Koontz Mega Series ~Kelly Mountain Race Coverage

Paul Koontz has been doing his own thing for many years now, bringing off road enthusiasts together for racing and off road action events through his Koontz Mega Series. Offering XC , MX , Hill climbs, Dirt Drags and more, this promoter works hard to keep our sport alive and growing!

For mor einformation and schedules, please check out their website www.koontzadventures.com


The afternoon atv race draws in several of the top names in XC racing, several of which are local to the region and cut their teeth on the Koontz tracks. Pro GNCC racer Adam McGill was on hand to stay sharp for the nationals and with $500 on tap to the overall winner, would be doing hs best to walk away from Kelly Mountain with a roll of green in his pocket!

Afternoon Gallery

Chris Bithell was also ready to get in some great practice and the cash at stake may make for a nice incentive to dig a bit deeper on this rough track!

With rainfall the previous night, precautions were taken by Brent Sturdivant to help stave off the oncoming mud. Although the field sections were in great shape, there would be several sections that were deep mud. Brent knows this track and his crew knows how to get the quad ready to make it to the end.

Racers get final words from family and friends as race time approached

Some riders take a moment to get mentally prepared, and this course was going to test man and machine!

The start kicked off with an uphill run into a left hand turn, and McGill was outfront with Sturdivant charging hard behind him.

A Class heads off for 90 minutes of racing action as they head into another turn and a wide open run to the woods.

More classes were turned loose as the sound of the A class could be heard in the creek bottom, and it did not sound good!

The first mile or two of this track is fun, but it leads to a creek where you are run up stream and then have a few options to exit, all nasty steep, rutted and wet! The next class heads through the first turn

Paul Koontz lives and breathes XC racing, and has been one of the largest supporters of getting our youth into this sport. His series has always offered classes for the youngest of riders, and he also has a Youth Production 13-15 year old class.

While this is excellent for riders and those interested in a place to start, a few of the courses offer a bit more challenge then alot of new riders can handle when the weather doesnt cooperate, and not just in Youth Production! Many adult riders called it a day after being beaten hard by the course long before the checkered flag waved.