Keeping up with Ken Hill: 

One could say we dodged a bullet, even luck. I Prefer to say it was a well calculated plan set forth after relying on science, intimate knowledge of the region and soil and a long history of making races work however I will admit that I have been known to spin a tale here and there! Can you folks believe how quickly Big Buck whipped into shape! The days leading up to the event were ugly with rain and even sleet and snow and I am not alone in saying that was one of the best races condition wise ever. It offered a cornucopia of conditions that ranged from slick to hardback throughout the weekend with just a few spots that stayed greasy. My hats off to the crew who worked hard to brings another epic event. 

The racing was solid from the very first classes of minis to take the track and it just got better from there. The 4x4 Pro class had a great race go down between Landon Wolfe and a hard charging Cody Collier that would eventually see Wolfe out front and take his first win of the season. Joining them on the podium was Dwight Pollard with an honest third place effort and marks a group of racers we will be seeing a ton of as the season progresses,  

The action was far from over as the ladies of the WXC had a battle their own underway as fans eagerly watched to see if Traci Pickens could holdout Hannah Hunter on the final lap. I never did get to hear how or where the running order changed but it was Hunter claiming the wind with Pickens pulling upon the box in second. Sadie Gorrell would round out the podium with third as they put the opening round behind them. Hannah’s win marks her second win and she could be the rider to watch in this new season if she can build confidence and the big burst of air in her sail with her win.  

Racing with the new additions and times seem to be nonstop on Saturdays simply because they are! The day was stricken with sunshine and warming temperatures and it just made for a great day to be at a GNCC. In the blink an eye it was time toes what was going to go down in the XC1 Pro class as Walker Fowler rode to his spot on the line. Walker has been in the crosshairs so many times he has to be used to it but pre-race jitters still abound through the premier classes. The preseason appeared to treat everyone well as conversations regarding training and riding in the off season was upbeat as a vast majority did not have to deal with month long bouts with foul weather at home. The biggest issue remains getting the needed aftermarket parts in time to complete builds and get familiar with which can appear to be getting worse every season but it has always been a rush to finish things as even the top tier riders get beat up by the issue, In any event, things may not have been perfect but spirits were high and everyone was stoked about the conditions and that the season was ready to be off and rolling. 

Fowler jumped off to another holeshot and began his 2020 season pretty much where he left off. In control, confidant and putting distance between the hoped dreams everyone behind him in the trash can. I am not sure if he was expecting an issue or a charge from behind to challenge him, he just kept pushing harder and made the win look way to easy. If this is the gamete is bringing to every round, it is going to be a very long season for those racing for second and third. I could leave it at that and I doubt many would argue about it, Fowler is a machine but there is more to the big picture and it could have implications as the rounds start racking up. In last week’s Quick Fill, I failed to mention a rider who could be a threat this season and that is Cole Richardson. It was a pure brain dead moment on my part and not done intentionally. Cole had a solid season in 2019 and appeared to be gaining ground his fellow Yamaha mounted competition. Pre-race chats had me really wondering if Cole could put together a race that would let him podium finish simply due to again, last minute parts availability combined with conditions that basically placed him on the line on a ride that he had no seat time to dial in. Post-race and after securing second , Cole described how he handled the unknown and found a happy rhythm that indeed landed Himont the podium. Now, with near two weeks off to dial-in his machine, I have to wonder if Cole will be the one to force Fowlers hand in 2020.

Rolling upon to the box with third was Jarrod McClure who once again was where he needed to be when the checkered flag came out to put himself the podium once again. Always thought the moniker “Sneaky Snake” was kind of corny but if you pay attention, he indeed is a slippery rascal who has an uncanny way of moving himself up through the ranks of talent to slide right into a top three finish more often than not. Just off the box this round was Chris Borich who had fans excited to see him rollout on a Honda. This is not the first time we’ve seen Borich on red and hopes were high he could come off the line and add some more color to the podium that has been dominated by a sea of blue. Borich would end the day in fourth just missing a podium finish aboard his new ride. Rounding out the top five was Hunter Hart who many feel may be the racer who next moves into the role of keeping Fowler in check. That is a tall pair of boots to wear but Hunter has just about everything he needs in place to be a contender and as he racks umpire experience running at the lead pace, he might just be able to make his mark here in 2020.

That is all from me this week as I try and get chores done before heading back out for the next two rounds. While the weather was prime for racing at round one, it was not conducive to getting photoshoots done so be prepared for me to drag you in the woods for a quick picture two on Friday before round two. Next week we will take peak at what XC2 has to offer and by then we should have a handle on what type of race will be awaiting us in the sand! As always, may the good Lord continue to bless us all! See you soon!

What Happened at Big Buck?

So what went down at round one? Walker Fowler and Kailub Russell both picked up where they left off by winning the ATV and Motorcycle Pro races on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Cole Richardson and Jarrod McClure rounded out the podium and it seems like it is going to be a great year of racing on the ATV side! Chris Borich debuted on his Phoenix Honda Racing machine, and we don't think it will take him too long to get back to the front and battle for a win.

Drew Landers earned the XC2 Pro-Am class win, with Austin Abney and Jordan Poplaskie rounding out the top three. Abney is looking to race the whole series this year, and has been a favorite before. However, Landers is definitely setting himself up for a great season by taking the round one win.

On the bike side, Ricky Russell looked great on his Coastal Racing Husqvarna. Early on it was a Russell vs Russell battle going down, however KR would manage to pull away towards the end of the race. Returning to the podium was Kawasaki's Josh Strang. The season opener was definitely full of its ups and downs.

The Baylor brothers came through on their Sherco motorcycles aboard the newly formed FactoryONE Sherco team to earn a fourth and sixth place finish in their home state of South Carolina.

Definitely a bummer on the year is that Thad Duvall injured his knee, and will need surgery to repair his ACL, meanwhile his teammate Trevor Bollinger was unable to start the season due to a knee injury sustained at round one of the National Enduro series. 

Ben Kelley came into the season with a slightly injured shoulder to see how he could hold up for an entire race. Unfortunately Kelley would pull off early and recently underwent surgery to repair his shoulder. 

So, what else can we expect this season? MORE GREAT RACING. 

That is what we can expect.