In a clarification of a clarification, we have decided not to change the rules for the 2010 4x4 Limited class after all. We posted last week that we were considering a change, but we solicited more feedback from more people and found that the best way to move forward with the class is to leave Limited limited, in other words, keep modifications to a minimum. The problem is if we allow too many tweaks in the 4x4 Limited class, there will end up being very few differences between it and the 4x4 Open class, and there might not be a point in having the class at all down the road. And we really want to keep an entry-level class in the ranks, so we don't want to put Limited in danger.
So, just to make sure everyone is on the same page, here is the 4x4 Limited Rule, which is unchanged from 2009 and will not change in 2010.
The 4X4 Limited Class --(201-850cc) 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive shaft or chain-driven automatic transmission/clutch production models that come with rack or rack availability as standard equipment.
The following limited items cannot be changed or added: Internal or external motor components; exhaust system; clutch; steering stem; steering stabilizer; reservoirs; fuel tank; quick fuel system; tire balls. Motor and power output must remain as the factory intended. Front shocks and front/rear springs can be changed; reservoirs cannot be added; rear shocks cannot be changed. No other suspension or steering components may be changed.
There you go. Let's move on.
Photo By: Matt Ware
Chris Borich will still ride this machine.
But one champion will be switching to MSR this year, and that's Paul Whibley. Here's a news snip about it HERE.
Now onto our reporters, first, Jason Hooper.
Last weekend SETRA held a hare scramble on the first section of the Sumter National Enduro course and a few GNCC stars showed up to do battle. Charlie Mullins and National Enduro Champ Russell Bobbitt battled the entire race before Bobbitt ran out of gas, handing Charlie the win. Nick Fahringer grabbed second, with Glenn Kearney 3rd, Barry Hawk 4th, Shane Watts 5th, and Steward Baylor in 6th. I talked to Wattsy earlier this week and he said that he is riding well, and had started out good at the race and started to lose interest before hooking up with Steward Baylor. The two battled for a few laps, with Wattsy even waiting for Baylor in the pits on the last lap. Watts said he was impressed with Baylor's composure, but couldn't hold back from schooling him a bit with a last corner pass. "Bad" Thad DuVall was also at the race, and unfortunately it looks like his DNF streak has followed him into 2010 as he reportedly dropped out with a mechanical DNF.
Photo By: Jason Hooper
But Borich will be running some familiar old gear.
Thanks, Hooper. As always don't forget to stop by his www.digitaloffroad.com site for news from the off-road trenches.
Now on to Rachel "Participants will participate for participation" Fluharty.
This week I talked to Justin Williamson for Tuesday Toolbox. Williamson was the first XC2 champion in 2007, the year the class was formed. Then Williamson just sort of disappeared off the map. In 2008 he ran all the rounds, but only found himself on the podium a few times. In 2009, he ran the first 5 rounds and then peaced out! Apparently he joined the guys at Go Faster in Minnesota to do five months worth of intensive testing and training. The XC2 class is chock full of excellent talent but Williamson said he wants to be the first to take the XC2 championship twice. You can read it here.
http://www.gnccracing.com/articles/1893_tuesday-toolbox-justin-williamson
The crew from Snowshoe Mountain resort was in the office this week. I love when they come for a visit. It's no big secret that I'm a West Virginia girl and that race is one of my favorites. While Round 9 is still a little ways off, Snowshoe Mountain wanted to extend a special offer to all GNCC'ers. Snowshoe Mountain is offering a "GNCC Friends and Family Rate" of $69/per room per night & Breakfast for 2 at Inn at Snowshoe Mountain. It's snowing as we speak in the Mountain State so I would suggest a nice weekend trip. Skiing and Snowboarding are good exercise!
Racer Productions has welcomed a new team member on board. Dean "hardest last name to spell ever" VanLeeuwen is our new Sponsor Coordinator. Dean will be communicating with sponsors between races to make sure they have everything they need. At the races, he'll be managing the pro pit and vendor areas letting GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell spend more time on the track. You've probably seen Dean before, he spent five years with Gear Racewear, so he's definitely no stranger at the GNCCs. Don't be shy about saying hi at the races, he might seem intense but he's just, as he calls it, "in the zone" making sure everyone is happy.
We have so much cool stuff coming out next week it's hard to contain my excitement- Look for a lot of cool stuff next week!
