I plan on going to the GNCC race on May 10 in PA. This will be my first race. I know most of the rules, but how do they start. There are about 8 classes in the AM, and 8 in th PM. How do they get everyone off, and yet be finished before the 1:00 start. There is only 3 hrs before tha afternoon classes start, yet most racers take about 2:20 to race. I just want to know what to expect when I get there. There must be 250 atv's per race, they all can't start at the same time.

Also, whats the most important option to have on your atv, and on myself?

 

First off the PA race may 10 is a new track at Rausch Creek.

The starts are dead engine and each class starts about a minutes after the class in front. We've been averaging close to 600 quads per race (300 in the morning and 300 in the afternoon). The afternnon race typically doesn't start until closer to 2 pm but we start lining up around 1 and the last morning riders finish up about 12:45. It takes time to get evryone lined up go thru a brief riders meeting do the prayer and national anthem. Interview the pros for the tv people and then go to racing.

Starts go like this riders warm up thier machines until the blue flag is wave signalling 30 secs and shut off engines, then the annoucer yells 10 seconds when the flagman put the blue flag horizonal then approx. 7-12 seconds later the green flag is waved and off goes the class. This is repeated in 1 minute intervals between classes.

The race tracks tend to be 9-13 miles long with a little of every type off riding thrown in (hills, mx, tight woods, creek crossing, open fields). Basically if you can think of it it's done somewhere on the course.

Full riding gear and on the quad it depends on the clas you enter. 6 ply tires and tether kill are a must. You don't have to wear or use the tether but it has to be on the quad. I like haveing better shocks, steering damper, hand guards, nerf bars, and other little things. These are my personal set-ups somepeople don't like nerf bars and other things I've put on mine.

 

Thank you, that is what I wanted to know. One more thing, what proscess do you do when you need more gas. I can't see going the whole race on 1 tank.

 

Well your right most people can't go an entire race without stopping for fuel. I'm one of the lucky ones that can since I have a 4 1/2 gallon tank and my quad gets good gas mileage. As for stopping for fuel most fill at the end of the 2nd to early in the 3rd lap pending on where the are parked for pitting. I like to find a parking spot that I can back up to the track so if I need to stop the tools and pit guys are right on the track. I'd have one or 2 people if possible help pit you one putting the gas in and one giving you googles, gloves and water while the other is fueling you.

 

Do you GNCC race a lot? How tight are the trails, and are there any area's to pass. My atv will be totally stock, what class should I run in. I have never raced in a organized event, but I can hold my own.

 

I ran the last 9 GNCC's last year in the stock 4-stroke class and have raced all 5 rounds this year in the open b class. I've been racing harescrambles for about 5 years now. As for what class you should race I would chose between the following:
First Year Racer
Stock 4-stroke
4-stroke C 16-25 or 25+ (pending your age).
Or one of the age classes pending on if your elligable (sp) for any.

All of the above classes are very competitive (you find any clas you enter at a GNCC are super competitive and loaded with talent).
If your not planning on running too many of them this year I'd lean towards the 1st year racer.

All of the above classes I've mentioned all run in the morning race. There are benefits to running in the morning. I wish at times I was still racing the morning classes. The track isn't tore up and plus you get to watch the pro race and you don't have to worry about the pros lapping you.

 

I am not racing but ill see you there!

 

Not really much to add to what lt250r91 has already mentioned. Just am a GNCC freak and wanted to join in.

I ran the full GNCC schedule in 2001 and can give a couple of pointers. Ride hard and alot before you go for an hour or two straight. Not sure how competitive you are, but your body will be pushed pretty hard.
I can ride for days without fatigue riding at 60%, only for 4 hours at 80%, 2 hours at 90%, and 1/2 an hour at full 105% pushing myself to the limit and I am spent. For your first race, I would worry about having a good time and finishing and not hurting yourself or your quad, so I would say ride at 85%. Of course there is nothing like the nationals and you will ride harder and faster then you normally would just from the competition and the excitement.

I have talked to a few pros and they claim they ride at 95% except for the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes at full bore, unless they are trying to get passed someone.

Prep your quad like you are going to put your mom on it on high speed, nothing can break! Loctite everything, torque your lug nuts, check and clean normal maintenance items. I would suggest to leave your air box lid on and not worry about modifying very much.

Have an extra pair of gloves, goggles and water ready at your pit stall to change in a hurry. Just a quick 10 seconds of refresh, new gloves and goggles can do wonders for your last lap times.

Good luck and I would like to see you post a report on how your like your predator at race trim! I am eyeing on, but would like to hear how they hold up during race conditions.

 

I have raced the GNCC for the last three years but have not done any of the races this year due to raising a little one but hope to be back racing next year.

To get ready for any type of racing the first thing you need to do is be in shape. I am not talking lifting weights or running and that all helps but be in riding shape. Be able to go as hard as you can for two and a half hours. Practice riding in tight woods sections alot. Make sure before the race every part of you quad is bolted down tight it is going to take some abuse. I agree ride the first ten minutes as hard as you can go then PACE PACE PACE yourself you can't win if you can't finish. I am good friends with Mike Penland a multi time national champ in the Utility class but the old man is fast. Mike taught me alot about pacing myself and not spending myself on the first lap. I usually go hard the first ten minutes, have a good smooth pace the second lap and third lap and give it everything I have on the last lap. Once you have reached the potential of going as fast as you can on your stock bike then make a few mods

The Number one Mod is SUSPENSION!! A good handling quad makes a world of differance
Second go to your Tires you must have good tires 2 ply will not last 4 ply is good but you can't beat 6 ply
After that is done work on you Motor mods to suit you.

NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO JUST HAVE FUN!!!

Kevin Haynes

 

how do you guys have your shocks set? 1 being the softest steeing and 10 being the hardest?