"Mountain Challenge" Outlaw Race 1-12-08

With some prompting from atv racing fans in the area, what was scheduled for a bike race was worked into holding an atv xc race on saturday. Being smack dab in the middle of the off season for a large portion of the GNCC teams, it offered a killer oppertunity for those able to make it as race testing is where it is at when it comes to dialing in new riders and equipment.

John Gallahger was on hand to give the Polaris Outlaw a thrashing, which is nothing new, however John would be racing a straight axle version to see if this model could be incorperated into his racing during the 2008 season. John has been campaigning in the Senior class in the GNCC series aboard an IRS model.

Race Photo gallery

Womens class GNCC champion Traci Cecco basks in the warming sun as the days event was just getting started.

GNCC Pro rider Brent Sturdivant gives his factory backed Can Am DS450 a once over before the race. Brent was working with his suspension sponsor, Custom Axis, and the entire weekend was devoted to getting his ride dialed in for the upcoming season.

Another member of the LTE racing team, Jeremy Dudding gets geared up in anticipation of the noon start. Dudding is wicked fast aboard his Can Am Renegade and was trying to work out some issues at this race that will benefit him when the GNCC season gets underway.

Don from LTE Racing made the trip from his home in California to see that his team was getting what they needed for the new machines. here he watches as the crew from Axis tweaks some shock settings.

On his way across the country, Don flew into Texas and picked up Lexie Coulter (Womens Class GNCC Racer and LTE Team rider)

Lexie and Don get her Can Am gassed up before the start

Brandon Sommers, now officially a GNCC Pro rider, was all smiles as he returns from signing in for the days event. Brandon was ready to rip aboard his proven GT Thunder Yamaha.

Sturdivant's machine would be sporting Custom Axis new "Pro Air" shocks. The previous day's testing had shown they were working well as rider feedback was reportedly "incredible"!

Cruising the pits found talent everywhere. Some where secretly disguising themselves and riding your basic hot rod in cognito:cool:

Intense manufacture rivalries develop, even at a local in the hills of North Carolina! Make no mistake, in a few classes, there would be epic battles developing!