AUG 5–GNCC MID-BREAK REPORT

Nine rounds down and four to go in the illustrious GNCC racing schedule. Maybe you have forgotten about the Grand National Cross Country races, but we certainly don?t blame you. While the sweltering mid-summer heat and humidity sways across the Eastern seaboard, the series has taken a usual two month long break before rejoining once again in Taylortown, Pennsylvania on September 7th. Just think, it was only one year ago when the series was playing a different tune. Three-time champ Rodney Smith was gaining momentum just before the break and continued his success through the end of the year to take his fourth title in ?02. This year the series belongs to Yamaha?s Barry Hawk, who has taken four wins and has yet to finish outside the top five. At a 55 point advantage over teammate Jason Raines, even if Raines wins the last four races Hawk basically can finish three of the races in 5th and one race in 4th (and he wins the title by one point). How are things looking for the seven-time GNCC Quad champ? Better than ever! After three full years of racing the motorcycle division, Hawk has finally stepped into his own in 2003. Anything can happen these last four races, but rest assured that barring any bike problems or injury, Barry Hawk will hoist his first #1 plate since 1999.