AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell Set to Compete in Japan National Cross Country Season Finale
The following press release is from GNCC Racing:
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Racer Productions, producer of the Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship, is excited to announce that Eight-Time GNCC Champion, AmPro Yamaha’s Kailub Russell set to compete on Sunday, November 2, at the Japan National Cross Country (JNCC) AAGP Sand Valley Hakkenden in Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the AAGP, which began as a standalone event prior to the creation of the JNCC series; much like the Blackwater 100 marked GNCC’s beginnings. From the GNCC Racing staff, Race Operations Manager Jared Bolton will escort Russell and the AmPro Yamaha team to Japan. Russell will race in the AA1 class in their PM race, while AmPro Team Manager Randy Hawkins will race in the Fun A class in their AM race. Randy’s son, Mitch Hawkins will race in the B class in the PM race, while Kailub’s son, Krue Russell will race on a YZ85 in their morning race.
Russell returns to Japan after having the opportunity to go back in 2009, and continue the tradition of attending the international event with fellow GNCC racers such as Paul Whibley, Robbie Jenks (2006), Jason Raines, Charlie Mullins and Rodney Smith (2007), Nate Kanney and Thad Duvall (2008), Josh Strang and Kailub Russell (2009), Cory Buttrick (2010), Jesse Robinson and Jason Thomas (2011), Rory Mead, Josh Strang (2013), Jordan Ashburn (2014), Chris Bach (2015), Trevor Bollinger (2016), Ricky Russell (2017), Craig Delong (2018), Andrew Delong (2019); and most recently, Steward Baylor (2023), Nick DeFeo (2024) and Mike Witkowski (2024) in being selected to represent GNCC Racing in Japan.
![Krue Russell will take part in the JNCC Racing aboard a YZ85.]()
Krue Russell will take part in the JNCC Racing aboard a YZ85. Mack Faint ![Randy Hawkins and his son, Mitch Hawkins, will both race this year in Japan.]()
Randy Hawkins and his son, Mitch Hawkins, will both race this year in Japan. JNCC
It is a tradition for JNCC President Masami Hoshino to invite GNCC riders to the season finale in exchange for Japanese riders that will compete in a single round of the GNCC series. Earlier this year, Kazuto Yano traveled to West Virginia and raced at the Snowshoe GNCC in June. Yano would race in the XC1 Open Pro class and finish 11th atop the mountain. Yoshihiro Iwai traveled over as well and raced in the Sportsman B (30+) class finishing 12th in the class.
A continued special thank you goes out to Yoshi Kawana for continuing to help the GNCC Racing Nation when they attend the JNCC race as he serves as their tour guide throughout the trip.
Find JNCC on Facebook, and be sure to look for updates on our GNCC Social Media channels starting tomorrow, October 30 through Monday, November 3, 2025.
For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on X (formerly "Twitter") and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.
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