Team ITP racers won four classes and earned 10 total class
podiums at round nine of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC)
series held in West Virginia.
ITP-supported racers Dave Simmons, Brian Schmid, Mark Batson and Jordan Digby
each won his class at a muddy Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV. ITP Pro
Adam McGill earned fifth in the XC1 Pro class.
"To come away with four class victories and 10 total podiums
at a very rugged, muddy and difficult Snowshoe GNCC course is a nice
accomplishment. Unfortunately, a few of our top riders had some issues at this
round, but we're pleased with our season so far going into the GNCC summer
break," said ITP race support and public relations specialist Pat McGuire. "To
have this many racers leading their class in points or owning the most class
overall victories is rather impressive. We anxiously await the second portion
of the GNCC in September as we make our final push for multiple championships."
GNCC
Modeled after the historic Blackwater 100, the Snowshoe GNCC
features some of the roughest terrain on the 2013 schedule, offering racers'
rocks, tight woods, hills and, of course, mud. Heavy rain prior to the event
and a downpour during the afternoon session only enhanced Snowshoe's infamous
reputation and made for slick, challenging conditions.
ITP-backed racers won four classes and earned 10 total
podiums at round nine. One racer in the afternoon session earned a class win in
West Virginia. Brian
Schmid, who has five total wins in 2013, won round nine to extend his Senior
A/B 40+ class points lead. Junior A 22+ class competitor William "Duck" Lloyd
took third for the third straight event to maintain his class points lead
heading into the summer break. The final ITP-supported racer to earn an
afternoon podium was Brigham Patterson in the College B (16-21) class.
Patterson followed up his victory at round eight with a second-place run at
Snowshoe.
In the XC1 ATV Pro class, McGill (Lonestar Racing/Precision/ITP) battled
for a podium spot during the midpoint of the Pro class race. He was third place
after lap four but dropped to fourth and then fifth by the end of lap five
after struggling in the rocks. McGill ended the day in fifth place in the
class. A fourth consecutive top-five finish has McGill sitting fourth overall
in the Pro class points race, just nine points out of second, heading into the
break.
The top finishing XC2 Pro-Am class ITP racer was Chad Jones,
who earned his fourth top-five finish of the season. He's currently ninth in
the points standings, edging another ITP racer in Nathan Wallpe, who is ranked
10th after his twelfth-place finish at round nine.
Team ITP racers had more success in the morning, winning two
classes and earning five podiums. Dave Simmons (Super Senior 45+) led the way,
earning fourth overall in the morning session using ITP tires. Simmons now has
six wins and seven podium finishes in eight rounds of racing heading into the
break. The other morning racer to win his class using ITP tires was 35+ C class
points leader Mark Batson. He has now won five straight rounds and is the clear
favorite for the class title going into the final four rounds of racing.
Sam Williams (4x4 Open), Kristen Deloach and Kelley Deloach-both
in the Women's Amateur 15+ division-were the other ITP class podium finishers
in the series' morning. session. Williams has tallied eight podiums in nine
rounds of racing. Kristen Deloach is currently second in points in her class but
has five wins in eight races.
Team racers also found success in the Youth class ranks, as
Jordan Digby won the 90 Limited (8-12) class on ITP tires. Digby has four wins
in 2013 and is currently third in the class points race. Carter Kerens took
second in the 125 Senior (12-15) class at Showshoe to climb to within one point
of the overall points lead. After attending eight rounds, he now has four wins
to go with three second-place finishes and will look to take over the class
points lead after round ten.
Round ten of the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC series will take place
Sept. 7-8, with the Can-Am Unadilla in New
Berlin, NY.
