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View Full Version : 2008 GNCC -Round#3-Steele Creek-Morning Race Coverage



Pappy
03-30-2008, 07:42 PM
Round #3 of the Can Am GNCC Series made it's way to the scenic Steele Creek campground for one of the most scenic stops of the series. Friday greeted arriving racers with sunshine and warm temperatures, but that would all change as rain showers and cold air moved in during the night.


With rain falling prior to the 10 am start, getting around to see everyone was going to be tough. Thankfully the Can Am rig has a huge canopy and allowed me a break from the rain drops. Jerime Dudding gets geared up for the two hour battle in the 4x4 Lites class. (that aint water, thats some of granpap's magic mountain juice!):devil:

Pappy
03-30-2008, 07:51 PM
While the morning race is primarility thought of has the "Amatuer" race, nothing could be further from reality. With factory backed rides now gracing several classes, the first few rows look more like "Pro" classes then ever before.

U2 Class rider Rick Cecco gets ready for the race aboard his Can Am Renegade. Cecco finished 3rd overall in round 1, and 2nd in class at round 2.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 07:54 PM
Clifton Beasley flat knows how to make these 4x4 machines fly, and is off to a great start for 2008.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 07:56 PM
One rider that burst back onto the GNCC scene this season is Brandon Sturdivant. He is running a back up quad for fun, and has been running upfront at each round! I wonder what would happen if he got a ful ride and took this stuff serious:eek2:

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:02 PM
The morning race also features much better looking competitors then the afternoon race:eek:

Jennifer Albright looks pretty thrilled as she stands in the rain:p Albright is a hard core racer and has stepped up her game for the 2008 season.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:06 PM
Traci Cecco chats with one of her sponsors (Hiper Technologies) before the start.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:10 PM
Angel Atwell has stepped up her racing and is now usually a serious threat to win the morning overall at each round. The ladies have the class battle, but the overall means alot and they take it very seriously.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:18 PM
36+ C class would have HMF founder Hans Luenger participating this round.

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:21 PM
Way at the back sits the reason I dont get as many shots before the start as I woud like:p My son to the right , and good friend Kyle Riley on the left.

Kyle is no stranger to atv racing, taking wins in the 90 Mod class in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Kyle would be starting his 2008 season at this round aboard a Yamaha Raptor

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:24 PM
The local Jr ROTC color guard was on hand and they did an excellent job!

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:28 PM
Micheal Benson made his return to GNCC racing after missing the first two rounds. Benson had hung up his helmet, but had a change of heart. He stated that his sponsors all climbed back onboard and he was here to see how he would fare.

Grabbing the holeshot in the U2 class was telling us he hadn't lost his touch!

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:29 PM
Rick Cecco was giving chase to Benson as he heads through turn two

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:31 PM
Mr Fun, Brandon Sturdivant was looking pretty serious as he ripped up turn two as he chased down the leaders!

Pappy
03-30-2008, 08:32 PM
Scott Kilby was out front in the 4x4 Open class

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:15 AM
Stephanie Parton led the ladies out, getting herself the holeshot and a clean run to the woods

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:16 AM
Traci was being challenged early by Kirsten Atwell

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:19 AM
Shanna Bradshaw hugs the inside as Kara Merritt takes the main line to turn 3

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:25 AM
Mike Ockerman lead John Kenney and the rest of Super Senior at turn two

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:26 AM
Fellow Senior class racer John Gallagher Sr gets hard on the gas as he heads to turn three.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:32 AM
In the 4x4 Limited class, Michael Swift got the holeshot and was gone!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:37 AM
There are so many rows to start in the morning class, that by the time the last row leaves, the leaders are almost in to score the first lap!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:39 AM
Womens Novice heads out for two hours of fun!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:42 AM
The Schoolboy class is awesome, allowing those that meet the age requirements a chance to race with the adults. Wlaker Fowler is usually the young man to beat, but after injuring his ankle at round two, he would be missing this round as he allows it to heal.