Thanks, Rachel. And she's right about exciting stuff coming up, she has a massive list of PRs and announcements scheduled for the next few weeks, because we're getting closer to racing and sponsors are putting the finishing touches on their programs. The exciting times are almost here. Now, on to Rodney Tomblin.
Once again things seem pretty quiet on the news front here in my southern Ohio head quarters. However there are bits and pieces leaking here and there. The leaks may be more like a gusher if you live or hang in Florida though. That is where it seems most of the ATV hopefuls appears to be.
Photo By: David Scearce
Justin Williamson taking the first-ever GNCC XC2 Championship.
On the flipside, I am also happy to see that Can-Am and Warnert Racing has stuck behind Chris through these growing years. This could be a big year for both. Plus with the addition of Adam McGill, they may just push each other to go faster.
The news from the new HMF team of Brian Wolf is that he is looking fast and has actually trimmed down a few more pounds. He also seems to be adapting to the Honda quite nicely. Wolf along with Brandon Sommers, McGill , Taylor Kiser and Eric Hoyland have been riding together as of late and all testing and tuning seems to be on track.
Look for some big things from Eric Hoyland this year. We saw some big rides from him last year in XC2, but when you have guys like Josh Kirkland and Brian Wolfe up front, you have your work cut out for you. Realizing this, Eric has taken a leave of absence from his plumbing job in West Virginia to head south to Florida right after Christmas. If you remember, Eric finished 4th in XC2 Pro Am and showed lots of promise with five 3rd place finishes and finished out of the top ten only 3 times all season. Good for Hoyland, this did not go unnoticed as he picked up several big sponsors this season like Houser Racing, Elka Suspension, HMF and Maxxis. I hear Jay Gobel is working with Eric and his suspension. Along with those great new sponsors, Eric was also able pick a new ride, switching from Honda to Yamaha in what I hear is a super smooth transition. Eric also has a new motor builder and mentor now. It is David Crane, who is a former GNCC ATV Pro racer (who grabbed some XC2 podiums not that long ago). Crane owns DC Cycle and Racing in Red Bay, Alabama. With help from Powersport Graphix, Crane also put together the Graphics kits for Eric's quads. Way to go Eric, and good luck this season.
Johnny Gallagher has taken a break and came home to Ohio last week. However, Johnny is so dedicated to this 2010 season that he took care of some important business, visited the family and friends and back to the sands of Florida. If you are there, you will probably see Johnny G laying down some hard laps at Croom or somewhere. Go Johnny G!!!
Mark Notman and Walker Fowler have been doing some training together. Fowler was down south with Bill Ballance for a while, they did some testing and now Walker is riding every chance he gets. Both Walker and Mark have been doing quite a bit of indoor MX training and ready to head to Florida soon. Of course, Walker does have a senior year in high school to deal with as well, so that's why he's finding ways to ride and train at home in Ohio. As for Notman, he says he will be down the week before to get things set up and dialed in. Mark loves the new Yamaha, too.
Photo By: David Scearce
Nate Kanney has spent some time in California getting ready for 2010.
Thad Duvall is another rider that seems to be super stoked this off season. Thad has headed home to W.Va for a few days and I am hearing Thad is much more comfortable and so much smoother heading into this season. As Hooper mentioned above, things didn't quite go like Thad had hoped at a race last weekend, but Thad says that he is feeling the best he has ever felt. He said last year the sand whoops were eating him alive. This year he is their master. We will see soon for ourselves though. I am looking forward to see the rise of this youngster in the XC1 class.
This must be a week to be home or something because Jimmy Jarrett is also home and fresh in from California. He is spending a few days home before heading to Florida to prepare for River Ranch. Jimmy looks like is going to be the lead man on the J-G Off-road / Geico Motorcycle Insurance team. This could be an interesting season for him as well. If Jimmy can get a win under his belt early, he could get rolling and find himself right in the middle of a battle for the championship.
And with that it makes me thinks the stage is set for one of the most competitive and challenging championship seasons ever. It is this way on both bikes and ATVs in all of the premier classes. We have no real idea of what this season will treat us with. Will it be a season of total dominance by one or a few? Will it be wide open down to the wire racing? I don't know for sure, but if it is anything like what it has been in the past, this could be the best yet.
Till next time, God Bless Your Hearts and All Your Vital Organs!!!
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