Quick Fill #20: 2011 Schedule is Complete

Welcome to Quick Fill.  Now is the time where we all sigh, and remember that we as off-road racing enthusiasts cannot control the weather, nor can we decide how the weather affects the terrain we plan to ride when once weekend rolls around.  This is when we all take a deep breath and have faith that the rocky mounds of the Rock Run GNCC will endure as much rain, sleet, snow, hail or wind that may come its way.

My point is, we can't control the weather - nor can we plan for some of the extremities that have taken place over the course of the season thus far.  We announced this morning the reschedule dates for the flooded Loretta Lynn weekend as well as the rained out Indy 100 bike race.  Now for lack of a better explanation, we are calling the Indy 100 "rained out" even though those of us who were there know that it was more like major destruction of the woods, but you get the point.  The GNCC Racing team made the decision to post a double header at the end of the season (all at Loretta Lynn's) to prevent racers from making an additional trip somewhere just to make up the Indy 100 bike race.  Now held as the season finale at the Loretta Lynn Ranch, the end-of-the-year double header serves as a first in GNCC history and promises to be a killer 30^th anniversary event all-around.  Stay tuned for details about how the finale weekend will be even more epic than it was slated to be in the first place.  I can assure you that all decisions made in regards to rescheduling were done in the most careful and thought out way possible and I can say that because I sat in on the many hours of meetings on the subject.  Just remember: we want to race, you want to race, we want you to race. Why else would we be here?

Anyway, here are a few housekeeping things to keep in mind as we resume racing this weekend in PA.

Suzuki's Off Road guru, Chris Wheeler, informed me this week that Suzuki now has their 2011 contingency posted and it's available on the GNCC website under 2011 Contingency.  There were a few confusions but everything is up and going and if you qualified for contingency in the past rounds - you will be awarded for that as well.  So check HERE to see if your machine is eligible first and then fill out the necessary paperwork to claim your rewards!

If you're going to be at the Rock Run GNCC this weekend, be sure to stop by the Part's Unlimited tent on Saturday night for the ever-so-popular Part's dinner.  After the Walker Fowler Graduation party in Indy, I think I could get used to being fed at the track!  Anyway, don't be shy - those guys will be whipping up a ton of food and everyone is invited!

Speaking of free food, Friday night (tomorrow) Cernic's Suzuki/KTM in Duncasville, PA, is holding a dealer signing with many of the top pros in both ATV and Bikes.  Strang, Mullins, Borich, Gallagher, Buttrick, Russell, Cecco and Lafferty will be on site signing autographs and giving away signed jerseys and other cool stuff.  Froggy Country music station will be on site from 5-7 PM and everyone is invited to hang out, eat some food and meet the pros.  Don't miss out on the fun!

Here is a quick note from the DirtWise Academy crew:

View the latest Watts Happening Newsletter, which contains important information regarding the revised DirtWise school schedule and very limited spots remaining in the future schools, including the upcoming HardCore school being held next weekend in Ford City, PA on June 2/3 (Only 1 spot remaining) and the DirtWise school to be held in Crawfordsville, IN on June 11/12 (Only 2 spots remaining) at the site of the Ironman GNCC.

Back by popular demand, we have just announced another DirtWise school to be held in Nashville, TN on October 1/2 (Sat/Sun).  As much as we would have liked to schedule it earlier in the year, we decided that the perfect fall weather will make for some great riding conditions especially since we all know how hot and humid the south can be during summer!  Last but not least, in case you missed out on the February issue of Dirt Rider magazine, which featured an awesome article/review of the DirtWise Academy that can be viewed HERE.

We just got word that Geico/American Honda JG Off Road's Jimmy Jarrett, injured at last weekend's OMA, will not be competing this weekend at the Rock Run GNCC.  New Zealand's Rory Mead will jion the JG Off Road team to race this weekend's Rock Run event as well as Snowshoe and John Penton later in the season.  Well-wishes to Jarrett as he recovers from his injury.

Cycle News Issue #15 is now available for download.  Shan Moore did a nice piece on the Train Robber National Enduro last weekend in Arkansas, take a look HERE.  The Cycle News guys are covering more GNCC this year so be sure to check back after the GNCC's to catch the awesome coverage they're doing this year.  Speaking of awesome GNCC coverage, the Harrison News-Herald just sent over this great article on ATV rider Kevin Yoho in his recent move to the pro ranks here in GNCC.  Check that out HERE.

