Jason Weigandt
by: Jason Weigandt
Wednesday November 25th, 2009
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Welcome to a special Thanksgiving Edition of Quick Fill. We'll keep it short so you folks can get on with your Holiday business, meaning a brief dinner with family followed by a long weekend of Christmas shopping. And we even moved the GNCC banquets back a weekend to accommodate, so just remember that when you're trying to nab that big screen HD TV for like $100 at 5 a.m. on Friday, duking it out with thousands of other at Wal-Mart. You're welcome!

So we'll let you get on with it by posting this early and keeping it short.

First, the final round of the JNCC Series went off last weekend at (the greatest race track name ever) CHEESE NUTS PARK, and Kailub Russell romped to the win on his KTM 250. If you want to see what it looked like, there's a great video up on YouTube HERE.


Photo By: Jason Hooper
Josh Strang in Japan.
Josh Strang battled hard with him until brake problems dropped him off the pace. I was lucky enough to go to Japan in '07 and I know that the GNCC visiting riders don't always know what they're getting into as far as their bikes go. Strang's Suzuki looked good, but obviously there were a few mechanical issues. Hey, when I went they uncrated an RM250 for Rodney Smith and an RM-Z250 for Charlie Mullins. Mullins had never raced a 250F before and Rodney hadn't ridden a 250 two-stroke in nearly two years. The bikes were stock, too, but Charlie and Rodney still rode 'em well (and Charlie won). I think Jason Raines was in the same situation, on a stock YZ250F.

But KTM really seems to put in the effort for this race, ironic considering they're the one big manufacturer who isn't from Japan. A few years ago Robbie Jenks got to go on his KTM and had clutch problems. KTM doesn't want this to happen again, so last year they rolled out a nice 300 for Nate Kanney (same bike he raced in the States) and he won. Kailub was on a 250F, too, his familiar mount, and he won. He also had his mechanic, Dave "Hollywood" Cripe with him. They weren't messing around and neither was KR. He's staying in the XC2 class next year to defend his title. Care to place a bet on whether he can win an overall or not?

Randy Hawkins doesn't do much riding any more but he saddled up in Japan and finished fourth, behind the JNCC Champion, Takeshi Koikeda.Who knows, maybe this will end up being Randy's last race? He's a legend in Japan and it's cool that he went over there to ride again. And as for the Am-Pro Yamaha team he runs, Randy is ready to come back strong after a tough 2009. Rumors persist that Am-Pro is courting either Paul Whibley or Charlie Mullins for '10, and Thad DuVall remains on board, too. I think Barry Hawk will be back with the team too--hey, he's already been there for ten years. This could be a really powerful outfit, and yes, Mullins did race for them from 2005--2007 so this could be strange to see him back.

As soon as anything is official we'll give you the scoop!


Photo By: Jason Hooper
KR takes the overall in Japan on a 250F. Can he do that in the U.S. next year?
We'll have more from Japan next week, the crew just got back last Tuesday night and I bet they will sleep all the way through Wednesday. If Rachel "Chattanooga" Fluharty can get in touch with Kailub we'll have Tuesday Toolbox with him. If not, wait until next week.

And then we'll see everyone next weekend at out annual GNCC banquets right here in Morgantown. You may remember Lake View as the host site for the banquets a few years ago, and space was limited. But this year we're in a new building, so that shouldn't be an issue. See you there!

Now onto some news we picked up this week:

Parts Unlimited held a Holiday Showcase at their massive facility in Reno, Nevada. Five-time GNCC Champion Rodney Smith came to represent Moose Racing. Here's a pretty cool idea of how massive the Parts Unlimited operation is, click HERE.

Back when Rodney was winning GNCC Title for Suzuki, the company ran an ad campaign called "Champions Choose Suzuki" featuring Rodney, Ricky Carmichael, Matt Mladin and Doug Gust. Well, the concept is back this year as Suzuki rolls out their Champions Tour at the IMS (International Motorcycle Shows). Check the link HERE for the press release on this-and yes Chris Borich's race replica Suzuki LT-R450 QuadRacer will be on display.

Pretty crazy that Suzuki invented the four-wheeled ATV in 1983, and then came out with the first racing four-wheeler with the QuadRacer in 1985, and yet this is their first-ever GNCC Title!

You know, Kawasaki won their first GNCC Title on the bike side this year, which is also pretty amazing.

Speaking of Kawasaki, it appears David Knight is moving on...and back to KTM! Pretty crazy for the two-time GNCC Champion, who will race the World Enduros again on an orange bike (and we're hoping, maybe come back for Snowshoe or some other GNCCs again).

David Knight Media Service 2009

For immediate release - 24.11.2009


Photo By: David Scearce
Remember when David Knight rode KTMs? Well, he's back, at least in Europe.
Knight signs for Farioli KTM, prepares for 2010 WEC E3 title assault

Former two-time World Enduro Champion and double US GNCC title winner David Knight is pleased to announce that he will race for the Farioli KTM team in '10 in the World Enduro Championship where he will compete on official KTM factory machinery in the Enduro 3 class.

Returning to the World Enduro Championship at the start of '09 following two championship winning seasons in the States Knight endured a largely frustrating year in '09, despite claiming wins in both the WEC and US GNCC series. Now, with the support of the Farioli KTM team, David will start '10 focused on claiming a third Enduro 3 World Championship.

Although not an official member of the KTM Enduro Factory Team David will receive factory backing from the Austrian company, ensuring that he has both the machinery and support needed to claim World Championship success in '10.

David Knight: 'I'm extremely happy to be riding for the Farioli KTM team next year. knowing I will receive full factory KTM equipment, and be a part of what is a great team that I know well, means I'm really looking forward to the start of the new season. With the Farioli KTM team and support from my personal sponsors I know I can reestablish myself at the top of the Enduro 3 World Championship. 2009 was a difficult year for me but I learned a lot and I'm even more determined than ever to win more WEC titles.

'I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Kawasaki that has supported me during the second half of '09, especially everyone at the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team. Claiming victory in the Enduro 2 class at the final round of the '09 World Enduro Championship for Kawasaki is something that I am extremely proud of. I'd like to wish Kawasaki every success in 2010. During the coming weeks and months I'm going to be training hard during the winter both in the UK and in the States. I can't wait for the start of the '10 WEC series."

We found this cool interview with KTM factory off-road Team Manager Antti Kallonen. Antti is one of the coolest guys in the sport, in my opinion. Here's a link to the interview.


Photo By: Jason Hooper
We think this is Randy Hawkins in Japan but it's so darned muddy we're not sure!
Pretty cool deal here that's worth mentioning. Monster Energy Kawasaki factory off-roader (out west) Destry Abbott raced the Baja 1000 and the final round of the EnduroCross Series in the same weekend! That included a 100-mile stint in Baja on Saturday morning, driving from Mexico to Vegas, and then racing EX that night. Read his report HERE.

We also found this cool You Tube video on Husqvarna's GNCC guest-rider program from the Ironman GNCC.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEWswn-cEpc

Time is running out for Pirelli support in 2010. Get your race résumé's in to the address below and get sponsored!

Pirelli Tire- MOTO Attn: Off-Road Rider Support
100 Pirelli Dr.
Rome, GA 30161

Okay, that's it for the news this week. We'll be back with a full-length Quick Fill next week, but in the meantime, have a fun and safe holiday.

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