By Chad Ford

The 11th Big Buck GNCC was one of stark contrast as far as the weather was concerned. The GNCC racing families enjoyed sunshine and warm temperatures for those in attendance on Friday and Saturday. With rain earlier in the week there was some moisture in the woods soil but the open areas were dusty. But oh what a difference a day makes! Saturday night, a major storm moved through the area and drenched the Big Buck facility, making for some good old mud racing for the early morning youth event.

Some things you can count on in GNCC racing, and one such thing is in muddy conditions Ohio riders are likely to come out on top. The top overall mini rider was Greg Funk from Clinton, Ohio followed by Walker Fowler of Rogers ,Ohio and third overall went home to Thomas, WV with Dylan Johnson (old timers will remember the town of Thomas, WV is a mile down the road from the old Blackwater 100).

Fowler experienced the two extremes of the track conditions as he put in another strong ride on his ATV on Saturday in the dust and then “iron manned it” in the mud the next morning on his bike. These riders were all from the Big Wheel 14-15 class. Fourth place in the class was earned by Scott Marling, another West Virginia mudder from Cameron. Fifth went to Michael Pillar of Dover, Ohio.

Steward Baylor, who hails from Belton, SC, worked hard and just missed the overall podium with his 4 th overall and 1 st place in the Big Wheel 12-13 class. Zach Nolan of Arthurdale WV was second with Lake Lynn, PA rider A. J. Stewart in third. Fourth place went to another Ohio rider, Justin Sode from Zanesville and Ricky Wagner from Lexington, NC was fifth.

The 85 14-15 class has been dominated by Mr. McKinnon. Welborn hails from Boonville, NC. He put his 4 th straight win in the books. Second place was Cody Carr from New Marshfield OH, Bryce Martin of Newnan GA was third, Wesley Hills of South Bloomington, OH was fourth, and Greenville, SC rider Wil Coleman was fifth.

Chris Meadows showed his Southern OH mud riding prowess with an impressive 13 th overall and 1 st place in the 85cc 12-13 class. Second place rider Layne Michael from Fairmont, WV worked hard and overcame some adversity. Charlotte, NC rider Trevor Barrett was third, Cody Dice from Smithfield, PA was fourth, and Tyler Braniff from Terra Alta, WV rounded out the top five.

Hard Core youth race team rider Jarrett Dudley made his sponsors proud with his first place ride in the 85cc 7-11 class. Jarrett A.K.A. “Do Right” hails from Whitmer, WV. West Chester, PA rider Tegan Temple was second, Sam Evans was the second Hard Core rider on the 7-11 podium in third, Dillon Eason from Goodwind, NC was fourth and Matt Turner took home fifth to Williamson, GA.

The 65cc 10-11 class was won by Austin Lee from Bedford, IN who put in a very strong ride in the wet conditions and pulled away from his competition, making it look easy. Ohio mud riders followed with Tristian Stumbo of Laurelville second and Ryan Slopko from Londonberry third. Jake Froman from Lynnville IN recovered from early race mud gremlins to finish fourth and Wyatt Ford gutted out a fifth place finish to take home a plaque to West Union, WV.

Often times the mud is most difficult for the youngest 65 riders to handle, but these riders met the challenge head on. The 65cc 7-9 class winner was Boomer NC rider Mack Jones. Second place was Anthony Stone from Reedsville, WV and Jonathan Johnson of Landrum, SC was third. Grant Baylor of Belton, SC was having another winning ride before a rare bike-related issue relegated him to fourth place. Tyler Harris from Chattanooga, TN took home the fifth place award.