Grand National Cross Country

Last updated
Grand National Cross Country Series
2020 GNCC Racing Logo.jpg
JurisdictionFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
AbbreviationGNCC
Founded1975
Headquarters Morgantown, West Virginia
Official website
www.gnccracing.com

The Grand National Cross Country Series is an American motorcycle racing series. [1] The off-road race series was founded by Dave Coombs in 1975 and is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). [1] The competition is similar to motocross but, instead of using an enclosed race track, it features extended cross-country, off-road courses of 8 to 12 miles in length and competitions lasting up to 3 hours. [2] GNCC races are physically demanding, leading as many as 2,200 riders through tracks ranging from woods, to hills, mud, rocks, roots, motocross track sections and more. The series has classes for off-road motorcycles, ATV and eMTB vehicles. [2] GNCC Racing is open to both professional and amateur racers in a variety of skill level and age classes. [2] The current presenting sponsor is Specialized Bicycle Components.

Contents

GNCC Events

2024

RoundEventVenueLocationDate
1Big Buck GNCCBig Buck Farm Union, SC 17-18 February
2Wild Boar GNCCRodman Plantation Palatka, FL 2-3 March
3The General GNCCAonia Pass MX Washington, GA 8-10 March
4Camp Coker Bullet GNCCMoree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC 23-24 March
5The Old GrayThe Old Gray Monterey, TN 13-14 April
6Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN 27-28 April
7Powerline ParkPowerline Park St Clairsville, OH 11-12 May
8Mason-Dixon GNCCMathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA 1-2 June
9Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV 22-23 June
10Buckwheat 100 GNCCCJ Raceway Newburg, WV 31 August-1 September
11The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV 14-15 September
12The John Penton GNCCSunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio 28-29 September
13Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN 26-27 October

2023

RoundEventVenueLocation
1Big Buck GNCCBig Buck Farm Union, SC
2Wild Boar GNCCRodman Plantation Palatka, FL
3The General GNCCAonia Pass MX Washington, GA
4Tiger RunTiger Run Union, SC
5Camp Coker Bullet GNCCMoree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC
6Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN
7The John Penton GNCCSunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
8Mason-Dixon GNCCMathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA
9Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV
10The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV
11Buckwheat 100 GNCCCJ Raceway Newburg, WV
12Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN

2022

RoundEventVenueLocation
1Big Buck GNCCBig Buck Farm Union, SC
2Wild Boar GNCCRodman Plantation Palatka, FL
3The General GNCCAonia Pass MX Washington, GA
4TBATBATBA
5Camp Coker Bullet GNCCMoree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC
6Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN
7The John Penton GNCCSunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
8Mason-Dixon GNCCMathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA
9Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV
10The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV
11Burr Oak GNCCSunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
12Buckwheat 100 GNCCCJ Raceway Newburg, WV
13Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN

GNCC History

The series began in 1975 when Dave Coombs was contacted by a preacher from a church in a small West Virginia town. [1] The preacher wanted to help the economy of his struggling town by hosting a motorcycle race. Dave Coombs saw major potential in the land and thought that a grand prix style race through the town and surrounding country side would be special enough to bring visitors to the town. [1]

Coombs named this race the Blackwater 100. [1] The name "Blackwater" originated from nearby Blackwater Falls and the Blackwater River, while 100 for the number of miles in the race. The land was rugged, which would make the race itself one would be difficult for riders and their machines. The race became popular when Dave invited a group of magazine editors from California, who went back and wrote about their experiences with the rugged race. Eventually, Blackwater would become known as "America's Toughest Race".

Dave also promoted the first ever AMA National Hare Scramble, which was held at High Point Raceway in 1979. With the popularity of this event and the Blackwater, the Wiseco 100 Miler Series was born. [1] The series would then evolve into the GNCC series beginning with the 1984 season. [1] The GNCC series began experiencing more growth when three-wheelers were added in 1983, and four-wheelers replaced them a few years later. [1] Blackwater 100 later received an eponymous pinball adaptation manufactured by Bally-Midway in 1988, distinguished by its complex table design and its unique rule of making each of the three "balls" allotted per session multiballs that represent three "heats" of the race.

The famous Blackwater 100 was shut down after the 1993 event, but by this point the GNCC series had earned the reputation as being the Premier Offroad Racing Series in America. Throughout the 90s the series would still grow more and more. With domination on the bike side by riders such as Scott Summers, Scott Plessinger and Rodney Smith, while Barry Hawk dominated the ATV side, the series gained even more mainstream coverage in various media. The series patriarch, Dave Coombs, died in 1998 but Big Dave's family stepped up to continue the success of the series. His son-in-law, Jeff Russell, the 1991 AMA National Enduro Champion, is today's GNCC Trail Boss.

