GNCC Round 2 GBC Tires Race Report
#30 Thomas Koontz at the start of the race.
Anaheim, Calif. – March 17, 2016 – With only a week to regroup and prepare for Round 2 of the GNCC series at the all-new Cannonball facility in Sparta, Georgia, GBC Motorsports racers were ready to put their best foot forward in the intense racing action. The unique mix of Georgia red clay and dark sand meant traction would be the key to getting to the front as races began.
Jordan Phillips used the grip of his GBC Dirt Commanders to get off the starting line quickly in the ultra-competitive 4×4 Pro class. Battling up front all day long, Phillips was able to secure a 5th place finish at the checkers.
The 4×4 A/B class was once again won by Ronald Varndell with fellow GBC rider Spencer Modlin finishing a close 2nd.
Terry Whitesides also added to the podium tally with an impressive 2nd place in the 4×4 Senior class. Justin Wood joined Terry on the podium with a 3rd place class finish.
Kara Merritt avenged her bad luck from Round 1 in Florida by charging to a 4th place finish in the WXC class, missing the podium by less than a second. Richard Taylor made it two consecutive wins to start off the 2016 season in the Masters class with a dominating performance in his home state.
Richard Taylor won his second straight Masters race.
When the afternoon pro race got underway, it was evident that the brutally rough track conditions would be the story of the day. Newly added to the GBC team for 2016, XC1 star Landon Wolfe was quick off the line and nearly grabbed the holeshot award. Wolfe continued to run the pace of the top group for much of the two hour event, and when the checkered flag flew Landon finished a solid 8th place. We expect him to be a rider to watch this season! Johnny Gallagher made it two GBC riders in the top 10 with a 10th place finish.
Marty Christofferson was the class of the field in the XC2 Pro-Am division, taking the top spot on the podium as well as an impressive 9th place Overall. Cam Bruce had a stellar day as well, finishing 5th in the XC2 class and earning a career best 17th Overall.
Marty Christofferson topped the XC2 Pro-Am division.
Thomas Koontz and Jeff Pickens were once again at the top of the Vet A field, this time swapping positions with Koontz taking the wine and Pickens following in 2nd place. It will be exciting to watch these two battle throughout the year and see them consistently work up top 20 Overall performances.
The Junior A class always provides exciting action and this week it was Nick Mastrangelo leading the way for GBC with his 3rd place finish, followed closely by Nathan Hornacek in 4th. Cory Blinkiewicz made his return to racing action and placed a solid 4th in the Vet B ranks, while Morgan Flannery put together a 3rd place performance in the College B class.
Koontz ended up winning the Vet A class.
One of the best stories of the week has to be that of Lane Coile, who traveled to Sparta fresh off his +40 class championship win at the Daytona ATV Supercross. He earned a hard fought 5th place in the Senior A/B class.
The next round of racing action is April 2-3 at the always popular Steel Creek GNCC in Morganton, NC. Learn more about the full line of ATV and SXS tires at www.GBCMotorsports.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates.
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