GNCC Round 2 Race Report
Fowler Builds Momentum After Capturing the Overall Win
at the Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Christofferson Finishes First in XC2 Pro-Am
Photos by: Ken Hill
Adam McGill got off the line first earning the Wiseco Holeshot Award.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va (March 13, 2016) – The second round of the 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, took place March 12, at the Hill Family Farm in Sparta, Georgia. The brand-new Maxxis Cannonball GNCC provided plenty of racing action with N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Walker Fowler eventually taking home the inaugural win.
As the green flag dropped it was CST/LSR/Induction Solutions/DeRisi/SG/Tire Blocks’ Adam McGill who jumped out to the early lead claiming the $250 Wiseco Holeshot Award. McGill was able to escape the pileup behind him that involved Coastal Racing/MSR/Maxxis’ Brycen Neal and BNR/Moose Racing/Maxxis-backed Josh Merritt.
It would not take long for Fowler to make his way to the front of the pack, but Maxxis/Fly Racing/HMF/Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Suzuki’s Chris Borich was right behind him. The two battled and passed the first place position to each other a couple of times, but eventually Fowler was able to see a clear trail pulling away in the last half-mile of the race.
Meanwhile, Neal was putting his training to use by pushing through the pack. After starting next to last, Neal spent the majority of the race battling with N-Fab/Maxxis/AmPro Yamaha/Lonestar/MXP’s Cole Richardson and McGill.
“I’m very happy and proud to be back on the box,” said Neal. “This podium finish means a lot especially after getting tangled up on the start and coming back to fight through a tough pack.”
Walker Fowler earned his second win of the season this weekend.
Once the white flag was out there was a drag race until the end. Borich pushed until the very end to pass Fowler, but just could not take the lead. Fowler would eventually cross the finish line followed by Borich and Neal.
“I never start the year off real well, and that’s not to say it can’t go downhill, but it feels great to have two wins in two races,” said Fowler. “I just want to dedicate the win to my sister as she’s not feeling well, but will be on the road to recovery soon.”‘
McGill would finish the race with a solid fourth overall followed by JMR/ATVriders.com’s Jarrod McClure in fifth, Precision/Axis/Maxxis’ Jay Shadron in sixth and Merritt finished a remarkable seventh after his last place start. Show Hauler/Canyon Motorsports/GBC-backed Landon Wolfe placed eighth, Richardson in ninth and GBC/HMF/FLY Racing/Yamaha’s Johnny Gallagher rounded out the top 10 in the XC1 Pro class.
Martin Christofferson (center) found his way to the center of the podium.
In the XC2 Pro-Am division, New Jersey native Randy Hamilton grabbed the $100 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award, but in the end it was Dillinger’s Celtic Pub & Eatery/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing’s Mary Christofferson who found his way back to the podium with the win after a not so favorable season opener. Christofferson was followed by XC2 Pro-Am rookie and Hygear Suspension/Waynesburg Yamaha/FLY Racing/Moto-Xperts/Spider Graphix’s Greg Covert placed second followed by Pierce Performance/Waynesburg Yamaha/Greg’s ATV’s Bryson Hoppes.
“I saved myself in Florida,” said Christofferson. “I just felt a lot better today and the terrain here fits my style a little better. I loved the new track and felt like it put everyone on an equal playing field.”
The 10 a.m. race was one to go in the record books with Missouri’s Bryan Hulsey taking home the overall win along with $125 GT Thunder ATV Amateur Overall Award. The Super Senior (45+) competitor proved that he has what it takes to contend with the top amateurs. He was followed by 4×4 Pro class winner and Team UXC’s Racing’s Kevin Trantham who took second overall followed by Cunningham Racing/Can-Am/Spider Graphix/Gold Speed-backed Kevin Cunningham. Texas native Cody Miller placed fourth overall, but third in the 4×4 Pro class.
Bryan Hulsey (center) took home the win in the 10 a.m. race, followed by Kevin Trantham (left) and Kevin Cunningham (right).
The WXC division took to the Georgia woods with speed, but at the end of the two-hour race it was Pennsylvania’s Traci Pickens, Ye Olde Cycle Barn/Maxxis/Fox Shocks’ Alicia McCormick and Houser Racing/Maxxis/Ye Olde Cycle Barn’s Kara Frederick on the podium.
Georgia native Dylan Walraven made it two-in-a-row in the 8 a.m. youth race, but he had some stiff competition right behind him with the Yamaha rider of Mikey Nickels. After finishing 34th overall last weekend, Bailey Morgerson had a standout performance where he rounded out the podium.
Walker Fowler, Chris Borich and Brycen Neal rounded out the the XC1 and ATV overall podium.
For more information on the 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.
Maxxis Cannonball GNCC
Sparta, Georgia
Round 2 of 13
Saturday, March 12
XC1 Pro Event Results:
- Walker Fowler (YAM)
- Chris Borich (SUZ)
- Brycen Neal (YAM)
- Adam McGill (HON)
- Jarrod McClure (HON)
- Jay Shadron (YAM)
- Josh Merritt (YAM)
- Landon Wolfe (HON)
- Cole Richardson (YAM)
- Johnny Gallagher (YAM)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
- Walker Fowler (60)
- Brycen Neal (46)
- Chris Borich (46)
- Adam McGill (34)
- Jarrod McClure (34)
- Josh Merritt (29)
- Greg Covert (25)
- Landon Wolfe (24)
- Cole Richardson (22)
- Johnny Gallagher (22)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Pro-Am Event Results:
- Marty Christofferson (HON)
- Greg Covert (YAM)
- Bryson Hoppes (YAM)
- Randy Hamilton (HON)
- Cameron Bruce (YAM)
- Matthew Lindle (HON)
- Ryland Johnson (HON)
- Braden Nichols (HON)
- James Green (HON)
- Levi Coen (HON)
XC2 Pro-Am Series Standings:
- Marty Christofferson (47)
- Greg Covert (45)
- Matthew Lindle (33)
- Bryson Hoppes (31)
- Randy Hamilton (29)
- Michael Lancaster (26)
- Rylan Johnson (26)
- James Green (25)
- Cody Collier (22)
- Westley Wolfe (21)
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.
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