GNCC Racing has evolved from small, regional races to professional-grade events that attract professional and amateur riders from across the world. Growth in the professional ranks prompted the changes from one single "Pro" class to multiple professional rank classes beginning in 2007. Professional ATV classes consist of the premier "XC1 Pro ATV" class and the "XC2 Pro-Am ATV" class to serve as a stepping stone for riders moving out of the amateur classes. Professional motorcycle classes consist of the "XC1 Open Pro" class for any size motorcycle, the "XC2 250 Pro" class for 250cc motorcycles and the "XC2 125 Pro-Am" class reserved exclusively for 125cc 2-stroke motorcycles. [3]

Past Champions

Over the years the series has been contested by thousands of different riders across the world. Each year an Overall Champion is crowned for both the bikes and ATVs.

GNCC Overall Bike Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Craig DeLong Morgantown, PA Husqvarna
2022Jordan Ashburn Livingston, TN Husqvarna
2021Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2020Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2019Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2018Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2017Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2016Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2015Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2014Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2013Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2012Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Yamaha
2011Charlie Mullins Hamilton, OH KTM
2010Josh StrangInverell, Australia Suzuki
2009Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Kawasaki
2008 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM
2007 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM
2006 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM
2005 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM
2004Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2003Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Yamaha
2002Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2001Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2000 Shane Watts Maffra, Australia KTM
1999Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
1998Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
1997Scott SummersPetersburg, KY Honda
1996Scott SummersPetersburg, KY Honda
1995Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM
1994Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM
1993Fred Andrews Salem, OH Yamaha
1992Scott SummersPetersburg, KY Honda
1991Scott SummersPetersburg, KY Honda
1990Scott SummersPetersburg, KY Honda
1989Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Yamaha
1988Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1987Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1986Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1985Jim MaltbaMount Clare, WV KTM
1984Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1983Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1982Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1981Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1980Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna

GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class Bike Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Liam Draper New Zealand Yamaha
2022Lyndon Snodgrass Australia Kawasaki
2021Johnny Girroir Southwick, MA GasGas
2020Craig Delong Morgantown, PA Husqvarna
2019Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2018Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2017Josh Toth Winsted, CT Yamaha
2016Trevor Bollinger Morganton, NC Honda
2015Jason ThomasMachynlleth, Wales KTM
2014Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2013Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2012Jason ThomasMachynlleth, Wales KTM
2011Steward Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2010Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM
2009Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM
2008Thad Duvall Williamstown, WV Yamaha
2007Justin Williamson Sanford, FL KTM

GNCC FMF XC3 125 Pro Am Class Bike Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Toby Cleveland Erin, NY Husqvarna
2022Brody Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna
2021Jonathan Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna
2020Zack Hayes Sumter, SC KTM
2019Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM
2018Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM
2017Jason ThomasMachynlleth, Wales Husqvarna

GNCC WXC Bike Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Rachael Archer New Zealand Yamaha
2022Rachael Archer New Zealand Yamaha
2021Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha
2020Becca SheetsCircleville, OH Yamaha
2019Tayla Jones Good Hope, NSW, Australia Husqvarna
2018Tayla JonesGood Hope, AUS Husqvarna
2017Tayla JonesGood Hope, AUS Husqvarna
2016Becca SheetsCircleville, OH Yamaha
2015Kacy Martinez Sunol, CA KTM
2014Kacy MartinezSunol, CA KTM
2013Maria Forsberg Brier, WA KTM
2012Maria ForsbergBrier, WA KTM
2011Maria ForsbergBrier, WA KTM
2010Maria ForsbergBrier, WA KTM
2009Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2008Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OH Yamaha
2007Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OH Yamaha
2006Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OH Yamaha
2005Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OH Yamaha
2004Heather Wilson Canyon, CA Kawasaki
2003Heather WilsonCanyon, CA Kawasaki
2002Heather WilsonCanyon, CA Kawasaki

GNCC Overall ATV Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha
2022Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha
2021Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2020Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2019Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2018Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2017Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2016Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2015Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2014Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2013Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2012Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2011Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2010Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2009Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2008Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2007Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2006Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2005Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2004Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2003Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD
2002Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD
2001Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design
2000Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design
1999Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1998Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1997Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1996Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1995Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1994Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1993Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1992Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda
1991Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1990Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1989Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda
1988Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1987Tom TokayWebster, PA Honda
1986Tom TokayWebster, PA Honda
1985Tom TokayWebster, PA Honda
1984Ted Trey Frederick, MD Honda

GNCC XC2 Pro Am Class ATV Champions

YearRiderHometownBrand
2023Steven Harrell Elkridge, MD Yamaha
2022Jay Shadron Acme, PA Yamaha
2021Ronnie Rusch Pittsburgh, PA Yamaha
2020Austin AbneyVeedersburg, IN Honda
2019John Glauda, JrWaxhaw, NC Yamaha
2018Hunter HartNewfield, NY Yamaha
2017Devon Feehan Windsor, NY Honda
2016Greg Covert Ithaca, NY Yamaha
2015Cole RichardsonEdinburg, PA Yamaha
2014Cole RichardsonEdinburg, PA Yamaha
2013Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Honda
2012Patrick McQuire Valencia, PA Yamaha
2011Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2010Brian Wolf Medina, OH Honda
2009Josh Kirkland Proctor, WV KTM
2008Donald Ockerman Marshall, IL Yamaha
2007Brandon Sommers Millersburg, OH Yamaha

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Grand National Cross Country series profile". gnccracing.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Grand National Cross Country FAQs". gnccracing.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. "2016 Bike National Classes - GNCC Racing". gnccracing.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-04.