W
h e n t h e c o n c e p t o f
running a round of the
Suzuki Grand National
Cross Country Series
a t t h e W i s p S k i a n d
Golf Resort in Maryland surfaced in 2002,
the
story centered around the plush
resort
surroundings near the track. Peo-
ple
looked forward to racing on lush ski
slopes
and staying in a posh hotel right
next to the track. But once the race was
over, a different reputation had been
forged.
The Wisp was going to be known
more for tough trail conditions than nice
surroundings. Rocks, rocks and more
rocks
made the Wisp a true test for any
off-road
racer, and a quick jaunt back to
the
hotel hot tub wasn't going to make it
feel
any easier.
Now the Wisp is known as the tough-
est race in the GNCC Series, and it's so
tough that riders from other series and
disciplines come to try it just for the chal-
lenge. But the challenge ramped up to
another level in 2006, because rain came
down
all day on Sunday, meaning the
rocky
course would also be a muddy one.
But
when the going gets tough, the
tough
get going, and once again Am Pro
Yamaha's Barry Hawk proved himself one
tough rider, as he won the Parts
Unlimited Wisp GNCC for the third time.
"This track – I think my riding style
works good in the rocks," Hawk said. "I
really look forward to it. Everyone I
talked
to couldn't believe it was raining
today,
but maybe that was the difference.
I
still wanted it really bad today."
Hawk
wanted it bad enough to silence
Wisp Ski and Golf Resort
McHenry,
MD
Round 9
June 25, 2006
JULY 12, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S
52
Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series
HAWK
ON THE ROCKS
Barry Hawk is still the king of the mountain at the
Wisp GNCC
BY JASON WEIGANDT
PHOTOS BY RAYMOND GUNDY
Rain, rocks and mud made this
year's Wisp GNCC in Maryland one
of the toughest ever.
Bad conditions always
bring out the best of Hawk,
who captured
his second
Wisp
win in a row.
