Jesse West Leads GNCC Points
Aboard his Arctic Cat
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Arctic
Cat's Jesse West |
Thief River Falls, MN (4/9/2007) - Just
three races into the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC)
Series, factory Arctic Cat racer Jesse West launched himself
from underdog to top dog, thanks to two podium finishes,
including a win at the season opener in Vero Beach, Fla.
Competing in the ultra-competitive 4x4 Open class for
the first time in his young career, West combined his
win in Vero Beach with a third-place in Washington, Ga.,
and fifth-place in Morganton, N.C., to lead the series’
championship point chase.
West’s remarkable start to the race season is
especially impressive for two reasons: He’s piloting
a stock Arctic Cat 650 H1 4x4 against a field loaded
with highly-modified machines as large as 840cc; and
it’s his first foray into GNCC racing, in a career
that began less than one year ago in the World Powersports
(WPSA) Quad Terrain Challenge races.
The 24-year-old from Thief River Falls, Minn., headed
to the first race unknowing of the extent of the challenges
ahead of him, but confident of his ability. West’s
goals for his racing are to finish well while showcasing
the performance durability of Arctic Cat’s engine,
chassis and suspensions.
“My 650 H1 has a lot less horsepower compared
to the competition,” said West, “Which means
I have to out drive them. That requires a durable bike.
When they’ve tried running my pace, they’ve
broken down.”
His lack of experience cost West higher placings in
the last two races, but that's part of the GNCC learning
curve.
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Jesse
West racing with a mangled front rim and flat
tires at GNCC Round 3 "The General" |
“I was leading the second race in Georgia by
a nice margin, but I’d gotten three flat tires
and had to slow down,” he said. “I’d
used stock wheels in the previous race but the obstacles
changed drastically in Georgia. I quickly learned bead-lock
wheels are necessary, which we got just in time for
North Carolina, but weren’t able to test before
the race. I was in second place and catching the leader
when the lug-nuts came loose, forcing me to stop for
a repair ending in a fifth place finish.”
Chalk these up as learning experiences, of which there
will undoubtedly be many this season.
Arctic Cat media spokesman Kale Wainer stated, “That’s
part of why we’re racing; to learn, but also show
consumers how competitive the 650 H1 can be compared
to fully-modified bikes from other brands. Racing in
these accelerated test conditions only helps Arctic
Cat improve the bikes durability while maintaining their
unmatched strength.”
West remarked on factory racing for Arctic Cat, “Racing
is in my blood, it’s a passion, and a dream come
true!”
Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers,
manufactures and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) under the Arctic Cat brand name, as
well as related parts, garments and accessories. For
more information on Arctic Cat ATVs, please visit your
local dealer or log on to www.arcticcat.com.
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