Mullins Accepts Husqvarna GNCC Ride
May 14, 2009 9:52pm
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - It's not unusual for parents to share in the sporting pursuits of their children, but becoming a factory motorcycle racer at a major event is quite a unique feat... even if your factory contract only lasts for a day. Charles Mullins, Sr., may not be familiar on the GNCC starting line, but the friendly 48-year-old Hamilton, Ohio, resident just happens to be the father of the plenty familiar pro racer Charlie Mullins, Jr. Through his father's guidance and sacrifice, Charlie has excelled at the top ranks of today's off-road racing scene.
The elder Mullins is a lifelong rider who's own father started him out an Indian enduro bike as a youngster. "I was lucky to have a father who shared his love of motorcycles with me and I wanted to do that for my boy, too," he explains. "Charlie Jr., and I have been riding together since he was five, but by 14 he has smoking me. That's when he became interested in becoming a pro. I am extremely proud of his racing, but we still take the time to ride the trails together. That's important to us."
Despite his own racing pedigree, one of the last things the senior Mullins expected was being chosen to be a Husqvarna Guest Factory Rider riding a new Husqvarna TXC450. "Growing up I rode with guys like Scott Summers, but I realized that I'd never be the kind of racer my buddies were. I also didn't have any sponsors so money was tough."
As for his selection as Husqvarna's Guest Factory Rider, Mullins can only guess why he was chosen.
Regardless of what the decision making process was, Mullins is excited and motivated to do his best at GNCC Rd. 7 when he climbs aboard a Wyatt Seals tuned factory 450 Husky. "Being picked to ride is just icing on the cake. Husqvarna builds one hell of a bike so I can't wait to get out there and show my son what I can STILL do on the track. I'm really stoked and I plan to have a great race," exclaims the senior Mullins. "Thank you, Husqvarna!"
NO BONEZ ABOUT IT, HUSKY WINS GNCC
The Titan, GNCC Round 6 - Lafayette, TN
Corey "Bonez" MacDonald came into round 6 of the GNCC series, AKA "The Titan GNCC" with one thing in mind: "Get on the podium!" With five events already behind him this season, and his best finish a 6th place, MacDonald knew that he could do better... so he did.
Making the 17-year-old's victory even sweeter was the fact that he took his win in the nastiest of track conditions - wet and muddy replete with punishing deep root-filled ruts. The type of conditions he described as perfectly suited to his style and level of riding experience.
"I've been riding and racing for 11 years and I love these conditions. Guys are roosting each other everywhere and it's fun," he insists. "Once I got out in front it was smooth sailing from there on."
Even more impressive was MacDonald's margin of victory: more than 3-1/2 minutes ahead of the second place finisher. But he is not surprised considering the expertly tuned Husqvarna TXC450 and advice he received from Husqvarna factory race technician Wyatt Seals.
"The TXC450 is easy to adjust and with the small changes Wyatt made for me, it felt like the bike was custom built at the factory just for me. It was perfect. My only concern was having enough clean goggles to wear."
Of course when you're leading the race by more than three minutes, your goggles tend to stay clean!
BLUEWATER GRAN PRIX
Davis and Burson team up for hot Arizona run
Racing an off-road event through bike-breaking terrain, blinding dust and triple-digit temperatures might sound like a nightmare for some, but it is a day rising stars like Nick Burson dream about. And when the scenario includes sharing seat time with your boss, veteran champ Ty Davis, so much the better.
Last weekend after much training and pre-race prep, Burson and Davis teamed up for the first time to contest a premier desert race staged along the shores of the Colorado River: The Best In The Desert Blue Water Gran Prix. The race course was pure punishment, so the combination of hanging dust and endless rocks certainly took its toll. Extreme daytime temperatures were also an issue for all riders and teams.
"It was extremely hot, close to 109 degrees, so we had to make very sure that we came into the race fully hydrated," reflected Burson. "Our Husky was really strong and Ty and I had studied this course carefully, making sure we knew where to go and when to charge. We made sure everything was race ready. Plus with this being my first time I teaming up with Ty, the pressure was on to keep up my end of the bargain."
As expected they started strong and charged hard aboard their Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna TC450. Unfortunately the top finish they'd planned on was not in the cards. By mid-race they were slowed with an ignition issue (stator) and ended up crossing the finish line in 6th place.
"Looking back on the race now, who knew that out of all the components that can go fail out in the desert, it was the stator," asked Burson. "I've had major flats, broken rims, you name it. Heck, even my seat has come loose, but never a stator. That's something we didn't have any control over."
Despite it all, Burson was pleased for an opportunity to step-up his game.
"Working with Ty was a huge boost of confidence for me," said Burson. "The experience he has and all of his years in the sport will really help me to become an even better rider."
NOTE: The very next day after the Blue Water Gran Prix, Nick Burson returned home to California and rode to victory in AMA District 37 Desert Racing. His next race will be the Dirt Diggers Camp in Red Mountain, CA May 23-24.
KEVIN ROOKSTOOL WORCS SERIES UPDATE
Milford, California at the Honey Lake MX Park
Team Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna rider Kevin Rookstool had a solid 7th place start. He maintained a top-10 pace throughout the first half of the race. However he slipped back slightly during the second half, eventually crossing the line in 16th.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC returned to off-road racing competition in 2008 and during 2009 Husqvarna will expand its professional race team to compete in AMA GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in the premier classes of each series aboard 2009 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC 510, and WR 300 off-road models.
The elder Mullins is a lifelong rider who's own father started him out an Indian enduro bike as a youngster. "I was lucky to have a father who shared his love of motorcycles with me and I wanted to do that for my boy, too," he explains. "Charlie Jr., and I have been riding together since he was five, but by 14 he has smoking me. That's when he became interested in becoming a pro. I am extremely proud of his racing, but we still take the time to ride the trails together. That's important to us."
