Team ITP ATV and side-by-side vehicle racers earned four class victories, the morning overall and a total of eight podiums at round two of the 2013 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series held at Aonia Pass in Washington, Ga.
Leading the way was defending Super Senior (45+) class champion Dave Simmons who won his class and also took his second straight morning overall on ITP tires. Team ITP racers also notched its three other class victories in the afternoon session, taking the checkers in A 22+, A/B 40+ and College B (16-21).
“Team ITP had another great GNCC weekend earning four class victories. Of course class wins are wonderful, but when we consistently see many of our team riders earning podiums we’re very pleased. Having our racers earn podiums in different age groups, the 4×4 classes, on sport quads and in side by sides really shows that ITP is dedicated to the racer and product development no mater the vehicle,” said Pat McGuire, Public Relations / Race Support.
Simmons, who has now won 23 consecutive races since 2011, won the Super Senior (45+) class by more than 11 minutes. He also earned the top spot on the morning overall podium finishing more than a minute ahead of the second-place finisher. The other four Team ITP racers to win their class were William ‘Duck’ Lloyd (A 22+), Brian Schmid (A/B 40+) and Justin Paul (College B 16-21).
Lloyd, who also finished in the top 25 in the morning overall, is 2-for-2 in 2013 racing on ITP tires. Schmid notched his first win and climbed into the class pointÂ’s lead after Georgia. Paul, Hilltop Motorsports / ITP, is three points in front of his teammate Brigham Patterson, who took fourth at Aonia Pass.
Samuel Williams sits third in points in the 4×4 Open class after his second straight class podium finish (third place). Father and son Kenny Rich and Kenny Rich Jr., second in 24+ C, also tallied class podiums in Georgia. In fact the elder Rich leads the Master 50+ class after his third-place finish at round two.
In the XC1 Pro ranks, ITPÂ’s Adam McGill, started out well, as he was in second place at the start of the race and at the end of the first lap. However, McGill was slowed on the second lap after he inadvertently hit a tree. The long delay hurt his chance to compete for a podium, but the Pro rider soldiered on and picked up one more spot, earning 11th. HeÂ’s currently third in the XC1 Pro class point standings after two rounds.
The XC2 Pro-Am class racers Chad Jones and Nathan Wallpe notched a top five and top 10 finish, respectively, with ITP tires. Jones climbed to fourth in the class points standings after earning fourth and just missing the podium at round two. Wallpe was ninth in the class at Georgia, improving upon his 15th place ride at the opener.
Team ITP pilot Kyle Chaney earned a podium in the first SxS race of the year, taking third overall in the XC1 Modified class. Chaney, who started on row two, was in the top three after one lap. However, after falling to sixth, Chaney charged to the front – based on adjusted time – at the end of lap five. Unfortunately, another racer bumped him off the course the following lap and he dropped to three spots.
Chaney recovered to grab the third-place position just one lap later, but ran out of time to catch the leader, who finished less than six seconds ahead of him.
Round three of the 13-round 2013 AMSOIL GNCC racing series is April 6-7, at Steele Creek in Morganton, N.C.
About ITP – In business for more than 30 years, ITP has become the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source. ITP utilizes its experienced staff of engineers, designers and technicians at its two American tire facilities in Clinton, Tenn., and Jackson, Tenn., to develop award-winning tire-and-wheel designs for virtually all ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Numerous outlets distribute ITP tires across the United States and in more than 25 countries worldwide.
For ITP’s full-color catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-859-4740. www.itptires.com
