2006 GNCC Racing Series
Resumes with Title on the Line
Round 10 - Yadkinville, North Carolina
Yadkinville, NC (9/8/2006) -
Finnish 10-Time World Enduro Champion Juha Salminen
has the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series Championship
in sight at this weekend’s Yadkin Valley Stomp
GNCC in Yadkinville, NC. But as the series resumes from
its annual summer break, Salminen sees the competition
heating up. Am Pro Yamaha’s Barry Hawk won the
previous GNCC event at the Wisp, and he’s looking
to repeat as last year’s winner at the Stomp.
“I feel good,” said Hawk after a practice
session at his home test track. “After Wisp, I
didn’t want to change anything because it’s
all working, but at the same time, you’re always
looking for ways to get that little edge. Juha is a
great rider, and it’s great to be able to run
with him.”
Salminen has built a huge series’ points lead
from his early-season dominance. He won the first six
races of the year, but he’s faced stiff competition
from Hawk and his young rookie teammate Charlie Mullins
over the last few races. After four spectacular battles
between the three, Hawk emerged with two wins. But the
damage is done in the standings, as the factory KTM-mounted
Salminen needs a win and Hawk to finish third or worse
this weekend to lock up his second-straight GNCC Title.
Several spoilers will be in contention as well during
Sunday afternoon’s pro race. FMF/Suzuki’s
five-time GNCC Champion Rodney Smith is back in the
hunt after a series of injuries, and he’s looking
to end his final full season of racing on a high note.
His teammate Glenn Kearney was strong early in the season
but has struggled as of late. He needs a podium to rebuild
his confidence. Like Smith, the career is winding down
for Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Fred Andrews,
and “Fast” Freddy has upped his summer training
program in the hopes of a few more strong finishes.
Other contenders include 2000 GNCC Champion Shane Watts,
New Zealand’s Honda threat Paul Whibley, Suzuki’s
Jimmy Jarrett, and newcomers Nathan Kanney and Justin
Williamson.
The riders will compete on a custom-built woods course
featuring rocks, mud, hills and trails. Last year marked
the first-ever running of the Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC,
and the course quickly garnered a tough reputation due
to its deep water crossing, where fans gathered on the
banks to cheer the riders on.
The race also features a full schedule of ATV racing
on Saturday. Yamaha’s Bill Ballance wants to collect
his record-tying seventh GNCC ATV title, but the Kentucky
rider is locked in a battle with Sunbury, PA’s
Chris Borich. It’s still anyone’s championship
in the battle between the Killer B’s. Veteran
favorite William Yokley is a threat every weekend on
his Yoshimura/Monster Suzuki, plus, a host of young
riders are staking their claim to victory lane, including
Chris Jenks, Chris Bithell and Adam McGill.
The Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC begins Saturday, September
9, with four-wheeled ATV racing. Pro racing begins at
1 p.m. Bikes race on Sunday, with the pro race beginning
at 1 p.m. Weekend passes run $12 and children six and
under are free. All passes include pro pit admission
and autographs.
Take I-77 to Exit 73A to Highway 421 South. Go 10
miles to Exit 256, Unifi Industrial Road. Turn left,
go 1.2 miles to end of road. Turn right on old Rte.
421. Go 2/10 mile, turn left on Myers Rd. Go 1 mile,
race track is on left.
About
Suzuki GNCC Racing Series:
The
AMA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country
series is America's premier off-road racing series.
The 13-round series is produced exclusively by
Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one
of the most physically demanding sports in the
world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead
as many as 1800 riders through tracks ranging
from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied
terrain including hills, trees, mud, dirt, rocks
and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests
of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors
include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli,
Wiseco, Klotz, FMF and ITP, and riders compete
for over $2.8 million in series prizes and contingency
money. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility
Division, Scott, Acerbis, Alpinestars, Cometic,
Outerwears, Twin Air, Polisport Plastics, Thor,
Motion Pro, Hyper Wheels, Elka Suspension, MotoTee's,
Weekend Warrior, Owens Motorsports, Tom's Marina
Polaris, EK Chain and Laeger's. Media Sponsors
include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine,
www.ATVRiders.com
and Racer X Illustrated. For more information
log on to www.GNCCRacing.com.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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