Just curious if any folks from CH will be doing the GNCC at Snowshoe WV next weekend? I'm trying to get a ride up there so I can test my skills at the most technical GNCC.
GNCC sent me another press release about the snowshow, just ignore the ATV comments GNCC Title Fights Continues Amidst $50,000 Motorcycleusa.com Snowshoe Purse This Weekend Morgantown, W.Va. (June 22, 2010) - With the promise of an extra $10,000 for an overall victory in the air, and a total of $50,000 on the line for overall podium finishers, racers in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series aim at a strong finish at this weekend's MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC. However, the ultra-rugged mountain track complete with rocks, mud and massive climbs can end championship hopes in a hurry, too, and the top GNCC racers have to balance the desire to win the money with the goal of staying consistent for a championship. The event will pay a bonus of $10,000 to the overall winner of the bike and ATV races, $5000 for second overall finishers, and $3000 for third. ATVs race at West Virginia's largest ski resort on Saturday, June 26th, and bikes race Sunday, June 27th. Photo By: Matt Ware The Snowshoe GNCC starts right in the middle of the ski resort village. Even with all the money on the line, the title contenders on two and four wheels will try to pretend Snowshoe is just another race-the course is double the distance of a normal GNCC and offers some of the roughest terrain in the nation to conquer. Getting stuck, crashing or breaking equipment could shake up the series. "Haven't thought much about the purse," says current GNCC bike Champion Paul Whibley. "Snowshoe is pretty rocky and rutty. You need to get through it and try to be consistent. I'm aiming to get my Yamaha back up on the podium." The strategy worked for last year's GNCC ATV Champion, Chris Borich, as well. He finished second at Snowshoe last year, while XC2 Pro-Am Class rider Brian Wolfe won the $10,000 prize in an all-time upset. "Nothing, just another race," says Chris Borich. "Just want to focus on getting out front and making smart line choices. You make a mistake here and it can really cost you." The Snowshoe GNCC is the roughest race of the 13-stop series. Last year GNCC officials created a brand-new 20-mile course, featuring deep mud bogs, massive boulders and near-vertical hill climbs. In fact, a special 1000-foot climb on a powerline road separates the riders from their pit areas on each lap. The race is the ultimate test for a cross-country racer and by the end of the race, whoever does win deserves the $10,000 prize. But then that championship battle comes back into the picture. The bike fight is perhaps the closest in the history of the tour, as just a handful of points separates FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang, and Obermeyer Am-Pro Yamaha's Charlie Mullins. Factory KTM rookie Cory Buttrick sits third after winning the previous GNCC round in Ohio, and Defending GNCC Champ Whibley sits fourth on his Am-Pro Yamaha. Photo By: Jason Hooper The podium celebration takes place back in the village as well. Mullins had won three-straight GNCCs before a disasterous run at the previous race in Ohio, where he derailed a chain and lost a ton of points. He's been victim of similar bad luck at Snowshoe before. "Coming into this one, I'm doing the same old thing I have been doing all year," says Mullins, hoping his bad luck doesn't last. "I've lost some ground at Snowshoe before. I want to have a good ride and better my finishes there compared to years' past." On ATVs, Taylor Kiser currently holds the number two spot in the series behind Borich and knows how tough this track can be. "It's just another race, but it has more money," says Kiser. "I'm pretty confident about my team and ability. The track is very unique and it definitely presents a challenge." With the championship still up for grabs, and a rough track on the horizon, riders will have to be careful with their strategy. Photo By: Jason Hooper Rugged terrain awaits the field. Ticket prices for the event are just $15 for the full race weekend, including ATV racing all day on Saturday and bike racing on Sunday. In all, up to 1500 riders are expected to compete. Children five and under are free, as is full access to the pro pits and pro rider autographs. Also, Snowshoe will keep its ski lift chairs operating all weekend to shuttle fans down to the more spectacular parts of the course. Snowshoe Resort is West Virginia's largest ski resort, and also offers mountain biking and golf in the summer months. The event offers riders a once-a-year opportunity to race around a resort, with hotels and restaurants all within site of the track. The event will even start right in the middle of the ski village. For more information on Snowshoe, visit www.snowshoemtn.com Overall Finish Bonus for Bike and ATV 1st-$10,000 2nd- $5,000 3rd- $3,000 About GNCC Racing The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1973, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 20 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.
