Morganton, NC - Red Bull KTM Factory Off-Road rider David Knight won his second race of the season at the third round of the GNCC Series.
Knight's day didn't start as bright when he was last off the line and was forced to make his way up through the pack after a delay in starting his bike held him back from starting up front. His Red Bull KTM teammate Nathan Kanney had the opposite luck and grabbed the holeshot and led the first lap of the race.
With one lap complete Kanney held the lead while Knight had already worked his way up from last into the top three. On the second lap Kanney surrendered the led to the hard-charging Knight and settled in second through the third lap.
Unfortunately Kanney encountered an electrical problem which resulted in his bike cutting out on the rather hilly 11 1/2 mile course. As he pushed through the bike problem he had to make three additional pit stops which eventually pushed him back to 7th place. "It was upsetting that we encountered a problem with my bike but I am glad I was able to finish inside the top ten and gain some valuable points for the title chase," reported Kanney.
Knight who took the lead on the second lap never looked back and took home an easy win with over a minute and a half lead on his next closest competitor.
In the XC-2 class Red Bull KTM's Justin Williamson started mid-pack and in a remarkable drive forward moved into second place before the riders headed into the woods.
Williamson stayed within the top three for the majority of the race when on the third to last lap he crashed hard hitting a tree and lost his 3rd place position. Williamson remounted and was able to finish 4th for the day. "I'm happy with my progress this week. I feel like I am back to my normal speed. The bike was running great and I am shooting for a podium position at the next round," commented Williamson on his race.
Next Event: Round 4 Big Buck, Union, SC - April 12-13, 2008
XC-1 Results:
1. D. Knight - KTM
2. B. Hawk
3. P. Whibley
4. J. Strang
5. J. Jarrett
6. C. Mullins
7. N. Kanney - KTM
8. J. Robinson
9. J. Raines
10. L. Mahoney - KTM
XC-2 Results:
1. T. Duvall
2. K. Russell - KTM
3. D. Gibson
4. J. Williamson - KTM
5. J. Weisenfels
6. W. Palmer
7. A. Shea - KTM
8. B. Lawson
9. E. Bailey - KTM
10. R. Echols
Overall Results - Rd 3:
1. D. Knight - KTM
2. B. Hawk
3. P. Whibley
4. J. Strang
5. J. Jarrett
6. C. Mullins
7. T. Duvall
8. N. Kanney -KTM
9. J. Robinson
10. C. Buttrick - KTM
Overall Series Points:
1. D. Knight - 81
2. B. Hawk - 57
3. J. Jarrett - 57
4. P. Whibley - 55
5. C. Mullins - 55
6. N. Kanney - 53
7. T. Duvall - 38
8. J. Robinson - 37
9. J. Strang - 33
10. J. Raines - 27