GNCC Racing

America’s Largest Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Racing Series Returns to Burke County March 30 - 31

America’s Largest Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Racing Series Returns to Burke County March 30 - 31

Friday, March 22, 2019 | 2:40 PM
by:
Friday, March 22, 2019 | 2:40 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084 ext. 107
[email protected] 

America’s Largest Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Racing Series
Returns to Burke County March 30 - 31
Specialized Turbo eMTB Round Two to Take Place on Saturday

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (March 22, 2019) – America’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series returns to Burke County next weekend, March 30 and 31, for the 20th Annual Steele Creek GNCC, to be held in Morganton, North Carolina. This event serves as round three of the 2019 AMOSIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship. 

America’s premier off-road racing series has been traveling to Morganton since 2000, making it one of the oldest stops on the circuit. Around 1,700 racers are expected to compete in the Steele Creek GNCC, and this event will draw several thousand spectators from the surrounding community, as well as all over the U.S., ultimately bringing an estimated $1.3 million in revenue to Burke County and neighboring areas.

Morganton's own, Trevor Bollinger finished in the runner-up position last weekend and is now aiming to take the win on March 31. 
Morganton's own, Trevor Bollinger finished in the runner-up position last weekend and is now aiming to take the win on March 31.  Ken Hill

Riders will compete on highly tuned dirt bikes, four-wheeled ATVs and electric bicycles, and the race will include top talent, such as U.S. National Champions and World Champions from Europe, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand. One rider racing in Sunday’s 1 p.m. race, hailing from Morganton, is XC1 Open Pro competitor Trevor Bollinger. Last weekend in Georgia, Bollinger would battle at the front of the pack ultimately finishing second overall. Next weekend, Bollinger will be aiming to battle for his first-career overall win in front of his hometown family and friends. 

Six-time GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell currently calls Boonville, North Carolina home. Russell earned the win last weekend, and is looking to continue his success as the series heads North. 2010 GNCC National Champion, Josh Strang, who hails from Australia, calls Denver, North Carolina home with his wife and newborn baby boy Maverick. Strang currently sits sixth in the points standings, and is looking to race to the front of the pack next Sunday, March 31. 

Six-time GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell lives in Boonville, NC, and is looking to earn his second-straight win next weekend.
Six-time GNCC National Champion, Kailub Russell lives in Boonville, NC, and is looking to earn his second-straight win next weekend. Ken Hill

This event offers a great opportunity for local racers to showcase their talents in front of their hometown crowd. Coming from Waxhaw, North Carolina, is ATV XC2 Pro-Am rider, John Glauda Jr. As the season started in Florida, Glauda Jr. made it known that he was going to be a contender for the XC2 class championship this season. Glauda Jr. has earned the class win at the first two rounds, and is looking to keep his momentum going into his hometown race next Saturday, March 30. GNCC Hometown Hero, Maddox Moretz, is excited to race in his hometown of Morganton. Moretz earned the MXC2 (6-8) class win at round one, and finished runner up at the second round in Georgia last weekend. However, another accomplishment Moretz has made this year is earning the win at the KTM Supercross Challenge in San Diego, California. Moretz recently was featured as GNCC’s Tuesday Toolbox story, click HERE to read it. 

John Glauda Jr. is hoping to keep his winning streak going in his home state of North Carolina.
John Glauda Jr. is hoping to keep his winning streak going in his home state of North Carolina. Ken Hill

Local racers expected to compete in Saturday’s ATV race will be: Landon Bragg (90cc 8-12), Carson Collins (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 13-15), Justin Collins (24+ C), Grayson Eller (College B 16-21), James Glauda (Schoolboy Sr 14-17), Landon Glauda (70 CVT 6-11/90 Stock 8-11), John Glauda Jr. (XC2 Pro-Am), John Glauda Sr. (4x4 Senior 40+), Michael Lowman (College B 16-21), Haedyn Mickelson (4x4 Pro), Noah Mickelson (College A 16-21), Neil Pitts (Vet A 30+), Kristin Power (Women), and Brian Rhines (Masters 50+).

