By Chad Ford

WOW! Every now and then things come together to make a near-perfect race weekend. The Mountain Ridge facility provided the GNCC families an incredible view of the surrounding rolling hills, the nearby sight of the Flight 93 crash of 9-11, which give cause to reflect and appreciate the opportunities we have to freely travel and attend the sport we follow, and the easy access and ample parking were much appreciated. No matter what hand was dealt to you by lady racing luck, you would have a hard time not enjoying this event.

Walker Fowler was on a mission to secure the Big Wheel 14-15 title with a win in this round. Mission Accomplished! Walker will now likely return to Rogers, OH and prepare for his big bike debut at Unadilla.

“The Youth track wasn’t bad. Ours they try to keep us out of it, which is a good thing because I hate that. It had the fast sections and some tighter stuff. They had a little bit of rocks and some pretty gnarly roots back in the back. It was just perfect; it was a great track. The first half, I pulled away and then I totally goon-rode it as soon as I got out of the barrels, I cartwheeled into the weeds. Man, it was nasty. I got up and [Greg] was right behind me, and I couldn’t get rid of him until the pit stop, then I finally pulled away and just rode smart.”

Second went to another northern Ohio rider Greg Funk. “I had a good start and I was right behind him,” said Funk. “I figured I would be able to stay with him but he started pulling away and then I caught back up with him and we kind of battled for a lap or two. Then he pitted and I got by him and then I pitted the same lap, and my pit got a little messed up. He pulled away and I just couldn’t catch back up with him. I’m pretty happy; I’ve had two bad races but I’m pretty happy to come back and be second overall.”

Brandon Bolling of Powhaten, VA was third, Seth Murray from Bostic, NC was fourth, and Scott Marling from Cameron, WV was fifth.

In the Big Wheel 12-13 action, Steward Baylor also met his objective by taking home the win to Belton, SC.

“I really liked the track out there,” Baylor said. “When I was walking it yesterday, I didn’t think I would like it, but I got out there and it was pretty tacky, and I was getting pretty good traction. I saw Zach a few times on the second or third lap, he was right there. I was so scared and I kept making little mistakes. I don’t necessarily like the rocks and the wide-open stuff, but today I felt comfortable in it. I had a terrible start, and had the lead at the end of the first lap. I like this fast stuff out here it was pretty fun.”

Zach Nolan of Arthurdale, WV secured a hard fought second, AJ Stewart of Lakelynn, PA maintained his consistency with third, Nick Davis of Meshoppen, PA was fourth and Derrick Shaw from Buckhannon, WV was fifth.

The 85cc 14-15 race was won by Cody Carr of New Marshfield, OH. Ryan Stone of Auburn, PA was second, Wesley Hill from South Bloomingville, OH secured the final podium spot, Jesse Vermillion of Greencastle, IN was fourth and Clinton Hale from Stollings, WV was fifth.

The 85cc 12-13 class winner was Chris Meadows of Athens, OH, Layne Michael of Fairmont, WV was second, Zackery Smith from Abbottstown, PA was third, Tyler Braniff of Terra Alta, WV was fourth, and Trevor Barrett from Charlotte, NC was fifth.

The 85cc 7-11 class winner was again Mr. Aaron Plessinger of Hamilton, OH. Daniel Bromley of Warrington, PA was second, Jarrett Dudley of Whitmer, WV was third, Derek Holcomb from Newark Valley, NY was fourth, and Ethan Jaudus from Harminster, PA was fifth.

The 65cc 10-11 class winner was Tyler Crawford from Rockbridge, OH, second was Lynnville, IN rider Jake Froman, Ryan Slopko from Londonberry, OH was third, Tristian Stumbo of Laurelville, OH was fourth and Austin Lee from Bedford, IN rounded out the top five.

In 65cc 7-9 action Anthony Stone from Reedsville, WV was the winner, second went to Jarrett Mohn from Kunztown, PA. Trey Russell of New Marshfield, OH secured the final podium spot, fourth was Mack Jones of Boomer, NC and Kaleb Ward of Burgettstown, PA was fifth.