Racing

2018 Mason-Dixon GNCC, Part 2

Another look at the Mason-Dixon GNCC

October 6, 2018

Thad Duvall took advantage of a crash by Steward Baylor with two laps to go to take the lead in the Mason-Dixon GNCC. From there, Duvall rode unchallenged to the win. “Steward and I had a pretty good battle for a couple of laps, but then with two laps to go he made a pretty big mistake and crashed and I got around him,” Duvall said. “After that, I decided it was the time to push.”Darrin Chapman

Thad Duvall came away with a big win at last weekend’s Mason-Dixon GNCC, held at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider overcame a strong assault by Tely Energy Racing’s Steward Baylor during most of the race to come away with his second victory of the season.

Trail Jesters Racing KTM’s Ben Kelley turned in the performance of the year by taking third overall from the second row. Kelley also won the XC2 division with his performance. Aussie off-roader Josh Strang turned in one of his best performances of the season for fourth overall and third in the XC1 class, while FMF KTM’s Kailub Russell overcame numerous crashes to finish fifth.

Steward Baylor suffered from dehydration during the late stages of the race. “I felt good during the first half of the race, but I tore out the drink tube to my CamelBak halfway into the race and didn’t have water for the rest of the day, which caused me to dehydrate at the end of the race,” Baylor confessed.Darrin Chapman

Josh Toth and mechanic Charles Marchant talk about strategy before the race. The FMF KTM rider was sixth overall and second in the XC2 class.Darrin Chapman

Josh Strang goes over last-minute details on the starting line. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider finished fourth overall and third in the XC1 division.Darrin Chapman

Mike Witkowski reserves his spot on the starting line at the Mason-Dixon GNCC. The Beta USA rider finished fifth in the XC2 class.Darrin Chapman

Ben Kelley made waves by working his way up from the XC2 row to finish third overall. The Trail Jesters Racing KTM-backed Connecticut rider spent most of the race battling with FMF/KTM’s Toth for first in the XC2 class, but a strong push at the end of the race moved him physically ahead of every XC1 rider except for Baylor and Duvall.Darrin Chapman

Massachusetts motocrosser Jonathan Girroir rounded out the podium in third in the XC2 class on a Suzuki.Darrin Chapman

Far Racing GasGas’ Kori Steede ran as high as second in the WMX class but fell victim to one of the deep mudholes and had to settle for seventh.Darrin Chapman

Kelley aids FMF KTM mechanic Michael Hall and WP tech Tanner Harding in setting his suspension sag before the race.Darrin Chapman

Andrew Delong turned in one of his best performances of the season before bending his rear brake pedal up under his footpeg and losing use of his rear brake for almost a full lap. The Far Racing GasGas North America rider still managed 11th in the XC1 class.Darrin Chapman