CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE WATTS IS COOKIN’?–OCT 6

How close was the racing at round 12 of the GNCC series in St. Clairsville, Ohio on Sunday? Close enough that you could have thrown a blanket over Shane Watts and Barry Hawk while they were racing. Close enough that both riders had their fair share of exhaust fumes because they were so close to eachother. Okay, enough of the hubbub, you get the picture. After six strenuous laps and nearly three hours on the Ohio track, it was only a matter of two seconds that separated first and second place.

Call it a comeback, because nearly two years after winning his last race Shane Watts came back and stole the show. Always the crowd pleaser, great Shane hunted newly crowned GNCC champ Barry Hawk for all but the last grass section before sliding into the lead. It was a true display of brilliance by the Aussie, who threw a rope-a-dope and surprised Hawk-eye in the closing stages of the race.

The battle that was hyped up to be between Barry Hawk and Jason Raines never formulated. Hawk proved he was faster, and finished one minute ahead of his teammate. Behind Raines was the comeback ?kid? Scott Summers. Summers, a five-time GNCC champ (in case you didn?t know), has been steadily improving his performances this last portion of the series. Mike ?Junior? Lafferty rounded out the top five aboard his KTM. The final round of the series will take place October 19th in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Race Results:

1. Shane Watts – KTM
2. Barry Hawk – Yam
3. Jason Raines – Yam
4. Scott Summers – Hon
5. Mike Lafferty – KTM
6. Steve Hatch – Suz
7. Robbie Jenks – Yam
8. Jim Jarrett – Yam
9. Brian Garrahan – KTM
10. Ryan Rodgers – Yam

AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Standings
After 12 of 13 rounds:

1. Barry Hawk, Jr. (303/5 wins)
2. Jason Raines (237/1 win)
3. Michael Lafferty (210/1 win)
4. Fred Andrews (175/1 win)
5. Robbie Jenks (168)
6. Tie Steve Hatch (152)
6. Randy Hawkins (152)
8. Rodney Smith (129/1 win)
9. Doug Blackwell (87)
10. Chuck Woodford (85/2 wins)