2006 GNCC "Steele Creek" Round #3 Live ATV Race Coverage

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Morganton, NC - After a two week break from back to back races in Florida and Georgia, the GNCC Series heads to the North Carolina mountains for Round #3 at Steele Creek Campground. This location is one of the most scenic on the tour with it nestled in the valley surrounded by mountains, and with the mountains, the track will contain plenty of elevation changes and a few technical hill climbs along with some water crossings and mud pits in the valley, which attracts thousands of spectators to watch.

After racing in the south the past two rounds, it was a rude awaken for those use to the warm weather because with temps only barely above 50 degrees for highs with lows near freezing coupled with a brisk wind and rain showers, it is going to be a raw weekend for racing, which is reminiscent to last year.

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With the temps set to drop down below freezing tonight along with the possibility of some snow showers, it seemed as if everyone was building a burning pit for a camp fire tonight.

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The Racer Production was busy finalizing the track, which will run the opposite direction of last year, and the racers will go under the bridge and then up over a small bank and drop into one of nasty mud pits.

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From this photo, the mud pit may not seem that bad, but by the end of the day tomorrow, there will be some deep ruts and some stuck ATVs with a huge crowd of spectators gathered around to just watch the action unfold.

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The race will zig zag back and forth across the river on small bridges, which become extremely slick, which have caused some riders to slide right off into the water in the past especially if it rains or snows overnight.

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Regardless, riders better plan on getting a little wet because for one crossing there isn't a bridge, which will require riding through the water or going over 300 feet out of your way to avoid the water, so I will surely be keeping an eye on this section at the beginning of each race tomorrow.

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Once Again, the registration line was very active, which shows signs that this might be another record weekend for ATV attendance

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This rider with the shades was in line to signup to race in the 35+ C Class, and he was also celebrating his 42nd Birthday.

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With the possibility of mud, new tires were on list of things to do before the race on Saturday, and it is great to have friends along to help carry the tires

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The guys at Maxxis were definitely prepared as they had piles up tires ready for their support riders.