Former champ Barry Hawk is...
Former champ Barry Hawk is back to his winning ways in the GNCC Series.
Am Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk finally answered the "Who can beat Juha Salminen" question with a gritty come-from-behind win at the Pirelli Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina, round four of the Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series. Hawk, of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, used his legendary determination to top a pack of overseas talent - FMF Suzuki's Australian Glenn Kearney rallied to second, Salminen, from Finland, was third on his KTM, and another Australian, Shane Watts, was fourth. Ohio's Robbie Jenks rounded out the top five.
"There were so many people in the woods cheering today," said Hawk. "It really helped. I didn't get a very good start, and I just pushed and pushed until I got to the front. I was just going to follow until the last lap, because I haven't really ever ridden with Juha, so I just wanted to see his style and his lines. But I had the chance to take it and I did. I finally feel like I'm back to where I ended last year."
KTM's Robbie Jenks leads Mike...
KTM's Robbie Jenks leads Mike Lafferty and Barry Hawk early in the race.
Hawk won the final three races of 2005, but he has struggled this year while Salminen, the ten-time World Enduro Champion from Finland, has dominated. At the Big Buck, Hawk battled with a trio of KTM riders: Mike Lafferty, Salminen and Watts.
Lafferty led the charge early in the race, but crashed near the end off the second lap, breaking his collarbone and taking him out of the race. With the battle down to three, Hawk made a move in a deep mud hole. He passed Watts and zeroed in on Salminen. They both dove wide-open for the lead at the end of the muddy section. Hawk found the right line while Salminen's front wheel was sucked up in a mud hole and he was pitched to the ground, taking a handlebar to the stomach. Showing championship-level toughness, Juha was able to get back in the running for the podium.
Shane Watts was running second...
Shane Watts was running second before a last-lap crash cost him the podium.
Meanwhile, Hawk made a break while in the lead, but Watts, in another impressive ride, stuck within ten seconds of him as they neared the last lap. "I was getting kind of tired, but I knew I had to keep charging," said Hawk. "I knew if I made one mistake Watts would be right on me. But I didn't make any mistakes."
Instead Watts made the error, crashing in a mudhole of his own. This opened the door for a come-from-behind ride by Suzuki's Kearney, who slithered through the mud to pass Salminen and Watts and earn his second runner-up ride of the year. Salminen out dueled Watts in the final mile to take third, preserving his points lead over Kearney and Hawk.
"It was really difficult race for me." said Salminen, "I crashed hard and after that it was difficult to continue. I [had the wind knocked out of me] and could hardly breathe, so it was a struggle to keep riding. I am very happy to be on the podium after all that," said Salminen.
"The race went really well and I was pleased that I was able to come back from such a poor start," said second place finisher Glenn Kearny, "But I may have exerted myself too much. I was cramping really badly on the podium and I even had to vomit off the side because I was just totally done! These races really take a toll on you that's for sure!"
Mike Lafferty, another victim of Big Buck's rough track, reportedly broke his right collarbone in two places. He plans to have the collarbone plated to cut his recovery time in half. "I'll be back as soon as I can," Lafferty said to his team and fans.
 Am Pro Yamaha's Barry Haw...  Am Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk |  Juha Salminen's third place...  Juha Salminen's third place finish was enough to keep him in the points lead. |  Glenn Kearny's late-race come...  Glenn Kearny's late-race come from behind finish marked his second podium this season. |
The Pirelli Big Buck GNCC will air on the Outdoor Life Network, as races air every Tuesday at 5 p.m. EST. Click here for a complete schedule of GNCC Racing on OLN.
The Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series continues next Sunday with a bike-only make-up race at the Steele Creek Campground in Morganton, North Carolina. For more information log on to GNCCRacing.com.
Results: Pirelli Big Buck GNCC, Union, SC
Randy Hawkins is taking some...
Randy Hawkins is taking some time off after separating his shoulder at the New Jersey National Enduro.
1. Barry Hawk, Jr, YAM
2. Glenn Kearney, SUZ
3. Juha Salminen, KTM
4. Shane Watts, KTM
5. Robbie Jenks, KTM
6. Steve Hatch, KAW
7. Fred Andrews, SUZ
8. Brian Garrahan, SUZ
9. Jason Raines, YAM
10. Jimmy Jarrett, SUZ
11. P A Allen, KAW
12. Justin Williamson, YAM
13. Stephen Edmondson, KTM
14. Scott Summers, HON
15. Nathan Kanney, YAM
16. Brian Lawson, YAM
17. Andy Shea, KTM
18. Chuck Woodford, KAW
19. Jordan Brandt, KTM
20. Michael Lafferty, KTM