For Hunter Dalrymple, it was a chance to get out front as he got the holeshot

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:45 AM
All 3 Raptors in this shot have cut their teeth XC racing at the same local series. Canan Summerfield, Kyle Riley and Cody Hill work through turn two.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:47 AM
28 entries were signed up for the Schoolboy class which is good news as these are the riders and families that will carry the torch for our future!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:51 AM
Mike Benson, back in the saddle and ripping it up! Benson was out front and looking to just do well after missing the first two rounds.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:53 AM
Traci Cecco had claimed the lead from parton on the first lap and was chasing down the Utility riders who started ahead of the Womens class.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 09:56 AM
Jennifer Albright had moved into 2nd behind Cecco and held the spot until lap 3 where she fell back and finished the day in the 9th spot

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:02 AM
John Gallagher rides to the Super Senior win and 7th overall! John claims he is just having fun as well and if he gets a win it is just icing on the cake:p Good ride John!!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:03 AM
Parton ran dropped back to 4th and finished her day in that position.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:07 AM
The rain had picked up and I was just doing my best to get some shots and keep my gear dry:p

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:09 AM
We have all seen worse mud at these events, but being wet and muddy and trying to work some of the steep hills was work!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:11 AM
Dave Burton has to love XC racing, just look at that smile!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:13 AM
A rider that pulls over is good...one that pulls over then back into traffic at a tight spot = bad:p

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:16 AM
My hearing is pretty bad, but a friendly wave I understand:p

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:19 AM
Kyle Riley on his way to a 4th place class finish!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:21 AM
Jim Stack heading to a 7th place finish in U2

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:22 AM
Watching some of the Utility riders after the race showed just how much energy it takes to pilot one of thes 600 pound machines around the course for 2 hours

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:24 AM
Bryan Buckhannon was one of those tired riders, as he rode to the class win in 4x4 Open!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:26 AM
Angel Atwell was just off the pace but still riding in top form

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:28 AM
Ken Robey worked his Kymco to 3rd in the 4x4 Lites class

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:30 AM
The rain was falling even harder by lap 2, and I was just about ready to run for the safety of a tent:p

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:32 AM
By the end of lap 2, we still had riders bunched up, and when something went wrong a new bottleneck was formed

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:34 AM
Hans Luenger rode his KTM to 4th in 36C

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:38 AM
Rick Cecco was having abad day, finding himself in the 17th spot at the end of lap 1. Rick worked his way back to finish 10th in the U2 class

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:40 AM
The rain looked to be letting up, so I took up a new position. The corners were slick but the rain wasnt having a huge impact in the woods

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:42 AM
No sooner then I set up, the rain hit again:p Is it me:ermm:

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:44 AM
I could hear over the radio that Benson was leading the overall and that Cecco was closing in. With the time adjustment, this could be another down to the wire race.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:46 AM
Jennifer Fulkerson leaves her pit after fueling up.

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:48 AM
I made a quick stop to get my gear inside out of the rain and headed off to the finish line area to see the end of the race.

Benson came in for the last time as he entered the last obstacle before the checkered flag

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:50 AM
A hard hit as he was heading up the hill threw him off the quad

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:52 AM
Benson tried getting to the rear of the quad only to hit the ground again, as the mud was like ice

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:53 AM
Benson finally was able to get remounted and headed to teh finish line!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 10:58 AM
The damage was done, as Traci pulled in to take the win!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:00 AM
The finish line area was packed with fans as the remainder of racers worked the last section

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:03 AM
Cody Hill makes to the checkered flag, finishing 11th in class and 143rd overall out over 300 riders. He had wrecked on the first lap and at the start of teh 2nd he felt something funny in his steering. After the race, we found the lower stem nut had backed off to the cotter pin. Next round he says:p

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:05 AM
Steam was everywhere as the wet muck covered hot engines

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:06 AM
This makes 3 wins in a row for Beasley in the 4x4 Lites class!

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:09 AM
For Brandon Sturdivant, a flat tire slowed his pace as he finished 2nd behind benson in U2. He currently has teh points lead in this class and i expect to see him on the podium soon

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:13 AM
Cold , wet and tired, your morning overall winners take the podium

Pappy
03-31-2008, 11:14 AM
That wraps up our morning coverage, and we will be seeing everyone at the next round!!! For a bit larger view, check out the new viewing page and let the slideshow work for ya:p

Gallery (http://kenny.zenfolio.com/p595665944/?photo=508126413)

Simon MX49
04-07-2008, 07:07 AM
o YAH, Page 2, the pic of the Yamaha with the silver hood, the Yamaha right behind it is me. Too many bottlenecks kept me out of the top 10:mad: