250 SHOOTOUT WRAP
Our 250 shootout is officially done. It’s in the January, 2017 print issue of Dirt Bike, which we just shipped away. The last thing we do in every shootout is send the bikes to the dyno. For the 250s this year, we used the Dynojet at FMF, and we’ve very grateful for their help. Inconsistency from one dyno to another as well as variations in air density make it unwise to compare results that weren’t done on the same day, in the same place. Back in the old days, this was extremely difficult. The old-school Schenck dyno took hours to run, so it was tough to do six bikes in one day. On top of that, they were hard on motorcycles, which is why we always did this last, after all the riding and photos were done. There was a good chance that at least one bike wouldn’t survive.
This year’s dyno test of the 250s was perfect. The curves that were generated look exactly like what we expected after a month of seat-of-the-pants testing. It doesn’t always happen that way. Last year, our Honda was incredible on the dyno, but no one felt that way about the bike’s performance on the track. The Yamaha, on the other hand, was weak on the dyno and great on the track. We retested it to be sure of our results. When it comes to a discrepancy between what the riders say and what the dyno says, we always side with the riders.
In this year’s test the riders said that the KTM and Husky were almost the same. The small visible separation between those two might be due to the differance in mufflers or airboxes, but more likely is mechanical error in the testing process.
ISDE MODELS
Each year, European makers produce a limited run of motorcycles for the ISDE. The event has special requirements for sound and street use. It’s unclear to us how the new Euro 4 emission requirements will affect ISDE events in the future, as two-strokes, to our understanding, don’t pass. Either the events will be run under some kind of special permit or off-road racing in Europe (which traditionally uses roads between special tests) will change. For now, though, we get a pleasant spin-off from the Six Days. The models from KTM and Sherco are offered to the public. We’ve already seen the KTM versions (if you missed them, click here), and now we have three very cool looking Shercos. We’re not sure about the availability in the U.S, but if you want to check into it, contact Clay@shercooffroad.com opr just call him; (615) 347-6519.
250 / 300 2T
Special in mold Spanish Six Days graphics colors in honor of the hosting country of the 2016 edition
Full plastic set white color
Special seat cover high grip
Black color anodized rear sprocket
Special aluminum muffler with carbon fiber end
250 / 300 4T
Special in mold Spanish Six Days graphics colors in honor of the hosting country of the 2016 edition
Full plastic set white color
Special seat cover high grip
Black color anodized rear sprocket
Special aluminum muffler hexagonal profile
450 4T
Special in mold Spanish Six Days graphics colors in honor of the hosting country of the 2016 edition
Full plastic set white color
Special seat cover high grip
Black color anodized rear sprocket
KTM 450EXC SIX DAYS
The 450EXC wasn’t offered in the regular KTM line up announced at the beginning of the 2017 model season. The ISDE version is the only manifestation of a 450 Dual-sport bike that carries the KTM name.
Here the list of goodies it offers:
WP XPLOR front forks fitted with preload adjuster
Machined Orange Anodized Triple Clamps
Handlebar with Six Days Logo
Orange Anodized Rear Sprocket
Floating Front Brake Disc
Solid Rear Brake Disc
Selle Dalla Valle Wave Factory Racing Seat
Engine Skid Plate
Front Axle Puller
Orange Chain Guide
Giant Wheels with Six Days Logo
Orange Frame
Radiator Fan
Exclusive Six Days Graphics
OLD SCHOOL
Three months ago, I dusted off my 1974 Husky 250 Mag and rode a very cool event that was held on an abandoned golf course in Victorville. I had a great time and, miracle of miracles, the bike still ran afterward! The people who put on the event are doing it again next month. Now they have a new venue in the high desert on the grounds of the Roy Rogers Museum. Gary Jones is helping lay out the course. I can’t wait!
CLASSIC BAILEY
This sticker is in my top desk drawer, where it’s been for years. I’ve resisted the temptation to put in on my last 10 or 12 trucks/vans/cars. I now realize that this is a crime, and instead of hording treasures like this for myself, I should display them for the world to see. I’m using it somewhere today … but where should it go?
