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Chris Bithell Rounds
out Top Five & Scott Kilby Podiums at the GNCC -
Ironman
Chris Bithell
Rick Cecco
Scott Kilby |
Crawfordsville, IN – Muddy conditions were no
match for the Can-Am/Warnert team at the final
round of the 2008 GNCC series as Chris Bithell
made an impressive charge to end his season with
a top five finish, while 4x4 Open racer Scott
Kilby battled his way to the podium in the
morning classes.
The Ironman is a favorite among many of the
Can-Am/Warnert team and it showed this weekend
as several team members ended their season with
some impressive results, including Pro class
racer Chris Bithell. Bithell got off to a
mid-pack start, but wasn’t about to settle for
mediocre. Bithell began working his way through
traffic and by the end of the first lap, had
moved up two positions. Bithell remained
consistent through the second and third laps,
but it was in the final lap when Bithell made
his incredible charge, passing six of his
competitors to take 5th place overall.
Scott Kilby put on a very impressive
performance in the morning classes. The 4x4 Open
class was first off the line and Kilby took full
advantage of that, quickly coming off the line
and taking second in the holeshot. Kilby, who
has been extremely consistent all season, rode
smart, choosing good lines and avoiding the many
bottlenecks that formed throughout the track.
When it was all over, Kilby ended his day with
second in his class and second overall, which
was his first time on the podium this year.
“It’s really great to end the season like that.
Now I’m really pumped for next season!” Kilby
exclaimed. Scott ended his season with second in
the 4x4 Open points race and plans to train hard
over the off season to put the Can-Am/Warnert
team on top next season.
Clifton Beasley, who has had an amazing
season and wrapped up the 4x4 Lites championship
for the Can-Am/Warnert team before the summer
break, added another class win to his already
outstanding record. As the 4x4 Lites class left
the line, Beasley took the holeshot and never
looked back. Cliff powered his way through the
rough stuff with ease, taking his 11th class win
of the season. “I’m really glad to have ended
the season on a high note like this. The Warnert
team has done an excellent job and had my
Outlander running flawlessly all season,” said
Beasley, who plans to do plenty of training over
the off season to defend his championship status
next year.
U2 class racer, Rick Cecco also ended his
season with a hard charge. Rick took the
holeshot and led his class for the first lap,
but one of the many bottlenecks caused him to
fall back. Not one to give up easily, Cecco put
his head down and began working his way through
the pack and by the end of the second lap, had
worked himself all the way up to second place.
Cecco was riding consistently and was gaining on
class leader Robert Smith, but Cecco ran out of
gas in the last lap, and fell back. Luckily for
Cecco, he was able to refuel and once again make
a charge for the front. Cecco worked furiously
and before reaching the checkered flag,
reclaimed his second place status, which put him
in third place for the U2 class points race.
Now that the 2008 GNCC season has come to a
close, some of the Can-Am/Warnert team will take
a short break before getting back to their
rigorous training schedules, but a few others
will be heading to Iowa to try their luck at the
GBC Heartland Challenge 10-hour endurance race
and a shot at a record $7,500 first place Pro
Utility ATV class prize.
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