FMF/KTM’s Charlie Mullins leads the way into round six of the 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series.
The 2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, makes its return to the the oldest running venue on the circuit, Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, May 10-11, for the 33rd running of the Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn’s GNCC.
Perhaps best known for its hosting of the annual Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, the legendary venue has also been the site of some of the most exciting GNCC battles in the history of the series. The Ranch’s diverse terrain lends itself to a fast-paced course, but its loose rocks and technical sections, present numerous challenges to the competitors.
While Loretta Lynn Ranch is the oldest GNCC venue, this weekend’s Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn’s GNCC actually marks a return for the series after a one-year absence. The last time the series made an appearance at Loretta Lynn’s was in 2012. At that race, 2009 GNCC National Champion Paul Whibley secured the win en route to claiming his second GNCC title that year.
The battle for GNCC supremacy in 2014 has been between two factory KTM riders, FMF/KTM’s Kailub Russell and teammate Charlie Mullins. Through the first five rounds, Mullins, the 2011 GNCC National Champion, holds a slight points lead over reigning GNCC National Champion Russell, thanks to a big win at the last round, where Mullins snapped Russell’s previous three-race win streak to reclaim the points lead. Natrually, the two are expected to be huge factors in this weekend’s Parts Unlimited Loretta Lynn’s GNCC.
Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang, who sits third in the championship standings, has experienced both victory and defeat at the Loretta Lynn Ranch. In 2009, Strang captured the overall win at the race, but the Australian native sustained an unfortunate leg injury on the very same course in 2011. However, the 2010 GNCC National Champion has put himself within striking distance of the title contenders this season and will be hopingto break through with another win this Sunday.
Hailing from Cookeville, Tennessee, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn will compete in front of his home-state crowd this weekend. Still in his XC1 Pro rookie transition, Ashburn has been a consistent front-runner this season, and he is fourth overall in the championship standings, holding a place among a group of AMSOIL GNCC Champions. One of them is Ashburn’s N-Fab AmPro Yamaha teammate, two-time AMSOIL GNCC champ Paul Whibley, who currently sits fifth overall in the championship standings, just two points behind Ashburn.
Factory FMF/KTM’s Steward Baylor Jr. sits sixth overall as he continues to recover from a nagging wrist injury. His younger brother, KTM Support rider Grant Baylor, currently sits in seventh in the overall standings and second place in the XC2 Pro Lites class.
Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles’ Ricky Russell took over the points lead in the XC2 Pro Lites class after capturing his first career victory at the last round. Russell holds a slim two-point margin over Baylor, while rookie Trevor Bollinger is currently third in the class.
The WXC class continues to provide excellent racing action, with Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez atop the class point standings after five rounds. N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Becca Sheets maintains a solid second place position, just ahead of Ohio’s Mandi Mastin in third.
Youth bike racing will take place Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and Women at 10 a.m., while the top amateurs and pros race at 1 p.m. Local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. All admission includes pro pit access.
Tune into RacerTV.com on Saturday at 2 p.m. EST / 1 p.m. CST to catch LIVE coverage of the Pro Bike race at Round 6. For more information on GNCC Live coverage, visit www.racertv.com.
2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Maxxis
Overall National Championship Standings (After 5 of 13 rounds)*
1. Charlie Mullins-125/2 wins
2. Kailub Russell-118/3 wins
3. Josh Strang-90
4. Jordan Ashburn-77
5. Paul Whibley-75
6. Steward Baylor-71
7. Grant Baylor-67
8. Ricky Russell-62
9. Thad DuVall-61
10. Andrew Delong-55
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2014 National Champion.
For more information, visit www.gnccracing.com.
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