th (End of season ranking: 4th)
• Brandon Keegan – 200 B – 5th (End of season ranking: 4th)
• Mat Herrington – Vet A (30+) – 8th
• Jonathan Theisen – 4 Stroke B Lites – 13th

KR4 Performance Team Results 10 a.m. Race:

• Jason Baldwin – Senior C (40+) – 1st
• Ted Horbaty – Senior C (40+) – 6th 

KR4 Performance Team Results 8 a.m. Race:

• Troy Horbaty – 85 (7-11) – 4th (End of season ranking: 4th)
• Camryn Horbaty – Girls (8-15) – 3rd