by: Jared Bolton
Thursday, October 11, 2018 | 11:55 AM
Welcome to Quick Fill.
It’s time once again to go GNCC Racing! It seems hard to believe but we’ve now reached the penultimate round of the season. For those who may be unfamiliar with that term, penultimate, it’s the formal way of saying “next to last” and it’s just kind of fun to say. Regardless, the season is beginning to wind down and before we know it we’ll be into the winter break and counting the days until the 2019 season starts. It really does seem like this season just began but here we are preparing for the end.
As for this weekend’s Powerline Park GNCC, well, you’re in for a real treat. This is probably one of the better Powerline courses we’ve seen in a number of years. In years past, Powerline Park has hosted a number of open riding events throughout the year. However, this year the park has remained closed and while that’s unfortunate for those looking to “just ride” at the park, it has actually helped the racecourse. With no riding on it this year, many areas have grown over and healed which will make for a fun racetrack this weekend.
The start is back in the center of the large field behind pro pits where it has been on and off for a number of years and when you take off from the start, you’ll actually start just before the one-mile mark. When you get into the woods, you’ve got some medium speed trail that will lead you out onto the powerline. The powerline is fast before you drop into a slightly tighter section of woods that leads you down to the two-mile mark at the Powerline Mudhole, which is just for the 1PM races.
We’re doing the mudhole a little different this year. You’ll come through the woods you usually jump into and come out onto the powerline from the traditional easy route around the jump. When you get up to the powerline, you’ve got a choice to make! The jump is actually washed away, but the mud is a bit smaller than in years past. So instead of building a new jump we’re going have an option to hit the mud straight on, or turn right and go up into the woods on the other side of the powerline, which takes you on a long go-around. I know some of you spectators may be disappointed there’s not a jump but this option will surely be just as exciting because now the riders will be going INTO the mud instead of just jumping over it.
Once you get through all of that, you’ve got some slightly tighter up and down trails all the way to another optional section at the FMF Powerpoint. The 1PM races will have the option to hit a long and very steep hill, or go out and around. This brings you to the three-mile mark where you’ll pick up some faster trail all the way to the four-mile mark. Just past that four, you’ve got some slower trail that zig-zags back and forth all the way to the five-mile mark.
At the five, things open up a bit as you work your way in and out of some woods sections and through some scrub brush before dropping back into some hard woods to the six-mile mark. From the six to the seven-mile mark, there’s a mix of tighter trail, fast trail and a few small mudholes to contend with. It’s the traditional Powerline Park trail through here, so if you’re familiar with the course then you’ll feel right at home. That actually continues along all the way to the eight-mile mark where you’ll work your way to what is almost the highest point of the property. We’re actually skipping the optional rock section and the area known as “Fly Island” located behind the front gate as that area has been fenced in and is now used for cattle.
You’ll get back into some tighter trail to the nine-mile mark and just past the nine you’ll hit some faster stuff that leads you all the way to the long rocky creek bed known as Dead Deer Hollow and the ten-mile mark. You’ll climb back up out of there and into some more ups and downs all the way to the 11-mile mark. You’ll then hit a long section of trackside pitting that jogs in and out of some short woods sections all the way to the 12-mile mark. You’ll then think that you’re coming up to the finish, but just as it’s in sight you’ll turn away from it and hit some tighter trail.
That tighter section has several short up and downhill sections that bring you to the 13-mile mark before it pops out into a short field section to the finish. Then once you head out of the finish, you’ve got a short woods section before heading through the Pro Pits and a field section back to the start. Overall, you’re looking at about 13.3 miles for the 1PM races. The 10AM races will skip the Powerline Mudhole and cut from the nine-mile mark, straight to the 11, which will make their course just a hair shy of 11 miles.
As I mentioned earlier, this promises to be one of the best Powerline Park courses we’ve seen in a number of years so if you’re on the fence about making it this weekend, then get off the fence and get to the track, it’s going to be a good time. There’s still a lot of work to be done so I’m going to end my contribution here and get back to it. Best of luck to everyone and we’ll see you at Powerline!
Catching Up With Ken (Ken Hill)
Here it is folks, we are down to the final two rounds of the 2018 season and it sure looks like this weekend’s Powerline Park GNCC is going to be one to remember. The weather looks like it will be pretty solid although on the cooler side…
Powerline has some cool sections, but the Powerline mudhole jump is usually the most exciting for racers and fans. Over the years I have captured some insane crashes and some epic stuck shots so make your way down there and get in on the action but please remember, keep your eyes on the action at all times and keep your kids way back! The jump itself is pretty tame, it is the landing that sends riders all over the place and some of the "almost made it" stuff is insanely fun to watch. The jump aside, there is usually a ton of trackside access for you to keep track of your riders just use caution when cutting across the roadways.
