PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Otway resident Bentley Groves will compete with the best off-road racers in the world on Saturday, May 21, 2022 . The 7-year-old ATV racer will compete at the John Penton GNCC, in nearby Millfield OH, round 7 of the 13-stop Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized, an AMA National Championship.
More than 1,500 racers are expected to compete over the weekend, as the event includes four-wheeled ATV racing on Saturday and dirt bikes on Sunday. Classes range from riders as young as four and as old as the 60-plus divisions. The top GNCC pro classes feature some of the world’s top riders, including talent from England, Europe and Australia.
“The unique thing about GNCC Racing is that an average racer gets to race alongside some of the top racers from across the world” said GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell. “Even with all of this talent, local racers always seem to have an advantage because the course is so similar to the terrain they’re used to riding.”
The tough local terrain makes for a great equalizer when it comes to the talent. Racers will start together on a massive Starting Line before rushing onto a course featuring tight trails, mud and rolling hills. Spectators can watch the action from a variety of vantage points throughout the course, which will be marked on race day.
Groves is in Mrs. Brown’s 2nd grade class at Northwest Elementary. Groves has been racing ATVs for 4 years, and competes in the highly competitive Micro ATV 50 SR class. He is currently ranked 2nd in his class for the national championship, and rides a DRR 50.
So far this year, Groves has competed in GNCC rounds in the states of South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Indiana. This is the 3rd year in a row Groves has contested the prestigious series for a national title. In addition to the GNCC, Groves also competes in Ohio X’Country Racing(OXCR) and Xtreme Cross Country Racing(XCCR).
Saturday’s race format starts with Micro (50cc) ATV racers at 8 a.m., Micro (50cc) bike racers at 8:45 a.m. and Youth racers at 9:30 a.m., Amateurs racing at 11 a.m., and the Pros and top amateurs at 2 p.m., rain or shine. Sunday’s race format will begin with Youth racers starting at 8 a.m., then move onto Amateurs at 10 a.m., followed by the Pros and top amateurs at 1 p.m., rain or shine. GNCC events are grueling, endurance races, with Youth riders racing for 90 minutes, Amateurs two hours, and the Pros a whopping three hours. Groves will race on Saturday with the Micro 50 ATV division starting at 8am for a grueling 45 minutes.
Spectator passes run $25 for adults and $10 for kids (6-11), and ages 5 and under are free for the full weekend. Gate admission includes pro pit access. Sponsor displays and food concessions will be available. The economic impact for a community hosting an event of this magnitude is estimated in excess of $1.3 million dollars.