Five
Can-Am 4x4 ATV racers won their class at the opening round of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand
National Cross Country (GNCC) series in River Ranch, FL. Robert Smith, who won
the U2 class aboard his Can-Am Renegade 4x4, was the top finishing Can-Am racer
and also took second overall on the morning podium. Reigning 4x4 open class
champion Bryan Buckhannon notched a victory on his Outlander 800R. XC1 ATV Pro
class racer Jarrod McClure earned fifth in his first GNCC race competing on his
Can-Am DS 450 ATV.
"We
had a good opening round of GNCC racing, earning five class victories, a top
five in the Pro class and having Can-Am racers Robert Smith and Bryan
Buckhannon reach the overall morning podium," said Jimmie O'Dell, Can-Am race manager.
"We're excited to be back racing in the GNCC series and are already looking
ahead to this weekend in Georgia.
Not only will be looking to notch more victories with Can-Am ATVs, but we will debut
the exceptional Can-Am Maverick 1000R in GNCC side-by-side action."
The
Florida course lived up to its reputation as being one of the most difficult
races of the season, as the extremely dusty 10.5-mile track was very rough,
sandy and full of palmetto tree roots and stumps. In morning action, Smith not
only won the competitive U2 class aboard his Can-Am Renegade, but also
surprised himself in the process. Smith, who overcame a somewhat serious arm
injury suffered a month prior to the race, outran every 4x4 in the field to
earn second overall in the morning session. Renegade ATV racers Jordan Phillips
and Corry Savage rounded out the U2 class podium.
"It's
big to win the opening round. I never thought it would happen because I've been
off the quad for a month. To go out there and get a win was unbelievable," said
Smith. "The track was rough with lots of roots and rough edges. It was a lot of
fun to be on a four-wheel drive Renegade and stay on top of everything."
ATV
Parts Plus/Can-Am X-Team racer Buckhannon won the 4x4 Open class by more than
two minutes and stood on the overall morning podium (third) and the 4x4 podium
(second). It was his second straight year winning the 4x4 Open class at the Florida opener. Earning
his first GNCC podium finish, Bo Jones rode his Can-Am Outlander to second
place in the 4x4 Open class, followed closely by JB Racing/Can-Am pilot Sam
Williams.
"It
got a little bit tough at the end of the day, but I was able to pull off the
class win," said Buckhannon. "All I want to do it have fun and try to win my
class this year."
In
the 4x4 Lites class, Michael Edwards raced his Can-Am Outlander 500 to his
first GNCC class victory. Defending class champion Kevin Trantham took second
aboard his Outlander 500.
Other
Can-Am 4x4 racers who earned wins in Florida
were defending 4x4 Senior (40+) class champion Forrest Whorton and Jeff
Marinko, who rode his Can-Am ATV to an impressive class victory in the 4x4
Novice class.
McClure
(JB Racing/Can-Am) earned a top five finish in the afternoon XC1 Pro ATV race.
He came out of the first turn in seventh, but was already up to fourth by the
end of the first lap. He later lost a position when he had to stop to fix a
damaged oil line and change his gloves due to blisters on his hands. Once the
repairs were made, McClure rejoined the race without losing a spot. He ended
his inaugural Can-Am DS 450 GNCC race with a top five finish, more than 3 minutes
ahead of sixth.
"I
am happy to get Florida
behind me and come out with a top five finish," said McClure. "I am really
looking forward to Georgia.
My pit crew was great. The DS has a lot more power than I am used to, so it was
awesome in the sand. I think we'll have a good year."
For
more information on Can-Am racing, the Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicle, the
entire 2013 schedule, the '13 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur
racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
