Jason Weigandt
by: Jason Weigandt
Thursday March 18th, 2010
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Welcome to Quick Fill.

We are asking your prayers and thoughts for one of our own, "Digital" Dave Smith, whose daughter Cheyenne recently suffered from a stroke. She is 6 years old and was readmitted to the hospital today. Please keep the Smith family in our thoughts and hope for the best. Dave will not be in attendance at this weekend's race.

Wow. Anyway, the Florida/Georgia swing is an odd one on our tour, as a lot of your take it all in one big trip. Two races in one week, that's a lot of travel, a lot of days off and probably a lot of sore muscles and blisters when it was all done.

The Steele Creek GNCC puts everything back to normal. You show up, race and go home. And you deal with hills and creeks and tree roots and some of the best dirt on the tour. This race has really grown over the years, too, so you'll see a lot of fans out there.

Should be a fun weekend. Here's Shan Moore with a preview.

The racing this year has been phenomenal - both in the ATV ranks as well as on the motorcycles side. Taylor Kiser and Chris Borich are tied atop the ATV XC1 standings, and they've had plenty of competition from the Can-Am-mounted duo of Chris Bithell and Adam McGill. The XC2 class has been just as close with Brian Wolf and Josh Kirkland going back and forth in the first two rounds. In the XC1 Bike class, Josh Strang has back-to-back wins, but he has had to come from behind in each case. Not only has he had tough challenges from the veterans like Charlie Mullins, Nate Kanney, and defending series champ Paul Whibley, but he also has had to worry about up-and-comers Thad DuVall and Chris Bach. And let's not forget the battle in the XC2 Bike class, with Kailub Russell, Jason Thomas and Jesse Robinson going at it. All in all, it's been an exciting opening to the series.


Photo By: Shan Moore
Strang makes the cover!
Speaking of Bach, it's cool to see him getting some additional help after his performances at the first two rounds. If you read Rachel's interview with Chris then you know that in addition to his sponsorship help from Clockwork KTM and Performance Supercycle, he will also be getting help from Team RPM, with Bart Hayes and Ben Weathers doing the heavy lifting at the races. Chris seems to have his head in the right place and it's evident that he's worked hard over the off-season, and it's always good to see hard work rewarded.

By the way, this week's issue of Cycle News features Maxxis General winner Josh Strang on the cover. Cycle News has always given GNCC excellent coverage and this year is no different, so check it out if you're not a subscriber. I also know that Dirt Bike, Dirt Rider, ATV Rider and Trail Rider are stepping up their coverage of GNCC for 2010, so you should check out these pubs as well.

I'm looking forward to this week's round at Steel Creek. I've heard nothing but good things about this race and I can't wait to see the creek crossing and the campgrounds. I might just bring my waders for this one.

Thanks, Shan. GNCC hasn't been on the cover of Cycle News since the newspaper cut back on its next-day coverage a few years back (GNCC coverage used to go to print the day after the race, now it goes in the next week's issue). So well, done, sir!

Now onto Rodney Tomblin, who is already down at Steele Creek working with our track crew.

Thanks Jason! I must say that the first two rounds of this racing season have left me excited for this FMF Steel Creek GNCC. Rounds 1 and 2 have really set the stage for what could prove to be our best year of racing in a long time. I say this because the heart that drives GNCC seems to be beating harder than ever. The riders we see this year are doing it because they love it. If you are in it for the money, then chances are you have decided it may as worth it anymore. If you do it for the love, chances are you are as excited as I am.

The two XC1 GNCC Champions may be showing as much or more heart as anyone. I have gained even more respect for them after I put it all into perspective on the drive home from Georgia.

First both Chris Borich and Paul Whibley have dedicated themselves to winning a championship that may have seemed at one point completely out of reach. That is what dreams are made of.


Photo By: Shan Moore
Chris Borich isn't going to win them all. But 12 out of 13 is still possible!
Chris Borich has ridden in the shadows of one of the, if not the greatest ATV racer ever, Bill Ballance. Bill has won the most championships of any ATV champion, but also holds the record for most GNCC wins all-time. Chris worked hard for the championship and more than deserves what he has achieved. He says he will not be satisfied till he reaches number 10. Can he do it? It is going to be fun to watch him try.

Paul Whibley rode in the shadows of two of the greatest off road bike champions that the off road world may ever witness, Juha Salminen and David Knight. When Juha and David left the series, they left a much stronger, faster and tougher field of competitors. So to be able to emerge a champion in that wake is a championship that was most definitely earned. Also, Paul stayed focused during a total brand and team change.

The XC2 champs have their hands full this year. Josh Kirkland is battling Brian Wolfe, who is here for redemption after the loss of the championship by one point last year. Kirkland is so consistently that in order to take the championship, you better make few mistakes and have even fewer mechanical issues. Also watch for names like Eric Hoyland, Kevin Yoho, Paker Jones and do not forget the XC2 Rookie and last race winner Walker Fowler.

XC2 Pro Lites has witnessed some expected things and some pleasant surprises. How about Kailub Russell? He has once again shown the speed that won him the championship. Bad News is Jason Thomas wants to not just take, but rip that number 1 plate from Russell. It will be interesting to watch UK7 and see if the wrist injury from round 1 becomes a factor after a couple weeks off. And Jesse Robinson is having fun again on the bike, and keep in mind too that we are in Jesse's back yard this week. And we have not seen the all the potential this class has to offer this year. Watch for names like Dustin Gibson, Jake Korn, Scott Watkins, and Josh Weisenfels and of course the young bike phenom of Steward Baylor.

Now do you see why I am so excited? Hold on tight and keep your arms inside the car. This ride has only just begun.

