As an XC2 racer, standing above your peers
and fans on the podium is an exhilarating experience
and to be one of the top 3 overall was just
icing on the cake! Young Fowler would absorb
the accolades and sounded like a seasoned pro
as he gave thanks to the fans and spectators
who mean so much to the racers.
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Yamaha's Walker Fowler claimed a career
best 3rd overall, which him currently
his him 2nd in points and just 10 points
behind Brian Wolf in the points lead |
Josh Kirkland was once again on the Podium
at Snowsnhoe, but sadly he suffered a
serious spinal injury during the summer
break, but he is as determined as ever
to get back on his feet & we are all
rooting for Josh's recovery |
The Snowshoe race is one of itself and is so
far from the norm of GNCC racing that it almost
takes on a carnival type atmosphere as the event
unfolds under the shadows of the Ski Resorts
lavish surroundings. Looking in reverse at the
day’s activities, you have to start Friday
evening when the main courtyard becomes filled
with racers and fans mingling in such a luxurious
environment. The surrounding mountains seem
to flow forever and the weather has yet to be
anything less then stellar, setting the stage
for a weekend getaway for many. At times you
can sort of forget there is a race being held
there, however that all stops when Saturday
morning arrives and the main road becomes the
starting grid for the rows of racers all ripping
and roaring to get the event started!
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Clifton
Beasley claimed his 1st morning overall
win on his Warnert Racing / Can-Am Renegade
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The morning race would see 12 miles of course
that would see the leaders complete 8 laps in
2 loops of course, a definite change to help alleviate
issues with bottlenecks and such that apparently
did not help. Bottlenecks were rampant and many
complaints of the course not being marked well
lead to more confusion and several "get off's"
when riders hit water breaks that sent them flying
over the bars. In the end, it would be Warnert
Racing's Clifton Beasley standing victorious as
he secured his first overall victory and clinched
the U2 class championship.
Beasley would be followed to the podium by
Traci Cecco who scored her 3rd win of the season
as she regained the points lead and may finally
be where she wants to be with her quad set up.
The big surprise of the morning was when third
place was announced. James Miller would be seated
as the final podium spot was now filled. Miller,
racing out of the Dudding Racing camp and in
place of injured Jerime Dudding, Miller would
put in a great race and seemingly come out of
nowhere to pounce on the podium!
Some movers and shakers left their mark here
at Snowshoe as two names were absent from the
top positions in the venerable Women's class.
Angel Atwell and Kristen Atwell both succumbed
to issues causing some serious time loss and
that was all that was needed for Cheyanne Shadron
to grab herself a solid second place finish
as she made the move from Women's Novice to
the Women's class.
Other winners on the day marked more domination
in the 4x4 classes for Warnert Racing as Bryan
Buckhannon and Michael Swift both claimed class
wins as well as Mike Penland finding conditions
right to get his name in the win column in the
Utility Senior 45+class. The mighty Dave Simmons
would see mechanical failure after another impressive
ride that left him sitting near the end of the
race, allowing the door to swing open for Wayne
Remick as he took the Senior class win.
The youth racing was as solid as ever but one
name would be absent in the win column as Levi
Coen suffered mechanical issues that forced
him out of the race. With Coen out, Moto-Xperts
Marshall Goings would claim the Youth overall
and was joined by Cody Collier and Kirkland
Vest as the podium was set and the grape juice
was about to fly!
The summer break has come and gone in no time,
and the GNCC racing season will resume this
weekend on September 11th at Unadilla in New
Berlin, NY where the points battles will really
heat up as the final few rounds of the 2010
GNCC series commence.
