Cycra and Browning Team Up for GNCC
July 13, 2011, 3:30pm
This past weekend, the Grand National Cross Country Series welcomed multi time Pit Bike Champion and AMA Pro Motocross Racer Willy Browning to contest the 9th round of the Series. The 100+ degree heat index and previous week’s rain would pose additional challenges above and beyond the norm; however, Cycra had a KTM 450 ready for battle. Browning would not be discouraged by his limited experience racing the Cross Country format but was confident his long Motocross background would give him the edge he needed to compete in the Premier XC1 Class. The dead engine start alone would be an all-new challenge.
When the green flag flew the XC1 Class launched from the line and the #156 KTM found himself midpack. Willy found his pace on lap one and was racing for a top 10 position. At the beginning of lap 2 Browning was introduced to a tight single track Pro section that would prove more challenging. When he stopped at the end of lap 2 for a scheduled gas stop he commented, “the John Penton Pro Section is NO JOKE!” As the laps wore on, smart line choices and good hydration were key in finishing the eventual 5 lap race. In the final lap, a downed rider at a tough uphill would prolong his lap time but not deny Browning from taking the checkered flag and a 12th place finish in the XC1 Class.
Willy commented, “this GNCC may have been one of the biggest challenges I have faced in racing – when are we going to do another?”
We would like to thank everyone that has made this adventure possible:
Cycra Racing, Fox Racing Shocks, Motorex, Dunlop, Sunstar, Motion Pro, Rekluse, FMF, StraitShot Air Filters, DP Brakes, One Industries, Von Zipper, Six Six One and Dirt Rider Magazine
When the green flag flew the XC1 Class launched from the line and the #156 KTM found himself midpack. Willy found his pace on lap one and was racing for a top 10 position. At the beginning of lap 2 Browning was introduced to a tight single track Pro section that would prove more challenging. When he stopped at the end of lap 2 for a scheduled gas stop he commented, “the John Penton Pro Section is NO JOKE!” As the laps wore on, smart line choices and good hydration were key in finishing the eventual 5 lap race. In the final lap, a downed rider at a tough uphill would prolong his lap time but not deny Browning from taking the checkered flag and a 12th place finish in the XC1 Class.
Willy commented, “this GNCC may have been one of the biggest challenges I have faced in racing – when are we going to do another?”
We would like to thank everyone that has made this adventure possible:
Cycra Racing, Fox Racing Shocks, Motorex, Dunlop, Sunstar, Motion Pro, Rekluse, FMF, StraitShot Air Filters, DP Brakes, One Industries, Von Zipper, Six Six One and Dirt Rider Magazine
