Check out how many of us finished at the same time.
I had to lock up the brakes and wait for a rider who got a little cross rutted in the inside line of the last turn before scoring. I could see the white flag, but while I was waiting to get there the leaders lapped us on the outside. It was wild. There must have been ten of us all trying to get to the scoring tent at the same time. Anyway I never went out on lap five, the two pit stops cost me there. I wasn’t all that worried about it though. I was worn out and happy enough with the top five spot in my class. Having the 525 was a definite advantage. I think it helped me finish better than my mid pack goal. I ended up 73rd of 288.
Racing in the toughest race in America, the Blackwater 100, on a three wheeler over twenty years ago was a big accomplishment and a great memory myself, my dad and best friend who went with us all share to this day. On that day half the field didn’t finish and no one completed more than a single lap! It was that grueling. At only fifteen years old, I somehow pulled it off and finished. It’s now a memory I cherish forever.
This KTM Factory Racer for a Day opportunity has done much the same for me. Thanks to KTM, I’ll cherish this GNCC memory as much as my Blackwater GNCC one. KTM could have easily offered this opportunity to another website or magazine, instead, somehow ATV Scene got the nod and I’ll never forget it. Thank you KTM! I’ll also never forget Tim Farr’s suggestion of riding it myself. I would have missed out big time! Thanks Tim!
Yeah! Thanks to the KTM 525, twenty years after my first GNCC I finished top five in class at my second.
As for the KTM 525XC, I find it amazing that this is actually KTM’s first-ever quad. What I don’t find amazing is the fact that Adam McGill and Taylor Kiser, the only KTM mounted riders in the pro top twenty, are kicking butt this year. After racing the 525 myself, I sincerely think they have an advantage on the competition, especially in open areas where the 525 walks away from the other quads.
Thanks to the stable good handling and flat out speed of the KTM 525, my old has-been self probably passed 100 riders at the Millfield, Ohio GNCC. I don’t think I could have done that on just any quad. ATVs typically don’t come “Ready to Race” like KTM’s pledge. With incredible attention to detail including; quick and easy maintenance items, pro-level suspension, well-thought-out ergonomics and controls, combined with what I call the smoothest and strongest running engine of anything on the market, I strongly feel that the KTM offers cross country racers a distinct advantage over the competition.
Somehow the KTM looks good even in this shot. I brought it back a little dirty, but at least it's in one piece.
Lastly, shame on me for taking twenty years to remember that GNCC racing is an absolute blast! Thank you Racer Productions for offering ATV racers such an outstanding race series.
For more on KTM's first ever ATVs, check out our ride review, which includes in depth video. Here’s the link.
