Grand National Cross Country

The Grand National Cross Country Series is an American motorcycle racing series.[1] The off-road race series was founded by Dave Coombs in 1975 and is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).[1] The competition is similar to motocross but, instead of using an enclosed race track, it features extended cross-country, off-road courses of 8 to 12 miles in length and competitions lasting up to 3 hours.[2] GNCC races are physically demanding, leading as many as 2,200 riders through tracks ranging from woods, to hills, mud, rocks, roots, motocross track sections and more. The series has classes for off-road motorcycles, ATV and eMTB vehicles.[2] GNCC Racing is open to both professional and amateur racers in a variety of skill level and age classes.[2] The current presenting sponsor is Specialized Bicycle Components.

"Blackwater 100" redirects here. For the pinball table, see Blackwater 100 (pinball).
Grand National Cross Country Series
Jurisdiction United States
AbbreviationGNCC
Founded1975
HeadquartersMorgantown, West Virginia
Official website
www.gnccracing.com

2021 GNCC Events
RoundEventVenueLocation
1Big Buck GNCCBig Buck FarmUnion, SC
2Wild Boar GNCCRodman PlantationPalatka, FL
3The General GNCCAonia Pass MXWashington, GA
4Camp Coker Bullet GNCCMoree's Sportsman's PreserveSociety Hill, SC
5Tiger Run GNCCBig Buck FarmUnion, SC
6Hoosier GNCCIronman RacewayCrawfordsville, IN
7The John Penton GNCCSunday Creek RacewayMillfield, Ohio
8Mason-Dixon GNCCMathews Farm/High Point RacewayMount Morris, PA
9Snowshoe GNCCSnowshoe MountainSnowshoe, WV
10The Mountaineer GNCCThe Summit Bechtel Family National Scout ReserveBeckley, WV
11Burr Oaks GNCCSunday Creek RacewayMillfield, Ohio
12Buckwheat 100 GNCCCJ RacewayNewburg, WV
13Ironman GNCCIronman RacewayCrawfordsville, IN

GNCC History

The series began in 1975 when Dave Coombs was contacted by a preacher from a church in a small West Virginia town.[1] The preacher wanted to help the economy of his struggling town by hosting a motorcycle race. Dave Coombs saw major potential in the land and thought that a grand prix style race through the town and surrounding country side would be special enough to bring visitors to the town.[1]

Coombs named this race the Blackwater 100.[1] The name "Blackwater" originated from nearby Blackwater Falls and the Blackwater River, while 100 for the number of miles in the race. The land was rugged, which would make the race itself one would be difficult for riders and their machines. The race became popular when Dave invited a group of magazine editors from California, who went back and wrote about their experiences with the rugged race. Eventually, Blackwater would become known as "America's Toughest Race".

Dave also promoted the first ever AMA National Hare Scramble, which was held at High Point Raceway in 1979. With the popularity of this event and the Blackwater, the Wiseco 100 Miler Series was born.[1] The series would then evolve into the GNCC series beginning with the 1984 season.[1] The GNCC series began experiencing more growth when three-wheelers were added in 1983, and four-wheelers replaced them a few years later.[1] Blackwater 100 later received an eponymous pinball adaptation manufactured by Bally-Midway in 1988, distinguished by its complex table design and its unique rule of making each of the three "balls" allotted per session multiballs that represent three "heats" of the race.

The famous Blackwater 100 was shut down after the 1993 event, but by this point the GNCC series had earned the reputation as being the Premier Offroad Racing Series in America. Throughout the 90s the series would still grow more and more. With domination on the bike side by riders such as Scott Summers, Scott Plessinger and Rodney Smith, while Barry Hawk dominated the ATV side, the series gained even more mainstream coverage in various media. The series patriarch, Dave Coombs, died in 1998 but Big Dave's family stepped up to continue the success of the series. His son-in-law, Jeff Russell, the 1991 AMA National Enduro Champion, is today's GNCC Trail Boss.

GNCC Racing has evolved from small, regional races to professional-grade events that attract professional and amateur riders from across the world. Growth in the professional ranks prompted the changes from one single "Pro" class to multiple professional rank classes beginning in 2007. Professional ATV classes consist of the premier "XC1 Pro ATV" class and the "XC2 Pro-Am ATV" class to serve as a stepping stone for riders moving out of the amateur classes. Professional motorcycle classes consist of the "XC1 Open Pro" class for any size motorcycle, the "XC2 250 Pro" class for 250cc motorcycles and the "XC2 125 Pro-Am" class reserved exclusively for 125cc 2-stroke motorcycles.[3]

Past Champions

Over the years the series has been contested by thousands of different riders across the world. Each year an Overall Champion is crowned for both the bikes and ATVs.

