Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1207377
VOLUME 57 ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 4, 2020 P83 GNCC RACING Racing a GNCC is a rite of passage for every off- road racer. It's something that should be done to wake you from your comfort zone. It will hurt (but in a good way). And it is very humbling. But for some twisted dopamine-induced reasoning, you'll really want to go back and do it again. The Ironman GNCC is one of the most impres- sive venues to see a gathering of off-road motorcy- cle racing citizens in the United States. The Ironman gives you real perspective of the Heartland's undeni- able off-road market and depth of talent—a valid reputation that is often overshadowed by inaccurate perceptions of where the heart of American off-road motorcycle culture lives. This event should be on your must-race list, for sure. I've been lucky enough to race it twice now. If you live in California, like me and much of the motorcycle in- dustry, you may consider GNCC racing as woods races of sorts— competitions in tight trees with mud holes and a bunch of people drinking out of hydration packs behind hand guards until they hit the finish and start drinking beer. And you're not wrong. That's what I do at most GNCC races. What you won't realize until you personally invest yourself into the intensity of GNCC com- petition is, A: how many people are there and, B: how gnarly it really is. Make no mistake; GNCC racing is brutal, fast, and the competition is fierce. And it's massive. During my morning race session there were over 600 riders on staggered lines waiting for a chance at a nearly impassable course of waterlogged soybeans and autumn leaf mulch. Six. Hundred. GNCC racing is the hardest form of off-road racing in the United States. This claim is backed by the pseudo-science I conducted earlier in the decade when I raced every series, tracked heart-rate data and noted my state of despair at the conclusion of each event. When you calcu- late intensity plus fatigue, taking in consideration for how beat up the pro racecourse is when they race, GNCC racing beats you down most. The pro-ranks are made up of absolute beasts. There are scarier races (NHHA and SCORE quickly come to mind), faster paced races (WORCS, NGPC, etc.) and more grueling races from an all-day endurance standpoint (National Enduro), and there are certainly more technical events that test your bike handling skills to a dif- ferent level (EnduroCross, Extreme Enduro, etc.). But in the down-and-dirty grit of what's just plain hard—GNCC takes the cake. The pace is fast, the duration is forever, and the courses are often unpleasant and riddled with obstacles. Just for fun, it sometimes rains like a hurricane. I've raced them with frost on the ground, and I've been in sweltering heat in the Florida sand with no whoop end in sight. There is no warmup lap or transfer section. There is a dead-engine start and then checkered flags wave at two hours for normal people and three hours from the top dogs who are far from normal. If you haven't raced a GNCC before (like a few of my media colleagues on this trip), I highly recommend it. You will come away with newfound respect for the racers and in awe of the massive participation. Being around families, teams and manufactures (motorcycle and accessory) that commit so much to their favorite racing series makes you feel good about the future of off-road. Go GNCC Racing. You will bang bars and have contact with fellow racers. In the trees. Sometimes at speed. You will also possibly be lapped so practice holding your line and getting out of the way respectfully. Depending on your bike, you may need to do a gas stop for the two-hour race—which is fun, and I recommend doing it no matter what so you can feel cool (it also allows you to rest). Every dirt bike racer must try a GNCC at least once. It's an experience you'll never forget. Jesse won't ever forget this one! (Above) Even though we really didn't need it, the Honda's rear brake was still in working order after all was said and done. (Left) Mud like this is a dirt bike's worst enemy. The CRF250RX survived nearly three hours of this stuff. 101