The world’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series will hold its inaugural Grand National Cross Country at the Summit Bechtel Reserve near Beckley, West Virginia, October 12-13.
The Yamaha Racing Mountaineer Grand National Cross Country will serve as the penultimate round of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship.
The site of the National Scout Jamboree, located on more than 14,000 acres adjoining the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the facility will prove to be a welcomed addition to the GNCC series, according to Kayla Bolton, a spokesperson for the event.
More than 1,400 racers are expected to compete, and the event is expected to draw several thousand spectators, ultimately bringing an estimated $1.3 million into the area, Bolton said.
Riders will compete on highly tuned dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs, and the race will include top talents, such as U.S. National Champions and World Champions from Europe and Australia.
Bolton said the cross-country also offers a great opportunity for local racers to showcase their talents in front of their hometown crowd.
West Virginia native and XC1 Pro ATV rider Adam McGill is looking to earn his first win of the season in his home state, she said. McGill currently sits sixth in the points standings, but always looks forward to racing in the state.
Another native and XC1 Pro bike rider, Thad Duvall, is eager for a home-state race as well. Duvall earned the overall win recently in Pennsylvania and is hoping to keep the momentum going in his home state.
Other in-state racers expected to compete Saturday on ATVs are Bryan W. Buckhannon (4x4 A), Shane McDaniel (4x4 C), John Rogers (4x4 A), Bodie Buckhannon (MXC1 8-9), Kody Buckhannon (50cc Sr. 6-7), Jason Dillard (Vet A 30+), Jackson Fisher (90 Stock 8-11), Tanner Bowles (4x4 Pro), Levi Myers (College B 16-21), JD Brown (Junior A 22+), Richie McCauley (40+ C), Bobby McCauley (40+ C), Khyler Davis (70 CVT / MXC2), Jacob Gunnoe (4x4 C), Matthew Gunnoe (4x4 C), Brayden Cox (50 Sr 6-7) and Falyn Holcomb (50 Sr 6-7).
Also expected to compete next weekend on motorcycles are Corey Showalter (250 C Jr. 25+), Landen Tharp (85cc 7-11), Billy Evans (Super Senior B 45+), Garrett George (250 B), Karson George (50cc Jr. 1 6-7), Austin Harmon (250 C College 18-24), Scott Haynes (Masters A 50+), Super Senior C (45+), Paul Leftwich (Masters C 50+), Sean Wishart (Super Senior C 45+), Blake Barker (250 C College 18-24), Brier Burgess (200 B), Kenny Hawkins (Masters A 50+), Bobby Blevins (Open C Junior 25+), Joshua Caron (Vet C 30+), Caden Simms (YXC2 Super Mini Jr.), Tripp Stephens (50 Jr. 4-5) and Michael Hovatter (50 Jr. 6-7).
Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, October 12. Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by Micro ATVs at 9:15 a.m. and Micro bike racing at 10 a.m., then the amateurs, 4x4 pro, and women at 11 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs’ race at 2 p.m
On Sunday, October 13, the motorcycles will take to the woods of West Virginia following the race schedule of youth racing action starting the day off at 8 a.m., women and amateur riders race at 10 a.m. and the pros and top amateurs will start at 1 p.m.
All local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $50, and riders can sign up at the track or pre-enter. To learn more about GNCC Racing, refer to the GNCC 101 webpage.
Spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 ages six through 11, and children younger than six are free for the full weekend, Friday through Sunday, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.
There is also a camping fee of $20 for the weekend at Summit Bechtel Reserve. Bathhouse amenities are available, as well as free WIFI across the venue. Yamaha will be offering demo rides
The 2 p.m. pro-ATV race and 1 p.m. pro bike race will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet via Racer TV on www.racertv.com both Saturday and Sunday. A highlight show featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m.
For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call 304-284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and hashtag #GNCC.
How to Watch
Racer TV and NBC Sports Network are the official homes for coverage of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country events. All 13 rounds, from the season-opening Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina to the finale at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, will air in 30-minute, taped-delayed telecasts on NBCSN, while Racer TV provides live streaming coverage of the 1 p.m. ATV and motorcycle races from each event. Catch all the action at NBCSports.com and RacerTV.com.
National Trailfest to attract record ATV enthusiasts Oct 10-14
More than 5,000 ATV enthusiasts are expected to visit Gilbert, West Virginia, Oct. 10-14 during National Trailfest, now one of the nation’s largest all-terrain vehicle festivals.
“It’s amazing to watch a town of 500 people grow into a town of 5,500,” says Victoria Surber, director of the Gilbert Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Yet, I think a lot of people will agree, Gilbert is no ordinary town.” Read the full story here.
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