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Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series

GNCC Series Resumes with Title on the Line this Weekend
Hawk, Mullins, looking to stop Salminen

Yadkinville, NC – Finnish 10-Time World Enduro Champion Juha Salminen has the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series Championship in sight at this weekend’s Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC in Yadkinville, NC. But as the series resumes from its annual summer break, Salminen sees the competition heating up. Am Pro Yamaha’s Barry Hawk won the previous GNCC event at the Wisp, and he’s looking to repeat as last year’s winner at the Stomp.

“I feel good,” said Hawk after a practice session at his home test track. “After Wisp, I didn’t want to change anything because it’s all working, but at the same time, you’re always looking for ways to get that little edge. Juha is a great rider, and it’s great to be able to run with him.”

Salminen has built a huge series’ points lead from his early-season dominance. He won the first six races of the year, but he’s faced stiff competition from Hawk and his young rookie teammate Charlie Mullins over the last few races. After four spectacular battles between the three, Hawk emerged with two wins. But the damage is done in the standings, as the factory KTM-mounted Salminen needs a win and Hawk to finish third or worse this weekend to lock up his second-straight GNCC Title.

Several spoilers will be in contention as well during Sunday afternoon’s pro race. FMF/Suzuki’s five-time GNCC Champion Rodney Smith is back in the hunt after a series of injuries, and he’s looking to end his final full season of racing on a high note. His teammate Glenn Kearney was strong early in the season but has struggled as of late. He needs a podium to rebuild his confidence. Like Smith, the career is winding down for Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Fred Andrews, and “Fast” Freddy has upped his summer training program in the hopes of a few more strong finishes. Other contenders include 2000 GNCC Champion Shane Watts, New Zealand’s Honda threat Paul Whibley, Suzuki’s Jimmy Jarrett, and newcomers Nathan Kanney and Justin Williamson.

The riders will compete on a custom-built woods course featuring rocks, mud, hills and trails. Last year marked the first-ever running of the Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC, and the course quickly garnered a tough reputation due to its deep water crossing, where fans gathered on the banks to cheer the riders on.

The race also features a full schedule of ATV racing on Saturday. Yamaha’s Bill Ballance wants to collect his record-tying seventh GNCC ATV title, but the Kentucky rider is locked in a battle with Sunbury, PA’s Chris Borich. It’s still anyone’s championship in the battle between the Killer B’s. Veteran favorite William Yokley is a threat every weekend on his Yoshimura/Monster Suzuki, plus, a host of young riders are staking their claim to victory lane, including Chris Jenks, Chris Bithell and Adam McGill.

The Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC begins Saturday, September 9, with four-wheeled ATV racing. Pro racing begins at 1 p.m. Bikes race on Sunday, with the pro race beginning at 1 p.m. Weekend passes run $12 and children six and under are free. All passes include pro pit admission and autographs.

Take I-77 to Exit 73A to Highway 421 South. Go 10 miles to Exit 256, Unifi Industrial Road. Turn left, go 1.2 miles to end of road. Turn right on old Rte. 421. Go 2/10 mile, turn left on Myers Rd. Go 1 mile, race track is on left.

The AMA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1800 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF, ITP and Tire Balls, and riders compete for over $3 million in series prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility Division, Scott, Acerbis, Alpinestars, Cometic, Outerwears, Twin Air, Polisport Plastics, Thor, Motion Pro, Hyper Wheels, Elka Suspension, MotoTee’s, Weekend Warrior, Owens Motorsports, Tom’s Marina Polaris, EK Chain and Laeger’s. Media Sponsors include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine, www.ATVRiders.com and Racer X Illustrated. For more information log on to www.GNCCRacing.com.