Plus, with the cooler weather please make sure you prepare for everything from mud and all that goes with it as well as gloves and plenty of warm clothes. I just checked the weather for Saturday and we may have a shower around with temps reaching into the high 40's so maybe even some winter stuff might be needed! Please remember, this is probably the first time many of you have used the heaters in your camper or RV so make sure your carbon dioxide and smoke detectors are in working order!
With Cole Richardson’s first ever career win at the Mason-Dixon round, I have to expect he will be doing everything he can to repeat. This track is well known by just about everyone on pro row no matter how they run the course so we should have an intense battle in front of us all day. Walker Fowler can clinch the XC1 Pro ATV championship here as well adding more excitement to the weekends event. The Yamaha riders may have garnered the attention last round and I don’t think that sat well with Honda mounted Adam McGill. He might be a spoiler this round and the same goes for Jarrod McClure who hasn’t been upfront since before the summer break. Throw Brycen Neal and the fact that this is his home turf and we could see one of the best battles of the year shaping up.
The class to watch in the morning race is going to be 4x4 Pro once again. The top riders have sure set the mark high each round and here if they push too hard we could see things come apart, literally. If there is any mud or bad sections you can bet the 4x4's will be pushing for another overall podium so stay sharp if you are out walking the track as these guys roll out everywhere and can plow over just about anything when things go wrong.
That’s about all from me as I get geared up myself to head to Ohio and while I have been begging for the cooler weather, I would have preferred it to be a bit warmer with not even a mention of rain. Sunday is looking good however so we will just ruck up and deal with whatever is thrown at us! As always, may God bless you all and keep you all safe not only on the track but in your travels. See ya'll soon!
UTV Racing Returns (Kayla Olliver)
UTV Racing returns this Saturday, October 13 at 4:00 p.m. with Hunter Miller leading the way. Jamie McCoy sits second after earning the first win of the season in South Carolina, and after earning a pair of third place finishes at the past two UTV rounds he is ready to stand in the center of the podium once again. However, Ohio native Kyle Chaney earned the win at the previous two UTV rounds, Camp Coker Bullet and The John Penton. Chaney sits third in the championship standings due to two mechanical issues at the first two events of the season.
Defending UTV National Champion, Cody Miller has not had the season he hoped for. After bad luck struck and a second place finish being his best thus far in the season, he’s looking to try and end the season on a high-note by earning the overall win. Collin Truett leads the way in the Single Seat UTV division, as well as the UXC2 Pro class. Although, Kyle Hart is knocking on Truett's door in the UXC2 Pro class after earning the class win at the past two UTV rounds. This weekend's race should be an interesting one! There are only two rounds remaining, and the championships are still up in the air. If you can't make it to them in person, be sure to check them out on RacerTV.com for LIVE coverage.
Please remember the woods are CLOSED during these UTV races.
The rule states:
The race course is CLOSED for this event. Race fans and crew members are prohibited from entering the woods or otherwise accessing the race course. Viewing areas will be available at the Finish Line Area or as designated by race officials.
Also, UTV drivers, please keep in mind Speed Zones may be posted in specified areas and will be enforced. So please abide by these specific zones.
The Bar Dragger Challenge (Chuck Lemaster)
Team Faith is pleased to present The Bar Dragger Challenge in conjunction with Fuel Ministries at this weekend's Powerline Park GNCC! Timed pit bike racing will be on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Youth of all ages are invited to hop on a Fuel Ministries provided Kawasaki KLX110 and go for a timed hot lap around a specially prepared closed course! Riders under the age of 18 need to have parental consent. Bring your own helmet! Stop by the Team Faith tent for more details. And as always, non-denominational chapel service is Saturday at 7:00 at the Team Faith Tent on Vendor Row.
GNCC LIVE on RacerTV.com
Tune in to RacerTV.com this Saturday, October 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET for pro ATV racing, and then again at 4:00 p.m. ET for pro UTV racing. On Sunday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET tune in for pro bike racing. The 2018 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, an AMA National Championship, heads into round 12 – the Powerline Park GNCC from St. Clairsville, Ohio.
A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, November 11, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Click HERE for the full 2018 broadcast schedule.
Link to Saturdays Pro ATV Coverage: http://racertv.com/2018/10/13/gncc-live-powerline-park-pro-atv
Link to Saturdays Pro UTV Coverage: http://racertv.com/2018/10/13/gncc-live-powerine-parkpro-utv
Link to Sundays Pro Bike Coverage: http://racertv.com/2018/10/14/gncc-live-powerline-park-pro-bike