Tennessee Hare Scramble/ GNCC

This year the race in Tennessee had perfect conditions, the traction was mint and the weather was nice.  The stage was set to see who could tackle one of the hardest and roughest GNCC races.  I rode a couple of days before the race and didn't feel comfortable racing since my shoulder injury.  Brian was looking for a strong race as he held the points lead in the Hare Scramble Series with his win at Hollister.  Brian lined up on the far inside and was surrounded by Team Suzuki.  Brian got a horrible jump when the flag dropped and came into the first corner about last.  Luckily he planned the inside so he could sneak inside and got a run around the second corner when the majority of the field was bottlenecked.  Brian was off just outside of the top ten.  Brian moved up a couple places but then crashed witch led to four crashes on the first lap that put him in eighth place and about two minutes behind the lead pack of Mike Lafferty and Mike Kiedrowski.  Barry Hawk caught up to third after falling in the second turn and looked determined.  The top riders held position for most of the race.  The lead three gapped the rest of the field but Jason Raines was close by ready to capitalize on any mistakes as he raced with Josh Mclevy.  Fred Andrews was in the mix ahead of Robbie Jenks then Brian.  Brian held his pace for the entire race and made up some time on the riders ahead of him at the end of the race.  Barry Hawk and Mike Lafferty had a race for the ages right down to the checkered flag with Barry taking the narrow victory ahead of Lafferty.  Kiedrowski hung tough for third, then Raines, Andrews, Mclevy, Jenks, Brian, Randy Hawkins, and Josh Summey.  Brian was happy with the way he rode and was really happy that he didn't tire after such a grueling race. 

Back