Coming into the season Neal was slated as a rider to keep an eye on in the XC1 class after finishing second overall in 2017. At round one in South Carolina, Neal battled his way through the pack after an unfavorable start, and finished second overall. Although it was a healthy start to the season Neal is looking for his first overall win, and to earn the 2018 ATV National Championship.

Six-time National Champion, Chris Borich rounded out the podium at the Big Buck GNCC two weeks ago. Borich, who has not won a race since the 2014 season, is looking prepared and comfortable on his Maxxis/Fly Racing/Ye Olde Cycle Barn-backed Suzuki.

McGill Mafia/CST Tires/Moose Racing’s Adam McGill and JMR/ATVriders.com/Maxxis’ Jarrod McClure finished in the fourth and fifth place positions at round one after fighting their way through the rest of the XC1 pack. Both McGill and McClure are top contenders this season, and are both looking to take that spot in the center of the podium away from Fowler at the coming rounds in Florida and Georgia. 

GBC Motorsports/RJR/Solo Pilot’s Westley Wolfe and AmPro Yamaha’s Cole Richardson started off the 2018 season with great finishes. Wolfe had finished fifteenth at round one last year, but had steadily worked himself up to a top five finisher by mid-season even battling for podium finishes. Wolfe is hoping to earn his first overall podium finish in Florida. Richardson, who spent most of 2017 sidelined, was eager to get back to GNCC Racing in South Carolina. Richardson proved that he had been preparing himself by finishing inside the top 10.

Yamaha-backed rider, Cody Collier followed by GBC/Fly Racing/HMF/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher and XC1 Rookie RJR/Tire Spine/GBC Motorsports’ Devon Feehan rounded out the top 10 in South Carolina. All three are hoping to battle throughout the pack and earn themselves a podium, or even a win this season.

All local racers are invited to compete in the Wild Boar GNCC, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $50. To learn more about GNCC Racing please visit the GNCC101 webpage.

Local racers expected to compete next Saturday on ATVs and UTVs will be: Parker Merrill (4x4 B), Brian Keane (4x4 Senior), Tony Edwards (Super Senior 45+), John Plankey (Super Senior 45+), Rudy Lemus (19+C), Josh Loudermilk (35+C), Doug Morse (Junior A 22+), Elliott Cook (UXC3 Pro-Am UTV), Mark Thompson (Masters 45+ UTV), and April Hodges (Sportsman UTV).

Four-wheeled ATVs and UTVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, March 10. Youth riders start the day at 8 a.m., single seat UTVs race at 9 a.m., 4x4 Pro, amateur and women riders race at 10 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m. The day will round out with side-by-side or UTV racing beginning at 4:00 p.m.

The amateur race entry fee is only $50, and youth race entry fee is only $30. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.

Spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for children (6-11), and kids 5 and under are free for the full weekend (Saturday through Sunday), with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.

To get to the track from Highway 17 South, take Route 19 South to Route 310 West. Continue driving past the Rodman Plantation sign. Turn right approximately two miles at the Hog Waller sign.

The 1 p.m. pro races will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com both days. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m.