GNCC Overall Bike Champions
YearRiderHometownBrand
2020Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2019Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2018Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2017Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2016Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2015Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2014Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2013Kailub RussellBoonville, NCKTM
2012Paul WhibleyDannevirke, New ZealandYamaha
2011Charlie MullinsHamilton, OHKTM
2010Josh StrangInverell, AustraliaSuzuki
2009Paul WhibleyDannevirke, New ZealandKawasaki
2008David KnightIsle of Man, UKKTM
2007David KnightIsle of Man, UKKTM
2006Juha SalminenVantaa, FinlandKTM
2005Juha SalminenVantaa, FinlandKTM
2004Rodney SmithAntioch, CASuzuki
2003Barry HawkSmithfield, PAYamaha
2002Rodney SmithAntioch, CASuzuki
2001Rodney SmithAntioch, CASuzuki
2000Shane WattsMaffra, AustraliaKTM
1999Rodney SmithAntioch, CASuzuki
1998Rodney SmithAntioch, CASuzuki
1997Scott SummersPetersburg, KYHonda
1996Scott SummersPetersburg, KYHonda
1995Scott PlessingerHamilton, OHKTM
1994Scott PlessingerHamilton, OHKTM
1993Fred AndrewsSalem, OHYamaha
1992Scott SummersPetersburg, KYHonda
1991Scott SummersPetersburg, KYHonda
1990Scott SummersPetersburg, KYHonda
1989Ed LojakTarentum, PAYamaha
1988Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1987Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1986Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1985Jim MaltbaMount Clare, WVKTM
1984Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1983Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1982Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1981Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna
1980Ed LojakTarentum, PAHusqvarna

GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class Bike Champions
YearRiderHometownBrand
2020Craig DelongMorgantown, PAHusqvarna
2019Ben KelleyHarwinton, CTKTM
2018Ben KelleyHarwinton, CTKTM
2017Josh TothWinsted, CTYamaha
2016Trevor BollingerMorganton, NCHonda
2015Jason ThomasMachynlleth, WalesKTM
2014Grant BaylorBelton, SCKTM
2013Grant BaylorBelton, SCKTM
2012Jason ThomasMachynlleth, WalesKTM
2011Steward BaylorBelton, SCKTM
2010Kailub RussellKingston, OHKTM
2009Kailub RussellKingston, OHKTM
2008Thad DuvallWilliamstown, WVYamaha
2007Justin WilliamsonSanford, FLKTM

GNCC FMF XC3 125 Pro Am Class Bike Champions
YearRiderHometownBrand
2020Zack HayesSumter, SCKTM
2019Jesse AnsleyMyakka City, FLKTM
2018Jesse AnsleyMyakka City, FLKTM
2017Jason ThomasMachynlleth, WalesHusqvarna

GNCC Overall ATV Champions
YearRiderHometownBrand
2020Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2019Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2018Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2017Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2016Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2015Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2014Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2013Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2012Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2011Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2010Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2009Chris BorichSunbury, PASuzuki
2008Bill BallanceOakland, KYYamaha
2007Bill BallanceOakland, KYYamaha
2006Bill BallanceOakland, KYYamaha
2005Bill BallanceOakland, KYYamaha
2004Bill BallanceOakland, KYYamaha
2003Bill BallanceOakland, KYLRD
2002Bill BallanceOakland, KYLRD
2001Bill BallanceOakland, KYRoll Design
2000Bill BallanceOakland, KYRoll Design
1999Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1998Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1997Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1996Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1995Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1994Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1993Barry HawkSmithfield, PALaegers
1992Bob SloanMartinsville, INHonda
1991Chuck DelulloSt. Marys, PAHonda
1990Chuck DelulloSt. Marys, PAHonda
1989Bob SloanMartinsville, INHonda
1988Chuck DelulloSt. Marys, PAHonda
1987Tom TokayWebster, PAHonda
1986Tom TokayWebster, PAHonda
1985Tom TokayWebster, PAHonda
1984Ted TreyFrederick, MDHonda

GNCC XC2 Pro Am Class ATV Champions
YearRiderHometownBrand
2020Austin AbneyVeedersburg, INHonda
2019John Glauda, JrWaxhaw, NCYamaha
2018Hunter HartNewfield, NYYamaha
2017Devon FeehanWindsor, NYHonda
2016Greg CovertIthaca, NYYamaha
2015Cole RichardsonEdinburg, PAYamaha
2014Cole RichardsonEdinburg, PAYamaha
2013Brycen NealBidwell, OHHonda
2012Patrick McQuireValencia, PAYamaha
2011Walker FowlerRogers, OHYamaha
2010Brian WolfMedina, OHHonda
2009Josh KirklandProctor, WVKTM
2008Donald OckermanMarshall, ILYamaha
2007Brandon SommersMillersburg, OHYamaha

References
  1. "Grand National Cross Country series profile". gnccracing.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. "Grand National Cross Country FAQs". gnccracing.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. https://gnccracing.com/pages/bike-national-classes
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