Grand National Cross Country Explained
| Grand National Cross Country Series |
| Abbrev: | GNCC |
| Logosize: | 300px |
| Founded: | 1975 |
| Headquarters: | Morgantown, West Virginia |
| Url: | 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.
GNCC Events
2024
| Round | Event | Venue | Location | Date |
|---|
| 1 | Big Buck GNCC | Big Buck Farm | Union, SC | 17-18 February |
| 2 | Wild Boar GNCC | Rodman Plantation | Palatka, FL | 2-3 March |
| 3 | The General GNCC | Aonia Pass MX | Washington, GA | 8-10 March |
| 4 | Camp Coker Bullet GNCC | Moree's Sportsman's Preserve | Society Hill, SC | 23-24 March |
| 5 | The Old Gray | The Old Gray | Monterey, TN | 13-14 April |
| 6 | Hoosier GNCC | | Crawfordsville, IN | 27-28 April |
| 7 | Powerline Park | Powerline Park | St Clairsville, OH | 11-12 May |
| 8 | Mason-Dixon GNCC | | Mount Morris, PA | 1-2 June |
| 9 | Snowshoe GNCC | | Snowshoe, WV | 22-23 June |
| 10 | Buckwheat 100 GNCC | CJ Raceway | Newburg, WV | 31 August-1 September |
| 11 | The Mountaineer GNCC | | Beckley, WV | 14-15 September |
| 12 | The John Penton GNCC | Sunday Creek Raceway | Millfield, Ohio | 28-29 September |
| 13 | Ironman GNCC | | Crawfordsville, IN | 26-27 October | |
2023
| Round | Event | Venue | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Big Buck GNCC | Big Buck Farm | Union, SC |
| 2 | Wild Boar GNCC | Rodman Plantation | Palatka, FL |
| 3 | The General GNCC | Aonia Pass MX | Washington, GA |
| 4 | Tiger Run | Tiger Run | Union, SC |
| 5 | Camp Coker Bullet GNCC | Moree's Sportsman's Preserve | Society Hill, SC |
| 6 | Hoosier GNCC | | Crawfordsville, IN |
| 7 | The John Penton GNCC | Sunday Creek Raceway | Millfield, Ohio |
| 8 | Mason-Dixon GNCC | | Mount Morris, PA |
| 9 | Snowshoe GNCC | | Snowshoe, WV |
| 10 | The Mountaineer GNCC | | Beckley, WV |
| 11 | Buckwheat 100 GNCC | CJ Raceway | Newburg, WV |
| 12 | Ironman GNCC | | Crawfordsville, IN | |
2022
| Round | Event | Venue | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Big Buck GNCC | Big Buck Farm | Union, SC |
| 2 | Wild Boar GNCC | Rodman Plantation | Palatka, FL |
| 3 | The General GNCC | Aonia Pass MX | Washington, GA |
| 4 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 5 | Camp Coker Bullet GNCC | Moree's Sportsman's Preserve | Society Hill, SC |
| 6 | Hoosier GNCC | | Crawfordsville, IN |
| 7 | The John Penton GNCC | Sunday Creek Raceway | Millfield, Ohio |
| 8 | Mason-Dixon GNCC | | Mount Morris, PA |
| 9 | Snowshoe GNCC | | Snowshoe, WV |
| 10 | The Mountaineer GNCC | | Beckley, WV |
| 11 | Burr Oak GNCC | Sunday Creek Raceway | Millfield, Ohio |
| 12 | Buckwheat 100 GNCC | CJ Raceway | Newburg, WV |
| 13 | Ironman GNCC | | 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
| Year | Rider | Hometown | Brand |
|---|
| 2023 | Craig DeLong | Morgantown, PA | Husqvarna |
| 2022 | Jordan Ashburn | | Husqvarna |
| 2021 | Ben Kelley | | KTM |
| 2020 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2019 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2018 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2017 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2016 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2015 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2014 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2013 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2012 | Paul Whibley | | Yamaha |
| 2011 | Charlie Mullins | | KTM |
| 2010 | Josh Strang | Inverell, Australia | Suzuki |
| 2009 | Paul Whibley | | Kawasaki |
| 2008 | | Isle of Man, UK | KTM |
| 2007 | | Isle of Man, UK | KTM |
| 2006 | | Vantaa, Finland | KTM |
| 2005 | | | KTM |
| 2004 | Rodney Smith | | Suzuki |
| 2003 | Barry Hawk | | Yamaha |
| 2002 | Rodney Smith | | Suzuki |
| 2001 | Rodney Smith | | Suzuki |
| 2000 | | Maffra, Australia | KTM |
| 1999 | Rodney Smith | | Suzuki |
| 1998 | Rodney Smith | | Suzuki |
| 1997 | Scott Summers | Petersburg, KY | Honda |
| 1996 | Scott Summers | Petersburg, KY | Honda |
| 1995 | Scott Plessinger | | KTM |
| 1994 | Scott Plessinger | | KTM |
| 1993 | Fred Andrews | | Yamaha |
| 1992 | Scott Summers | Petersburg, KY | Honda |
| 1991 | Scott Summers | Petersburg, KY | Honda |
| 1990 | Scott Summers | Petersburg, KY | Honda |
| 1989 | Ed Lojak | | Yamaha |
| 1988 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1987 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1986 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1985 | Jim Maltba | Mount Clare, WV | KTM |
