Continuing its strategic alliance with off-road series in Asia
and Europe, the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series
will send two top American racers to compete in the final round of
the Japan National Cross Country (JNCC) Series, the AAGP, at the
Sugo Circuit on November 2nd. Nathan Kanney (Red Bull KTM), the
winner of the final round of the 2008 GNCC tour, and Thad DuVall,
the 2008 GNCC XC2 Lites Champion (Am-Pro Yamaha), will compete in
the race as guests of the JNCC Series.
Kanney and DuVall follow GNCC racers Paul Whibley, Robbie
Jenks, Charlie Mullins, Rodney Smith and Jason Raines, who
competed in the AAGP in 2006 and 2007. Whibley won the 2006
edition, and Mullins came out on top in 2007.
"I like traveling and experiencing new things, so it's
cool to get the chance to compete in Japan," said New York's
Kanney, who lived in Italy and competed in the World Enduro
Championships in 2007. "I have an open mind about it. Ask me
if I will like anything about it, and I will say yes. Ask me if I
will not like anything about it, and I will say no."
"It will be neat to get away from everything here and see
something totally different," says DuVall. "I've heard
the people over there are nice and they will help us out, although
I don't know if I'll even be able to talk to anyone. When we get
out there on Sunday, though, hopefully me and Nate will be
battling and we can win another one for the GNCCs."
DuVall will travel with his father, Chad DuVall, a former pro
GNCC ATV Champion, and Kanney will be joined by motocross
jack-of-all trades Jerry Bernardo on the trip. GNCC organizer
Racer Productions will also send Director of New Media Jason
Hooper on the trip to produce photos and video.
JNCC President Masami Hoshino sees the continued cooperation of
Japanese and American racers as a way to boost racing in Japan.
"I cannot show my appreciation enough for the GNCC
Series," says Hoshino. "They have also chosen great
racers from GNCC for the AAGP, so in Japan, enduro riding will
rise. Nate Kanney and Thad Duvall are great racers."
In exchange, two top JNCC riders will travel to the US to
compete in the first two rounds of the 2009 GNCC tour, on March 3
and March 8.
The three-hour AAGP follows the same format as an American GNCC
round, and the race winner receives 100,000 YEN. The racers head
to Japan on Wednesday, October 29. Look for updates all week long
on GNCCRacing.com.