Morgantown, W. Va. (October 18, 2011) – Chris Borich doesn’t want to wait. While the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series historically concludes at the annual Amsoil Ironman in Crawfordsville, Ind., this weekend’s Ironman will precede the finale at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee in two weeks, an event rescheduled from earlier in the season due to rain. But Borich could still wrap the title at the Ironman, which only adds to excitement of the event, where the local community joins the GNCC racing nation for a weekend of fall festivities alongside some of the best racing of the year.
The Ironman has gone pink once again this year in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. GNCC racers and spectators are encouraged to wear pink clothes, riding gear, graphics and decorations at the event, and there will be several opportunities to donate to the cause through FAITH Alliance, a breast cancer resource for Montgomery County, Ind.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich heads into round thirteen with a thirty-six-point lead over Warnert Racing Can-Am’s Adam McGill and a race-win at the Ironman would secure a third consecutive GNCC title for Borich in the XC1 class. Since a class win affords thirty points, McGill still has an opportunity to tighten the points margin if he puts his Can-Am in the center of the podium and Borich finishes off the podium, something Borich has only done three times this season.
GT Thunder-backed Brian Wolf could also mix up the championship plans of Borich this weekend, especially after leading a majority of the race two weeks ago in Ohio. Although Wolf isn’t in contention for the championship this year, don’t count the XC1 rookie out of grabbing his third win of the season.
After eleven consecutive XC2 wins this year, Ballance Racing Yamaha’s Walker Fowler has secured his Pro Am championship and continues to seek an undefeated season with two races to go. 18-year-old Fowler has also captured two overall wins on time adjustment and will continue to battle for an overall win amongst the seasoned veteran pro riders.
In between the racing action, fans can sample the terrain themselves, as Yamaha and Can-Am will have 2012 models available to test drive on closed course and Polaris will have their 2012 models to check out on display as well. The pits will include a plethora of activities for the family – including truck rides, a mechanical bull and the annual Ironman swap meet, where racers and fans are encouraged to clean out their garages and work shops for a no-permit-necessary swap meet sale in the pits.
ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, October 22 and dirt bikes will race all day Sunday, October 23. Local riders are invited to race the event as well, as GNCC racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur racer entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track.
Spectator passes run $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.
The track is located south of Crawfordsville off Route 47. For more information and complete directions to the event, please visit http://www.gnccracing.com
About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, 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 1,500 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. Riders compete for more than $3 million in prize money, which draws talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand. GNCC Racing is televised and airs every week on the Versus Network. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com