Can-Am's Bryan Buckhannon Wins 4x4 Open GNCC Championship
GNCC ATV Racing - Round 13 - Hurricane Mills, TN - November 5, 2011

Can-Am's Bryan Buckhannon took third overall in the morning class as well as clinching the 4x4 Open Class Championship at Loretta Lynn's

"I was thrilled to see Buckhannon win his class here at Loretta’s and repeat as 4x4 Open class champion,” said Jimmie O'Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. "McGill and Bithell rode extremely hard in Tennessee, like they have all season. They each led a portion of the race, but unfortunately couldn’t finish it out. Adam truly earned his second-place podium finish today and it was a good way for him to end the year.”

Bryan Buckhannon on his way to take the win & the championship aboard his Can-Am Outlander 800R xc Utility ATV

Going into the GNCC finals at Loretta Lynn’s, the 4x4 Open class championship came down to a battle between Buckhannon and fellow Can-Am X-Team racer Michael Swift. The class points lead belonged to Swift, but Buckhannon still had a shot at the title because he trailed by only two points. Unfortunately for Swift, a mechanical issue on lap two ended his day and his chance for a title. Buckhannon benefited from Swift’s absence and won his seventh race of the season and the 2011 class championship. The two racers actually ended up in a tie, but Buckhannon had the edge with one more victory. Can-Am X-Team racer Zac Zakowski (Zakowski Motorsports) posted his fourth 4x4 Open class podium in a row, finishing second to Buckhannon, to end the season in third place.

“I’m really excited to win the championship this year. It was done with a lot of help from family and friends and that really mean a lot to me. I have to thank Can-Am and all of my sponsors for all of their support,” said Buckhannon. “I will be back on Can-Am again next season and I will also be doing a little bit of side-by-side racing as well.”

Warnert Racing / Can-Am's Adam McGill placed second at Loretta's & will be running the #2 plate next season

“We were all really close in the last lap and I was able to get around and get into second. It felt good to end the season strong and on the podium,” said McGill. “I have to thank Can-Am and Warnert Racing for all of their hard work and everything they have done for me this season.”

Bithell also battled hard the entire race and was challenging for a top-three overall finish. He actually led on lap two of the race and looked to be a sure contender for the top step on the podium by mid-race. However, his pace was slowed by a lapped rider and dropped a few spots. He ended the day in fourth place and also placed fourth in the XC1 class points.

Can-Am / Warnert Racing's Chris Bithell finished just shy of a podium position. Bithell placed fourth overall in the XC1 Pro Class Points	Team UXC Racing's U2 Class Champion Cliff Beasley grabbed yet another win at Loretta Lynn's GNCC to finish the season off by winning all but one race

In other Can-Am GNCC Racing action, 2011 U2 Class Champion Cliff Beasley took an early lead and won his class by more than six minutes. Kevin Trantham, who finished the morning session 11th overall on his Can-Am Outlander 500, ended his 4x4 Lites Championship season with his 10th victory in 13 races. Another GNCC 4x4 class champion to win the final race was Forrest Whorton, who won his 12th race of the year in the 4x4 Super Senior division. MPR / Can-Am X-Team racer Mike Penland finished second to Whorton.

Two other amateur racers won on Can-Am ATVs at Loretta’s. Leading the way was Joshua Trafelette of Tomah, Wis. His sixth victory in 2011 was good enough for the 4x4 Novice class title. Can-Am racer Kristin Power notched her first victory of the season and secured third place overall in the Women’s Novice (15+) class. Women’s class racer Lexie Coulter (Warnert Racing / Can-Am) briefly led her class before a mechanical issue relegated her to eventually finish seventh in Tennessee and fourth overall for the season on her DS 450.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

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