In racing we refer to the silly season as the time when riders are searching for new teams and contracts, but did you know where the actual term silly season comes from? It's actually an old British term for the end of the summer, when Parliament would take a vacation, and the newspapers wouldn't have as many legitimate political news stories to cover. So they would have to report rumors and gossip instead of actual news. That's the Silly Season, and the term fits so well here, where we go from reporting on actual races and results to rumors of who will ride where next year.
We do have a few facts to share. The GNCC Banquets will return to the Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, WV, December 10 for ATVs and December 11 for bikes. See you there and have fun, CLICK HERE for details.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Joe Geyer scored a huge win this year with Josh Strang's RM-Z450. It pays to enter these things, people!
Now I'll pass this on to GNCC reporter Shan Moore.
Thanks, Jason. The ISDE is going on this week in Mexico (click here for the latest info), and our own Cory Buttrick is a member of the US Junior Trophy Team. Cory had bad luck on Day One when he struck a stump while trying to pass a rider in the dust. According to all reports, the area is very dry and dusty down there. I've been talking with Cory's girlfriend, MacKenzie, on facebook and this is what she has to say about the incident. "His shoulder, abdomen, neck, both his wrists have gouges on them and his hip possibly might be dislocated. He about broke both wrists on his bark busters. It was just so dusty and he couldn't see and just hit a stump, pinned... but no docs down there say anything is or isn't broken... " Sorry to hear about Cory's mishap, I was told he was hauling before the accident.
(Update from FMF/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen: Cory does not have a dislocated hip, he is now up and walking around and helping the team. Great news!).
Cory had just renewed his contract with KTM for 2011, and he will be joined on the team by XC2 champ Kailub Russell and newcomer to the team Charlie Mullins. So far, it looks like KTM is set for next year with these three riders. (Note: We hear Steward Baylor will continue with KTM in a support effort). Meanwhile, Beta has Chris Bach and is looking for another rider, AmPro/FMF Yamaha has Paul Whibley coming back and is also looking for a second team member and FMF/Makita Suzuki returns defending champ Josh Strang and may also add a rider. As far as Husqvarna, there are rumors that Fred Andrews will take over the east coast effort, but that is not confirmed. Glenn Kearney told me he would most likely not be back for the entire season in 2011, but he said he might do the first few to see if he can drum up some support. Toby Price, the Australian who rode the last two rounds on a bike he borrowed from Shane Watts, told me he would spend another year Down Under, where he's the top rider, and then give it another go over here in 2012.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Buttrick went down hard at the ISDE, but he's going to be okay. Next up: JNCC in Japan.
I'm excited about the fact that Husaberg is talking about having a presence at GNCC for next year. The word is that enduro regulars Mike Lafferty and Nick Fahringer will be hitting select events. Any time we can get new manufacturers participating it can only mean good things for the series.
If you missed Moose rep Steve Van Zuylen riding the Quantya Swiss-made electric motorcycle in the morning race at Ironman, it was pretty cool. Steve got off the line in first, but he was swallowed up by the pack after about 20 yards. Steve said the power delivery is all or nothing on the little electric hummer and he was surprised at the torque it had pulling up the hills. We might be looking at our future right there.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Moose Racing's "Dutchie" rips a holeshot on an electric bike!
One of the early Silly Season Rumor Mill rumors came to pass. I am not sure how many heard about "Hot Rod" Charlie Mullins move to the off road power house race team of FMF/KTM, but it was finally announced on Monday. Charlie brings the AMA National Enduro Championship title along with him and has proven he his able to adapt to changes and still keep a strong and highly competitive program. I feel this could be the right time for all parties to merge. Mullins has matured into a strong willed and competitive rider and KTM has a bike and team that is built to do one thing and that is to win off road racing championships.
One has to think that FMF/Suzuki's newly crowned XC1 Bike Champ Josh Strang is going to be under more pressure than any champion in recent history. The reason why is first; KTM's powerhouse combination of 2 time XC2 Pro Lites Champion Kailub Russell, new GNCC #3 and rookie season race winner Corey Buttrick and of course the #2 GNCC rider this year, Charlie Mullins. Second I would say it's pretty clear that Whibley is beginning to mesh with the the Am Pro Yamaha team. It was a rough transition for Whibs, but once things clicked, we saw a whole new Axeman when the season wound down. Thing is, it wound down for everyone else, but for Whibs, he is on the launch pad to a great 2011 season. Then what about the unknown variables. Will Chris Bach continue to be a threat on the Beta? Will Jordan Ashburn, a rider that has shown as an amateur more than once that he has the speed to run with the top riders be a threat as well? And what about Nathan Kanney and Thad Duvall? Kanney and Duvall may be riders that are in the do or die situation of needing extremely consistent rides to keep their dreams alive. I say this is exciting and only truly the tip of the ice burg of it all.