As far as the conditions here at Steel Creek goes, things are looking great. The trails and pits are in perfect shape. There are the normal things we expect here at Steel Creek with the creek crossings, hill climbs and of course Barry's Bridge. Now if we can keep all snowstorms, rainstorms and windstorms away it will be perfect. And the last forecast I saw says it all looks good. So don't even tell me if that has changed, I would rather be surprised.

Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs!

Nice, Rodney. The New Zealand press is of course still pushing for Whibley. Check out the story below.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=10632217

Now, our GNCC TV producer and host of www.digitaloffroad.com Jason Hooper.


Photo By: David Scearce
Angel Atwell at Steele Creek last year.
The first thing I'd like to do is apologize for possibly jinxing Chris Borich prior to the Georgia round. Before the season started I had mentioned that I really thought Borich had the potential to have a perfect season in 2010. Chris won 10 races last year, and it seemed like no matter how the race was going, Borich would find a way to win. So, for our TV interviews in Georgia, our pit reporter Krista Shaw asked Chris if the thought of a perfect season ever crossed his mind, of course he deflected the question and gave the "take it one race at a time" answer that you'd expect. But, then he went out and just couldn't run down Taylor Kiser and took his first loss in the last 9 GNCC races. I'm a bit superstitious and felt kind of guilty, but hopefully Chris isn't and he'll let us interview him again this weekend. Or maybe we should start taking bribes from other racers to put the hocky-blicky on the competition... Just kidding! Congrats to Taylor on an awesome ride, it looks like this ATV season is going to be a nail biter!

We mentioned here after Florida that Walker Fowler had a nasty crash on the 2nd lap at River Ranch and rung his bell pretty well. I ended up having to give Walker a ride back to the pits after the crash, and he was a bit out of it. He did know I was Jason Hooper, that it was River Ranch, and that he got a bad start, and that was about it, and he repeated that about 30 times on the way to the pits! I was a bit surprised to see Walker on the line in Georgia, but he obviously was back to 100% as he took his first-ever XC2 Pro-Am win. Just another testament to how incredibly tough all of you GNCC racers really are.

I had the privilege of going riding with Charlie Mullins this past Tuesday at the Carolina Powersports Park in Morganton, NC. Charlie isn't letting the mishaps of the first two rounds get his spirits down. It's a long season and Charlie will certainly be a factor. Check out this video I shot of Charlie here: http://www.digitaloffroad.com/2010/03/17/charlie-mullins-moto-video/

Speaking of the Carolina Powersports Park, if you're in the Morganton, NC area early for the GNCC and are looking for a place to ride, check this place out. They have a cool moto track and a really awesome woods loop including an Endurocross course where you ride over a VW Bug! They're open at noon everyday leading up to the GNCC. www.carolinapowersports.net

Last thing before I go, and sorry to break it to you Rodney, but the weather forecast for Sunday is a 60% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Hopefully the weathermen are wrong!

Finally, some good news from Rachel "Amateur Race" Fluharty.

Alright, Drum Roll please... VERSUS is now back on DIRECTV! DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming. So on April 25th, COMCAST subscribers will be able to check out the River Ranch ATV premiere at 3:00 p.m on VERSUS.

VERSUS called RacerTV producer Hooper to let him know and that evening, it was back on. You can read this press release on DIRECTV's website to see for yourself.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/article.jsp?assetId=P6220002


Photo By: Shan Moore
Oliver on guard of the shirts.
Like Shan said, I had a really awesome conversation with Chris Bach this week. Most of the jokes, song lyrics and off-side remarks were left out of the interview you read, but Chris has sealed himself as one of the funniest GNCC Racers to interview. I know I'm not the only one that's proud of Chris' hard work to gather more sponsors and support. Obviously, it's paid off as Chris just recently hooked up with RPM, who also supports Maria Forsberg, and will be pitting beside the KTM rig. Mike Hurlbert, RPM's owner actually called yesterday to talk a little bit about the deal and he sounds very excited to have such a talented rider on board. We're hoping Hurlbert, and the rest of the RPM Racing Team crew can make it out to some of the GNCCs soon.

One of the questions I had a hard time asking is how Chris felt about his races, and if he felt he could do just as well if Whibley, Mullins and Jarrett had better luck in North Carolina. You can read his answer here.
http://www.gnccracing.com/articles/2001_tuesday-toolbox-chris-bach

In other news, looks like Shane Watts will be in attendance at North Carolina.
Here's an email we received from the Wattsy camp.

Due to a last minute scheduling change, former GNCC Pro Overall Champion Shane Watts will now be able to compete at this weekend's Rd 3 of the GNCC race series, which will be held close to his current residence of Newton, NC. Watts is enthusiastic for his return to GNCC competition, although it will be limited just to this weekend's morning race. In conjunction with Watts' return will be the first appearance along the GNCC vendor row of his new sponsor Extremeion/Carbon Raptor Factory fork tube coatings in association with Stillwell Performance Suspension.

"I'm stoked to be lining up this weekend especially seeing as my former championship rival Rodney Smith will be hitting it as well. It brings back memories of the "glory days" when we both secured several Pro victories at this location. Unfortunately my preparation for the event won't be the best as I'll be driving back home most of Saturday night from my sold out DirtWise Riding school in New Jersey. It will be hectic but the guys from Extremeion will already have my race bike there on display at their booth so all I'll have to do Sunday morning is go jump on it and twist the throttle! For sure my race fitness to last the distance will be questionable, however I was able to prepare somewhat by competing in a Texas Championship race last weekend, following my DirtWise school there, finishing a commendable 2nd Overall to regional Pro fast guy Caleb Ramsay."

Ok, that's all for me! See you all at Steele Creek!

That's it for all of us! Enjoy the races, and enjoy Quick Fill, which will be back right here next week.


Photo By: Shan Moore
Bryan hasn't won yet this year, but the Cook's already have a trophy.


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