Results from 2018 GNCC Big Buck
What a way to start the year for Tely Energy Racing! Six podium finishes out of 13 team riders on the weekend, as well as 10 top 10 finishes out of 13 team riders. I would say that equals a very successful weekend for the team as a whole.
The big guns came out to play in the XC1 pro class on Sunday. Team member Steward Baylor, Jr. lead the charge and battled the entire race for first place with only seconds between the top 3 riders. His first win of the GNCC season will have to be delayed a few weeks due an unfortunate rock incident that will come with a nice dentist bill for Stu. But as usual, he is still smiling with his 3rd place finish on the day.
Little brother, Grant Baylor finished the day in 10th place in XC1. Grant had off season shoulder surgery and has only been back on the bike for a few weeks so a top 10 finish on the day is a good starting point for Grant for the rest of the season.
Zach Nolan, the solo XC2 rider on the team had a great start. He got up as high as 11th but ended the day in 14th place.
Dylan Ely had an unbelievable first 3 hour race in the Open B class. He went from 6th place on next to the last lap to finish his day in 3rd place. What a way to start the season for Dylan Ely!
Justin Murphy battled his way up to a top ten position in 4 Stroke A lites, but had to settle for a 15th out of 35 riders due to some mechanical issues.
In the 10am race, Brooke Cosner, a support member of Tely Energy Racing, had a good start and was fourth into the woods in the Women's Pro class. She battled for third for most of the race, but the single track got the best of her and she took a little spill. Through bruised hips and quarter size blisters, Brooke still managed to finish in 4th place. Look out in the next couple races, because after a little more seat time she will be a top contender each race.
Olivia Judy came out swinging for the GNCC opener at Big Buck. She took the lead on the first lap and never looked back in the Women's Amateur class. A 4 minute lead over second place proved that she was a force and no one was able to chip away at her lead. This is looking to be a great comeback year for Olivia.
In his first ever adult GNCC race in 125 B/C class, Chase Rutan had great showing with a 7th place finish out of 26 in his class. Although he was on the smallest bike on the course out of 711 riders, he ended his day with a 55th overall.
In the 8am youth race, Joseph Cunningham moved up to the YXC2 and after some jetting issues, he finished his day in 2nd place in his class and 9th overall. Once he gets his bike tuned into his liking, he will be the one to beat in that class.
Younger brother, Dakota Cunningham made his debut in the 85 (7-11) class and ended his day with a 3rd place podium finish. He is starting the season on the box so that is always a good thing.
Ty Ely moved up to the 85 (7-11) class for the 2018 season and had a great race with a 5th place finish out of 27 riders. A top 5 in a very tough class is a huge accomplishment for the first race of the year.
Paul Best came back where he left off last year. He finished the day with a 2nd place finish out of 30 riders in the 65 (10-11) class. He will definitely be the one to beat in that class this year. The nerves are now gone and he can focus on getting in his race groove.
Our solo quad racer on Tely Energy Racing is Ronnie Rusch. Ronnie was in 3rd place when he had a wreck that injured his wrist and finished his day earlier than he wanted. Ronnie races in College A and will definitely come back stronger for the next race.
All in all, Tely Energy Racing had a phenomenal start to the 2018 GNCC race season! There are items to improve, more seat time to get, but our bar is now set high enough to build upon in the coming weeks before the GNCC Wild Boar in Palatka, Florida.
We could not do this without our team sponsors! Thank you Fly Racing/WPS, Morgantown Powersports, Kenda Tires, Baily Powersports, Tely Energy Services, Motion Pro, Seat Concepts, ODI Grips, Twin Air, Nitro Mousse, Cometic Gaskets, Evans Waterless Coolants, KTM, G2 Ergonomics, IMS Products, Fasst Company and HBD Moto Grafx.