On the ATV side of things, there is still a lot of uncertainty there as well. So far I am not hearing a whole lot. It will all be rolling in soon I am sure, but there are lots of folks kind of in a limbo state waiting for the word on the final decisions. I realize that we focus a lot on the pros but the ATV classes have more than just those classes that have become premier type classes. For instance, the Women's Class has become a big focus on Saturdays. The unbelievable battles we saw between the top five ladies this season were epic to say the least. Plus all the crazy things in the utility classes it makes for an entertaining day of racing for a true race fan. And nowadays these classes also garner factory support.
Photo By: Shan Moore
Bill Ballance was tabbed to run Yamaha's ATV program, but what will that consist of for 2011? Hopefully we'll know something soon.
As far as the Utility ranks go, I think things will be for the most part the same. Can-Am has built a solid team with Warnert Racing and the other satellite programs that are solid and going to be hard to beat. One of the top riders in the morning race Rick Cecco who has built his own race program on a skeleton budget is looking for a change 2010. Rick has basically raced on pieced together equipment the last couple of seasons and all things considered has been the biggest threat the factory-supported teams has had. Rick is hoping to find some solid support for 2011 and is planning on continuing where he left off winning 3 of the last 4 rounds on his Power Bar backed privateer Can-Am. If memory serves me correct, the race he didn't win he was not able to make it. Remember, Rick became a daddy this year! So with that in mind, Bryan Buckhannon and Zack Zakowski will have their hands full next year.
A look at national numbers shows just how competitive the Women class was as the top 4 are K. Atwell, A. Atwell, Traci Cecco and Lexie Coulter. The 5th place position morning over all was Warnert Can-Ams Clifton Beasley, the Tennessee real estate mogul, who finished a perfect season, 13 for 13 in race wins in 2010. Beasley has not lost a class race win since Mountain Ridge GNCC in 2009. Way to go Cliff!
Still lots more news is on the horizon. Until next week when I am sure more cats will be out the bags. I will leave you with these notes and reminders:
I would like to thank everyone for their participation in the used gear drive that Team Faith put on. Response was overwhelming! There were over 140 pants/jerseys donated plus gloves, boots, goggles, chest protectors and more! I'd really like to say a heartfelt "Thanks!" to the GNCC Racing Nation for stepping up and helping meet a need. The used gear was delivered to Grace Racing Ministries last week. After the shock of seeing nearly 40 boxes of gear passed, they were able to start sorting through and finding treasures for each kid! Thanks so much, GNCC Racing Nation for being a part of this! -Chuck Lemaster
Please keep praying for Josh Kirkland and his family as Josh continues to fight a seemingly more and more difficult battle of recovery. You can keep up with Josh's progress and post any words of encouragement for him and the family at Caring Bridge. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshkirkland11
If you are looking for something fun to do the weekend of November 14 and 15 and you are anywhere near south eastern Ohio, check out the fun of the 25th Annual Team Harescramble Championship of the World. This is a weekend of fun for the entire family with night time activities and a wiener roast and more. Plus team up with someone and take home some bragging rights. The admission is economically priced at $10.00 for the weekend including Corn Hole Tournaments, a Father/Son team race and more. Check out Action Sport Racing for more details HERE.
Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs!
Thanks, Rodney. I'll share some of the silly season rumors I've picked up lately: Suzuki is interested in adding a second bike rider next year, and it may be Top Amateur Jordan Ashburn. Thad DuVall has a deal locked up for next year, but we just don't know with who yet. Several riders are talking to the GEICO JG Racing folks, including Nate Kanney. And I've heard winning back the GNCC XC1 Championship is a major, major priority for KTM on the bike side, with direct orders coming over from Austria to win that thing back (KTM held the crown from 2005--2008 thanks to Juha and the Knighter). Their three-man effort will be well-backed in 2011.
And while I haven't heard much on the ATV side, Suzuki has not even released details on a 2011 LT-R450 yet (could be a late release, or they may just continue to sell older models) so that might not bode well for Chris Borich. To Suzuki's credit, though, they're running a cool ad on their website that says, "Suzuki owns the woods" with shots of Strang and Borich. But what about factory ATV rides next year? I've also heard the UTV classes are about to heat up now that Can-Am is ready to do battle with their Commander.
Things are getting interesting. Keep checking Quick Fill for all the latest news.
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