GNCC Racing

2020 Grand National Cross Country Series Set to Kick Off in Union County on February 22 and 23

2020 Grand National Cross Country Series Set to Kick Off in Union County on February 22 and 23

Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | 11:40 AM
by:
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 | 11:40 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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

2020 Grand National Cross Country Series Set to Kick Off
in Union County on February 22 and 23
Local Racers Line Up to Compete Against Nation’s Best Off-Road Talent 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 11, 2020) – The 2020 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is set to return to Union, South Carolina on February 22 and 23 for the Big Buck GNCC at the Big Buck Farm. Big Buck will return as the series opener, after severe weather conditions forced the race to be cancelled in 2019. Big Buck will also welcome the Micro (50cc) ATV and bike riders back to the event schedule.

Riders will compete through an off-road course consisting of wooded trails, field sections, and unique obstacles on highly tuned dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs. Racers will include top talent, such as U.S. National Champions and World Champions from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The world’s premier off-road racing series has been traveling to Union County since 1997, making it one of the oldest continuous stops on the circuit. 

The 46th Annual GNCC season kicks off February 22, 2020 in Union, South Carolina.
The 46th Annual GNCC season kicks off February 22, 2020 in Union, South Carolina. Ken Hill

This event also offers great opportunity for local racers to showcase their talents in front of their hometown crowd. Hailing from an hour away are the duo of Steward Baylor Jr. and his brother, Grant Baylor, who will compete in the premier XC1 Open Pro class on Sunday afternoon. Last season, Steward finished third overall in the National Championship standings and claimed the season opener win at the Wild Boar in Florida. 

The Baylor brothers have made the switch over to a brand new team and motorcycle for the 2020 season, FactoryONE Sherco. Steward will once again be aiming to earn the season opener victory in front of his hometown crowd on February 23. Grant will be looking to start out the year with a strong performance after missing the first 4 races last season due to shoulder surgery. 

South Carolina natives, and brothers, Grant and Steward Baylor are excited for the 2020 season aboard their new team. 
South Carolina natives, and brothers, Grant and Steward Baylor are excited for the 2020 season aboard their new team.  Darrin Chapman

The GNCC On-Track School Program returns for the 2020 season with the first visit taking place at Jonesville Elementary/Middle School in Jonesville, South Carolina. The Jonesville school boasts over 600 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, and will take place from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. in the gymnasium. The GNCC Racing On-Track Program is a free school program that focuses on goal setting, perseverance, motorcycle safety and anti-bullying. The presentation is centered around the ideas taught in school, but the message is delivered to students in a new and unique way making it a hit with the crowd.

Over 1,900 racers are expected to compete at the Big Buck 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 Union County and neighboring areas. 

The event is co-sanctioned with SETRA, a series that produces 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 racers can pre-register or sign up at the event. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.

The College A (16-21) competitor, Cameron Abee is excited for the GNCC season opener in his hometown of Union, South Carolina. 
The College A (16-21) competitor, Cameron Abee is excited for the GNCC season opener in his hometown of Union, South Carolina.  Ken Hill

Local racers expected to compete Saturday, February 22 on ATVs will be: Blaise Cooke (College A 16-21), Harrison Lindsey (125 Sr. 12-15), Cameron Abee (College A 16-21), Jaron Dawkins (College B 16-21), Haile Fowler (Girls 8-15), Morgan Solesbee (WXC), Brian Russell (19+ C), Bryon Russell (4x4 B), Deegan Hancock (70 CVT 6-11), Justin Turner, Joey Coogler (Senior A 40+), Kelton Harbin (College A 16-21), Chuck Norris (Sportsman A/B), Ryan Reed (Super Sr. 45+), Zachary Jones (4x4 A), Bobby Clark (30+ C), Preston Rhodes (35+ C) and Connor Walker (YXC2 Super Mini Jr. 12-13). 

Local racers expected to compete Sunday, February 23 on motorcycles will be: Grant Baylor (XC1 Open Pro), Steward Baylor Jr. (XC1 Open Pro), Zach Tussell (Open A), Trent Gaines (50cc Sr. 6-7), John Berry IV (65cc 7-9), Bobby Pearson (Silver Masters A 55+), Caleb Wood (MXC1 & 65cc 7-9), Trent Wood (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Caleb Lane (YXC1 Super Mini Sr. 14-15), Jason Raines (FMF XC3), Prestin Raines (Women), Austin Sentell (4-Stroke C Lites), Alli Phillips (Women), Andrew Segars (85cc 7-11), Raymie Segars, Johnlee Campbell (250 A), Chase Hayes (250 A), Zack Hayes (XC2 250 Pro), Brody Johnson (250 A), Jonathan Johnson (XC2 250 Pro) Kane Martin (65cc 7-9) and Todd Vess (Super Sr. A 45+). 

Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, February 22. 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, February 23, the motorcycles will take to the woods of South 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.

Back in 2018 Kailub Russell (#1) and Thad Duvall (#989) put on quite the show at Big Buck as they came into the finish just seconds apart. 
Back in 2018 Kailub Russell (#1) and Thad Duvall (#989) put on quite the show at Big Buck as they came into the finish just seconds apart.  Ken Hill

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.

To get to the track from I-26 take exit 44. After getting off the interstate, follow Highway 49 North for seven miles and follow the GNCC arrow signs to the track entrance. 

Saturday’s 2 p.m. pro ATV race as well as Sunday’s 1 p.m. pro bike race will be broadcasted LIVE on the internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com. A highlight show featuring the event will air on television at a later date. To view the full broadcast schedule, click HERE.

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 Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized is the World’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 two and three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 2,400 riders through racetracks 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 live on RacerTV.com. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

How to Watch

Racer TV is the official home for coverage of the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) events. Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 2 p.m. pro ATV and 1 p.m. pro motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at 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