Knighter extends lead at top of 08 US GNCC series 

Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight has extended his lead at the top of the 08 US GNCC series following a second podium finish in less than one week. Following on from his dominant win at the opening round of the championship in Florida Knight placed a comfortable third at the General GNCC staged near Washington, GA, where he joined Charlie Mullins and team-mate Nate Kanney on the podium. The only rider to finish on the podium at both of the opening two rounds of the championship Knight now holds a 10-point lead at the head of the series.

In typical Knight fashion the General GNCC didnt start in the best of ways as despite managing to fire his 450cc KTM into life as the starters flag dropped David rounded the first corner outside of the top 10. With the Georgia track largely dry despite heavy rain several days before the event, the fast track made it difficult for Knight to close in on the leaders as quickly as he had in Florida. Nevertheless David was up to fourth at the end of the first lap and just 30 seconds behind early race leader Nate Kanney.

Moving ahead of Russell Bobbitt during the second lap of the race David looked as if he would soon be battling with Kanney and Mullins for the lead. Just 36 seconds adrift at the end of lap two, Knight dropped a little time on the leading duo on lap three and on laps four and five ran one-minute behind. Riding alone, and comfortably ahead of the fourth placed rider Paul Whibley, David decided to settle for position and not risk trying to catch the leaders. An eventual three minutes behind at the finish Knight claimed a solid third place result, which added to his round one victory sees him sitting comfortably at the top of the overall GNCC points standings.

David now heads home to the Isle of Man, where he will prepare for the third round of the US GNCC series, the Steele Creek GNCC, which takes place in North Carolina on March 30.

David Knight:  Third might not look like a good result, but Im more than happy with it. Last year I had all sorts of troubles at this race and didnt score any points at all. Ive had two podiums in two races this year and Im leading the points standings, so Im happy with things. To be honest I wasnt looking forward to the race, and Im pleased that its behind me now. I didnt have any problems, my bike ran great, it was just a fast track and everyone was riding fast, especially Charlie and Nate, so it wasnt worth trying anything crazy to catch them.

I got my bike fired up quickly but still managed to get a crappy start. But I was making my way forward pretty well until I went one side of a mud hole and a few riders went the anther way and passed me. I settled down then and started passing riders one at a time. On the second lap I got up to third and in a few places I was catching Nate and Charlie but it wasnt enough to get up with them. If I pushed harder I didnt seem to be going any faster, I was just hitting all the holes and tree roots. It was one of those tracks that a lot of riders, even the lappers, were going fast. I realised that I wasnt going to be able to catch the leaders so I settled for third.

Results  US GNCC 08 Rnd 2, Overall Results

1. Charlie Mullins (Suzuki) 2.47:42

2. Nate Kanney (KTM) 2.48:08

3. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2.51:09

4. Paul Whibley (Suzuki) 2.52:00

5. Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 2.54:40

6. Joshua Strang (Suzuki) 2:54.42

7. Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 2:55.13

8. Thad Duvall (Yamaha) 2.57:28

9. Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 2.58:00

10. Glenn Kearney (Husqvarna) 3.00:06

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