Despite his own racing pedigree, one of the last things the senior Mullins expected was being chosen to be a Husqvarna Guest Factory Rider riding a new Husqvarna TXC450. "Growing up I rode with guys like Scott Summers, but I realized that I'd never be the kind of racer my buddies were. I also didn't have any sponsors so money was tough."
As for his selection as Husqvarna's Guest Factory Rider, Mullins can only guess why he was chosen.
"I was a good rider back then - not great - so I'm not sure just how I was picked. Perhaps a friend of mine filled out the application in my behalf or maybe the decision had something to do with my son riding for the competition?" Not so according to Husqvarna Sales & Marketing Manager Scot Harden. "Charles is the type of individual who exemplifies good, family-based motorcycling values. He's been involved in our sport throughout his life and he's a parent who has worked hard and sacrificed to help his son pursue his racing dreams," Harden adds. "For us, Charles Mullins, Sr., was an easy choice." |
NO BONEZ ABOUT IT, HUSKY WINS GNCC
The Titan, GNCC Round 6 - Lafayette, TN
Corey "Bonez" MacDonald came into round 6 of the GNCC series, AKA "The Titan GNCC" with one thing in mind: "Get on the podium!" With five events already behind him this season, and his best finish a 6th place, MacDonald knew that he could do better... so he did.
Making the 17-year-old's victory even sweeter was the fact that he took his win in the nastiest of track conditions - wet and muddy replete with punishing deep root-filled ruts. The type of conditions he described as perfectly suited to his style and level of riding experience.
"I've been riding and racing for 11 years and I love these conditions. Guys are roosting each other everywhere and it's fun," he insists. "Once I got out in front it was smooth sailing from there on."
Even more impressive was MacDonald's margin of victory: more than 3-1/2 minutes ahead of the second place finisher. But he is not surprised considering the expertly tuned Husqvarna TXC450 and advice he received from Husqvarna factory race technician Wyatt Seals.
"The TXC450 is easy to adjust and with the small changes Wyatt made for me, it felt like the bike was custom built at the factory just for me. It was perfect. My only concern was having enough clean goggles to wear."
Of course when you're leading the race by more than three minutes, your goggles tend to stay clean!
GLENN KEARNEY GNCC SERIES UPDATE The Titan, GNCC Round 6 - Lafayette, TN |
|||||||
Now with six races of the 2009 season behind him, Husqvarna GNCC pro Glenn Kearney is pleased to report that he's back to 100% health and fully recovered from the broken leg that he suffered just prior to the opening round in Florida. His most recent test was the very wet and wild Rd. 6 battle at The Titan GNCC in Lafayette, TN where Kearney fought endless mud, ruts and roots to post another finish within the top 10 of the very competitive XC1 pro class. "I hate the mud so I probably shouldn't complain about my 8th place finish," admits Kearney, but he is already planning for better. "I am looking forward to putting my Husky WR300 into contention on May 17th at Mountain Ridge in Somerset, PA." |
|||||||
|
BLUEWATER GRAN PRIX
Davis and Burson team up for hot Arizona run
Racing an off-road event through bike-breaking terrain, blinding dust and triple-digit temperatures might sound like a nightmare for some, but it is a day rising stars like Nick Burson dream about. And when the scenario includes sharing seat time with your boss, veteran champ Ty Davis, so much the better.
Last weekend after much training and pre-race prep, Burson and Davis teamed up for the first time to contest a premier desert race staged along the shores of the Colorado River: The Best In The Desert Blue Water Gran Prix. The race course was pure punishment, so the combination of hanging dust and endless rocks certainly took its toll. Extreme daytime temperatures were also an issue for all riders and teams.
"It was extremely hot, close to 109 degrees, so we had to make very sure that we came into the race fully hydrated," reflected Burson. "Our Husky was really strong and Ty and I had studied this course carefully, making sure we knew where to go and when to charge. We made sure everything was race ready. Plus with this being my first time I teaming up with Ty, the pressure was on to keep up my end of the bargain."
As expected they started strong and charged hard aboard their Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna TC450. Unfortunately the top finish they'd planned on was not in the cards. By mid-race they were slowed with an ignition issue (stator) and ended up crossing the finish line in 6th place.
"Looking back on the race now, who knew that out of all the components that can go fail out in the desert, it was the stator," asked Burson. "I've had major flats, broken rims, you name it. Heck, even my seat has come loose, but never a stator. That's something we didn't have any control over."
Despite it all, Burson was pleased for an opportunity to step-up his game.
"Working with Ty was a huge boost of confidence for me," said Burson. "The experience he has and all of his years in the sport will really help me to become an even better rider."
NOTE: The very next day after the Blue Water Gran Prix, Nick Burson returned home to California and rode to victory in AMA District 37 Desert Racing. His next race will be the Dirt Diggers Camp in Red Mountain, CA May 23-24.
|
KEVIN ROOKSTOOL WORCS SERIES UPDATE
Milford, California at the Honey Lake MX Park
Team Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna rider Kevin Rookstool had a solid 7th place start. He maintained a top-10 pace throughout the first half of the race. However he slipped back slightly during the second half, eventually crossing the line in 16th.
Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and numerous motocross and enduro world championships. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987.
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC
Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC is part of BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America is located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. Husqvarna Motorcycles NA, LLC returned to off-road racing competition in 2008 and during 2009 Husqvarna will expand its professional race team to compete in AMA GNCC, Endurocross, National Hare & Hound, the AMA Hare Scrambles Series, and WORCS competition. Husqvarna team riders will compete in the premier classes of each series aboard 2009 Husqvarna TXC 450, TXC 510, and WR 300 off-road models.