Valcourt, Quebec, May 18, 2009 - The Mountain Ridge GNCC near Somerset, PA, was a race of mixed emotions for the Can-AmTM ATV racers. In the morning, Team Warnert Racing / Can-Am's Michael Swift mounted an impressive come-from-behind victory after getting caught up in a first-turn incident. He took the 4x4 Limited class win aboard his Can-Am OutlanderTM 800R EFI and was second overall on the morning podium. However, not all news was positive for Can-Am. Swift's teammate, Bryan Buckhannon, was well out in front leading his class, when he suffered a brutal end-over-end crash. He was taken away from the track with a broken leg - ending his perfect season and potentially threatening his pursuit of a second-straight GNCC championship.
"The positive weekend results were definitely overshadowed by Bryan's injury," says Jimmie O'Dell, Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. "Right now it is unknown when he will be able to get back on his Outlander, but he is shooting for a comeback after the summer break. We will have to see what his doctor says, but Bryan is staying extremely positive right now."
Rounding out the morning session results was Can-Am X-Team racer Scott Kilby who took the 4x4 Open-class win on his Outlander 800R EFI. Racing his Outlander 500 EFI to the 4x4 Lites class win was Can-Am rider Kevin Trantham. In the Women's class, Can-Am X-Team racer Lexie Coulter took second in the class aboard her DS 450TM EFI ATV. Warnert's Rick Cecco held on to the U2 class championship lead by finishing second aboard his RenegadeTM 800R EFI. In the afternoon, Warnert Racing's Chris Bithell was racing up front with the lead pack in second place when he experienced a front-shock failure on his DS 450. He pitted, had the shock replaced, and fought back to 11th place.
The next GNCC race is the John Penton GNCC near Millfield, OH on June 6. The next AMA ATV Motocross race is Steel City this weekend and the next ITP Quadcross race is also this weekend. For more information on Can-Am racing, our 2009 contingency program and amateur DS 450 support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and LynxTM snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TEC, Can-AmTM all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines and karts.
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