Kailub Russell and Josh Strang will break the tie atop the AMSOIL GNCC Series at this weekend’s CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC.
After getting off to an uncharacteristically slow start in the 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell has been on a roll.
The three-time and defending GNCC National Champion has won the last two rounds of the series, and that has placed him in a tie with Rockstar Energy/Bel-Ray Husqvarna’s Josh Strang, the winner of the first two rounds of the season, for first place in the series points standings.
That will undoubtedly change this weekend as the series heads to round five, the inaugural CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC at Moree’s Sportsman’s Preserve in Society Hill, South Carolina. The question of the moment is whether Russell can take advantage of the momentum he has gained over the past two rounds or whether Strang, himself a former series champion, can rebound and put a stop to it.
“I’m really excited for this round,” Russell said. “We’ve never been there before so no one knows what to expect, but I hear it’s kind of sandy, and the racing should be pretty tight because the trails will be all-new and fresh.”
Indeed, this weekend marks the first time that an off-road race has ever been held at at Moree’s Sportsman’s Preserve. The site used to host motocross races, but the racing facility closed. This weekend is the only time that ATVs and dirt bikes will be on the property, which speaks to the ever-increasing appeal of the AMSOIL GNCC series.
PHOTO BY KEN HILL.
It should appeal to Strang, as the Australian has a knack for adapting quickly to unfamiliar terrain. His win at the inaugural Maxxis Cannonball GNCC earlier this year is evidence of that.
“The last track was pretty fast, and I’m expecting this weekend to be a little more technical,” Strang said. “Overall I think it will be good to experience a new track and see what it has to offer.”
“I like the sand,” Bach said “I had a good ride going in Florida and felt really comfortable. I always like going to a new track where no one knows the terrain because it puts us all on a level playing field. It worked out to my advantage at the new race in New York last year, and I was able to get the win there so hopefully that happens again this weekend.”
The series will be without regular contender and reigning International Six Days Enduro Individual Champion Ryan Sipes, however. The Coastal Racing/Rockstar/Husqvarna man recently underwent surgery from an injury sustained at a non-GNCC event last weekend in which he suffered a broken pinky. Sipes plans to return for the next round at Indiana.
The N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha team can also be expected to be competitive, as team rider Daniel Milner also has ample sand experience, and he used it to help him earn a podium position at the season opener in Florida. The Australian hopes to land another podium finish and move up in the championship points standings, and his teammate, Grant Baylor is hoping to do the same after a rough start to the season; Baylor’s best finish came at the last round, sixth place.
Westfield Powersports KTM Presented by Moose Racing’s Jordan Ashburn is another potential winner, as he showed that he has the speed to get to the front at the previous round when he led some laps. Ninth in the series standings, the Tennessee native will be gunning for his first podium finish of the season this weekend.
Meanwhile, JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing’s Trevor Bollinger is enjoying the kind of season in the XC2 Pro-Am division that Russell enjoyed in the XC1 Pro class last year. Bollinger remains undefeated after sweeping the first four rounds, and he has to be considered the favorite heading into the CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC.
“My plan for this weekend is to get another podium, if not a win,” Bollinger said. “The sand typically isn’t my strong suit, but I’m going to do the best I can and try to make it five-in-a-row.”
However, there are other hungry young lions ready to put a stop to Bollinger’s charge. Coastal Racing/Husqvarna/MSR’s Craig Delong has been very consistent, landing three podium finishes while Beta USA/Fly Racing/Kenda Tires’ teammates Jesse Groemm and Tegan Temple are also riding well, sitting third and fourth respectively behind Bollinger and Delong in he XC2 class standings.
Sunday’s race schedule will begin with Youth Bike racing at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and women at 10 a.m. and pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m. Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11), with kids five and under free. Gate admission includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.
As always, GNCC encourages local racers to come and sample its brand of off-road racing. The series 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. Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be Jay Grimes (Masters B 50+), siblings Cassidy (WXC) and Owen Brown (200 C 16+), Kyle Parker (200 C 16+), siblings Andrew (65 7-9) and Raymie Segars (85 12-13), Johnny Thomas (Elite Masters 65+) and TJ Weber (200 B).
For more information on the AMSOIL GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com.
2016 AMSOIL GNCC Series Overall National Championship Standings (after 4 of 13 rounds)
1. Kailub Russell (106)
2. Josh Strang (106)
3. Chris Bach (71)
4. Ryan Sipes (66)
5. Trevor Bollinger (62)
6. Daniel Milner (61)
7. Grant Baylor (50)
8. Steward Baylor Jr. (46)
9. Jordan Ashburn (41)
10. Craig Delong (38)
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