GNCC WRAP UP
The 2016 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, heads into the final round of racing this weekend, October 29 and 30, with the 22nd running of the AMSOIL Ironman GNCC. Held in the motorsports-crazed town of Crawfordsville, Indiana, the event is expected to draw one of the largest crowds this season with its unique racing history and homage to October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With the XC1 Pro and XC2 Pro Lites Championships already wrapped up, round 13 will be less about points and more about pride as a deep field of talent are expected to compete in this year’s highly anticipated season finale.
Four-time GNCC National Champion Kailub Russell is looking to
cap off his 2016 season with another win.
Photo: Ken Hill
FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kailub Russell wrapped up his fourth consecutive GNCC National Championship at the previous Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairsville, Ohio. K Russell recently moved into second on the all-time GNCC bike wins, and sits in the runner-up position by seven wins. The season finale will not only close another chapter in Russell’s career, but will serve as a springboard as he sets his sights on becoming the winningest bike rider in GNCC history in the 2017 season.
Josh Strang will not be participating in the season finale due to recovering from an ankle injury that occurred during the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) just two weeks ago in Navarra, Spain. The Australian rider will return in 2017 and restart his quest for the National Championship.
Josh Strang will be missing from the start line this Sunday due to an
ankle injury sustained at the ISDE.
Photo: Ken Hill
After narrowly missing the podium at the Powerline Park GNCC, Westfield Powersports KTM Presented by Moose Racing’s Jordan Ashburn will not only be a contender for the podium, but also for the win. Ashburn is known for his ability to excel at technical tracks such as the Ironman, and will be charging hard to finish off his season victorious.
Coming back from a big win at the ISDE is Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4 Arrive-N-Ride Team’s Thad Duvall. Duvall, a member of the first ever champion U.S. World Trophy Team, has plenty of drive heading into this weekend. That, mixed with his strong showings at the past three rounds, makes Duvall a top contender and a rider to keep an eye on this Sunday.
Thad Duvall looks to be a top contender on Sunday, October 30 for the overall win
at Ironman Raceway after finishing second at the past two races.
Photo: Ken Hill
SRT/KTM/Kenda Tires’ Steward Baylor Jr. and MCS Racing Suzuki/Obermeyer/Kenda/MX Tech/Fly Racing’s Ricky Russell both have the opportunity to steal the fifth place position in points from Duvall. Both riders have shown great consistency the entire season, and while they may not always finish on the box, there have been many opportunities for them to shine. Most recently, R Russell has made his presence known at the past two podium presentations. R Russell will use his diligent racing strategies in an attempt to secure his first career professional overall win at the Ironman GNCC.
Grant Baylor is another rider who shows great promise in putting his N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha-backed machine on the box this Sunday, along with JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/Fly Racing’s Chris Bach. Bach will be looking to represent his hometown crowd with a good season-ending finish, while G Baylor will be aiming to end his season on a high note after finishing fifth at the previous round.
Grant Baylor is hoping to land on the podium this Sunday for the third time this season.
Photo: Ken Hill
JCR Honda/Lucas Oil/Maxxis/FLY Racing’s Trevor Bollinger became a top XC2 Pro Lites contender at the 2015 Ironman GNCC after coming from behind to take the class win. Now, one year later, Bollinger has a total of 8 XC2 Pro Lites victories and a National Championship to add to his resume. The North Carolina native is hungry for the final win of the 2016 season, before he heads to Japan to represent the United States in the Japan National Cross Country Series on November 6.
Coastal Racing/Husqvarna/MSR-backed teammates Craig Delong and Layne Michael hold the second and third place XC2 Pro Lites positions. Delong’s consistency has proven to be a deciding factor in the points chase, but like Duvall, Michael also comes into this round fresh off his ISDE victory. The battles between the two teammates have showcased their top talent and will cumulate this weekend at the 22nd Annual Ironman GNCC.
Trevor Bollinger will be eager to battle for the final win in the XC2 Pro Lites class this Sunday before he heads to Japan to represent the USA on November 6.
