Kailub Russell Faces Stacked Field of GNCC Pros This Sunday Aboard a KTM 150XC two-stroke.
Factory FMF/KTM rider Kailub Russell already locked up his second straight AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship at the last Car-Mate Mountain Ridge GNCC in Somerset, Pennsylvania, two weeks ago, so why not have a little fun at the next round of the series?
That’s just what Russell intends to do at this weekend’s ITP Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio, the penultimate round of the AMSOIL GNCC Series.
Rather than line up against the stacked field of XC1 Pro competitors on his usual factory KTM 350cc four-stroke, Russell has decided to make some noise, literally, by contesting the event on a screaming Factory FMF/KTM 150cc two-stroke.
It’s all in fun, and Russell has to know that he will be putting his five-race win streak on the line as he also tries to land his 22nd career victory, which would give fifth place on the All-Time Bike Wins list. If he can pull it off on the high-strung 150cc two-stroke, he will definitely have earned it.
“I’m leaving the KTM 350 [four-stroke] in the garage and bringing out the KTM 150 two-stroke for the last two rounds,” Russell said. “I’ve only practiced on it a few times this week, but I’m looking forward to having some fun on it.”
And Russell’s decision to race the 150XC at the final two rounds is more than just a move to tickle his fancy. The Factory FMF/KTM racer is currently hosting a public raffle where one lucky winner will receive the exact bike that he’s competing on at the final two rounds of the AMSOIL GNCC Series. All proceeds from the raffle will be split to help benefit injured GNCC Racer Rory Mead with his ongoing spinal injury rehabilitation, while also helping to fund Russell’s trip with Team USA to the International Six Days Enduro in Argentina later this year.
Even though the title has been decided, there is a lot at stake in the final two rounds. Following yet another podium finish last round, N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn vaulted himself into second place in the championship standings, but he is only one point ahead of Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Josh Strang. Ashburn enjoyed a fantastic outing at the last round, leading four of the six laps in a close battle with Russell for the overall win, and with Russell moving to the 150, Ashburn may have his best chance to claim an overall win this season. Strang may have lost one position the National Championship standings, but the 2010 AMSOIL GNCC National Champion is still looking to capture his first victory of the season, too. Doing so would allow him to reclaim second place in the standings.
But if Russell is an X factor for the ITP Powerline Park GNCC, so too is Factory FMF/KTM’s Charlie Mullins, who is set to return to the GNCC series this weekend after missing the last four rounds with a double wrist injury. The 2011 GNCC National Champion, Mullins is the only other rider to post an overall win this season, and he was in the thick of the title battle before his injury. Mullins has nothing to race for but the event wins in the final two rounds, and he could prove to be a spoiler.
But Mullins won’t spopl KTM Support rider Grant Baylor’s chances for a second consecutive XC2 Pro Lites Championship. Baylor has been dominant in XC2 lately, and he is poised to wrap up the title at Powerline Park. Baylor is currently on a four-race winning streak behind him, but landing the title is the priority, as it will be his last chance to do so this season. Baylor will be moving to the XC1 class, starting with the season finale in Indiana.
With Raines Riding University/Atlas Cycles’ Ricky Russell out with injury for the rest of the season, XC2 Pro Lites rookie Trevor Bollinger has indefinitely moved into the second place position in the class standings. Bollinger secured his first career XC2 victory earlier this season and the North Carolina native has been consistently up front ever since. With his biggest competitor preparing to move to the front row, Bollinger has his sights set on conquering the center of the podium.
Since making the move to XC2 around mid-season, KR4 Arrive-N-Ride’s Nick Davis has made a mark with a consistent string of podium finishes. Davis sits back in ninth in the class standings but his results show that he will be a solid contender in the 2015 championship bid.
With the 2014 WXC Championship in hand, Factory FMF/KTM’s Kacy Martinez continues to battle for race wins in a highly competitive Women’s class. Last round, KR4 Arrive-N-Ride’s Sarah Baldwin captured her first WXC victory of the season, vaulting herself into third place in the championship standings behind N-Fab AmPro Yamaha’s Becca Sheets.
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. Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11). Kids five and under are free. 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.
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