2013 GBC Heartland Challenge ATV Endurance Racing Carlisle, Iowa August 17, 2013

The Harbor Beach, Michigan team from District 14 took second. The racers consisted of Paul Schutte, Jason Booms and Chris Blough. Third place went to Team WEXCR from West Virginia. Dustin Hendershot, Mark Batson and Same Lamp made up the team.

Heartland Challenge Series Class Podium (left to right) Team WCERX (3rd), Team IXCR (1st), Team D 14 (2nd)

The Pro 4x4 Ironman featured the top 4x4 racers in the country and Kevin Trantham raced his Can-Am Outlander to his first Heartland win. Trantham started out the race in a tight battle with Michael Swift. He grabbed a solid lead about four hours into the race and never looked back.

Kevin Trantham took top honors in the Pro 4x4 Class on his Can-Am Outlander Utility ATV at the 2013 Heartland Challenge Endurance Race

“I raced a Can-Am Outlander 500 and it was perfect for the race. The motor was strong and everything went well. I was able to push the entire race and felt really good. The Can-Am handled excellent and I am just really happy to get the win,” regarded Trantham after the race.

Swift took second place in the Pro 4x4 Ironman; Swift went back and forth with Trantham for the first four hours, but became ill and had to pit. Swift was forced to take it easy for the remaining six hours; despite exhaustion and illness he was able to claim second place.

Michael Swift placed 2nd in the 4x4 Pro Class on his Can-Am Renegade ATV

“Everything started out well, but once I got sick I just couldn’t shake it. I really had no energy and was not feeling well at all. I am really happy for Kevin and am glad I managed to get second,” said Swift.

Forrest Whorton rounded out the top three in the class. Six hours into the race he broke his steering stem and after a quick tow and a helpful pit crew was able to get going again. He had dropped from third to fifth during the ordeal, but was able to move back into third and hold it until the finish.

Forrest Whorton rounded out the 4x4 Pro Class podium in third at the 2013 Heartland Challenge 10 hour ATV Endurance Race

“I had a lot of fun. It was worried when the stem broke, but once it was fixed the Can-Am felt brand new again. I felt really good all race and truly enjoyed it,” said Whorton.

Justin Steck took the win in the Ironman class on his Can-Am DS450 ATV	Team Spider Graphix earned the win B Class on their Honda 450R ATV

The sixth GBC Heartland Challenge is the in the books. The race ended with a phenomenal turn out and more racers and spectators than ever before.

We can only expect with huge sponsors such as GBC and LazerStar and some of the fastest off road racers in the world that the Heartland Challenge will only grow. Stay tuned to the Heartland’s website for information concerning next year’s challenge.

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