GNCC Round 11 2016 Race Report

Fowler Wins Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC
Richardson and McClure Round out Overall Podium

Photos by: Ken Hill

MASONTOWN, W.VA. (September 25, 2016) – Overcast skies created perfect race conditions for the fifth annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC, which served as the eleventh round of the 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship. Marvin’s Mountain Top in Masontown, West Virginia was buzzing with excitement as N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Walker Fowler took home his sixth overall win of the season in a dominant fashion.

Brycen Neal was riding in a podium position until facing a mechanical issue.

Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki’s Chris Borich jumped out to the early lead grabbing the $250 Wiseco Holeshot Award, but Borich quickly found company with Show Hauler/Canyon Motorsports/GBC’s Landon Wolfe. While the two lead the way into the woods, it would not take long for Fowler to secure the lead position.

With Fowler’s eyes set on a clear track, Fast Traxx/Wolf Racing’s Brain Wolf was focused on keeping the defending champion at bay. As they checked through timing and scoring for the first time it was Fowler, Wolf and Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis-backed Brycen Neal. Neal made quick work around Wolfe on the second lap. Wolf continued put up a charge, but CST/LSR/Induction Solutions/DeRisi/SG/Tire Blocks’ Adam McGill was also able to slide by Wolf on the second lap.

Cole Richardson scored a much needed podium finish today with second overall.

Walker Fowler’s win extended his points lead to 51 points.

Neal was beginning to close the gap on Fowler once the race reached its halfway point, but still had almost a minute to make up. Meanwhile, N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson was busy pushing his way up through the ranks. After an unfavorable start, Richardson held a podium position once the two-lap card came out.

“I got off to a ninth place start and was immediately caught up in the dust,” said Richardson. “I fell back a little bit, and then realized it was go time. Jarrod and myself hooked up and just kept pushing each other to get around McGill and then try to close the gap on Fowler, and I ended up here on the podium.”

The ever-changing track conditions provided an opportunity for certain riders to show off their vast skillset. McClure was able to quickly adapt to the track, while keeping Richardson in view. “The dust definitely made it interesting today,” said McClure. “We just had to ride hard and smart because the track was constantly changing and the rocks were getting more exposed. It just kept everyone on their toes.”

With only two laps remaining misfortune struck Neal ultimately taking him out of the race. Fowler continued his charge while Richardson and McClure settled into second and third. Placements stayed much the same as the white flag came out and then the checkered. Fowler, Richardson and McClure made up the overall podium once the two-hour race was complete.

“I’ve learned from the best to become a smooth and consistent rider, and now I’m finally putting it to use,” said Fowler. “I don’t ride in the rocks much and I always forget just how tough this race is. I honestly think if it would rain here that this race would be just as tough as the Snowshoe GNCC.”

After a rough opening lap, Pierce Performance’s Cody Collier stayed focused to earn his second XC2 Pro-Am win of the season. JMR/ATVriders.com/DWT’s Randy Hamilton used his $100 All Balls Racing Holeshot to his advantage to finish on the podium in second, and ITP/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Walsh Racecraft’s rounded out the XC2 Pro-Am podium. Wes Kinsley and Kenny Shick followed in fourth and fifth.

Overall Podium: (2) Cole Richardson, (1) Walker Fowler, (3) Jarrod McClure

Devon Feehan took home top amateur honors with his eighth place overall finish and College A (16-21) class win. Tanner Walker and Steven Covert followed in second and third on the amateur overall podium in the 1 p.m. Pro race.

The 10 a.m. overall podium consisted of the Can-Am/DWT/Houser Racing/Elka Suspension/HMF’s Cody Miller who claimed the overall and 4×4 Pro class win. Schoolboy Sr. (14-17) competitors, Pierce Performance/Maxxis/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing’s John Glauda Jr. and Yamaha rider Ronnie Rusch rounded out the overall podium in second and third. Glauda also earned the $125 GT Thunder Overall Amateur Award with his impressive overall finish. Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Spider Graphix/Gold Speed’s Kevin Cunningham and Can-Am/QuadBoss-backed Bryan Buckhannon filled the rest of the 4×4 Pro podium.

XC2 Pro-Am Podium: (2) Randy Hamilton, (1) Cody Collier, (3) Westley Wolfe.

Yamaha/Maxxis/Fly Racing’s Traci Pickens took home her sixth WXC victory of the season, while Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Maxxis/Fox Shocks-backed Alicia McCormick claimed second. This finish was good enough to vault Alicia to the top of the points championship where she was bestowed the 2016 WXC National Championship. Pennsylvania native Angel Knox was awarded the bronze medal.

(Insert picture of WXC Podium)

Alicia McCormick wrapped up the WXC championship with her second place finish.

The ATV Youth overall win was down to the wire with Mikey Nickels coming out on top by a mere second. Colton Stoneking followed in second, and Dylan Walraven grabbed the third place position.

The 1 p.m. ATV Pro race was broadcast LIVE in its entirety on RacerTV.com and can be viewed as archived video online by visiting the GNCC LIVE page.

The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series continues next weekend, October 1 and 2, with the Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.comor call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCCLIVE.

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Mountaineer Run GNCC
Masontown, West Virginia
Round 11 of 13
Saturday, September 24

XC1 Pro Event Results:

Walker Fowler (YAM)
Cole Richardson (YAM)
Jarrod McClure (HON)
Adam McGill (HON)
Chris Borich (SUZ)
Josh Merritt (YAM)
Landon Wolfe (HON)
Brian Wolf (HON)
Jay Shadron (YAM)
Johnny Gallagher (YAM)

*Overall National Championship Standings:

Walker Fowler (301)
Adam McGill (250)
Chris Borich (223)
Brycen Neal (197)
Cole Richardson (169)
Jarrod McClure (166)
Landon Wolfe (134)
Greg Covert (112)
Josh Merritt (107)
Marty Christofferson (100)

*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.

XC2 Pro-Am Event Results:

Cody Collier (YAM)
Randy Hamilton (HON)
Westley Wolfe (SUZ)
Wes Kinsley (SUZ)
Kenny Shick (YAM)
Marty Christofferson (HON)
Levi Coen (HON)
Dwight Pollard (HON)
Danny Rodgers (YAM)
Billy Dalton (HON)

XC2 Pro-Am Series Points Standings:

Greg Covert (249)
Marty Christofferson (228)
Westley Wolfe (217)
Randy Hamilton (189)
Cody Collier (182)
Matthew Lindle (147)
Bryson Hoppes (133)
Kevin Yoho (124)
James Green (123)
Levi Coen (102)

About GNCC Racing

The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis 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 2,000 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., 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.

Tags: 2016, atv racing, cross country, gncc, race report, Racing, round 11