Team UXC Racing Report: Steele Creek GNCC

Lucas Cooney
by Lucas Cooney
Michael Swift Steele Creek GNCC

Michael Swift finally put it all together for a win at the Steele Creek GNCC.

Michael Swift rode his UXC Racing Can-Am Renegade Xxc to victory this past weekend at the Steele Creek GNCC, the third round of the 2013 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The podium was stuffed with Can-Am machines, but Swift’s topped the U2 class and finished fourth overall for the day.

Steele Creek GNCC 4x4 Start

“I think I was third on the first lap and got hung up behind a few other riders but put my head down to get to that number one spot,” says Swift. “I then noticed I couldn’t see my fuel gauge and though I might be low on fuel. So I stopped on the third lap for a splash and a fresh pair of goggles.”

After losing a spot during his stop, Swift regained the lead near the finish line and wouldn’t look back. From the podium Swift took the time to give a shout out to his friend Josh Fredrick, who was recently hospitalized due to a racing injury.

“I just want to dedicate this race to my friend Josh Fredrick and our thoughts are with him as well as his family that are going through this with him,” says Swift.

Don Higbee also had a great day of racing and seems to be finally getting into the groove aboard his Can-Am Renegade 800. Higbee finished the day in fourth place in the 4X4 senior class and feels he is getting a grip on the pace and things he needs for his mental as well as physical toughness. The Team UXC Racing’s number 640 ran in the fifth place most all day after a great start and was able to take one more spot before the finish line.

“Our Can-Am Renegade performed very well today and I have nothing but great things to say about the entire package,” says Higbee. “The Custom Axis suspension works so good and our Maxxis Viper tires really help put the power of our machine to the ground. I just have to keep in mind that I need plenty of hydration for these races and my physical performance is getting better because of it.”

Just a few spots behind Higbee, Carl Vella and his number 319 Team UXC racing Can-Am Renegade 800 made his way into the checkers with an eighth place finish. Vella continually gained ground on his competition from a first lap of tenth to eight on the third where he would finish the day at Steele Creek. Vella’s Can-Am Renegade ran strong all day.

“The terrain at Steele creek was really challenging with the more mountainous course. I felt comfortable on the Team UXC racing Can-Am Renegade 800 Swift had prepared for me though and overall had a great day,” says Vella.

Team UXC Racing would like to thank its sponsors for the 2013 season: CAN-AM BRP – MAXXIS – ROX Speed FX – CAN-AMTALK.COM – CUSTOM AXIS Shocks – SSI Decals – EVANS Coolant – FLY – HIPER – RICOHETTE – LEATT – DP Brakes – FASST – CARBO ROCKET – HMF – MOTO CONCEPTS – KAL-GARD – SPIDER Grips – OUTERWEARS – DIRTWORKS – THERMO TEC – FOURWORX CARBON – SANTOR DESIGN – SCOTT – MOTO PRO – TWIN AIR – PIAA – HI-TEC – AMERICAS MOTORSPORTS – DRIVEN POWERSPORTS – TIRE BLOCKS – R+B COMPONENTS – MIKE PENLAND RACING – WALSH

Lucas Cooney
Lucas Cooney

I have been working exclusively in digital media since 1997. I started out with TSN.ca, spending nearly nine years creating and editing content on Canada's leading sports website. I left to join VerticalScope, Inc., one of the world's largest online publishers, to start a number of powersports publications. While at VerticalScope, I've helped create and oversee content for a wide variety of different publications, including ATV.com, Off-Road.com, ArcheryTalk.com, Tractor.com, RVGuide.com, and many more.

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