by: Kayla Bolton
Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 8:50 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kayla Bolton
(304) 284-0084
[email protected]
The World’s Largest Off-Road Racing Series Heads to Summit Bechtel Reserve
For Inaugural Mountaineer GNCC Near Beckley, West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 3, 2019) – The world’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series travels to Summit Bechtel Reserve next weekend, October 12 and 13, for the inaugural Yamaha Racing Mountaineer GNCC to be held near Beckley, West Virginia. The event will serve as the penultimate round of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship.
Another all-new event for the 2019 GNCC Racing season will take place at the world-renowned Summit Bechtel Reserve. This facility is one of just four in the world managed by the National Council of the Scouts of America. Each year the facility hosts the National Scout Jamboree, and will host the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. Located on more than 14,000 acres, this facility will prove to be a welcomed addition to the GNCC series.
Over 1,400 racers are expected to compete at the Mountaineer GNCC and the 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 the county and surrounding areas. Riders will compete on highly tuned dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs, and the race will include top talent, such as U.S. National Champions and World Champions from Europe and Australia.
This event also offers a great opportunity for local racers to showcase their talents in front of their hometown crowd. West Virginia native, and XC1 Pro ATV rider, Adam McGill is looking to earn his first win of the season in his home state. McGill currently sits sixth in the points standings, but always looks forward to racing in the wonderful state of WV. Another native, and XC1 Pro bike rider, Thad Duvall will be eager for a home state race. Duvall earned the overall win last week in Pennsylvania, and is hoping to keep the momentum going into this home state as well.
Local racers expected to compete next Saturday on ATVs will be Bryan W. Buckhannon (4x4 A), Shane McDaniel (4x4 C), John Rogers (4x4 A), Bodie Buckhannon (MXC1 8-9), Kody Buckhannon (50cc Sr. 6-7), Jason Dillard (Vet A 30+), Jackson Fisher (90 Stock 8-11), Tanner Bowles (4x4 Pro), Levi Myers (College B 16-21), JD Brown (Junior A 22+), Richie McCauley (40+ C), Bobby McCauley (40+ C), Khyler Davis (70 CVT / MXC2), Jacob Gunnoe (4x4 C), Matthew Gunnoe (4x4 C), Brayden Cox (50 Sr 6-7) and Falyn Holcomb (50 Sr 6-7).
Also expected to compete next weekend on motorcycles will be Corey Showalter (250 C Jr. 25+), Landen Tharp (85cc 7-11), Billy Evans (Super Senior B 45+), Garrett George (250 B), Karson George (50cc Jr. 1 6-7), Austin Harmon (250 C College 18-24), Scott Haynes (Masters A 50+), Super Senior C (45+), Paul Leftwich (Masters C 50+), Sean Wishart (Super Senior C 45+), Blake Barker (250 C College 18-24), Brier Burgess (200 B), Kenny Hawkins (Masters A 50+), Bobby Blevins (Open C Junior 25+), Joshua Caron (Vet C 30+), Caden Simms (YXC2 Super Mini Jr.), Tripp Stephens (50 Jr. 4-5) and Michael Hovatter (50 Jr. 6-7).
Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, October 12. 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.
On Sunday, October 13, the motorcycles will take to the woods of West Virginia following the race schedule of youth racing action starting the day off at 8 a.m., women and amateur riders race at 10 a.m. and the pros and top amateurs will start at 1 p.m.
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 $50, and riders can sign up at the track or pre-enter. 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 (Friday through Sunday), with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. There is also a camping fee of $20 for the weekend at Summit Bechtel Reserve. Bathhouse amenities are available, as well as free WIFI across the venue. Yamaha will be offering demo rides throughout the weekend.
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 Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m.
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.
- Facebook: @gnccracing
- Instagram: @gncc_racing
- Twitter: @gnccracing
- YouTube: @racertv
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.
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-minute, 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.