It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the flying Finn. His goggles weren’t up to the challenge of the muddy course, so Salminen was forced to pull off mid-race and ride to the paddock to change them. “I forgot to put film in my rollers,” Juha said, casually. Luckily he was able to return to the course and maintain his lead to the end of the race.The new challenge this week came from a pair of Ohio riders who were determined to win in their home state. First came a battle from St. Clairsville’s own Chuck Woodford, who grabbed the holeshot but then let Salminen by to follow him. “The guy has raced all over the world, and I thought I could learn something from him,” said Woodford. “I wanted to be the dog and not the rabbit at that point. I was right there until I crashed with two laps to go. It was hard to get back into my rhythm after that.”As Woodford faltered, 19-year-old rookie sensation Charlie Mullins was at it again, upping his pace and charging through the final lap to take second. “I had the lead early and then I crashed. I kind of let these guys get away a little bit, but I’m pretty happy to come back like this. I think I can win one of these.”Salminen likes the ever-revolving door of challengers in the deep GNCC talent pool. “It’s fun and it’s good for the sport,” said Juha. “It’s surprising how the guys can go good at one race and then not so good at the other. But the conditions are the same for everyone, and I feel like I can do it in any kind of conditions. I really enjoy it here, but next year, it’s back to the manhunt because everyone will be after me.”Fourth went to another Ohio rider, FMF Suzuki veteran “Fast” Freddie Andrews, with Am Pro Yamaha’s Barry Hawk fifth. Rain all weekend made for a muddy track that slowed a lot of riders, including Rodney Smith, who finished eighth.Still maintaining a strong third overall in points, even after rebounding from a mid-season broken leg, Australian Glenn Kearney finished sixth. He was running up front early in the race, but not as accustomed to the slick, muddy conditions, Kearny had slipped to sixth by race’s end. “Sixth is disappointing, especially with the start I had,” said Kearney, “but it’s all experience for next year when I plan have this mud thing figured out.”Smith, the 2004 Suzuki GNCC Champ, took the number-one plate off of his RM250 and presented it to Salminen. “He’s a great guy and he deserves it, he’s good for the series,” said Smith. “I’m just trying to get back into it after a long time off with an injury. It’s tough.”Only one race remains in the 2005 Suzuki GNCC Series, the Klotz Ironman Classic in Crawfordsville, Indiana in two weeks.
The Power Line Park GNCC was taped for an airing on the Outdoor Life Network. The series resumes on television on October 18, and the GNCC races air Tuesdays at 5 p.m., Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. EST.The ATVA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1500 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF and ITP, and riders compete for over $1.5 million in series prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility Division, Scott, Alpinestars, hlins, Cometic, Outerwears, Race Tools, Twin Air, SFB Racing, Thor, Motion Pro, MotoTee’s, Warrior and Laeger’s. Media Sponsors include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine and Racer X Illustrated. For more information log on to GNCCRacing.com.Suzuki GNCC Series Results – Power Line Park GNCC
St. Clairsville, OH1. Juha Salminen (KTM)
2. Charlie Mullins (Yam)
3. Chuck Woodford (Kaw)
4. Fred Andrews (Suz)
5. Barry Hawk (Yam)
6. Glenn Kearney (Suz)
7. Robbie Jenks (KTM)
8. Rodney Smith (Suz)
9. Mike Lafferty (KTM)
10. Shane Watts (KTM)Suzuki GNCC Series Standings (After 12 of 13 rounds)1. Juha Salminen (315)
2. Barry Hawk (245)
3. Glenn Kearney (181)
4. Charlie Mullins (166)
5. Robbie Jenks (154)
