2015 GNCC Racing Series Round #1 - Wild Boar Palatka, FL March 7, 2015

UXC Racing’s Michael Swift spent much of last season getting his Polaris Scrambler XP 850 dialed in, but this season, everything seems to have come together for him as he charged his way into an early lead in the 4x4 Pro class and the overall lead. Swift’s lead would not last however, and after getting stuck in lap traffic, he dropped back. Swift charged hard and was able to stay in second place but ran out of time before he could close the gap on his teammate Kevin Trantham and claimed a respectable second place finish.

UXC Racing's Michael Swift finished an impressive 2nd Place at the Wild Boar GNCC season opener

“We had a good day and did exactly what we wanted to do; put the Polaris’s in one and two on the podium. I loved the track. It was tight and technical, and I was able to just pound through the big whoops. We did a lot of work last year, and we were busting our butts this winter trying to get everything just right. We aren’t there yet, but we are really close,” said Swift.

Defending GNCC 4x4 Pro champion, Can-Am’s Bryan Buckhannon was towards the back of the pack off the start, but quickly worked his way up to second place, but while trying to make a pass on Robert Smith, Buckhannon ran into the trees and fell back. Buckhannon dug deep and was able to work his way back up and claimed a solid third place finish podium.

Kenda's Bryan Buckhannon charged his way to the final spot on the GNCC Racing Podium

“I fell back a bit off the start and worked my way up to second and when I went for the pass, the trail narrowed and I ended up in the trees. It took me a bit to get out so I had to work through traffic again, but I managed to get into third. It was a rough course, but my Can-Am worked great out there. It was a good weekend even though I didn’t get the win this time, but I hope that’s going to change for Georgia,” said Buckhannon.

Can-Am mounted Jordan Phillips had a good run for the season opener. Phillips was in sixth going into the woods and worked up to second during the second lap, but he fell back and claimed a fourth place finish. “I was in about sixth going into the woods and I caught Michael swift in the second lap, but a couple of guys got around me and I just rode I fourth for the rest of the race. I’m glad I was able to finish in the top five. The track was really rough out there but my Can-Am handled it awesome so now I am really looking forward to Georgia,” said Phillips.

Can-Am's Jordan Phillips finished 4th in the Pro 4x4 ATV Class

Can-Am’s Zac Zakowski missed most of the 2014 season due to having surgery, but he was looking strong for the opening round of 2015. Zakowski was just outside of the top five off the start but he pushed hard and worked into the number five spot and rounded out the top five in his class and overall. “I had almost a two year hiatus, so it felt really good to be back out there. I got a little pumped up at first, but then I settled down and the last two laps, I know I was able to go pretty fast. I have been training with Adam McGill so that has helped out a lot, and I am looking forward to getting better results,” said Zakowski.

Zac Zakowski rounded out the GNCC Racing Morning Top 5

BNR / Can-Am’s Robert Smith had a great start and was leading the pack in the first lap. Smith eventually fell back and settled in for a sixth place finish. “I got a little too excited and tensed up out there in front and I got pumped up so I fell back. It was a rough track out there but I was able to find a good groove and finished in sixth,” said Smith.

Can-Am's Robert Smith kicked off the year with a 6th place finish