Here's Shan Moore, dodging twisters in Oklahoma.

Thanks, Jen. Well, provided the weather holds it looks like the bike guys will finally get to ride this weekend. Sure seems like it's been a long time since they've raced... actually, I guess it has.

I can tell you, I'm getting pretty tired of wet weather events. I went to the Train Robber National Enduro this past weekend in Arkansas, and you guessed it, it rained. It rained hard, too. Because of all the rain we've been getting, I had ordered a new KLiM Gore-tex jacket, the Stow Away model that "stows away" in its own pocket. It's perfect for the pits and hanging out in the rain, which I have been doing a lot of lately. Unfortunately, it didn't come until I got back from the Train Robber enduro, so I had to suffer through wet socks and soggy underwear once again. The good news is that I'll have it with me at Rock Run. Now I'm hoping I can clear up that rash.

Charlie Mullins was on the gas in the rain at the Arkansas Enduro, and he jumped out to a big lead in the first test and then cruised to the win. Cory Buttrick was second and I talked to him after the race and it seems he's getting his stomach ailment under control. From what I understand, it was some kind of bug he got when we went to Japan and it's been affecting how his blood carries oxygen. Of course, with my fourth grade Oklahoma education, I couldn't possibly understand it all, but the bottom line is that Cory was feeling good this past weekend and his results reflected that. Look for C-Butt to be on the gas again in PA.

There was bad news for Russell Bobbitt, however, who showed up with a brace on his left wrist after tearing a ligament in a local race. Hopefully, Russ will be able to make more GNCCs later in the year, and build on that fifth he got at the Big Buck.

Thad DuVall was fifth overall at the Train Robber Enduro in his first major race back since crashing and hurting his wrist and hip at Steele Creek. Thad looked fast and said afterwards that he's been spending a lot of time getting back in the groove at Randy Hawkins' place and he's looking forward to the Rock Run, especially since the Train Robber Enduro was rather rocky and provided the GNCC guys who were there a chance to get a little extra practice in the rocks.

I also got my first look at Rory Mead, the New Zealander who is over here riding one of Whibley's spare bikes. Mead got sixth in his first U.S. "national" ride and told me he's testing the waters and thinking about coming over full time next year if he can get the support. The dude look pretty dang fast to be riding an unfamiliar bike in an unfamiliar format (American Enduro). Mead normally rides enduro in New Zealand but says it's patterned more after World Enduro, which is a bit different. This weekend we'll see how he fares in our GNCC format.

We've had tornados hitting all around us here in northeastern Oklahoma and luckily we've been spared any major calamity. Joplin is just 100 miles north of where I live and those folks need our prayers. It's really bad up there. That's all I have, see ya this weekend.

Here's Jason "411" Hooper:

Before you pack up and head out for the Rock Run GNCC this weekend, be sure to set your DVR for this Sunday's episodes of RacerTV! After a couple of weeks with no GNCC episodes of RacerTV on Versus, we're back on the air this weekend with a double header of GNCC action from the FMF Steele Creek GNCC. The ATV racing is hot as always, with Adam McGill taking his first win since switching to Can-Am after Borich runs into bike issues in the final miles. I'm especially proud of the bike episode as I personally think it showcases the best battle and craziest finish since I've been producing the shows. We all know the finish was a heartbreaker for Charlie Mullins, but the last 5-minutes of the show when he and Josh Strang are battling it out will definitely get your heart rate up!

If you've missed any episodes so far this year check out www.racertvonline.com to watch them in their entirety. We will be posting all of our shows there one week after their air date on Versus, so you'll be able to catch the Steele Creek shows online during your lunch break Monday, June 6th.

We'll pass things along to Rodney Tomblin, ATVMX announcer extraordinaire.

Thanks Jen.  As we gear up for this first Rock Run GNCC a number of thoughts come to mind.  I suppose the first thought for at least the bike competitors is, "We finally get to race!?"  And from what I have heard from the GNCC Trail Crew and Barry Hawk is that all systems are go.  The crew says that the place is very rocky and there should be no problems parking and leaving no matter what the weather.  They also said there should be lots of trackside pitting available along this rocky-based trail system.

Although the ATV race did officially make the books a couple of weeks ago, this should be our first full GNCC in about 7 weeks.  That is almost as long as some of the summer breaks we have taken in the past and is plenty of time for anyone that may have been behind coming in the season with injury, set up issues, equipment issues, endurance issues etc. to have it all sorted out and come to PA ready to fight on solid ground.  It seems there is a little irony with that statement, but could there be something ready to happen?  I, for one, cannot wait to find out.

