Stillwell Performance’s Ian Blythe had a hot start to the 2-day qualifier in Idaho, trailing Brian Garrahan by a mere 10 points and finishing second overall, and second in the E2 class for the day. Day 2 was another solid ride for Blythe as he finished with another podium spot in 3rd behind Garrahan and Ryan Powell. Blythe’s combined performance for the 2 days put him in 2nd overall in the E2 class. Ian is incredibly honored to be a part of the USA Junior Trophy Team and can not wait to represent his country in his first trip to the ISDE.

Nicole Bradford dominated the Women’s class in Idaho, winning every check in both days of racing to take the win and secure herself a spot on the 2010 USA Women’s Team. Bradford is an ISDE veteran–having won a bronze medal at the 2001 ISDE, the ISDE Women’s World Cup Champion in 2007, and a silver medal at the 2008 ISDE–and is looking forward to using her six days experience to help the Women’s team to a podium finish in Mexico.

“When you have two extremely talented and hardworking riders like Ian and Nicole, it’s not surprising the type of performances they put in at the qualifier and that the AMA has recognized their talents and dedication to the sport by selecting them for the 2010 ISDE team. I’m really looking forward to working with both riders and getting them dialed in for Mexico, as well as making the journey South of the border to support them throughout the six-day event in Mexico,” said an ecstatic Stillwell Performance President, Alan Stillwell.

Stillwell Performance was represented as well by its support riders at Idaho City as Bryce Bingham took home a 4th-overall finish in the AA class, and Ron Schmelze finished day 1 in 2nd in the AA class but was unable to start day 2 due to a lingering injury.

About Stillwell Performance
Stillwell Performance is a full-service suspension company in Franktown, Colorado. Founded by Alan Stillwell, with the sole purpose to provide the ultimate suspension for where you ride and race. An authorized Race Tech Performance Center as well as an authorized Ohlins Suspension dealer, Stillwell Performance has access to start of the art suspension products, technology, and support that combined with their custom valving specs are sure to create ultimate suspension for your ride. Check them out online at www.stillwellperformance.com

Ian Blythe is supported by the following companies:
Valcom Motorsports, KTM, TheORC.com, OffroadChampions.com, Motorex, Fly, AXO, Bell, Easton, Topar, Rekluse, Racetech, Carbon Raptor DLC, Enduro Engineering, Steve Hatch Racing, Mapleton Hills Orthopaedics, Harris Used Parts, OrangeJuice.com, IMS, FMF, ZLT, Rampart Drywall, Aactive Sattelite

Nicole Bradford is supported by the following companies:
Moose Racing, KTM of Aspen, Sidi Boots, Smith Optics, and Rekluse

But Strang is consistently surprised by up-and-coming riders charging through the ranks to take on the Australian. First, he was surprised by rookie sensation Chris Bach, and now another rookie, FMF KTM’s Cory Buttrick. Bach wowed onlookers with podium finishes at the first two rounds and a solid finish at North Carolina despite deteriorating conditions. In North Carolina, Buttrick stepped up to the challenge and tailed Strang throughout the ever-worsening track until the race was called and results reverted to the fifth lap.

Strang’s typical list of challengers is ready to attack as well. Obermeyer Yamaha’s Charlie Mullins showed an incredible amount of heart to appear on the podium twice already this season and Am-Pro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley, who had a rough opening round, has also recovered his footing. With three weeks to work out further kinks in the WR450, the defending GNCC Champion, Whibley, will be racing for the top place on the podium at the South Carolina event.

Not to be left out of the mix is Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney, KTM’s Homero Diaz and Nathan Kanney, Yamaha’s Barry Hawk, GEICO Powersports Jimmy Jarrett, and Kawasaki mounted Kenneth Gilbert and Eric Bailey.

In the XC2 ranks, Kailub Russell and Jason Thomas have created a fantastic fight that has prospects of lasting the entire season. The two engage in a battle every round and this weekend should be no different with Privateer Jesse Robinson, FMF KTM’s Steward Baylor and GEICO/JG Off Road/Monster Energy’s Scotty Watkins thrown in the mix as well.

Spectator passes run $15 for the entire weekend, with access to the pro pit area included.  Children six and under are admitted free. On both days, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.

Local riders are invited to race the event, as GNCC racing offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. Riders can sign up at the track. Four-wheeled ATVs  will race on Saturday and dirt bikes will race Sunday. The amateur racer entry fee is $40.

To get to the track, take I-26 to Exit 44, then to Highway 49 North 7 Miles and look for the signs.

