Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha Team Returns To GNCC Action In W.Va
September 17, 2008, 12:30pm
CORONA, Calif., (Sept. 16, 2008) - Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha racers had a couple months here during the dog days of summer to heal up and get fired up about returing to race the 2008 Can Am Grand National Cross Country Series, aka the GNCCs, following the series' traditional summer break. And they came back hot, recording yet another podium finish in the popular cross country style form of motorcycle racing on the east coast.
Returning to action at Snowshoe Ski Resort in Snowshoe, W.Va., the four Yamaha-mounted Monster Energy crew - under the tutelage of off road racing great Fred Andrews - were led by a 3rd place podium XC2 class finish from team newcomer Jason Thomas.
"I started the race out with a crash and that made me mad," said Thomas. "So I charged all day. My Monster/Andrews/Yamaha worked awesome in the rocky and hilly track, that also had a few mud bogs in it."
When the flag dropped on XC2 class opener the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team blasted out with everyone on the team - Dustin Gibson, Josh Weisenfels, Dave Snyder and Thomas - all located within the top ten. When Thomas went down, Gibson had also dropped off the pace after getting stuck on one of the many hills. But worse than that, Weisenfels would go down on lap one and injured his shoulder. He then recorded a highly rare (for him) DNF when he retired on lap two.
"Josh is a tough customer and you've gotta believe he was hurting pretty bad when he pulled off," said Andrews. "He'll get the shoulder looked at and hopefully, with two weeks before our next GNCC, he'll be ready to go."
By the first gas stop Thomas had come charging back through the pack from outside the top ten (after his lap one wreck) to 6th place overall. Gibson had moved up to 9th place, but his day ended when a rock knocked out a hole in the ignition cover.
Running hard with two laps remaining, Thomas had caught up closer to the lead pack - passing for a top five position. Still wanting more, he rallied on the next lap and picked up two more spots to put himself onto the podium! Snyder would pick up the last top ten spot for Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha with a 10th overall.
On the season XC2 class standings Gibson remained in 2nd place in the XC2 standings while Weisenfels is in 5th.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team is the Sept. 28th GNCC at Unadilla Valley Sports Center, New Berlin, N.Y.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it GNCCs, EnduroCross, MTB, off road, MX, supermoto, FMX, skate, off road, surf, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo- Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "M-80" and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Fred Andrews and his boyz dig 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at monsterenergy.com.
Returning to action at Snowshoe Ski Resort in Snowshoe, W.Va., the four Yamaha-mounted Monster Energy crew - under the tutelage of off road racing great Fred Andrews - were led by a 3rd place podium XC2 class finish from team newcomer Jason Thomas.
"I started the race out with a crash and that made me mad," said Thomas. "So I charged all day. My Monster/Andrews/Yamaha worked awesome in the rocky and hilly track, that also had a few mud bogs in it."
When the flag dropped on XC2 class opener the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team blasted out with everyone on the team - Dustin Gibson, Josh Weisenfels, Dave Snyder and Thomas - all located within the top ten. When Thomas went down, Gibson had also dropped off the pace after getting stuck on one of the many hills. But worse than that, Weisenfels would go down on lap one and injured his shoulder. He then recorded a highly rare (for him) DNF when he retired on lap two.
"Josh is a tough customer and you've gotta believe he was hurting pretty bad when he pulled off," said Andrews. "He'll get the shoulder looked at and hopefully, with two weeks before our next GNCC, he'll be ready to go."
By the first gas stop Thomas had come charging back through the pack from outside the top ten (after his lap one wreck) to 6th place overall. Gibson had moved up to 9th place, but his day ended when a rock knocked out a hole in the ignition cover.
Running hard with two laps remaining, Thomas had caught up closer to the lead pack - passing for a top five position. Still wanting more, he rallied on the next lap and picked up two more spots to put himself onto the podium! Snyder would pick up the last top ten spot for Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha with a 10th overall.
On the season XC2 class standings Gibson remained in 2nd place in the XC2 standings while Weisenfels is in 5th.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team is the Sept. 28th GNCC at Unadilla Valley Sports Center, New Berlin, N.Y.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it GNCCs, EnduroCross, MTB, off road, MX, supermoto, FMX, skate, off road, surf, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo- Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "M-80" and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Fred Andrews and his boyz dig 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at monsterenergy.com.
