NEWBURG — Newburg resident Carter Sapp, 7, will compete this weekend at the Buckwheat 100 GNCC at CJ Raceway in his hometown of Newburg.
More than 1,500 racers are expected to compete over the weekend, as the event includes four-wheeled ATV racing on Saturday and dirt bikes on Sunday. Classes range from riders as young as 4 and as old as the 60-plus divisions. The top GNCC pro classes feature some of the world’s top riders, including talent from England, Europe and Australia.
“The unique thing about GNCC Racing is that an average racer gets to race alongside some of the top racers from across the world” said GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell. “Even with all of this talent, local racers always seem to have an advantage because the course is so similar to the terrain they’re used to riding.”
The tough local terrain makes for a great equalizer when it comes to the talent. Racers will start together on a massive starting line before rushing onto a course featuring tight trails, mud and rolling hills. Spectators can watch the action from a variety of vantage points throughout the course, which will be marked on race day.
Sapp is in the second grade at Fellowsville Elementary School and has been racing dirt bikes for about a year. He competes in the trail rider class and rides a KTM 50.
So far this year, Sapp has competed in GNCC rounds in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This is the first year Sapp has entered the series for a national title. In addition to the GNCC, Sapp also competes in Mountain State Hare Scramble and New East Coast XC.
Saturday’s race format starts with youth racers starting at 8 a.m., micro (50cc) ATV racers at 9:15 a.m., micro (50cc) bike racers at 10 a.m., amateurs racing at 11 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs at 2 p.m., rain or shine.
Sunday’s race format will also begin with youth racers starting at 8 a.m., then move onto amateurs at 10 a.m., followed by the pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m., rain or shine.
GNCC events are grueling, endurance races, with youth riders racing for 90 minutes, amateurs two hours, and the pros for three hours. Sapp will race on Saturday with the micro bike division starting at 8:45 a.m., and will race for 30 minutes.
Spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for kids (6-11), and ages 5 and under are free for the full weekend. Gate admission includes pro pit access and free pro autograph sessions beginning at 11 a.m. on race days.
Each round of the GNCC Series is streamed LIVE on RacerTV.com, showcasing the top amateur racers and professional athletes.
For more information on the GNCC series, visit www.gnccracing.com or call 304-284-0084.
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