Man, I wish I could be there but it's not looking good for me. If I luck up and find a ride I'll be in the afternoon race in the vet B class. I really want to do this race.
I've yet to decide what bike to use...the TC250 or the wr144. I have not ridden the wr in a while, but it's my go to bike for enduros. The word is this race looks like an enduro, very technical... From videos I have seen on youtube, it kinda looks like the trails we have up here. What do the locals think?
Looks like a 2st race to me. But I'm probably not the best to give input since I've not been close to there.
It's at a ski resort so that should answer your question. I'd take the thumper for the big hills. It's rocky and rough so there's tons of places where you'll lose traction, it would be nice to get moving again with thump power. I really think a small bore 2stk is the last bike I'd want there.
I guess it' the TC then. Leaving tomorow morning After the race its on the mccoy trails for a few days.
That's going to be an awesome trip! I've been to the Hatfield McCoy trails 3 times and love the technical single track there. If you've never been I'd go straight to the gnarliest stuff. Buffalo Mtn and Rockhouse are my favorite trail systems.
I have stayed Whittaker campground. & would go there again. They even give you FREE firewood. We are staying @ the resort this time right in the middle of everything. I cant wait http://www.discoverourtown.com/WV/SnowshoeMountainArea/Lodging/46318.html
Any suggestions on a campground near these trails? We had singled out twin hollow campround...from the mccoy website. But know nothing about the area. thanks for the info
That's the one! I've stayed there twice and at a hotel down in the valley once. I like twin hollow because it's on top of a mtn and gives some great views. It's cool to watch the fog roll in and out of the valleys. There are some trade-offs though, like having to go down the mtn to eat and so forth. But there is good restaurant right at the base of Twin Hollow campground. Twin Hollow is on the Rockhouse system and it's the most used trail system there. It's my second favorite system with Buffalo Mtn being my favorite. If you only have a couple days there I'd just stick with those two systems, they have the most and best single track. I rode my dirtbike on the roads between those two systems. It's about a 45 min to hr ride. It's only 30 miles but those roads are so twisty it takes a while. I'd trailer it because it's nice to have a comfy ride back to the campground after riding hard all day. Be sure to seek out and find ALL of the single track. That's what's most appealing to me about Hat-Mac. Great single track (assuming you like single track)
Have fun! I've raced mountainbikes there, but nothing motorized yet. I would expect the GNCC course to be tight, hilly, quite rocky, likely muddy and almost certainly a good mix of tree roots thrown in for good measure. Should be an excellent race, wish I could attend.
Though race, I chose the wr144 for it. Not the best bike up hills but super light in the rough. I wish I had put lower gearing. Ran out of gas at the half way point of the second lap. Right in the middle of the ''powerline'' climb. This tank is way to small. Next time I need to fuel every 1/2 lap. Found some gas then proceeded to burn the top end because the pipe had cut a radiator hose. When I finaly made it up the kill switch would not shut the engine off. I thought it was dead but raced another 16 laps in a endurocross race Saturday night spraying coolant everywhere. Still managed a decent ride But thats another story. A 1/2 lap is one side of the mountain, second half is the other side. Feels a lot like an enduro. Nothing like a harescramble. Super cool race...but far! getting there in an RV is hard work Hatfeild Mccoy trails are worth the trip. Although I must say i suffer a bit from a fear of heights...Single track is off camber 6'' wide trail, so I'm not pinned in 6th gear overthere. WV is so different from the rest of the eastern sates, the scenery is beautiful. People are so friendly its a great place to visit.
