After winning eleven of thirteen races in 2010, Chris Borich secured the Championship and rolled into the 2011 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series with more momentum then ever.

Borich kept it going as he had a nine-race winning streak heading into the last round at the FMF Steele Creek GNCC. Unfortunately, after passing for the lead on the last lap, Borich experienced some mechanical issues that left his bike to sputter past the finish line in fifth place.

McGill took his first win of the year at Steele CreekForemost Insurance Warnert Racing Can-Am rider Adam McGill secured his first win of the season after battling with teammate Chris Bithell throughout the two-hour race. Bithell led a majority of the race until he lost his rear brakes on the last lap, giving McGill the opportunity to hammer out the win.

Round four of the 2011 Can-Am GNCC tour, the Pirelli Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina, takes place this weekend April 9-10. Now that the Can-Am duo has broken up the winning streak of Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich, the playing field has evened back out to a championship chase that could be anyone’s claim.

Another contender in the quest for the GNCC title is Ballance Racing Yamaha’s Taylor Kiser, who currently sits fourth in the point standings. Kiser was docked a position at Steele Creek after choosing a bad line on the course but there’s definitely possibility for Kiser to step up and get a moto win amongst the stacked field of XC1 riders.

Borich experienced bike problems at Steele Creek, finishing fifthBallance Racing’s Walker Fowler has dominated the XC2 division so far, claiming his third win of the season. DeRisi Racing’s Eric Hoyland and KTM rider Aarol Bright have been mixing it up in the top three with Greg’s ATV & Cycle Yamaha rider Gabe Phillips and Honda rider Parker Jones edging out the top five in points.

Spectator passes run $15 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.

To get to the track, take I-26 to Exit 44, then to Highway 49 North 7 Miles and look for the signs.

For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.

The Yamaha Quad X Racing Series promised to bring some of the best ATV racing to Southern California, and the opening round of the 2011 season at Glen Helen Raceway proved just that.

Glen Helen Raceway’s USGP track was drenched after heavy rains throughout the weekend, but it didn’t affect the racing. Riders of all different skill levels, from beginners to some of the world’s fastest off-road racers, turned out in force to compete for victory at the opening round.

Yamaha’s Dustin Nelson was the big winner of the weekend, demonstrating why he is a four-time Quad X Champion by winning both motos in the Yamaha Quad X Pro Class. Honda-mounted Beau Baron took the second spot on the Pro podium, while Ethan Thatcher finished third.

For more information on the 2011 Yamaha Quad-X Racing Series, please visit www.quadxseries.com or www.glenhelen.com.

Upcoming Events:

April 2 – Lucas Oil Regional Short Course Round 1
April 3 – MTA World 2-Stroke Championships
April 9 – Baja Cup Challenge
April 17 – X Racing MX Round 1
May 14-15 – Monster Energy Grand Prix of the United States

Glen Helen Raceway: Glen Helen Raceway is the premier Off-Road Racing facility in Southern California and is known as a world class racing facility. The 256 acre facility located near the San Bernardino County town of Devore, has featured Motocross, Sand Drags, Short and Long Course Buggies & Trucks, AMA 125/250 MX Nationals, Pro ATV Racing, Off Road G.P. and Endurance races, and the FIM United States Grand Prix, World Championship Motocross event.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich scored a hard fought fifth-place finish on Saturday at the Steele Creek GNCC – round three of the 2011 ATV Grand National Cross Series in Morganton, NC.

In typical Borich fashion, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider worked his Suzuki QuadRacer R450 up through the pack to take over the lead on the last lap of the XC1 class event. Unfortunately, with about a mile to go, a mechanical issue slowed Borich and he ended up crossing the line in fifth position.

“On the last lap, I managed to get the lead; my Suzuki was running great and I was riding smooth,” said Borich. “I had the lead until about a mile to go, but then I had a mechanical issue and had to end up settling for fifth. All in all, it was a pretty good day except for the end. I was able to get a few points with a fifth and I still have the points lead, so we’ll just have to get ‘em at the next one.”

So far, Borich, the reigning ATV XC1 champion, has piloted his Suzuki QuadRacer R450 to two victories and one fifth-place finish in the 2011 GNCC series.

Borich will carry a five-point lead in the series standings into the fourth round of the series at the Big Buck GNCC in Union, SC on April 9th.

Steele Creek GNCC ATV XC1 Class Results:

1. Adam McGill
2. Chris Bithell
3. Jarrod McClure
4. Taylor Kiser
5. Chris Borich
6. Brian Wolf
7. Brian Cook
8. Donald Ockerman
9. Johnny Gallagher
10. Jeffrey Pickens

2011 GNCC ATV XC1 Class Standings:

1. Chris Borich – 76
2. Chris Bithell – 71
3. Adam McGill – 69
4. Taylor Kiser – 61
5. Jarrod McClure – 52
6. Bryan Cook – 43
7. Johnny Gallagher – 40
8. Donald Ockerman – 39
9. Kevin Yoho – 34
10. Brian Wolf – 33

About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded The Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC’s parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 120 distributors in 191 countries.

Warnert Racing / Can-Am DS 450 rider Adam McGill made a hard charge on the fifth and final lap to take the afternoon overall and the XC1 Pro class win.

The Steele Creek GNCC course was rough by the end of the day, but that didn’t prevent him from making his move to get around teammate Chris Bithell who took second overall.

This is McGill’s first win on the Can-Am DS 450, and the first afternoon overall for the machine in 2011. The podium finishes put Bithell in second for the championship battle and McGill in third.

“Adam and Chris put on a great battle on the final lap,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “I am extremely proud of these two racers, along with the entire Warnert Racing crew who have worked very hard to get the DS 450 to where it was today: on the top two spots of the podium.”

The morning race also saw a Can-Am rider on the podium. Can-Am X-Team racer Michael Swift took third overall and won the 4×4 Open class and stayed atop the class points ahead of fellow X-Team racer Bryan Buckhannon, who finished third in the class.

Both riders race the Can-Am Outlander 800R X xc. The 4×4 Open podium sweep was completed by Outlander 800R XT rider, Rick Cecco, who finished second.

X-Team racer Kevin Trantham continued his unbeaten streak in the 4×4 Lites class on his Outlander 500 XT, while Forrest Whorton also remained unbeaten in the 4×4 Super Senior (45+) class on his Outlander 800R X xc. Racing his Can-Am Renegade 800R X xc, Cliff Beasley remains three for three in the U2 class as he won this weekend.

Racer Quotes:

“I am so happy to take a win for our team. I really have to thank Can-Am and everyone who has helped me get to this point. I just tried to stay focused and keep my head down and when I saw Borich fall back, I pushed even harder.” – Adam McGill

“I’m glad to be on the podium again. Everything went really well today and it’s great that out team topped the podium.” – Chris Bithell

Round four of the 2011 GNCC series will be at the Big Buck GNCC near Union, South Carolina on April 9. This will also be a side-by-side vehicle race featuring the Can-Am Commander line of side-by-sides.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

Adam McGill captured an exciting and emotional victory at the third round of the 2011 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, held under nearly ideal racing conditions at Morganton, North Carolina.

After coming close numerous times during the last few seasons, McGill made the Steele Creek GNCC his first win since 2008. It wasn’t easy, as his Can-Am/Warnert Racing teammate, Chris Bithell, also put in a strong performance at this event.

Bithell had charged up from a mid-pack start to battle early leader McGill for first on the final lap, and at the checkers it was McGill topping Bithell by just four seconds.

Both riders were using ITP Holeshot GNCC tires on the front of their Can-Am DS 450s. McGill decided on ITP’s QuadCross XC tire for the rear of his quad, while Bithell chose ITP’s Holeshot XCR model.

Steele Creek was Bithell’s third straight podium finish to start the season, putting him in second place in the XC1 Pro point standings. McGill’s win, combined with fourth- and third-place finishes so far, moved him up to third in the standings.

ITP riders are enjoying considerable success in many other classes as well, most notably in the morning amateur races. Ageless Dave Simmons has won the Masters 50+ division at every event in 2011, in the process claiming overall victory at two out of three (and he was second overall in the other).

Angel Atwell has been using ITP tires to put herself into a tie for the lead of the Women’s class points chase, while Can-Am/Warnert’s Lexie Coulter is just one point behind in third. Both of these fast ladies have taken a class win this season.

ITP is once again providing generous contingency and trackside support for GNCC competitors in 2011. For more information or to become Team ITP GNCC rider, see us at the events or visit www.itptires.com/racing.