Can-Am Racing Report: GNCC, NEATV-MX and WORCS

With the GNCC returning from its annual summer break, Can-Am racers got back to work and picked up five class victories at the Unadilla GNCC in New York state. In the New England ATV Motocross (NEATV-MX) series, three Can-Am DS 450 racers swept the Pro class at round 10 held in Epping, NH. At the final round of the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS), Can-Am-mounted racers won four classes in Taft, Calif.

“I was extremely pleased with all of our 4×4 racers’ efforts on the challenging Can-Am Unadilla GNCC course. Having five class wins was a nice way to start the second half of the season,” says Jimmie O’Dell, race manager, Can-Am. “Josh Creamer kept his perfect season alive, winning both the Pro and Pro-Am classes and earning the 2012 Pro and Pro-Am titles. It was gratifying to see Josh Frederick finish second in the SxS Production 1000 class and also take second overall in the ATV Pro ranks. Both he and Dillon Zimmerman put in a solid year for team Motoworks / Can-Am.”

Can-Am Unadilla GNCC, Round 10

Can-Am racers recorded five class victories and a total of 13 podium finishes at the Can-Am Unadilla in New Berlin, N.Y., as the series resumed from its summer break. Leading the way was Bryan Buckhannon (4×4 Open), Clifton Beasley (U2), Kevin Trantham (4×4 Lites), Forrest Whorton (Super Senior 45+) and Tanner Bowles (4×4 Novice), who each won their class. Can-Am riders swept the U2 and 4×4 Novice class podiums.

The 4×4 Open class again saw Can-Am X-Team racer Buckhannon and Michael Swift in a head-to-head battle on Outlander ATVs. Swift came from last place to take over the lead, but then collided with a lapped rider and lost the lead to Buckhannon, who went on to win the class. Swift overcame the loss of the rear differential after the crash to earn third place.

Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Pro class racer Chris Bithell held a top five spot for the first three laps, but had to withdraw from the race due a broken rear axle.

NEATV-MX, Round 10

Creamer maintained his perfect Pro and Pro-Am class records in the NEATV-MX series by winning all four motos and both classes at MX101 in New Hampshire. Creamer also secured the 2012 NEATV-MX Pro and Pro-Am titles with his wins at round 10.

DS 450 racer Michael Troiano (BCS Performance) won two of four holeshots and finished second overall in both the Pro and Pro-Am classes. Mastine Motorsports’ Can-Am pilot Brad Burbine was third in the Pro class.

WORCS, Round 8

California’s Honolulu Hills MX hosted the WORCS finale. In the Pro class, Zimmerman battled back from a poor start, using a late-race charge to finish fourth aboard his Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450. His finish in Taft was good enough to secure a career-high fourth overall in the WORCS ATV Pro class points championship.

Frederick got off to a respectable start at round eight, but faded due to severe arm pump related to an issue with his suspension settings. Frederick finished fifth on his Motoworks-backed Can-Am DS 450 and second overall in the Pro class points race for 2012. He also earned a career-best, second-place finish in the highly competitive SxS Production 1000 class inside his Can-Am Commander 1000 X, to earn fourth overall for the season.

“It’s been a great year; I don’t regret anything. I worked hard, the team worked hard, some things just happen and you’ve got to work through them. I did the best I could and to finish second in the Pro class is a great accomplishment,” said Frederick. “I’m really stoked to get second for Can-Am [in SxS] and end the season on an awesome note!”

With his Pro-Am class win, Can-Am X-Team racer Collins Webster finished second overall in the Pro-Am season standings. Other Can-Am racers who won their class at the finale were Mike Hrubetz (50 B/C), Benjamin DeChaine (4×4 Open) and Brody Blackwell (Open B).