| 1984 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1983 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1982 | Ed Lojak | | |
| 1981 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna |
| 1980 | Ed Lojak | | Husqvarna | |
GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class Bike Champions
| Year | Rider | Hometown | Brand |
|---|
| 2023 | Liam Draper | New Zealand | Yamaha |
| 2022 | Lyndon Snodgrass | | Kawasaki |
| 2021 | Johnny Girroir | | GasGas |
| 2020 | Craig Delong | | Husqvarna |
| 2019 | Ben Kelley | | KTM |
| 2018 | Ben Kelley | | KTM |
| 2017 | Josh Toth | | Yamaha |
| 2016 | Trevor Bollinger | | Honda |
| 2015 | Jason Thomas | Machynlleth, Wales | KTM |
| 2014 | Grant Baylor | | KTM |
| 2013 | Grant Baylor | | KTM |
| 2012 | Jason Thomas | Machynlleth, Wales | KTM |
| 2011 | Steward Baylor | | KTM |
| 2010 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2009 | Kailub Russell | | KTM |
| 2008 | Thad Duvall | | Yamaha |
| 2007 | Justin Williamson | | KTM | |
GNCC FMF XC3 125 Pro Am Class Bike Champions
GNCC WXC Bike Champions
| Year | Rider | Hometown | Brand |
|---|
| 2023 | Rachael Archer | New Zealand | Yamaha |
| 2022 | Rachael Archer | New Zealand | |
| 2021 | Becca Sheets | Circleville, OH | |
| 2020 | Becca Sheets | Circleville, OH | |
| 2019 | Tayla Jones | Good Hope, NSW, Australia | |
| 2018 | Tayla Jones | Good Hope, AUS | |
| 2017 | Tayla Jones | Good Hope, AUS | |
| 2016 | Becca Sheets | Circleville, OH | Yamaha |
| 2015 | Kacy Martinez | Sunol, CA | KTM |
| 2014 | Kacy Martinez | Sunol, CA | KTM |
| 2013 | Maria Forsberg | Brier, WA | KTM |
| 2012 | Maria Forsberg | Brier, WA | KTM |
| 2011 | Maria Forsberg | Brier, WA | KTM |
| 2010 | Maria Forsberg | Brier, WA | KTM |
| 2009 | Mandi Mastin | Whitehouse, OH | Yamaha |
| 2008 | Mandi Mastin | Whitehouse, OH | Yamaha |
| 2007 | Mandi Mastin | Whitehouse, OH | Yamaha |
| 2006 | Mandi Mastin | Whitehouse, OH | Yamaha |
| 2005 | Mandi Mastin | Whitehouse, OH | Yamaha |
| 2004 | Heather Wilson | Canyon, CA | Kawasaki |
| 2003 | Heather Wilson | Canyon, CA | Kawasaki |
| 2002 | Heather Wilson | Canyon, CA | Kawasaki | |
GNCC Overall ATV Champions
| Year | Rider | Hometown | Brand |
|---|
| 2023 | Brycen Neal | Bidwell, OH | Yamaha |
| 2022 | Brycen Neal | | Yamaha |
| 2021 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2020 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2019 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2018 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2017 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2016 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2015 | Walker Fowler | | Yamaha |
| 2014 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2013 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2012 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2011 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2010 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2009 | Chris Borich | | Suzuki |
| 2008 | Bill Ballance | | Yamaha |
| 2007 | Bill Ballance | | Yamaha |
| 2006 | Bill Ballance | | Yamaha |
| 2005 | Bill Ballance | | Yamaha |
| 2004 | Bill Ballance | | Yamaha |
| 2003 | Bill Ballance | | LRD |
| 2002 | Bill Ballance | | LRD |
| 2001 | Bill Ballance | | Roll Design |
| 2000 | Bill Ballance | | Roll Design |
| 1999 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1998 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1997 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1996 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1995 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1994 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1993 | Barry Hawk | | Laegers |
| 1992 | Bob Sloan | | Honda |
| 1991 | Chuck Delullo | | Honda |
| 1990 | Chuck Delullo | | Honda |
| 1989 | Bob Sloan | | Honda |
| 1988 | Chuck Delullo | | Honda |
| 1987 | Tom Tokay | Webster, PA | Honda |
| 1986 | Tom Tokay | Webster, PA | Honda |
| 1985 | Tom Tokay | Webster, PA | Honda |
| 1984 | Ted Trey | | Honda | |
GNCC XC2 Pro Am Class ATV Champions
References
- Web site: Grand National Cross Country series profile . gnccracing.com . 21 February 2016 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054351/http://gnccracing.com/pages/series-profile . dead .
- Web site: Grand National Cross Country FAQs . gnccracing.com . 21 February 2016 .
- Web site: 2016 Bike National Classes - GNCC Racing . gnccracing.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160104000947/http://gnccracing.com/pages/bike-national-classes . 2016-01-04.
External links
