This
past weekend, the Grand National Cross Country Series welcomed multi
time Pit Bike Champion and AMA Pro Motocross Racer Willy Browning to
contest the 9th round
of the Series. The 100+ degree heat index and previous week’s rain
would pose additional challenges above and beyond the norm; however,
Cycra had a KTM 450 ready for battle. Browning would not be discouraged
by his limited experience racing the Cross Country format but was
confident his long Motocross background would give him the edge he
needed to compete in the Premier XC1 Class. The dead engine start alone
would be an all-new challenge.
When
the green flag flew the XC1 Class launched from the line and the #156
KTM found himself midpack. Willy found his pace on lap one and was
racing for a top 10 position. At the beginning of lap 2 Browning was
introduced to a tight single track Pro section that would prove more
challenging. When he stopped at the end of lap 2 for a scheduled gas
stop he commented, “the John Penton Pro Section is NO JOKE!” As the laps
wore on, smart line choices and good hydration were key in finishing
the eventual 5 lap race. In the final lap, a downed rider at a tough
uphill would prolong his lap time but not deny Browning from taking the
checkered flag and a 12th place finish in the XC1 Class.
past weekend, the Grand National Cross Country Series welcomed multi
time Pit Bike Champion and AMA Pro Motocross Racer Willy Browning to
contest the 9th round
of the Series. The 100+ degree heat index and previous week’s rain
would pose additional challenges above and beyond the norm; however,
Cycra had a KTM 450 ready for battle. Browning would not be discouraged
by his limited experience racing the Cross Country format but was
confident his long Motocross background would give him the edge he
needed to compete in the Premier XC1 Class. The dead engine start alone
would be an all-new challenge.
When
the green flag flew the XC1 Class launched from the line and the #156
KTM found himself midpack. Willy found his pace on lap one and was
racing for a top 10 position. At the beginning of lap 2 Browning was
introduced to a tight single track Pro section that would prove more
challenging. When he stopped at the end of lap 2 for a scheduled gas
stop he commented, “the John Penton Pro Section is NO JOKE!” As the laps
wore on, smart line choices and good hydration were key in finishing
the eventual 5 lap race. In the final lap, a downed rider at a tough
uphill would prolong his lap time but not deny Browning from taking the
checkered flag and a 12th place finish in the XC1 Class.
Willy
commented, “this GNCC may have been one of the biggest challenges I
have faced in racing – when are we going to do another?”
commented, “this GNCC may have been one of the biggest challenges I
have faced in racing – when are we going to do another?”
We would like to thank everyone that has made this adventure possible:
Cycra
Racing, Fox Racing Shocks, Motorex, Dunlop, Sunstar, Motion Pro,
Rekluse, FMF, StraitShot Air Filters, DP Brakes, One Industries, Von
Zipper, Six Six One and Dirt Rider Magazine
Racing, Fox Racing Shocks, Motorex, Dunlop, Sunstar, Motion Pro,
Rekluse, FMF, StraitShot Air Filters, DP Brakes, One Industries, Von
Zipper, Six Six One and Dirt Rider Magazine
7/14/2011 3:29am
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