Josh Strang captured his first GNCC win since 2011. Photography by Ken Hill
Kailub Russell’s bid to win the Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on a small-bore two-stroke came up just a little short in what was the second-to-last round of the 2014 AMSOIL GNCC Championship. Having already clinched the title at the previous round, Russell wanted to changes things up a bit by trading in his usual KTM 350 four-stroke for a KTM 150 two-stroke. While the smaller machine might’ve had its advantages, they weren’t enough to keep former GNCC champ Josh Strang from winning for the first time since 2011.
Russell led for much of the race, taking advantage of the 150’s agile handling and lighter weight in the mud and ruts, but he couldn’t outrun Strang’s powerful Yamaha YZ450F four-stroke up the hills and across the more wide-open sections in the latter stages of the three-hour race. In the end Strang, on the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle*ATV/N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha, crossed the finish line with the win, followed by Russell a little over a minute behind. A lengthy pit stop for minor repairs late in the race for Russell contributed to that somewhat lengthy margin.
Russell admitted afterward that the 150 was fun to ride at first but it was tough to maintain the 150’s hyper pace for all three hours. However, he said he’s looking forward to giving the 150 a go again in the next and final race of the series in Indiana.
Kailub Russell lived up to his promise by riding a smaller-bore KTM 150 XC two-stroke at the Powerline Park GNCC. He’ll do the same thing at the series finale in Indiana. Photography by Ken Hill
A little over two minutes later finished AmPro Yamaha Jordan Ashburn who appears to have picked up his pace big time during the second half of the season.
FMF KTM’s Charlie Mullins was back on the track for the first time since suffering dual wrist injuries earlier in the season. He jumped right back into the series firing on all cylinders and took a solid fourth, though he admitted afterward that his wrists were a little sore and needs some more seat time in order to get back on the podium.
Rounding out the top five was FMF KTM’s Steward Baylor who was also returning from an injury.
Grant Baylor clinched the XC2 Pro Lites Championship with another victory. Photography by Ken Hill
The big news in the XC2 Pro Lites division involved another Baylor—Grant Baylor—who clinched the XC2 title with his eighth winning ride of the season. It was his second straight title in the class. He plans to move up to the XC1 class next year and will quickly start getting ready for it right away by riding a 450 in the XC1 class at the series final in Indiana.
Powerline Park GNCC
2014 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Results: October 5, 2014
OVERALL
1. Josh Strang (Yam) XC1
2. Kailub Russell (KTM) XC1
3. Jordan Ashburn (Yam) XC1
4. Charlie Mullins (KTM) XC1
5. Steward Baylor (KTM) XC1
6. Chris Bach (Hon) XC1
7. Grant Baylor (KTM) XC2
8. Daniel Milner (Yam) XC1
9. Paul Whibley (Yam) XC1
10. Takeshi Koikeda (Hon) XC1