Photo: Ken Hill
With the title already in hand, FLY Racing/Maxxis/Seat Concepts/Yamaha-backed Becca Sheets will look to cap off her championship season with her sixth win of the year. Sheets will have to fend off FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Kacy Martinez and Bonzi/RideMPS.com/Yamaha’s Brooke Cosner who are both equally equipped to take the top spot on the box.
Sunday’s race schedule is as follows: youth bike racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by amateurs and women at 10 a.m. and pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m. This weekend is co-sanctioned with IXCR, a series that produces local racing events in Indiana, and will ultimately bring out a full slate of local racers. All local racers are invited to compete at this event, as GNCC Racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is $40 and riders can sign up at the track. To learn more about GNCC Racing please visit the GNCC101 webpage.
Local racers expected to compete this Sunday will be: Lucas Grounds (85 7-11), Sam Shaver (250 A), Ethan Marsh (85 7-11), Rod Marshall (Super Senior A 45+), Robert Kirchner (Silver Masters A 55+), brothers Sam (200 B) and Jackson Hall (65 7-11), Joel Creed (Golden Masters 60+), Logan Meadows (250 C Jr. 17-21), Cody Aliff (250 B), brothers Alex (Open A) and Mike Witkowski (XC2 Pro Lites), Vincent Smith (Open A), Duell Murphy (Open A) and Eric Douglass (250 A).
Hailing from Martinsville, Indiana, Lucas Grounds is hoping to earn his eighth win of the season infront of his family and friends.
Photo: Ken Hill
Adult (12+) gate admission is $20 for the full weekend and $10 for kids (6-11), with kids five and under free. Gate admission includes pro pit access, autographs, parking and evening activities at no additional charge. Trick-or-treating will kick off the Saturday night festivities at 5 p.m., with a costume contest and Parts Unlimited hospitality dinner at 6 p.m. Stone Senate will take the stage at 7 p.m. with the popular Davisson Brothers following.
GNCC Racing encourages spectators to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by dressing in pink all weekend long. The race facility will be adorned in pink, including a pink-themed podium backdrop, t-shirts and much more. Stuk MX will also sell exclusive GNCC breast cancer awareness themed stickers at their display for a minimum $1 donation, with contributions going to the Montgomery County Free Clinic (MCFC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free mammogram examinations to the Crawfordsville and Montgomery County region.
Chris Bach will be looking for redemption, along with a podium finish,
this weekend in front of his home state fans.
Photo: Ken Hill
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
Polaris Ace Powerline Park GNCC
St. Clairsville, OH
Round 12 of 13
Sunday, October 2
XC1 Pro Event Results:
Kailub Russell (KTM)
Thad Duvall (HSQ)
Ricky Russell (SUZ)
Jordan Ashburn (KTM)
Grant Baylor (YAM)
Steward Baylor Jr. (KTM)
Chris Bach (HON)
Cory Buttrick (KTM)
Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
Andrew Delong (HSQ)
*Overall National Championship Standings:
Kailub Russell (316)
Josh Strang (236)
Trevor Bollinger (166)
Jordan Ashburn (161)
Thad Duvall (155)
Steward Baylor Jr. (148)
Ricky Russell (141)
Craig Delong (137)
Grant Baylor (132)
Layne Michael (122)
*Indicates that the Overall National Championship Standings will determine the 2016 National Champion.
XC2 Pro Lites Event Results:
Layne Michael (HSQ)
Trevor Bollinger (HON)
Craig Delong (HSQ)
Nick Davis (BET)
Benjamin Kelley (KTM)
Josh Toth (YAM)
Michael Witkowski (KTM)
Vance Francis (HON)
Ryder Lafferty (HSQ)
Austin Lee (YAM)
XC2 Pro Lites Series Standings:
Trevor Bollinger (301)
Craig Delong (254)
Layne Michael (235)
Benjamin Kelley (138)
Joshua Toth (171)
Jesse Groemm (158)
Vance Francis (135)
Michael Witkowski (125)
Samuel Evans (121)
Zack Hayes (113)
See you next time,
Ron Lawson