2005 GNCC "Ironman" Round #13 ATV Racing Coverage

Speaking of traction, I was informed that yet another exciting tire product that has been available for motorcycles is now available for ATVs. www.tenracing.com is now offering vulcanized studded tires. If you race in the snow or on ice over the winter, these studs should really make a difference, and unlike screwed in studs, these studs that easily pull out and take hours to apply, these studs are going to wear down before they get pulled out.

Just like Tireballs, technology comes at a price, and these aren’t cheap. For a complete set of front and rear tires with the vulcanized studs installed the price is $800 including the tires, and they found the studs work best for the Maxxis Razr II tires, but are willing to install the studs in ITP Holeshot tires or other brands as well.

Even with rain and mud, the registration line remained active into the night as almost 700 racers signed up including the youth ATV riders for what is normally the largest race of the year.

Once the sun went down, the showers ended, and some stars began to peak through the clouds, which meant the rain was finally over and hopefully for the remainder of the weekend.

With the temps forecasted to get down in the 30’s, many racers and their family & friends gathered around a warm camp fire to relax and socialize.

For those not spending the evening at the track, they stayed at one of the local hotels that are only a few miles away. When I checked into my hotel, I almost forgot that I was attending a GNCC and not a GNC MX event because I found both #199 Pat Brown & #13 John Natalie jr playing a round of pool at the hotel.

It really wasn’t a big surprise to see Natalie, but I was surprised to see Pat Brown.

Pat Brown
“I decided to race this weekend at the Ironman mainly because of boredom. I didn’t have anything else going on, and since I always liked this kind of racing and Yamaha was willing to help me build a YFZ450 for the race, I figured I would give it another try after racing at the Rausch Creek GNCC two years ago.”

Pat definitely had the pool table dialed in as he would go on to win 6 or 7 games in a row and two over John Natalie Jr. Now if he could only win two motos in a row over John Natalie Jr or finish ahead of him at the Ironman, then we would really have a headline story.

I have no doubt that Pat Brown will eventually accomplish winning both Motos at a GNC race because he is still young with plenty years of racing ahead of him, and he has continually improved throughout the 2005 season, and I expect to see him on the Podium atleast once next year.

John Natalie Jr isn’t just a great ATV racer, he is also a pretty good photographer.

I normally spend Friday night writing a preview report, but I decided to spend the final round of the season having some fun. Ofcourse, I felt guilty, but it was well worth it because I had a blast. Plus, it helped that I was able to end Pat’s winning streak after a marathon game of trying to sink the eight ball.

Jim Stack was his usual self, and brought out his belt and proclaimed himself the GNCC People's Champ after winning the past two rounds in Utility Modified Class.

When Stack brought out the belt, I think Natalie mouth dropped to the floor, which was hilarious.

After an evening of fun with friends, it was time to call it a night.

Saturday morning the skies continued to clear and amazingly the ground started soaking up the water and drying out early in the day, which allowed parking without the help of a tractor, but those that were buried would still need a little help before heading home after the race.

The improved weather conditions definitely went over well with Big John as he had one less thing to worry about and was in great spirits, which is a good thing.

The Ironman is held on the property of Tom’s Marine Polaris, and Indiana is Polaris country, which provided the perfect opportunity for Polaris to show off their Outlaw Predator and even setup a demo course for everyone to feel the benefits of their IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) over a conventional straight axle rear swingarm.

For those that are waiting for its release, I don’t have any good news because it won’t hit showroom floors till early 2006.

The colder temps had many bundled up, but this little guy didn’t mind as he relaxed drinking a nice warm cup of hot chocolate to take the chill out of his bones.