Saturday ATV

Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Brycen Neal triumphed in a dramatic win at the Dunlop Buckwheat 100 round, outriding the competition and crossing the finish line just seconds ahead of the rest of the field—ultimately extending his commanding lead in the overall points standings for the National Championship. His performance not only underlined his consistency and poise under pressure but also solidified his standing at the front of the championship chase.

In the XC2 Pro-Am class, Andrew Banovsky would grab another BNR Motorsports $100 XC2 Holeshot Award, but it wouldn’t take long for the battles to heat up as BNR Motorsports/Pierce Performance/GBC Tire’s Alex Thieman would make his way into the lead on the second lap. Duroy Motosport/Varin Yamaha/Teixeira Tech’s Danick Paquin and CST Tires/LMR Motors/Elka/Fly Racing’s Braxton Grosse showed true determination after tough starts left them buried in the pack early on. Refusing to give in, both riders steadily worked their way through the field, navigating the demanding course with grit and precision. Paquin’s relentless charge carried him into an impressive second-place finish, while Grosse matched the effort with his own late push to secure third.

After four grueling laps in the AM ATV race and two hours of intense racing, it would be Bryce Pullen coming through in the physical lead to take the overall race win, while also earning the 250 All-Star class win for the weekend. Kenda/KMK/Ryco Electric’s Cody Collier would battle through to take second overall, and first in the 4x4 Pro class after grabbing the BNR Motorsports $100 4x4 Pro Holeshot Award and leading the class for the duration of the race. Pro Row 784/TMS/Edgewood’s Brandon Frazier would try to apply the pressure to Collier, but would be unable to make a pass, crossing the finish line 2.1 seconds behind him to earn third overall and second in 4x4 Pro. KMK Off-Road/OBOR/FXR’s Kaden Wharff  would come through to round out the top three in the 4x4 Pro class after a consistent race for himself.

When the WXC racers took off the line it was JMR/Action Off-Road/GBC/Moose Racing’s Katelyn Osburn earning herself the BNR Motorsports $100 WXC Holeshot Award to start the day. However,  Osburn Off-Road/Pierce Performance/Moose Racing’s Chloe Harper, Osburn Off-Road/Fearless/Kenda’s Hannah Hunter and Elioff Racing/BNR Motorsports/GBC Tire’s Jessica Elioff WXC would battle through tough, muddy conditions to sweep the podium in impressive fashion. Harper powered her way to first place, charging ahead with determination despite the slippery terrain. Hunter stayed close behind, showing grit and control to secure a strong second-place finish. Elioff rounded out the top three, pushing through the challenging course to claim third. Together, their performances highlighted not only their speed but also their resilience in the face of a grueling, mud-soaked race.

In the ATV Youth race, it was Bodie Buckhannon battling at the front of the pack for the duration of the day to take home the ATV Youth overall and YXC1 Super Mini Sr (13-15) class win. Landon Glauda would work his way up from a fifth place start on the day to finish second overall and in YXC1. Jacob Smallwood, who would hold the lead on lap one, round finish the day rounding out the top three overall and in the YXC1 class.

Taking to the track first on Saturday was the Micro ATV racers. Racing his way through the rainy conditions was Casen Jennings, who came out and took the Micro ATV overall and MXC1 class win. Audrey Petrilla would come through to finish second overall and in MXC1, while Grady Miller rounded out the overall and MXC1 class podium. In the MXC2 class it was Sage Shields coming through to earn the win followed by Cash Knecht and Justin Collins rounding out the MXC2 class podium.

Sunday Motorcycle

As the green flag flew high in the sky it was FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley blasting off the line earning the $250 Landers KTM XC1 Open Pro Holeshot Award, with FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis hot on his heels earning the $150 Landers KTM XC2 250 Pro Holeshot Award. But as the top 20 riders pushed their way towards the woods, Davis would find himself on the ground scrambling to get back on his bike before the rest of the field got too far away.

Davis would continue to push himself after a crash off the start and would defy all of the expectations by claiming the overall win, his third of the season, as he triumphed against the fastest racers in the world. Davis now sits first in the overall National Championship standings with three rounds remaining.

