Valcourt, Québec – Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc racer Rob Smith won the 4x4 Pro class and the overall in the 10 a.m. session at round three of the 2014 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country series in rainy North Carolina. Can-Am 4x4 racers won all four 4x4 morning classes, which included a 1-2-3 sweep in the 4x4 Pro class and earned nine total 4x4 class podium finishes out of a possible 12.
“Can-Am ATV racers had a great weekend at the Steele Creek GNCC, overcoming the elements to win all four 4x4 classes and sweep the morning overall podium,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “The new 4x4 Pro class points race is very tight after three rounds now that Rob Smith notched his first win of the year. We’ve had three different Renegade 800R X xc racers win thus far, and I definitely see this one going down to the wire. It’s very exciting for everyone at BRP and I’m sure the fans are thrilled as well.”
The third round of the GNCC series was held at an extremely challenging and soggy Steele Creek in Morganton, NC. Despite the slippery terrain and poor weather that forced the GNCC crew to shorten the 10 a.m. morning race to three laps, Can-Am 4x4 Pro racers were on the gas, going 1-2-3 to sweep the overall podium and also the 4x4 Pro class podium. BNR Motorsports/Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc pilot Rob Smith earned his first class win of the year and second career morning overall with an impressive ride in N.C. Smith went from fifth place on lap one to third on lap two to first place on the third-and-final lap to earn his first win of 2014.
“I really needed this win ... it is my second overall win ever and my first win in the new 4x4 Pro class,” said Smith. “Everything worked in my favor today and I couldn’t be happier. The track was a sloppy, muddy mess. I am so glad my Can-Am has four-wheel drive. I was able to power through everything without worrying about getting stuck. It really gave me an advantage with the conditions. My Renegade was perfect.”
Round-one winner Kevin Trantham (Can-Am X-Team) also led a portion of the race, but ended up second by less than one second to Smith. The third 4x4 Pro podium and morning overall position went to ATV Parts Plus/Can-Am Renegade racer Bryan Buckhannon. Despite leading the first two laps, Jordan Phillips, the winner of round two, ran into trouble on the final lap and ended up fifth. The current 4x4 Pro class points shake down like this: Buckhannon (71 points; no wins); Trantham (70 points; 1 win); Smith/Phillips (tied with 64 points; one win each).
“I’ve raced Steele Creek many, many times and this was by far the muddiest it has ever been,” Trantham said. “I am happy with second overall. It’s great to have three Can-Am ATVs on the overall podium. It was a tough mud race and we all worked hard to get up here.”
Can-Am 4x4 ATV racers also won three other classes. Tanner Bowles, eighth overall in the 10 a.m. session, notched his second straight victory in the 4x4 A/B class to expand his points lead. Bowles was joined on the podium by Can-Am racer Joshua Trafelet, who took second. Terry Whiteside earned the 4x4 Senior (40+) class win, which was his second of the season. Reigning champion Forrest Whorton was fifth, but still sits second in the points race. Nick Mase, also on a Can-Am 4x4, took second at Steele Creek. Can-Am 4x4 C class racer Nicholas Eichelberger won his class to climb to within two points of the class leader despite missing round one. Ryan Trantham joined him on the box in third.