For more information, log on to www.gnccracing.com or call 304.284.0084.

In addition, Performance Supercycle will continue their support of several amatuer riders from both the AM and PM races with the likes of…

Ryan Morphew (former Pro AM ATV champ) – 200 B
Jenner Turner – Open A
Danny Presley – Senior A
Troy Lee – Senior A
Cody Smith – Open B
Josh Lilly – 200 B
Jake Lilly – 200 C
Rob Jordan – Senior B
Dalton Cross – 200 Schoolboy
Lyndon Lane – ATV Vet A

We are also proud of our Performance Supercycle Youth Team for 2010 which consists of some of the best young riders in the series including…

Austin Lee – 85cc 12-13
Jacob Pyne – 85cc 7-11
Cory Jordan – 85cc 7-11
Drew Landers – 85cc 7-11
Sam Thurman – 65cc 10-11
Matthew Harris – 65cc 7-9
Josh Pyne – 65cc 7-9

Performance Supercycle, located in Cookeville, TN, is one of the largest KTM dealers in the Mid South and has continued to provide outstanding support to the off road racing community. Family owned and operated, Danny and Ryan Morphew pride themselves in promoting Performance as one of the few, TRUE off road shops in the country providing outstanding customer service and support. Contact Ryan, Rob or Shaggy today to find out why Performance Supercycle is quickly becoming one of the #1 KTM dealers to turn to for your racing and riding needs! 931-526-3551 or performancesupercycle.net

The new team consists of a partnership between Obermeyer Yamaha in Jasper, Indiana, and one of the most respected teams in the Off-Road community: Randy Hawkins’ Am-Pro YAMAHA Racing team. Charlie will be piloting YAMAHA YZ450F’s during the 2010 Grand National Cross Country and National Enduro Series.  This alliance will allow Charlie access to the vast amount of experience that Randy has to offer as well as the needed resources to compete and win at this level. Look for Charlie on the Obermeyer / Am-Pro YAMAHA, starting this weekend at the first round of the National Enduro Series in Sumter, SC.

Mullins commented “I am excited about this new year and new team, Obermeyer Am-Pro Yamaha.  I am pumped to be back at Am-Pro and going to work hard to bring a title back to the team who helped me start my career.”

“We are absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to work with Chris for the upcoming 2010 season,” says Kevin Schuler of ClockworkKTM Parts and Mods. I’ve followed the progress Chris has made over the last few years, and in the short time we have been working together, his drive to excel and succeed at the XC1 level is very impressive.  The immediate synergy with Chris, and the vision we have of the future for Clockwork KTM are already making this a fantastic fit for us.  We are just as determined as Chris to make this a successful season for him.  As we continue to grow, test, and expand our own product line, we look forward to the input and perspective that working with a racer as accomplished as Chris will bring to the future of our company.”

About ClockworkKTM Parts and Mods
Clockwork is a manufacturer of aftermarket fuel tanks and accessories for all KTM motorcycles.  With an ever expanding product line, Clockwork was founded with the vision to give riders a new perspective on the products and options available to enhance the performance of their KTM motorcycles.  Based in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , the company continues to build their business with a deep understanding of the wants and needs of their customers, along with an unparalleled level of customer service and passion.

For more information on ClockworkKTM and their products, you can visit them online at www.clockworkktm.com or by phone at (866)-608-5731.

For more information on Chris Bach, please contact:
Troy Ross, tross225@yahoo.com or (949-923-7042)

Joining Paul on their race-prepped Yamaha WR450F will be 2008 XC2 Champ Thad DuVall and 2003 XC1 Champ Barry Hawk. Both riders look forward to working with Paul and starting out the 2010 season.

“We are very excited to have Paul join the team. Paul will increase the winning depth of our Team and compliment the overall efforts of both Barry Hawk and Thad Duvall. Look for the AmPro/ Yamaha riders to be on the podium a lot in 2010 and back to winning Championships, “said Team Owner Randy Hawkins.

Ampro would like to thank Yamaha, MSR, FMF, Kenda, Yamalube, GYTR, ProTaper, Wiseco, Fastway, MotionPro, EBC, Rekluse, IMS, Boyesen, Factory Connection, Ohlins, Shoei, Scott, Johnny Signs, Twin Air, TM Designs, Gaerne, CV Products, EK Chain, Zip Ty, G2, Asterisk, Matrix, Athena, Cycle Gear, Eleven 10 Mods and QTM for all their support for the 2010 season.

