Mullins Leads a Stacked Field Going into Round Two of GNCC
Washington, Ga. - Charlie Mullins started off the 2011 season with a bang as he took home the win in a very stacked XC1 class. The deep field of talent in this year's pro class makes for an unpredictable 13-round series.
KTM Factory WORCS rider Mike Brown made a guest appearance to the GNCC series, leading for most of the race after taking it away from defending champion Josh Strang on the second lap. The Makita Suzuki rider went down pretty hard following the halfway point, losing time after having to straighten his bike out. Strang went on to finish fourth behind Factory American Beta rider Chris Bach.
Steward Baylor Jr. won the XC2 class.Bach had some troubles of his own after tipping over in the first corner due to another rider bumping into him. But that didn't stop him from charging hard as he made his way back to the front of the pack. Factory KTM-backed Mullins conserved his energy throughout the race, leaving just enough to reel in the front-runners at the end of the race.
Brownie kept a steady pace throughout the moto, but Mullins seemed to have just a little bit more as he powered through the mud section to capture the lead on the last lap. Mullins held on for the first win of the 2011 season.
The second round of GNCC racing heads to the Maxxis General at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga. this weekend, March 12-13. The field evens back out this weekend as it is a new course with completely different terrain. Instead of the whooped-out, rough sand track the riders so gruelingly experienced last week, the red clay-based General will be slated with thick woods, creek crossings and tight pine sections.
With 12 rounds left in the GNCC series, there is no telling how it will pan out. The only thing for sure is that many of these guys have the potential to take home a win.
The Maxxis General will begin on Saturday, March 12 with ATV and UTV racing- bikes will race on Sunday. Local riders are invited to race the event, as GNCC racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and youth entry fee is $25. Riders can sign up at the track.
Mullins heads into round two as the points leaderSpectator passes run $15 for a weekend pass. Children five and under are admitted free. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m. On Saturday only, UTVs will race at 4:30 p.m.
To get to the track, take Hwy 223 until it dead-ends with Hwy 78 (roughly 12-15 miles). Turn right on Hwy 78. The General is 2.5 miles down on your right (look for the big Aonia Pass Motoplex sign).
For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.
About GNCC Racing:
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, 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 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from 10 to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
