The Grand National Cross Country Series is an American motorcycle racing series. The off-road race series was founded by Dave Coombs in 1975 and is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The competition is similar to motocross but, instead of using an enclosed race track, it features extended cross-country, off-road courses of 8 to 12 miles in length and competitions lasting up to 3 hours. GNCC races are physically demanding, leading as many as 2,200 riders through tracks ranging from woods, to hills, mud, rocks, roots, motocross track sections and more. The series has classes for off-road motorcycles, ATV and eMTB vehicles. GNCC Racing is open to both professional and amateur racers in a variety of skill level and age classes. The current presenting sponsor is Specialized Bicycle Components.

GNCC Events

2025 Round Event Venue LocationDate 1 Big Buck GNCC Big Buck Farm Union, SC15-16 February 2 Wild Boar GNCC Rodman Plantation Palatka, FL1-2 March 3 Talladega GNCC Talladega Superspeedway Talladega, AL8-9 March 4 Camp Coker Bullet GNCC Moree's Sportsman's Preserve Society Hill, SC29-30 March5The Old GrayThe Old GrayMonterey, TN11-13 April6Powerline ParkPowerline ParkSt Clairsville, OH3-4 May 7 Hoosier GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN16-18 May 8 Mason-Dixon GNCC Mathews Farm/High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA30 May - 1 June 9 Snowshoe GNCC Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe, WV20-22 June 10 Buckwheat 100 GNCC CJ Raceway Newburg, WV5-7 September 11 The Mountaineer GNCC The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Beckley, WV19-21 September 12 The John Penton GNCC Sunday Creek Raceway Millfield, Ohio10-12 October 13 Ironman GNCC Ironman Raceway Crawfordsville, IN24-26 October

GNCC History The series began in 1975 when Dave Coombs was contacted by a preacher from a church in a small West Virginia town. The preacher wanted to help the economy of his struggling town by hosting a motorcycle race. Dave Coombs saw major potential in the land and thought that a grand prix style race through the town and surrounding country side would be special enough to bring visitors to the town.

Coombs named this race the Blackwater 100. The name "Blackwater" originated from nearby Blackwater Falls and the Blackwater River, while 100 for the number of miles in the race. The land was rugged, which would make the race itself one would be difficult for riders and their machines. The race became popular when Dave invited a group of magazine editors from California, who went back and wrote about their experiences with the rugged race. Eventually, Blackwater would become known as "America's Toughest Race".

Dave also promoted the first ever AMA National Hare Scramble, which was held at High Point Raceway in 1979. With the popularity of this event and the Blackwater, the Wiseco 100 Miler Series was born. The series would then evolve into the GNCC series beginning with the 1984 season. The GNCC series began experiencing more growth when three-wheelers were added in 1983, and four-wheelers replaced them a few years later. Blackwater 100 later received an eponymous pinball adaptation manufactured by Bally-Midway in 1988, distinguished by its complex table design and its unique rule of making each of the three "balls" allotted per session multiballs that represent three "heats" of the race.

The famous Blackwater 100 was shut down after the 1993 event, but by this point the GNCC series had earned the reputation as being the Premier Offroad Racing Series in America. Throughout the 90s the series would still grow more and more. With domination on the bike side by riders such as Scott Summers, Scott Plessinger and Rodney Smith, while Barry Hawk dominated the ATV side, the series gained even more mainstream coverage in various media. The series patriarch, Dave Coombs, died in 1998 but Big Dave's family stepped up to continue the success of the series. His son-in-law, Jeff Russell, the 1991 AMA National Enduro Champion, is today's GNCC Trail Boss.

GNCC Racing has evolved from small, regional races to professional-grade events that attract professional and amateur riders from across the world. Growth in the professional ranks prompted the changes from one single "Pro" class to multiple professional rank classes beginning in 2007. Professional ATV classes consist of the premier "XC1 Pro ATV" class and the "XC2 Pro-Am ATV" class to serve as a stepping stone for riders moving out of the amateur classes. Professional motorcycle classes consist of the "XC1 Open Pro" class for any size motorcycle, the "XC2 250 Pro" class for 250cc motorcycles and the "XC2 125 Pro-Am" class reserved exclusively for 125cc 2-stroke motorcycles.

Past Champions Over the years the series has been contested by thousands of different riders across the world. Each year an Overall Champion is crowned for both the bikes and ATVs.

GNCC Overall Bike Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM2024Johnny GirroirSouthwick, MAKTM2023Craig DeLongMorgantown, PAHusqvarna 2022 Jordan Ashburn Livingston, TN Husqvarna 2021 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM 2020 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2019 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2018 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2017 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2016 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2015 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2014 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2013 Kailub Russell Boonville, NC KTM 2012 Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Yamaha 2011 Charlie Mullins Hamilton, OH KTM 2010 Josh Strang Inverell, Australia Suzuki 2009 Paul Whibley Dannevirke, New Zealand Kawasaki 2008 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM 2007 David Knight Isle of Man, UK KTM 2006 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM 2005 Juha Salminen Vantaa, Finland KTM 2004 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki 2003 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Yamaha 2002 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki 2001 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki 2000 Shane Watts Maffra, Australia KTM 1999 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki 1998 Rodney Smith Antioch, CA Suzuki 1997 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda 1996 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda 1995 Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM 1994 Scott Plessinger Hamilton, OH KTM 1993 Fred Andrews Salem, OH Yamaha 1992 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda 1991 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda 1990 Scott Summers Petersburg, KY Honda 1989 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Yamaha 1988 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1987 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1986 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1985 Jim Maltba Mount Clare, WV KTM 1984 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1983 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1982 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1981 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna 1980 Ed Lojak Tarentum, PA Husqvarna

GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class Bike Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 Grant Davis Meshoppen, PA KTM 2024 Grant Davis Meshoppen, PA KTM2023Liam DraperNew ZealandYamaha 2022 Lyndon Snodgrass Australia Kawasaki 2021 Johnny Girroir Southwick, MA GasGas 2020 Craig Delong Morgantown, PA Husqvarna 2019 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM 2018 Ben Kelley Harwinton, CT KTM 2017 Josh Toth Winsted, CT Yamaha 2016 Trevor Bollinger Morganton, NC Honda 2015 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales KTM 2014 Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM 2013 Grant Baylor Belton, SC KTM 2012 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales KTM 2011 Steward Baylor Belton, SC KTM 2010 Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM 2009 Kailub Russell Kingston, OH KTM 2008 Thad Duvall Williamstown, WV Yamaha 2007 Justin Williamson Sanford, FL KTM

GNCC FMF XC3 125 Pro Am Class Bike Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 James Jenkins House Springs, MO Yamaha 2024 Dakoda Devore Uhrichsville, OH KTM2023Toby ClevelandErin, NYHusqvarna 2022 Brody Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna 2021 Jonathan Johnson Landrum, SC Husqvarna 2020 Zack Hayes Sumter, SC KTM 2019 Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM 2018 Jesse Ansley Myakka City, FL KTM 2017 Jason Thomas Machynlleth, Wales Husqvarna

GNCC WXC Bike Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 Korie Steede Beloit, OH Husqvarna 2024 Rachael Archer New Zealand Kawasaki2023Rachael ArcherNew ZealandYamaha 2022 Rachael Archer New Zealand Yamaha 2021 Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha 2020 Becca Sheets Circleville, OH Yamaha 2019 Tayla Jones Good Hope, NSW, Australia Husqvarna 2018 Tayla Jones Good Hope, AUS Husqvarna 2017 Tayla Jones Good Hope, AUS Husqvarna 2016Becca SheetsCircleville, OHYamaha2015Kacy MartinezSunol, CAKTM2014Kacy MartinezSunol, CAKTM2013Maria ForsbergBrier, WAKTM2012Maria ForsbergBrier, WAKTM2011Maria ForsbergBrier, WAKTM2010Maria ForsbergBrier, WAKTM2009Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OHYamaha2008Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OHYamaha2007Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OHYamaha2006Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OHYamaha2005Mandi MastinWhitehouse, OHYamaha2004Heather WilsonCanyon, CAKawasaki2003Heather WilsonCanyon, CAKawasaki2002Heather WilsonCanyon, CAKawasaki

GNCC Overall ATV Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha 2024 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha2023Brycen NealBidwell, OHYamaha 2022 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Yamaha 2021 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2020 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2019 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2018 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2017 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2016 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2015 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2014 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2013 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2012 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2011 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2010 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2009 Chris Borich Sunbury, PA Suzuki 2008 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha 2007 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha 2006 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha 2005 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha 2004 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Yamaha 2003 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD 2002 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY LRD 2001 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design 2000 Bill Ballance Oakland, KY Roll Design 1999 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1998 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1997 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1996 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1995 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1994 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1993 Barry Hawk Smithfield, PA Laegers 1992 Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda 1991 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda 1990 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda 1989 Bob Sloan Martinsville, IN Honda 1988 Chuck Delullo St. Marys, PA Honda 1987 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda 1986 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda 1985 Tom Tokay Webster, PA Honda 1984 Ted Trey Frederick, MD Honda

GNCC XC2 Pro Am Class ATV Champions Year Rider Hometown Brand 2025 Alex Thieman Waterford, OH Yamaha 2024 Alex Thieman Waterford, OH Yamaha2023Steven HarrellElkridge, MDYamaha 2022 Jay Shadron Acme, PA Yamaha 2021 Ronnie Rusch Pittsburgh, PA Yamaha 2020 Austin Abney Veedersburg, IN Honda 2019 John Glauda Jr Waxhaw, NC Yamaha 2018 Hunter Hart Newfield, NY Yamaha 2017 Devon Feehan Windsor, NY Honda 2016 Greg Covert Ithaca, NY Yamaha 2015 Cole Richardson Edinburg, PA Yamaha 2014 Cole Richardson Edinburg, PA Yamaha 2013 Brycen Neal Bidwell, OH Honda 2012 Patrick McQuire Valencia, PA Yamaha 2011 Walker Fowler Rogers, OH Yamaha 2010 Brian Wolf Medina, OH Honda 2009 Josh Kirkland Proctor, WV KTM 2008 Donald Ockerman Marshall, IL Yamaha 2007 Brandon Sommers Millersburg, OH Yamaha

References

External links Official website List of GNCC Events from 1984 – 2012 GNCC on Facebook