Shane Watts will ride a Stillwell Performance backed KTM in 2010

Franktown, CO (January 1, 2010) – Stillwell Performance is proud to announce their race team lineup for the 2010-racing season. The Colorado-based suspension performance center is teaming up with Race Tech, Carbon Raptor DLC coatings and ZLT Graphics to tune a fleet of KTM’s to compete in the ultra-competitive EnduroCross, GNCC, National Enduro and Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit (RMEC) series.

Off-road racing legend Shane Watts, the 2000 GNCC Champion, 1997 World Enduro Champion, and ISDE Overall Champion is returning to the Stillwell Performance team for his second season. Watts will compete in the entire 2010 National EnduroCross series as well as select GNCC and National Enduro events. When he is not racing his FunMart/DeCal Works/IMS/GPR/Dirt Tricks/KTMhutt.com backed 2010 KTM 250XC, Watts will be teaching riders at his DirtWise riding schools and filming additional series of his popular DirtWise instructional DVDs. Watts has been instrumental in helping develop Stillwell Performance’s world-class suspension settings and will continue to do so throughout 2010.

The 2007 ISDE Women’s World Cup Champion and 2008 ISDE Silver Medalist Nicole Bradford will have her sight’s set on a return to the ISDE in 2010 aboard a Stillwell Performance-suspended KTM 250XC. Bradford will also compete in select National EnduroCross rounds as well as the Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit’s 250 A Class.

Ian Blythe, the 2009 National Enduro Series #10, RMEC Series Champion and WEBE Hare Scrambles Series Champion will compete in the WORCS Pro 2 class aboard a Stillwell Performance-suspended KTM 450 XC-F and defend his WEBE Series title aboard a KTM 250XC.

Rounding out the very solid Stillwell Performance team are 2009 RMEC #8AA Pro Bryce Bingham whose sight’s are set on a podium series finish in the RMEC Pro Class for 2010 as well as Ray Barnard, the 2009 RMEC 200A Champion. Barnard will be defending his RMEC title in 2010.

“I’m so stoked about the team we have assembled and am really looking forward to the 2010 race season,” says Stillwell Performance founder, Alan Stillwell. “Working with Shane has been awesome and I’m looking forward to taking the settings that we’ve dialed-in together and using them to help up and coming racers like Ian Blythe and the rest of our team succeed this season.”

About Stillwell Performance
Based in Colorado, Stillwell Performance is one of the leading Race Tech Performance centers in the US.  Specializing in custom suspension valving specs for each individual rider, Stillwell Performance creates ultimate suspension tailored specifically for the rider’s brand, skill level, and where they ride or race. For more information visit www.stillwellperformance.com

“I’m really excited that our shows will be airing in a new time slot,” said RacerTV Producer Jason Hooper. “Our goal with RacerTV is to showcase the best off-road racers in the world to as many people as possible, and our later time slots will allow more people the opportunity to tune in.”

Along with Hooper, returning to the Racer TV production crew is Mike Holbert, a former GNCC pro-class racer on bikes and ATVs. Holbert has been a part of the GNCC TV team since the shows began airing in 2001. Brian Risch, who has worked for Gear Media’s TV Crew covering the AMA ATV Motocross Championship, is new to the crew this year.

This year’s shows will focus on the battle for the GNCC XC1 and XC2 pro class titles. On ATVs, Defending GNCC Champion Chris Borich will return to take on a deep field of tough competition like Taylor Kiser, Adam McGill, Bill Ballance and Bryan Cook. On the bike side, Defending GNCC Champion Paul Whibley will battle with Josh Strang and Charlie Mullins to attempt to take his second title in a row.

The 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series kicks off on February 27- March 2 as part of Daytona Bike Week at the Westgate River Ranch Resort in River Ranch, Florida, with ATV’s racing on Sunday, February 28, and bikes racing on Tuesday, March 2.

For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.

About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

Speaking of history in the making, Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney campaigned the GNCC series on a 2-stroke WR300. He also won the overall at the infamous SETRA Little Brown Jug for good measure. Meanwhile Adrien Chareyre bagged an X Games medal on a SM450; bubbly Canadian export Cory Graffunder earned EnduroCross cheers with a couple of podiums and 4 heat race wins aboard his TC250. And then the Ty Davis-led Zip-Ty Racing team finished top 2-Stroke and 3rd overall at the grueling Glen Helen 24-Hour.

