Pennsylvania GNCC

 

Pre Race: We left the fort Friday as soon as I got out of school, and drove straight to Somerset, PA. We finally got there Saturday morning around 10 a.m. The weather was not that great so we got some lunch and casually made our way to the track. It sprinkled pretty much all day, and poured for a couple hours Saturday night, so once again I was preparing for wet conditions. My brother Jake raced in the youth race, and he informed me on some things about the track, but none of them were very positive. He said it was the rockiest and muddiest thing he has ridden in a while. This did not make me very excited, but I was ready to give it my all. 

Race: I got an average start, and was probably mid pack heading into the woods. As soon as we hit the woods I was assured on Jakes thoughts of the track. There was mud holes everywhere, and it seemed like most of the track was a river filled with big boulders and jagged rocks. I was actually running well the first half a lap until I went down in a big water hole where my gloves and goggles got completely soaked. I had to take the goggles off, and I could barely twist the throttle due to the wet gloves. I pulled into the pits to get new Moose gloves and Smith goggles, but that didn’t go as planned. My dad only had the goggles, so he had to run into the trailer and find some. Luckily Zach Nash was pitting next to us, and his dad had some ready and let me borrow them. The second lap wasn’t very good for me either. I was back in 11^th place, and just wasn’t very motivated. I finished the second lap, and was still in 11^th. After the gas stop I started riding a little better. I was taking it slow through all the rock gardens and mud holes, but I wasn’t crashing anymore. My Rekluse clutch worked great in the nasty conditions, and I think it really helped a lot. On the third lap I went from 11^th to 9^th, which got me a little excited. I rode descent the 4^th lap and went from 9^th to 7^th. The 5^th and final lap I rode smart while still trying to go fast, and got one more position finishing in 6^th place in 250A. This track really did not suit my style, so I’m just happy to leave healthy with a descent finish. 

Results: 1. Zach Nolan (KTM)

              2. Zackery Smith (KTM)

              3. Scott Grills (Yam)

              4. David Muchisko (Yam)

              5. Zachary Nash (KTM)

              6. Zach Ingram (KTM)

              7. Matthew Holden (Hon)

 Thanks to the following for their support: Bill Eddy’s Motorsports, KTM, Moose Racing, Rekluse, Enduro Engineering, Source MX, Alpinestars, Smith, Sixsixone,  FMF, my family, and most importantly God.