Knight in action.  Photo blatantly stolen from Racer X

The great chivalrous David Knight ate all his competitors for breakfast and spit them out one by one on the three hour walk in the woods this past Sunday for the third round of the GNCC series at Steele Creek NC.

Knight got a notorious bad start when his big KTM refused to light and went into the woods in dead last. Anyone watching knew that would not continue. Nate Kanney led the first lap, but an electrical problem with his orange machine which would force him to make an additional three pit stops and would eventually drop him to 7^th at the finish.

Knight fought his way through the field and be in a measly third place after the first lap. (For the record, I expect him to lead every lap, regardless of his start, if he wants to prove his greatness to me. He has done nothing yet to prove that he deserves his ride at KTM.) Knight would take the lead on the second lap and continue to an easy minute and a half win.

Barry Hawk, after a good romp with Kanney, would bring home the first looser spot. The men at Suzuki again provided some proof that the new fuel injected bike must be a blast to ride as they finished in the third to sixth places. Paul Whibley took third followed by Jimmy Jarret, and Charlie Mullins. Jesse Robinson, who finished in eighth spot, was chased home by Jason Raines and Louwens Mahoney for the top ten positions. The Husky boys should have stayed home on the couch as they could only manage a thirteenth for Gordon Crockard and a seventeenth for Australia’s Glenn Kearney. More is sure to come as they get the mighty Husky up to speed.

In XC2 it was once again Yamaha’s Thad DeVall who stole the show in what was his third straight win of the year. Ohio man, Kailub Russell, said it felt like he was practicing and came home second. Third place went to Dustin Gibson who led Justin Williams home after a collision with a tree dropped the KTM rider down one position. Fifth place went to Josh Weisenfels.

Points in XC1 are looking great if you look at second through fifth. Knight is streaking in the lead with 81 points. The real action, however comes when you notice that second through fifth are covered by a scant two points! XC2 has Thad DeVall streaking out front and everyone else just hoping to get a win at some point this season.

XC1 Pro Class
1. David Knight (KTM) Isle of Man
2. Barry Hawk (Yam) Smithfield, PA
3. Paul Whibley (Suz) New Zealand
4. Josh Strang (Suz) Australia
5.Jimmy Jarrett (Suz) Beloit, OH
6. Charles Mullins (Suz) Hamilton, OH
7. Nathan Kanney (KTM) High Falls, NY
8.Jesse Robinson (Kaw) Connelly’s Spring, TN
9. Jason Raines (Yam) Belfair, WA
10. Louwens Mahoney (KTM) South Africa

XC1 Point Standings
1. David Knight (81/2 wins)
2. Barry Hawk (57)
2. Jim Jarrett (57)
4. Charlie Mullins (56/1 win)
5. Paul Whibley (55)

XC2 Pro Lites Class
1. Thad DuVall (Yam) Williamstown, WV
2. Kailub Russell (KTM) Kingston, OH
3. Dustin Gibson (Yam) Cumberland Furn, TN
4. Justin Williamson (KTM) Sanford, FL
5. Josh Weisenfels (Yam) Fort Smith, AR
6. Wallace Palmer (Kaw) Mullica Hill, NJ
7. Andy Shea (KTM) Oxford, OH
8. Brian Lawson (Yam) Adams, MA
9. Eric Bailey (KTM) King George, VA
10. Ryan Echols (Hon) Fairmont, WV

XC2 Point Standings
1. Thad DuVall (90/3 wins)
2. Dustin Gibson (63)
3. Josh Weisenfels (57)
4. Andrew Matusek (43)
5. Kailub Russell (45)

Psycho Monkey