However Husqvarna’s top 2009 moments may have been when Desert Master Nick Burson won the United States Desert Racing Series on his TC510, not to mention winning the overall at the legendary Elsinore GP. And to top it all off Nick earned the #1 Open Plate in AMA District 37 Desert competition – an accomplishment that Husqvarna hadn’t achieved in more than a decade! But as the man said, “you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Moving forward into 2010, the factory racers have been signed, including the return of the Zip-Ty Racing effort on the West Coast and Glenn Kearney back East. AMA Hall Of Famer Scot Harden also takes over as the racing chief and will be overseeing all the programs. “The real news is that the program is growing and we plan to really step up the level of our competitiveness,” Harden announces as Husqvarna is looking to take back leadership in woods racing. “Husqvarna will be reentering the AMA National Enduro Series after a 20-year hiatus.”

Aussie export Glenn Kearney will be back in 2010, competing in AMA GNCC and AMA National Enduro events. “We are glad to have Glenn back and look forward to him reuniting the Husqvarna name with Enduro dominance on his TXC250,” says Harden. Kearney will be supported by his brother Ben who will be traveling with him to provide technical support.
“We have contracted Zip-Ty Racing again to compete in the 2010 WORCS, AMA National Hare & Hound, EnduroCross, District 37, Big 6 and other major West Coast events,” Harden adds. The riders are:

• Ty Davis, Team Manager (also competing in select races).
• Bobby Garrison, Former WORCS Champion – Garrison will compete in the WORCS series and other select West Coast off-road events on his TC450. He will also compete in AMA District 37 Big 6 Grand Prix Events.
• Cory Graffunder – AMA EnduroCross, World EnduroCross, Hell’s Gate and other extreme events aboard a TC250 or WR300 2-Stroke.
• Nick Burson, Defending USDR #1 Plate Holder/Elsinore GP Champ – Burson will race AMA National Hare & Hound, U.S. Desert Racing, D-37 Desert and Big 6 series on his Desert Master TXC450.

“After reentering the racing arena in 2009, Husqvarna is focused on improving its results and competing for championships in 2010,” explains Harden. “We have a very talented team with the right combination of youth and experience to drive the program forward. We look forward to competing throughout the year to reestablish Husqvarna as the leader in off-road racing.”

Chris Bach will be making the jump from GNCC Open A to XC1 Pro aboard a #14 KTM in 2010. » Matt Ware Photo

Crown Point, IN – Chris Bach is happy to announce his 2010 motorcycle sponsor. After making huge strides last year in Open A, Chris is again making strides in his efforts to become one of the premier riders in GNCC racing. Performance Supercycle KTM will be joining forces with Chris Bach for the 2010 GNCC series.

“I’m really excited to be back on KTMs for 2010,” says Chris Bach.  I have been on KTMs through most of my amateur career, and to be back on orange with a great shop like Performance Supercycle is a great feeling.  I know I have the right group of people behind me this year, and with this deal finally coming together I can get down to business and start focusing 100% on testing and training to make my rookie Pro season successful.”

“Performance Supercycle KTM is pleased to support Chris for 2010. We feel Chris has the potential to be the main up and coming XC-1 racer and we are proud to be affiliated with Chris for the upcoming 2010 GNCC race series”, says Rob Jordan at Performance Supercycle. “With the combination of Performance and KTM we feel confident that Chris will have the bikes and support to make his rookie season a successful one.”

“KTM is excited to have Chris back on board for 2010″, says Jeremy Ketchum KTM North America Regional Sales Manager. “Chris has worked hard to step up his program and we are looking forward to the upcoming season.  He also brings a great dynamic to the Performance Supercycle team that we feel will be a winning combination in our area.”

Following the KTM company slogan, Chris Bach and Performance Super Cycle KTM are prepared and “Ready to race”.  Chris and Performance Supercycle KTM will be primed and ready to roost at the GNCC series season opener in River Ranch, Florida March 2nd, 2010.

About Performance Supercycle KTM:
Performance Supercycle is a full service motorcycle and ATV dealer offering both new and used motorcycles and ATVs.  PSC carries a full line of off-road motorcycles and ATVs, including KTM and Husaberg.  In addition to the impressive product line up, PSC offers a full service department and a fully stocked parts department ready to serve your off-road needs.  Performance Supercycle is conveniently located east of Nashville, in Cookeville, TN.

For more information on Performance Supercycle KTM, Visit www.Performancesupercycle.net.

For more information on Chris Bach, please contact:
Troy Ross
TRoss225@yahoo.com
(949) 923-7042