GNCC Rd 3 Steele Creek is always a fun track to me. I got a decent start and entered in the woods around 5th position. Around the 4 mile mark, coming down a hill, I was rear ended by another competitor in my class. He had lost the use of his brakes, I guess. I pulled over just to see if there was any damage. Luckily there wasn’t. Due to stopping, I lost 2 positions and finished the lap in 7th position. On the second lap I put my head down and improved my lap speed and was able to make a couple of passes to put myself in 5th position. On my third lap, I made a mental error and chose a bad line and was passed, putting me in 6th position, where I finished my day.
GNCC Rd 4 Big Buck. This was the first time I’ve ever raced this track. I got an excellent start! My quad started quickly, which put me in the woods in second position. I’m definitely not the fastest rider in my class, and was passed in the open field sections before we actually entered the woods. I fell from 2nd position all the way to 7th. I just didn’t have the speed to keep up with the lead pack. I had an error free race until my last lap, where I somehow got hung up on some roots half way up one of the larger hill climbs. I was stuck there for around 10 minutes. I finished the race in 7th position.
SORCS Rd 1 Sandbox was held in Wrens, GA. It rained the entire day. Luckily, It is the only sandy track on the series schedule and there wasn’t a lot of mud to deal with. It was a 10 mile sand whooped course. I decided to run the 30+ class, which starts on the third row. I got an excellent start and pounded through the whoops. On the first lap, I started to catch the A class. After the second lap, I had passed the entire A class, and one Pro class rider. I finished the day 2nd in class and 9th overall after a botched pit stop to change goggles.
There are several areas I need to work on to improve my performance. Two of those things are fitness and seat time, which I am currently focusing more on.
I’m currently in a three way tie for 3rd in the GNCC series(Senior A/B). I’m hoping I can make it to Rd 4 in Indiana to compete once again and earn some more points.
Thank you for your support!!
-Chuck Horton
Team Horton XC Racing