Flatrock Motorclub GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn delivered a steady performance at the Dunlop Buckwheat 100, riding with consistency from start to finish to secure the XC1 Open Pro class win. While Ashburn managed the demanding conditions with control and pace, Draper continued to fight hard to keep pressure on throughout the grueling three-hour battle. Draper held strong despite the intensity of the race, ultimately crossing the line in second place in class, and third overall on the day.

Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede powered her way to victory at The Dunlop Buckwheat 100 GNCC, showcasing her speed and composure against a strong field. FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Brandy Richards and AmPro Yamaha’s Danielle McDonald pushed her every step of the way, keeping the pressure on throughout the race and making for an exciting battle at the front. Despite their best efforts, Steede held firm and crossed the line first, while Richards and McDonald followed close behind to secure second and third. The podium reflected not only Steede’s determination but also the fierce competition and depth of talent in the WXC ranks.

As the Youth Bike race got underway on Sunday morning, Travis Lentz would grab the early lead in the race as well as in the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. (14-15) class. Lentz would continue to maximize his lead as he pushed himself through the slick morning conditions. Lentz would come through to earn his ninth overall and YXC1 win of the season, strengthening his lead. Cooper Duff would come through second overall and in the YXC1 class, while Phillip Arnold would fight back and finish third overall on the day and first in the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class. Lucas Skelton would round out the top three YXC1 finishers, while Ace Tokar and Gavin Harwell came through second and third in the YXC2 class.

On Saturday in the Micro Bike race, it was Kane Morrison leading the way in the muddy, slick conditions, for all six laps of the race. Morrison would earn his eighth win of the season at The Dunlop Buckwheat 100 GNCC. Krue Russell would battle back from a fourth place start, to finish second overall in the Micro Bike race and in the MXC1 class. Ryder Baricska pushed himself through the conditions to earn third overall, while also taking home the MXC2 class win. Cade Propst raced his way to third in the MXC1 class, while Kash Brummage and Liam Jackson rounded out the MXC2 class top three finishers of the day.

eMTB Racing

On Friday the Specialized eMTB GNCC National Championship would host a round of racing where Cody Pivirotto would battle through to take the XC1 (16+) class win, while Garrett Stout would finish second in the class. Kenny Hawkins would come through to finish third overall and take home the XC3 (40+) class win. Dave Brenneman would finish sixth overall and take the Senior (40+) class win, while Tyler Daniels finished out the day first in the XC2 class. Jon Agin would earn another Masters (55+) class win, while Marty Aloisio took home another Big Bore (200lb+) class win. Nicole Rupert took the Women’s class win, and Suzanne Bishop earned the Women’s (35+) class win in West Virginia. In the Amateur class it was Karder Demidovich coming through first to take the win, and Levi Howard would earn the Youth eMTB class win.

Godspeed, Dave Gunn (DC)

The New England Trail Riders Association (NETRA), as well as GNCC Racing, lost a good friend on Sunday when Dave Gunn passed away while participating in the Ammonoosuc Turkey Run on Sunday's second half of the event. Gunn, who was 60 years old, apparently suffered a heart attack while riding in a fairly easy section of the course. According to his close friend Tommy Norton, who won the Blackwater 100 back in 1990 on a KTM 125, "Dave collapsed after the first hero section on day two. Many riders came to his aid and did their best until Fire Rescue arrived on scene to take over. Thank you to everyone who was involved in trying to save, not only my friend, but a friend to everyone in the New England racing scene."

Gunn hailed from Connecticut and competed in the GNCC Series in the late 1980s and early '90s in the 250 A class and Pro classes. His close friend and fellow racer Patrick Timothy posted this about Gunn: "Hard to put it into words but 35 years of riding and racing together builds a bond that can’t really be described. He was an amazing friend, loyal and dependable, always had your back. I don’t know anyone who enjoyed riding and racing more than he did, just a pure love of the sport. He would ride any weather, any trail, any time for however long you’d keep going. Known for being slightly intense at times, he would always eventually break into that big grin and say something like, 'You wait till next time, I’m gonna hand you yer ass!'  He had a big personality and an incredible sense of humor, many times he had us in tears. So many good times.  It was a hell of a ride brother, it just won’t be the same without you."