GNCC Bike Series - Round 3 Morganton, NC
By TMX Archives on 1st Apr 08
Red Bull KTM Factory Off-Road rider David Knight won his second race of the season at the third round of the GNCC Series.
Knight's day didn't start as bright when he was last off the line and wasforced to make his way up through the pack after a delay in starting his bikeheld him back from starting up front. His Red Bull KTM teammate Nathan Kanneyhad the opposite luck and grabbed the holeshot and led the first lap of therace.
With one lap complete Kanney held the lead while Knight had already workedhis way up from last into the top three. On the second lap Kanney surrenderedthe led to the hard-charging Knight and settled in second through the third lap.
Unfortunately Kanney encountered an electrical problem which resulted in hisbike cutting out on the rather hilly 11 mile course. As he pushed through thebike problem he had to make three additional pit stops which eventually pushedhim back to 7th place. "It was upsetting that we encountered a problem with mybike but I am glad I was able to finish inside the top ten and gain somevaluable points for the title chase," reported Kanney.
Knight who took the lead on the second lap never looked back and took home aneasy win with over a minute and a half lead on his next closest competitor.
In the XC-2 class Red Bull KTM's Justin Williamson started mid-pack and in aremarkable drive forward moved into second place before the riders headed intothe woods.
Williamson stayed within the top three for the majority of the race when onthe third to last lap he crashed hard hitting a tree and lost his 3rd placeposition. Williamson remounted and was able to finish 4th for the day. "I'mhappy with my progress this week. I feel like I am back to my normal speed. Thebike was running great and I am shooting for a podium position at the nextround," commented Williamson on his race.
Next Event: Round 4 Big Buck, Union, SC - April 12-13, 2008
Results
1 1 David Knight KTM
2 2 Barry Hawk Yamaha
3 6 Paul Whibley Suzuki
4 8 Joshua Strang Suzuki
5 4 Jim Jarrett Suzuki
8 116 Nathan Kanney KTM
14 11 Justin Williamson KTM
Standings
1 1 David Knight KTM 81
2 4 Jim Jarrett Suzuki 57
3 2 Barry Hawk Yamaha 57
4 3 Charles Mullins Suzuki 55
5 6 Paul Whibley Suzuki 55
6 116 Nathan Kanney KTM 53
22 11 Justin Williamson KTM 7
XC-2 Results
1. T. Duvall
2. K. Russell - KTM
3. D. Gibson
4. J. Williamson - KTM
5. J. Weisenfels
6. W. Palmer
7. A. Shea - KTM
8. B. Lawson
9. E. Bailey - KTM
10. R. Echols