Snowshoe GNCC – One of America’s Toughest Races

Mud, blood and beer.

From my experience this past weekend in Snowshoe, West Virginia, those three words pretty much sum up the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC.

  1. Mud: Class winners often disappear for lengthy amounts of time back to their trailers to clean up for the podium.
  2. Blood: One of the most grueling courses in event history. It’s no wonder racers despise that long drive up to the top of the mountain, even seasoned pros like Kailub Russell.
  3. Beer: There certainly was no shortage. In one of the rowdiest race crowds I’ve ever seen, there was always a beer to be offered and a friend to be made. It made for one of the most entertaining events I’ve been to in quite some time.

Video Link to the craziness at Snowshoe

video
play-sharp-fill

How it started: The Blackwater 100

In the mid-70’s, a local preacher reached out to promoter Davey Coombs in hopes of putting on a motorcycle race in Davis, W.Va., to draw people and dollars to the area.

Coombs devised a course that began in town and ventured off into the surrounding harsh environment. Finishing just one of the four 25-mile laps was considered an accomplishment.

The Blackwater 100 dissolved in 1993, but Coombs went on to create the GNCC Series, with the Snowshoe event celebrating the Blackwater’s heritage.

video
play-sharp-fill

A race like no other

Nestled nearly 4,500 feet above sea level, Snowshoe Mountain Resort provided a unique setting for the AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC in its 13th year.

Racers lined up in the heart of the village on Snowshoe Drive and started on the asphalt (unique to all other GNCC events). After they left the village, racers traversed down one side of the mountain through rock gardens, massive tree roots and the infamous Howard’s Hole (where you’ll find the mud and the beer) only to climb back up to the other side of the mountain.

This event saw sections of trail that hadn’t been touched since 2008. Coupled with the above-mentioned obstacles, the few miles racers hit on the open ski slopes offered a moment to relax before racers kicked themselves back in gear.

video
play-sharp-fill

Impressive course!! 

GNCC Mason Dixon map

Fans like no other

They call them “Mud Fleas.” A Drunkard’s Paradise!

They wait in the wings of Howard’s Hole with their coolers and high spirits. When an ATV or dirt bike rider falls victim to a mud hole, they come to the rescue, freeing them to continue racing. They tell them what lines to take, cheer them on and certainly know how to have a good time.

But, most importantly, they love their state and they love GNCC racing.

In the end, Walker Fowler and his Yamaha took the checkers in the ATV class, while Kailub Russell won the dirt bike class on his KTM.

Mountain Bike Race winner in West Virginia

Be sure to check out our GNCC Snowshoe highlights on our Instagram and our Facebook album for all the sights and sounds #TeamAMSOIL found this past weekend on the mountain.

automatic transmission issues

Do Transmission Fluid Additives Work? John Baker| Feb 26, 2024 9:04 AM Walk the aisles of most auto parts stores and you’ll find multiple “mechanic-in-a-bottle”-type additives that claim to restore transmission performance. The claims made typically include some variation of the following: • Frees stuck valves to improve shifting • Fixes transmission slipping • Restores smooth […]

Understanding Oil Viscosity Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. _by David Hilgendorf|January 17, 2023 The physical properties of lubricants are measured by characteristics like viscosity, shear stability, high- and low-temperature performance, water resistance and volatility. Lubrication science seeks to optimize a lubricant’s performance by managing these properties using different base oils […]

Top 5 Skid Steer Maintenance Tips _by David Hilgendorf|September 29, 2023 Skid steers are built for tough construction, excavation, agricultural and other professional projects. Whether you’re clearing land, moving rocks or tearing down a wall, a skid steer is an excellent piece of equipment for many different jobs. But these nimble machines can be expensive […]

thermal runaway occurs when viscosity drops out and wear increases

How Often Should I Change Differential Fluid? Fluid change intervals depend on your vehicle, driving conditions and gear oil quality. Save time and cash first by improving the situation with this differential fluid solution! _by David Hilgendorf|Feb 26, 2023 A differential is a set of gears that allows a vehicle’s driven wheels to revolve at […]

New European oils for 2023 0W-30 and 10W-60

New AMSOIL Synthetic European Motor Oil Viscosities A new 10W-60 and 0W-30 for several BMW, Volkswagen and other fancy European cars. _by Brad Nelson|June 13, 2023 Those who know, know. The sophisticated engineering, finely-tuned performance and artistic styling of European cars can turn a daily commute into a grin-inducing experience. The design of these vehicles […]

EZ marine lower gear lube service

Service Marine Lower Units to Prevent Water Damage Preventing rust and other water-related problems in marine lower units. Most other Marine Gear Oils fail to make the grade. We learn more on that from our own customers when they make the switch. by David Hilgendorf|April 24, 2023 Water and gear lube don’t mix. Unfortunately, you […]