The following is a release from Racer Production- Am-Pro Yamaha rider Jason Raines pulled off his fourth Grand National Cross Country victory of the series with a runaway win “ the first of the year “ at the Wiseco John Penton GNCC in Millfield, Ohio, July 11. “I can’t even figure it out,” said Raines. “I come into every race with the same mental outlook, and today I felt like I was just riding like I normally do. But each lap the lead would get bigger and bigger. I think some people were pacing themselves for the heat, but I know I train hard and I wasn’t worried, so I just went for it. It got really hot the last two laps, but the fans out there kept us going.”
Raines came to Ohio a few points back of FMF Suzuki’s Rodney Smith in the series standings, and it appeared he would get some help as KTM’s Juha Salminen played the spoilers role. The World Enduro Champion was making his GNCC debut a good one by grabbing the early lead and sticking with Raines for the first two laps. By then, he had a huge lead over third and basically cruised home to the finish.
“This was a very big surprise for me,” said Salminen, who hails from Finland. “I didn’t care about Jason, I just tried to ride my own speed. I did get tired, this was the first time I rode three hours. I’m very happy.” Unfortunately, Salminen missed a few jumps on the Sunday Creek motocross track that hosted the event, and he was later docked a position. This bumped Smith into a hard-earned second.
“Jason rode great today,” said Smith. “I just didn’t have it today, I was fighting the bike all day. Freddy [Andrews] went past me and helped pull me along. I had fun racing, I just wish I had a better start and was able to get going.”
Smith was followed by his teammate Andrews, who barely edged Parts Unlimited Honda rider Scott Summers at the line.
Over 1200 riders raced The Wiseco John Penton GNCC, and most of them enjoyed miles of fresh trail, as well as a track that could have been dusty but was instead damped by rain on Saturday.
The GNCC series now goes on summer break before returning for a makeup race on Saturday, September 11 in Sparta Kentucky.
Results:
1. Jason Raines (Yam)
2. Rodney Smith (Suz)
3. Juha Salminen (KTM)
4. Fred Andrews (Suz)
5. Scott Summers (Hon)
6. Robbie Jenks (Yam)
7. Mike Kiedrowski (Suz)
8. Doug Blackwell (Suz)
9. Steve Hatch (Kaw)
10. D R Atwood (KTM)
11. Josh McLevy (Kaw)
12. Nathan Kanney (Yam)
13. Randy Hawkins (Yam)
14. P A Allen (Kaw)
15. Andy Shea (Kaw)
16. Charles Mullins (KTM)
17. Stephen Edmondson (KTM)
18. Scott Watkins (Kaw)
19. Justin Williamson (Yam)
20. Dustin Gibson (KTM)
AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Point Standings
(After 10 of 14 rounds)
1. Rodney Smith (246/5 wins)
2. Jason Raines (241/4 wins)
3. Fred Andrews (153)
4. Steve Hatch (150)
5. Mike Kiedrowski (142)
6. Scott Summers (131)
7. Barry Hawk, Jr. (124/1 win)
8. Doug Blackwell (120)
9. Robbie Jenks (103)
10. Brian Garrahan (99)
