GNCC Racing

Trail Jesters KTM Racing – X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Race Report

Trail Jesters KTM Racing – X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Race Report

Monday, May 13, 2019 | 1:20 PM
Monday, May 13, 2019 | 1:20 PM

Trail Jesters KTM Racing – X-Factor Whitetails GNCC Race Report

The green flag waved in Peru, Indiana as the XC2 250 Pro line went off for a 3 hour long battle. After a top 3 start, Ben Kelley had to detour off the track to miss a downed rider, causing him to go into the woods mid pack. He found himself fighting through the XC2 pack, making his way up to 1st place by the end of the lap one. Ben commented “I really enjoyed the track. With a lot of rain leading up to the event the track was full of long, deep ruts making it very technical to ride.”  Kelley would spend the rest of the race pushing his lead further from 2nd place and gaining on overall positions. After an outstanding race showing off all of Kelley’s hard work on his fitness, he would cross the finish line 1st XC2 with a six minute and 43 second lead, and 5th overall on the day for his 5th consecutive win.

Ben Kelley climbing the Indiana hills on his 2019 KTM 250 XC-F.
Ben Kelley climbing the Indiana hills on his 2019 KTM 250 XC-F. Darrin Chapman

In the FMF XC3 125 Pro/Am class Jesse Ansley had a great jump at the drop of the flag and took home the $100 holeshot award, and he would carry that momentum with him the entire race. “While navigating through XC2 traffic and learning the new lines I was still able to gap 2nd” Ansley stated. He was able to hold his XC3 class lead Ansley would pick through the field of racers, landing himself 16th overall and 1st in class, crossing the line with an impressive 6 minutes and 21 seconds lead for his 3rd win of the season. “I learned a ton and I noticed an improvement to what I’ve been working on during the week” said Jesse. 

Jesse Ansley standing tall on the top step of the podium.
Jesse Ansley standing tall on the top step of the podium. Darrin Chapman

In the 250A class, Simon Johnson got off to a rough start and found himself in the back of the pack. Feeling determined and confident after the last few races he picked through his fellow class racers. Johnson’s 3 hour long race was filled with position changes and battles jumping from 2nd to 4th to 3rd  amidst dealing with a broken shifter that was swapped out with the help of the support team. “Around lap 3 I broke my shifter and luckily got it changed with help from the KTM rig. Shout out to Mike Hall and George Pollard for saving my race with the speedy shifter replacement” said Johnson. He would put the power to the ground and end his day 3rd 250A and 3rd on the amateur overall podium and 22nd overall.  He stated, “It could have been a lot worse, I’m thankful to finish on the podium.” 

Simon Johnson fighting his way to a 3rd in class and 3rd amateur overall.
Simon Johnson fighting his way to a 3rd in class and 3rd amateur overall. Darrin Chapman

In the youth race, Brayden Nolette had a killer jump off the line rounding the first corner in 2nd and heading into the woods sitting in 3rd. Nolette worked hard on finding a groove on the slick and rough track and as the race progressed he found himself becoming more and more comfortable. “I was able to push through the feeling of a constant battle with the track at the beginning and then put down some good laps in the second half of the race.” he said. With finding his comfort in those last few laps he was able to move from 3rd to 2nd and cross the checkered flag that way, taking home 2nd YXC1 and 2nd youth overall.

Brayden Nolette on his way to a 2nd youth overall.
Brayden Nolette on his way to a 2nd youth overall. Darrin Chapman

Thank you to our team sponsors: KTM, FMF Racing, Troy Lee Designs, Dunlop Tires, Motorex, Super B Batteries, Bullet Proof Designs, P3 Carbon, Motool, Squid Decals and Edelmann Sales for their continued support.

About Trail Jesters:

Trail Jesters Racing is a KTM support team established in January 2014. We race off-road motorcycles at the professional, amateur and youth level of national and regional series.