By Chad Ford

The John Penton GNCC was again a celebration of the GNCC bike youth. The event was designated KTM Youth Day with each rider that entered the race receiving a special edition Youth Day T-shirt and all youth riders that crossed the finish line received a KTM finisher medallion. The KTM team members were on the starting line for the 8 A.M. race wishing the riders well as always. The KTM team riders and John Penton himself were on the podium to congratulate the top three in each class. KTM held a reception of sorts for the youth riders after the race and rolled out the orange carpet welcoming all. John Penton wore out a few markers signing KTM podium hats and the finisher medallions. He and the team members posed with youth riders for pictures and a good time was had by all.

The 14-15 Big Wheel class and overall first place were again taken by Rogers, Ohio rider Walker Fowler. Second place rider Cody Mummert of Glenville,, PA challenged at times for the lead. Third place was Clinton, OH rider Greg Funk, Seth Murray from Bostic, NC was fourth and Thomas, WV rider Dylan Johnson was fifth.

Belton, SC rider Steward Baylor rode to a 5 th place overall finish while winning the 12-13 Big Wheel class ahead of hard charging Arthurdale, WV rider Zach Nolan and third place finisher AJ Stewart from Lake Lynn, PA. Derrick Shaw from Buckhannon, WV was fourth and Zanesville, OH rider Justin Sode fifth.

McKinnon Welborn from Boonville NC kept his win streak alive in the 85 14-15 class but had to come from back in the pack and then fought off a determined Wil Coleman, who finished a mere 6 seconds behind at the finish. Local Reedsville, OH rider Dylan Ice took home third, Jesse Vermillion from Greencastle, IN was fourth and New Marshfield, OH rider Cody Carr finished fifth.

The 85 12-13 class winner was Fairmont, WV’s Layne Michael, Brandon Fouts from York, SC was second, Trevor Barrett of Charlotte, NC third, Cody Dice of Smithfield, PA fourth and Dakota Hacker from Hamilton, OH finished fifth.

Aaron Plessinger put in another strong ride winning the 85 7-11 class and finishing 22nd overall. Aaron hails from Hamilton, OH. Samuel Evans from St. Albans, WV rode to second, Dieter Willenbrock from Downington, PA rounded out the podium in third, Tegan Temple from West Chester, PA was fourth and Danny Keller from Chillicothe OH fifth.

The 65 10-11 class was a battle among the top riders for the entire 1.5 hour race. They would try to challenge Dayton, OH rider Jesse Walters but none would stop his topping the class on this day. A strong last lap took Londonberry, OH rider Ryan Slopko to second. Jake Froman from Lynnville, IN challenged for the lead early but a tough last lap left him in fourth with Wyatt Ford from West Union, WV slipping by in the final turn for third. Local Rockbridge, OH rider Tyler Crawford rode consistent and claimed fifth.

Grant Baylor from Belton, SC rode another dominant race besting the 65 7-9 class and again finishing ahead of all the older 65 riders at 35 th overall. Landrum, SC rider Jonathan Johnson took second, Zanesville, OH rider John Allender was third, Anthony Stone from Reedsville, WV fourth and Burgettstown, PA rider Kaleb Ward was fifth.

The KTM support of the youth events in recent years has been a benefit to many and the results show the company is being rewarded for the extra effort. Out of the 21 podium positions 13 were KTM riders, 6 of the 7 classes were won by KTM riders, first place overall was taken by a KTM rider and the most dominant showing was in both 65cc classes with all 6 podium spots being taken by orange bikes. The KTM youth day was a success for the company and their efforts made this GNCC a special one.