Before I get too involved in this weekend I would like to back up and apologize to a young lady and former Youth competitor that I slighted in last week's contribution about the ATV Youth racing.  I made the statement that it had been two years since a girl competitor had made the podium in GNCC Youth ATV Racing and that it was Cheyanne Shadron.  Well I was wrong!  After that hit Quick Fill last week I was reminded of a young lady that made the Youth ATV Overall Podium twice.  Waynesburg, Pennsylvania's Emily Wise was on the podium at Ironman in 2009 and Steele Creek in 2010. Emily ran with the boys last season on the front row in the Youth classes. She pulled 5 hole-shots, finished 4th in class for the year and missed second in class by 2 points.  And as embarrassed as I was to make that mistake, I was even more impressed with the future of Women's ATV Racing.

Emily Wise is currently ranked 9^th in the Women Novice (15+) Class after competing in 3 of the first 5 rounds of racing.  Emily finished 5^th in class at the General GNCC and even posted a top 100 finish on the day.  Wise also finished 10^th at Steel Creek and 7^th at Big Buck and as the series heads north be looking for her to be a more constant the circuit and in the top ranks of her class.  This weekend we will be in her back yard and I will be watching for big things out of her if all is well.  She has a lot going for her heading into the weekend being at home in familiar terrain and of course I am sure she wants to shove a win in my face to remind me and the Women Class up front that "Emily Wise is on her way!"

Now as mentioned before, the Rock Run GNCC is rocky and I realize that the weather forecast says there is a possibility of showers on Friday but it should not rain long if it does and again it is rocky and the crew says there should be no issues.  So don't feel because it is raining that you should stay home.  That should not be the case this week.  The crew headed up by GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell and 8-Time GNCC Champ Barry Hawk says it is unlike what we had to deal with at the Indy 100 a couple of weeks ago and the Titan in Tennessee a couple of years ago and Sparta and so on.  It has been raining there this spring but the terrain and soil is so much different that it should hold up and get the 2011 GNCC racing season back on track.  This is a confidence they did not have heading into the Indy 100 a couple of weeks ago.

I noticed that the release was made on the T.B.A. round and the rescheduling of Loretta Lynn's GNCC and the Indy 100 GNCC.  And I suppose with this being already a historical year, why not create more history with a season ending double-header?  First we have worked things out to where we can return to Mountain Ridge for a fifth year.  Mountain Ridge is a great place to race and being later in the year it will be cooler than even before but again with the rocky terrain rain or even snow should not be an issue and the racing is always interesting.  Second, history will be made with a race being run so late on the schedule - in my memory anyways.  It will also be the first time in over a decade that the championship will not be decided at the Ironman GNCC.  Add to that history it being the only double header GNCC ever.  Motorcycles will race on Friday and Sunday the weekend of November 4^th through the 6^th and on top of it all this will celebrate the 30^th annual Loretta Lynn's GNCC.  So this should be the one Loretta Lynn GNCC you cannot miss.

A few things to think about heading into the weekend:

Don't forget about getting your Nate Kanney ISDE Fundraiser shirts.  Stop by the WMR pit this weekend and talk to those guys and see how you can help make Nate's trip to the 6 Days a little smoother and get a cool shirt.

LiveSTRONG will be selling tickets for a jersey raffle at the Rock Run GNCC in Patton, Pa. this weekend, May 28-29. Fans can enter to win autographed Pro rider jerseys from both current and retired riders at the MotoTees trailer. Signed jerseys by Andrew Short, Trey Canard, Barry Hawk, Chris Bach, Nathan Kanney, Charlie Mullins, Josh Strang, Chris Borich, Bill Ballance, and Johnny Gallagher are being raffled as well as a donated Radio Shack cycling jersey signed by 7-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and his teammate Levi Leipheimer.  The winners will be drawn at the MotoSport.com Snowshoe event on June 25-26.  All participants will be eligible to win. If you are chosen and unable to attend the event, jerseys can be mailed.

Chapel Services will be conducted both Saturday and Sunday once again by Chuck Lemaster of Team Faith.  Chapel will start around 8:30 each morning at the Team Faith display on vendor row.  The Team Faith pits are open anytime so feel free to stop by and chat any time.

That will do it for now, God Bless Your Hearts and All Your Vital Organs.