Grand National Cross Country

(Redirected from Blackwater 100)

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.

Grand National Cross Country Series
Jurisdiction United States
AbbreviationGNCC
Founded1975
HeadquartersMorgantown, West Virginia
Official website
www.gnccracing.com

GNCC Events

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2024

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Round Event Venue Location Date
1 Big Buck GNCC Big Buck Farm Union, SC 17-18 February
2 Wild Boar GNCC Rodman Plantation Palatka, FL 2-3 March
3 The General GNCC Aonia Pass MX Washington, GA 8-10 March
4 Camp Coker Bullet GNCC Moree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC 23-24 March
5 The Old Gray The Old Gray Monterey, TN 13-14 April
6 Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN 27-28 April
7 Powerline Park Powerline Park St Clairsville, OH 11-12 May
8 Mason-Dixon GNCC Mathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA 1-2 June
9 Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV 22-23 June
10 Buckwheat 100 GNCC CJ Raceway Newburg, WV 31 August-1 September
11 The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV 14-15 September
12 The John Penton GNCC Sunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio 28-29 September
13 Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN 26-27 October

2023

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Round Event Venue Location
1 Big Buck GNCC Big Buck Farm Union, SC
2 Wild Boar GNCC Rodman Plantation Palatka, FL
3 The General GNCC Aonia Pass MX Washington, GA
4 Tiger Run Tiger Run Union, SC
5 Camp Coker Bullet GNCC Moree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC
6 Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN
7 The John Penton GNCC Sunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
8 Mason-Dixon GNCC Mathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA
9 Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV
10 The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV
11 Buckwheat 100 GNCC CJ Raceway Newburg, WV
12 Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN

2022

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Round Event Venue Location
1 Big Buck GNCC Big Buck Farm Union, SC
2 Wild Boar GNCC Rodman Plantation Palatka, FL
3 The General GNCC Aonia Pass MX Washington, GA
4 TBA TBA TBA
5 Camp Coker Bullet GNCC Moree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC
6 Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN
7 The John Penton GNCC Sunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
8 Mason-Dixon GNCC Mathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA
9 Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV
10 The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV
11 Burr Oak GNCC Sunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio
12 Buckwheat 100 GNCC CJ Raceway Newburg, WV
13 Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN

GNCC History

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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

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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

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Craig DeLong Morgantown, PA Husqvarna
2022 Jordan Ashburn Livingston, TN Husqvarna
2021 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2020 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2019 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2018 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2017 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2016 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2015 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2014 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2013 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM
2012 Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Yamaha
2011 Charlie Mullins Hamilton, OH KTM
2010 Josh Strang Inverell, Australia Suzuki
2009 Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Kawasaki
2008 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM
2007 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM
2006 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM
2005 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM
2004 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2003 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Yamaha
2002 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2001 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
2000 Shane Watts Maffra, Australia KTM
1999 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
1998 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki
1997 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda
1996 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda
1995 Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM
1994 Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM
1993 Fred Andrews Salem, OH Yamaha
1992 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda
1991 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda
1990 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda
1989 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Yamaha
1988 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1987 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1986 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1985 Jim Maltba Mount Clare, WV KTM
1984 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1983 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1982 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1981 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna
1980 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna

GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class Bike Champions

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Liam Draper New Zealand Yamaha
2022 Lyndon Snodgrass Australia Kawasaki
2021 Johnny Girroir Southwick, MA GasGas
2020 Craig Delong Morgantown, PA Husqvarna
2019 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2018 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM
2017 Josh Toth Winsted, CT Yamaha
2016 Trevor Bollinger Morganton, NC Honda
2015 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales KTM
2014 Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2013 Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2012 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales KTM
2011 Steward Baylor Belton, SC KTM
2010 Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM
2009 Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM
2008 Thad Duvall Williamstown, WV Yamaha
2007 Justin Williamson Sanford, FL KTM

GNCC FMF XC3 125 Pro Am Class Bike Champions

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Toby Cleveland Erin, NY Husqvarna
2022 Brody Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna
2021 Jonathan Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna
2020 Zack Hayes Sumter, SC KTM
2019 Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM
2018 Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM
2017 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales Husqvarna

GNCC WXC Bike Champions

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Rachael Archer New Zealand Yamaha
2022 Rachael Archer New Zealand Yamaha
2021 Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha
2020 Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha
2019 Tayla Jones Good Hope, NSW, Australia Husqvarna
2018 Tayla Jones Good Hope, AUS Husqvarna
2017 Tayla Jones Good Hope, AUS Husqvarna
2016 Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha
2015 Kacy Martinez Sunol, CA KTM
2014 Kacy Martinez Sunol, CA KTM
2013 Maria Forsberg Brier, WA KTM
2012 Maria Forsberg Brier, WA KTM
2011 Maria Forsberg Brier, WA KTM
2010 Maria Forsberg Brier, WA KTM
2009 Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2008 Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2007 Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2006 Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2005 Mandi Mastin Whitehouse, OH Yamaha
2004 Heather Wilson Canyon, CA Kawasaki
2003 Heather Wilson Canyon, CA Kawasaki
2002 Heather Wilson Canyon, CA Kawasaki

GNCC Overall ATV Champions

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha
2022 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha
2021 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2020 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2019 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2018 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2017 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2016 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2015 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2014 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2013 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2012 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2011 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2010 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2009 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki
2008 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2007 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2006 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2005 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2004 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha
2003 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD
2002 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD
2001 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design
2000 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design
1999 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1998 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1997 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1996 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1995 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1994 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1993 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers
1992 Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda
1991 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1990 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1989 Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda
1988 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda
1987 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda
1986 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda
1985 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda
1984 Ted Trey Frederick, MD Honda

GNCC XC2 Pro Am Class ATV Champions

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Year Rider Hometown Brand
2023 Steven Harrell Elkridge, MD Yamaha
2022 Jay Shadron Acme, PA Yamaha
2021 Ronnie Rusch Pittsburgh, PA Yamaha
2020 Austin Abney Veedersburg, IN Honda
2019 John Glauda, Jr Waxhaw, NC Yamaha
2018 Hunter Hart Newfield, NY Yamaha
2017 Devon Feehan Windsor, NY Honda
2016 Greg Covert Ithaca, NY Yamaha
2015 Cole Richardson Edinburg, PA Yamaha
2014 Cole Richardson Edinburg, PA Yamaha
2013 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Honda
2012 Patrick McQuire Valencia, PA Yamaha
2011 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha
2010 Brian Wolf Medina, OH Honda
2009 Josh Kirkland Proctor, WV KTM
2008 Donald Ockerman Marshall, IL Yamaha
2007 Brandon Sommers Millersburg, OH Yamaha

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Grand National Cross Country series profile". gnccracing.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Grand National Cross Country FAQs". gnccracing.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. ^ "2016 Bike National Classes - GNCC Racing". gnccracing.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-04.
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