Local racers expected to compete in Sunday’s motorcycle races will be: Trevor Bollinger (XC1 Open Pro), Kailub Russell (XC1 Open Pro), Josh Strang (XC1 Open Pro), Hayden Airheart (250 A), Trevor Barrett (XC2 250 Pro), Jason Thomas (FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am), Travis Beam (Vet B 30+), Annie Bean (Women C), Drew Callaway (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Matt Cerven (Open A), Eli Childers (4-Stroke A Lites), Kaden Childers (125 B/C), Noah Cooper (85cc 12-13), Jake Easler (4-Stroke A Lites), Tommy Elliott (Super Senior A 45+), Levi Elliott (YXC2 Super Mini Jr. 12-13), Justin Gibbs (Open B), Dale Folwell (Golden Masters B/C 60+), Gary Greer (Open A), Blaine Kimrey (250 A), Jake Lail (250 B), Derek Mabe (4-Stroke A Lites), Tyler Malboeuf (4-Stroke C Lites), Maddox Moretz (MXC2 6-8/65cc 7-9), Mason Moretz (50cc Jr. 4-5), Tyler Moss (65cc 10-11), Tyler Palmer (4-Stroke B Lites), Abram Shields (50cc Sr. 6-7), and Colton Shields (85cc 7-11). 

Round two of the Speicalized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship takes place on Saturday after the afternoon pro ATV race. Last weekend was the first round of the series, where 31 competitors ranging from professional, women, 50+ year old racers, and youth riders took to the line. Taking the first win was North Carolina’s own Charlie Mullins. After stepping back from professionally racing the GNCC series, Mullins turned to mountain biking. Mullins has taken part in a lot of different mountain bike races, and is looking forward to racing the GNCC Series once again. Also joining the GNCC eMTB race was mountain bike hall of famer, Nat Ross, who finished second in the XC1 Pro class. 

Maddox Moretz comes from Morganton, North Carolina, and is aiming for another MXC2 class win in front of family and friends. 
Maddox Moretz comes from Morganton, North Carolina, and is aiming for another MXC2 class win in front of family and friends.  Ken Hill

Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, March 30. Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by Micro ATVs at 9:15 a.m. and Micro bike racing at 10 a.m., then the amateurs, 4x4 pro and women at 11 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs’ race at 2 p.m. The last race of the day will be round two of the Specialized Turbo eMTB series, which takes off at 4:30 p.m.

On Sunday, March 31, the motorcycles will take to the woods of North Carolina following the same race schedule of youth racing action starting the day off at 8 a.m., women and amateur riders at 10 a.m. and the pros and top amateurs will start at 1 p.m. 

The event is co-sanctioned with SETRA, a series that produced local racing events in the southeast, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All 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 only $50 and riders can sign up at the event. 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 five and under are free for the full weekend (Saturday through Sunday), with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. Camping charges do apply at Steele Creek.

Charlie Mullins (#12) jumped out to the early lead at round one of the Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship Series.
Charlie Mullins (#12) jumped out to the early lead at round one of the Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship Series. Ken Hill

The 2 p.m. pro ATV race and 1 p.m. pro bike race will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com both Saturday and Sunday. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on the GNCC 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.

About GNCC Racing

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized 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 eMTB Racing

The Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship brings off-road racing and pedal-assist or electric bicycles together for an eight-round championship produced by Racer Productions. Much like a typical cross-country racing event, these races feature varied terrain featuring hills, rocks, roots, and more but are limited to electric, or pedal assist model mountain bikes only. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

How to Watch

Racer TV and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) are the official homes for coverage of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) events. All 13 rounds, from the season opening Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina to the finale at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, will air in 30-minue; taped-delayed telecasts on NBCSN, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 1 p.m. ATV and motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at http://www.nbcsports.com/ and http://www.racertv.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