Snowshoe GNCC Race INFO!

What: Snowshoe GNCC
When: June 26th & 27th 2010
Location: Snowshoe Mountain Resort at Snowshoe, West Virginia
Est: June 2007

The toughest, most spectacular and most unique race on the whole GNCC tour, the MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC made its debut in 2007 and will not soon be forgotten. The race is set in the upscale ski village at Snowshoe, West Virginia’s largest ski resort. The surroundings are not only several steps above the typical GNCC course, they’re also plusher than many luxury resorts. The array of hotels, shops and restaurants provide plenty of entertainment off the race track, and the facility also hosts an amazing golf course and some of the best mountain bike trails in the country.

The famed Blackwater 100 was the original GNCC race, and it took place in the same part of the state as Snowshoe. So to celebrate the Blackwater heritage, the Snowshoe race starts “in town.” Unlike a typical GNCC dead-engine start in a field, riders at the Snowshoe line up on a paved road in groups of five. They start live engine every five seconds, which makes for a spectacular scene.

But once the riders are on the course, everything beautiful disappears. A few miles of the course make up simply the roughest, toughest section of GNCC track you’ll see all year. Deep mud bogs, massive tree roots and near-vertical hill climbs are enough to stop almost everyone, and if not for the help of the ever-determined “mud fleas” (GNCC fans) some sections may not be passable at all. In the tradition of the old Blackwater, which was known as the “World’s Toughest Race,” the Snowshoe GNCC is the ultimate test for a cross-country racer. Luckily, the course also features a few miles of gravel road, which provides a much-needed rest.

To further keep riders on their toes, Snowshoe sits at 4242 feet of elevation, so jetting becomes an issue for most machines. Except it tends to be pretty cold, too, since you’re so high up.

To further seperate the Snowshoe GNCC from other races on the tour, MotorcycleUSA.com has stepped up to offer a $50,000 purse for the 2009 event. The purse will be split for the ATV and bike race days, offering $10,000 to the overall winner of each race, and splitting the rest of the prize money between the other top finishers. Big thanks to MotorcycleUSA.com for putting up the big bounty!

2009 Winners: Bike: David Knight ATV: Brian Wolf

Snowshoe Village: There's no other off-road race like this one. Snowshoe offersworld-class restaurants, shops and attractions. There's lots of fun to be hadoff of the race track, so plan accordingly.