ITP Race Report: Snowshoe GNCC

Adam McGill finished fifth in the XC1 Pro ATV class.

Team ITP racers won four classes and earned 10 total class podiums at round nine of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country series held in West Virginia. Dave Simmons, Brian Schmid, Mark Batson and Jordan Digby each won their class at a muddy Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, WV, while ITP Pro Adam McGill earned fifth in the XC1 Pro class.

“To come away with four class victories and 10 total podiums at a very rugged, muddy and difficult Snowshoe GNCC course is a nice accomplishment. Unfortunately, a few of our top riders had some issues at this round, but we’re pleased with our season so far going into the GNCC summer break,” says Pat McGuire, public relations / race support. “To have this many racers leading their class in points or owning the most class overall victories is rather impressive. We anxiously await the second portion of the GNCC in September as we make our final push for multiple championships.”

Modeled after the historic Blackwater 100, the Snowshoe GNCC features some of the roughest terrain on the 2013 schedule, offering racers rocks, tight woods, hills and, of course, mud. Heavy rain prior to the event and a downpour during the afternoon session only enhanced Snowshoe’s infamous reputation and made for slick, challenging conditions.

Brian Schmid topped the Senior A/B 40+ class.

ITP-backed racers won four classes and earned 10 total podiums at round nine. One racer in the afternoon session earned a class win in West Virginia. Brian Schmid, who has five total wins in 2013, won round nine to extend his Senior A/B 40+ class points lead. Junior A 22+ class competitor William “Duck” Lloyd took third for the third straight event to maintain his class points lead heading into the summer break. The final ITP-supported racer to earn an afternoon podium was Brigham Patterson in the College B (16-21) class. Patterson followed up his victory at round eight with a second-place run at Snowshoe.

In the XC1 ATV Pro class, McGill (Lonestar Racing / Precision / ITP) battled for a podium spot during the midpoint of the Pro class race. He was third place after lap four, but dropped to fourth and then fifth by the end of lap five after struggling in the rocks. McGill ended the day in fifth place in the class. A fourth-consecutive top-five finish has McGill sitting fourth overall in the Pro class points race, just nine points out of second, heading into the break.

William Lloyd finished third in the Junior A 22+ class. He is the class points leader.

The top finishing XC2 Pro-Am class ITP racer was Chad Jones, who earned his fourth top-five finish of the season. He’s currently ninth in the point standing edging another ITP racer in Nathan Wallpe, who is ranked 10th after his 12th place finish at round nine.

Team ITP racers had more success in the morning, winning two classes and earning five podiums. Dave Simmons (Super Senior 45+) led the way, earning fourth overall in the 10 a.m. morning session using ITP tires. Simmons now has six wins and seven podium finishes in eight rounds of racing heading into the break. The other morning racer to win his class class using ITP tires was 35+ C class points leader Mark Batson. He has now won five straight rounds and is the clear favorite for the class title going into the final four rounds of racing.

Sam Williams (4×4 Open), Kristen Deloach and Kelley Deloach- both in the Women’s Amateur 15+ division – were the other ITP class podium finishers in the series’ 10 a.m. session. Williams had tallied eight podiums in nine rounds of racing. Kristen Deloach is currently second in points in her class, but has five wins in eight races.

Team racers also found success in the Youth class ranks, as Jordan Digby won the 90 Limited (8-12) class on ITP tires. Digby has four wins in 2013 and is currently third in the class points race. Carter Kerens took second in the 125 Senior (12-15) class at Showshoe to climb to within one point of the overall points lead. After attending eight rounds, he now has four wins to go with three second-place finishes and will look to take over the class points lead after round 10.

Round 10 of the 2013 AMSOIL GNCC series resumes Sept. 7-8, with the Can-Am Unadilla in New Berlin, New York.