FMF KTM’s Kailub Russell pulls past teammate Charlie Mullins in the at the series finale Ironman GNCC to hoist the premier XC1 crown; Andrew Delong takes a fourth straight XC2 Pro Lites win, but Grant Baylor wins the class title
The following is from Racer Productions, promoters of the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship:
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN, OCTOBER 27–Heading into the final event of the 23-round 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana, FMF/KTM factory rider Kailub Russell trailed teammate Charlie Mullins by just two points, setting the the table for a dramatic series finale. In a winner-take-all race, Russell prevailed, clinching his first career AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Championship over Mullins, 335-328, after three-hours of close racing.
Mullins didn’t yield his points lead without a fight, as he led in the early portion of the race after battling with AmPro Yamaha teammates Paul Whibley and Jordan Ashburn on the opening lap. Ashburn captured the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award, leading Whibley, Mullins, Russell and Rocky Mountain ATV/MC’s Josh Strang into the woods, but the tension mounted as GNCC officials held Russell for 15 seconds after he started his bike prior to the green flag.
“I usually rest my thumb on my starter before the 10 seconds call but this time I put a little too much pressure on it,” Russell said later. “I made a mistake, and they penalized me for it.”
But the setback failed to sway the determined Russell from making his way to the front of the field by the end of opening lap. Mullins smartly tucked in behind his teammate, and the duo flip-flopped the lead a few times while Whibley slotted into third place. DuVall and Strang caught Whibley, setting up a three-way battle for the final podium position. Midway through the race, DuVall and Strang passed Whibley, but both riders would fall victim to the rough Ironman terrain, suffering crashes that resulted in disappointing DNFs.
Whibley reclaimed third place, while FMF/RPM/KTM’s Rory Mead put together a superb ride in the second half of the race, jumping from eighth place to fourth placem while Ashburn dropped into fifth place and chased after Mead.
Up front, Mullins put up a valiant fight, but Russell was able to maintain the race lead, and Russell crossed the finish line 36 seconds ahead of his teammate to claim his first career Overall National Championship at the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC finale.
“It has been great season, but it hasn’t been without its struggles, that’s for sure,” Russell said. I was forced to dig myself out of a hole in the points earlier in the season, and I gave myself another shot at the championship today. It’s a great honor to be up here and battle with some of the best guys in the world.”
Despite missing out on a second career championship by a mere seven points, 2011 GNCC Champion Mullins still posted a total of five overall wins in 2013. He finished the season with his chin up.
“It was a fun year,” Mullins said. “What can I say? Kailub rode well today, and I gave it everything I had and came up a little short. Somebody had to lose and I guess it was me this year, but I can’t be bummed about too much since I stayed healthy. It’s good fuel for the fire next year and hopefully (I can) come back strong and go after the #1 plate in 2014.”
Whibley finished third at the Ironman, capturing his second consecutive podium finish after coming back from a mid-season injury. The two-time GNCC Champion and New Zealand native finished the 2013 season in fifth place overall in the championship standings.
“This is the premier off-road racing series in the world,” Whibley said. “Everyone dreams about coming to GNCC, and for me to come over here and win championships and get podium finishes is awesome. I’m just happy to be over here racing these guys and to come back and have two podiums at the end of the season is a good way to end it and I’m looking forward to the 2014 season.”
Mead was able to hold off Ashburn for fourth place, while Ashburn finished just ahead of teammate Ricky Russell, who was sixth. Litz Racing/Honda’s Takeshi Koikeda finished seventh, followed by Adam Bonneur in eighth, with Justin Bonita and Chris Bach completing the top 10 in the XC1 Class.
In the XC2 Class, F.A.R Husqvarna’s Andrew DeLong topped the XC2 Pro Lites division for the fourth consecutive race, followed by Ohio’s Scott Grills. Pennsylvania’s Shane Hufford Jr. maintained a sold position all afternoon, securing his third podium finish of the season in the XC2 Class. Indiana’s Zach Love captured the $100 DigitalOffroad.com Holeshot Award.
However, the XC2 Pro Lites Championship battle came down to the final round between KTM support rider Grant Baylor and DirtWise Schools/KTM-Parts.com/Maxxis KTM rider Jason Thomas. Thomas, the reigning XC2 Pro Lites Champion, finished the day in fourth place, but Baylor played it safe and crossed the finish line sixth, just behind Morgantown Powersports-backed Honda rider Layne Michael. Baylor’s safe performance earned him enough points to clinch the XC2 Pro Lites Championship at the tender age of 16 as a GNCC rookie, albeit with International Six Days Enduro experience under his belt.
Indiana’s Mike Witkowski claimed the Top Amateur Award in front of his home state friends and family at the Ironman season finale, claiming 17th overall for the day and the 250 A Class victory, while factory FMF/KTM’s Forsberg clinched the 2013 Women’s Class Championship in what will be year in the AMSOIL GNCC Series; Forsberg had announced her retirement from full-time off-road racing earlier in the month.
North Carolina’s Braxton McGee claimed his sixth overall Youth victory of the season. Braxton was followed closely by the second-place finisher in the Super Mini (14-15) Class, South Carolina’s Cole Mattison. In his GNCC Racing debut, amateur motocross star Chase Sexton topped the Super Mini (12-13) Class, claiming the third and final position on the overall Youth podium.
For more information on the series, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
Ironman GNCC
Crawfordsvile, IN
Results: October 27,2013
XC1
1. Kailub Russell-KTM
2. Charlie Mullins-KTM
3. Paul Whibley-Yam
4. Rory Mead-KTM
5. Jordan Ashburn-Yam
6. Ricky Russell-Yam
7. Takeshi Koikeda-Hon
8. Adam Bonneur-Kaw
9. Justin Bonita-KTM
10. Chris Bach-Yam
XC2 Pro Lites
1. Andrew DeLong-Hus
2. Scott Grills-Kaw
3. Shane Hufford Jr.-KTM
4. Jason Thomas-KTM
5. Layne Michael-Hon
6. Grant Baylor-KTM
7. Ian Blythe-KTM
8. Travis Coy-KTM
9. Ryan Lojak-Yam
10. Derrik Allen-Yam
Final Series Points Standings
*Overall National Championship Standings
1. Kailub Russell-335
2. Charlie Mullins-328
3. Chris Bach-192
4. Josh Strang-176
5. Paul Whibley-169
6. Thad DuVall-161
7. Jordan Ashburn-156
8. Grant Baylor-143
9. Jason Thomas-139
10. Andrew DeLong-121
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2013 National Champion.
XC2 Pro Lites
1. Grant Baylor-272
2. Jason Thomas-254
3. Andrew DeLong-241
4. Shane Hufford Jr.-195
5. Scott Grills-161
6. Layne Michael-136
7. Samuel Evans-126
8. Christopher Douglas-123
9. Travis Coy-119
10. Michael McGinnis-115
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