ITP ATV and SxS Racers Earn 11 GNCC Championships
- Updated: November 1, 2014
ITP-supported Honda racer Angel Knox won 2014 GNCC WXC class championship at round 12, but wrapped up her season with two wins (one as co-pilot with Tim Farr) at Ironman.
Team ITP racers earned 11 total Grand National Cross Country class championships at the conclusion of the round 13 held in Crawfordsville, Ind. Following up its 17-podium performance at the previous round, the team earned eight class wins and 11 podiums at the AMSOIL Ironman, the series finale.
“To come away with almost a dozen GNCC championships is a testament to the determination of our racers and the overall makeup of ITP tires,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support. “It’s one thing to be competitive, but it’s another step when you’re the victor. But winning a championship is so much more rewarding because it’s the endgame and what all racers hope to do. No matter the age group, gender, vehicle of choice (ATV/SxS, 2WD/4WD), our entire team of racers was extremely competitive and at least 11 of them accomplished their objective and ours.”
Although Angel Knox had already secured the WXC (premier) class championship after round 12, she still suited up (twice) in Indiana. Rather than cruise around the course, the Honda racer instead capped her title-winning season with her seventh victory of the year.
(Center) Dave Simmons took home the ATV Amateur Overall Award at the Ironman GNCC and also won the Super Senior (45+) class championship using ITP tires on his Yamaha ATV.
Mark Batson put an exclamation point on his 2014 season by winning the Vet B (30+) class for the sixth time. His older brother Dale, who had captured the 35+ C morning class title, also competed at Round 13 and also earned a victory. Multi-time GNCC champion Dave Simmons notched another win (his ninth of 2014) in the Super Senior (45+) division. Junior B (22+) champion Justin Paul tried his hand in the Junior A (22+) class and was sixth.
ITP team riders also scored a few more class wins at Ironman. Kevin Cunningham won the Sportsman A/B class on his ITP-clad Honda in Indiana. Jordan Digby won the 125 Sr. (12-15) to end up third in the class standings. Marti Lantz (Girls 8-15) posted her first win of the year. Honda racer Kevin Cunningham won the Sportsman A/B class on ITP tires. A few other racers were in the running for a class championship all season, but came up a bit short. Schoolboy A/B (12-15) racer Westley Wolfe ended up third overall and had four wins. Dylan Walraven (90 Open 12-15), Greg Covert (College A 16-21) and Brandon Icard (College B 16-21) all ended up third overall in their respective classes. Women’s Amateur (13+) class racer Kelley Deloach had a nice weekend at Ironman, earning second overall and tying for the class points lead. However, the KTM / ITP racer had to settle for second overall due to losing the tie-breaker, having had three victories to the winner’s four. Shawn Stuck (35+ C) and Rich Little II (4×4 C) each finished second in their class.
Kenny Rich Sr. won the GNCC Masters 50+ championship this season riding his Suzuki outfitted with ITP Holeshot GNCC tires.
ITP CHAMPIONS
Kyle Chaney – XC1 Modified SxS
Marcus Pratt – XC2 Limited SxS
Angel Knox – WXC
Justin Paul – Junior B (22+)
Marc Batson – Vet B (30+)
Kenneth Rich Jr. – 30+ C
Dale Batson – 35+ C
Dave Simmons – Super Senior (45+)
Kenny Rich Sr. – Masters (50+)
Donnie Pruett – Silver Masters (55+)
Parker Henderson – 70 CVT (6-11)
The 2014 GNCC season will officially conclude with its post-season banquet Friday, Nov. 21, in Morgantown, W.Va.
