GNCC Round 5 was last weekend at The Old Gray in Monterey, Tennessee. Normally a concert venue, this track was added in 2024. 

The Old Gray is typically used as a concert venue. They host many events and festivals throughout the year. The Old Gray features over 75 acres full of history that can be found on their website:

“A huge animal-shaped monolith standing beside the Avery Trace in Putnam County mystified the eighteenth-century travelers who first encountered it. McClain’s History of Putnam County (1925) describes the figure as a “sphinx-like sculpture which may have belonged to a cultured people long antedating the wild and roaming Indian.” McClain recorded one early pioneer’s description of the figure as “a big gray dog in a sitting position, head, and ears up, looking straight out west.” Native Americans venerated the monolith to such a degree that it became a religious icon. Settlers referred to the statue as the “Standing Stone,” a name that was applied to the nearby town until 1901 when it was incorporated as the town of Monterey.

By the early 1890s, only four feet remained of the monument that once stood over twelve feet in height. Railroad workers, blasting a roadbed across Monterey mountain, reduced the remainder to a scattering of various-sized stones. In 1895 a patriotic fraternity, the “Improved Order of Red Men,” incorporated one of the stones into a monument in Monterey. The passing of generations all but erased the memory of the Standing Stone from the minds of the local people, but the efforts of one young girl, Nannie Ellen Buckner, preserved its significance in Tennessee history. In 1939 the State of Tennessee named Standing Stone State Park after the monolith. An annual celebration is held each October in Monterey to commemorate the Standing Stone mystery.”

Landers KTM, a dealership in the area, is partnered with the venue. They host other events there throughout the year, like the KTM adventure rally happening April 25th. At the event, the dealership will split the dirt bike riders into groups based on ability. Although self-guided, the staff will be out on the course to assist. There will be live music, giveaways, and camping available. Make sure to sign up on their website if you are interested!

Landers KTM was the sponsor of GNCC Round 5. eMTB racing was Friday night as well as the Landers KTM fan fest, which was held at the KTM dealership down the road. They had live music and riders signing autographs. Saturday was ATV and micro bike racing, followed by ePeeWee (Stacyc) that evening. Sunday was dirt bike racing.

You may have seen the results on our social media earlier this week. Here’s how our Senge Graphics riders did:

ATV:

Ronnie Rusch- 11th in Pro

Keaton Henderson- 9th in Pro Am

Logan Steele- 20th in Pro Am

Andrea Rodgers- 6th in WXC

Blake Skurko- 7th in 250 All Star

Yamaha AmPro:

Liam Draper- 5th in XC1 Pro

Kailub Russell- 2nd in XC1 Pro

Evan Smith- 11th in XC1 Pro

Ricky Russell- 3rd in XC1 Pro

Danielle McDonald- 8th in WXC

Colton McQuarrie- 2nd in 150B

Hunter Carey- 1st in 85 Big Wheel 

Krue Russell- 5th in 65 (9)

Shawn Remington Jr- 3rd in 65 (10-11)

As usual, if you missed the race but still want to watch the action, you can catch up online with RacerTV. They also broadcast live during both days of racing.

The next GNCC is Round 6 Powerline Park in St Clairsville, Ohio on May 3rd and 4th. This track is located near Wheeling, WV. It is known for being muddy, but the course was changed in the years since the last time GNCC was held there.

If you’re looking for more dirt bike racing local to Pittsburgh, check out our local series AWRCS. They resume with Round 2 on May 10th and 11th for Coal Hollow in Wellsville, Ohio.

Great job to everyone who raced and good luck with any racing happening this weekend!