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David Knight |
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 7th
FunEnduro International, Vale De Bravo, Mexico, 8/10.8.2008
Knight wins 08 FunEnduro in Mexico From the World Enduro Championships GP of Wales to the FunEnduro in Mexico. US GNCC series points leader David Knight continued to keep himself busy during his summer break by travelling to Vale De Bravo, Mexico to compete in the seventh running of the FunEnduro International an enduro style race with an International Six Days Enduro format, which includes both time checks and timed special tests. Not knowing quite what to expect from the event having never competed in Mexico before, Knight soon found that he was participating in one of the best supported events hes ever raced in. With countless thousands of spectators turning out to encourage the 400 competing riders, Knight quickly established a healthy lead during the first days competition before going on to claim a comfortable victory. Ending the first days competition close to 25 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Knight found competing in Vale De Bravo to be an unforgettable experience. Racing at extremely high altitude, like all riders Knights bike was noticeably down on power. But it was the ever-changing grip levels of the Mexican terrain that proved hardest to master, especially during the morning of the second days competition following heavy overnight rain. With the event ending with an ISDE style final motocross Knight delivered a race winning performance, despite making a poor start. Quickly working his way up to third the defending US GNCC champion needed just half a lap to move into the lead before going on to win by around 20 seconds. Knights eventual winning margin was close to 45 seconds with home rider Homero Diaz second and Spaniard Ivan Cervantes third. David Knight: Ive had a great time in Mexico. Ive never been involved in an event where there are so many spectators. It was unbelievable how many people came to watch the race more that Ive ever seen. Of course its great to have won but it was also important for me to compete this year as there will be a world championship event here next year. Because the event was held as such altitude the bikes were really down on power, which too some getting used to. The first day went well. I opened up a pretty good lead during the first two laps and then won a couple of tests on the third lap along with Ivan. I think I was about 25 seconds ahead at the end of the first day. Day two was really slippery because of the heavy ran we had at the end of day one. Where there was grass on the tests it was fine but everywhere was like riding on ice it was really hard to get used to. In the final motocross I got a really bad start but managed to work my way up to third in the first few corners. About half way around the first lap I was leading and I then managed to open up about a 20 second lead. Im not sure exactly how much I won by but I think it was about 45 seconds. Racing in Mexico was a great experience, and the FunEnduro is a great event. Ive never signed so many autographs and had so many photos taken, it was an amazing trip. Results 08 FunEnduro, Mexico 1. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Team) 2. Homero Diaz (Husqvarna) 3. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team Knighter opts not to compete at Erzberg 08 Red Bull KTM Off Road Team rider and current leader of the 08 US Grand National Cross Country series David Knight has made the difficult decision not to compete in the f08 edition of the world famous Erzberg Rodeo, staged in Eisenerz, Austria. Following discussions with the Red Bull KTM Off Road Team after the sixth round of the US GNCC series it was decided that due to increased testing commitments it would be best for Knight not to compete in the word's toughest one-day extreme race. Although more than 40 pints ahead of his nearest XC1 Pro class rival in the '08 US GNCC series Knight is focused on claiming the best results he can in the three events that remain before the championships two-month summer break. Heading to Austria on Monday, May 19 for several days of testing Knight would have next to no time to prepare himself for the Erzberg event. David Knight: "My goal this season is to successfully defend my US Grand National Cross Country title, which is why I have decided not to compete at Erzberg this year. Things are going extremely well for me in the States at the moment and I have a 41 point lead in the XC1 Pro class championship, which is largely due to having spent many, many hours practicing, training, testing and racing on my 450 XC. The down side of all this time spent riding my 450 is that I have had no time to prepare for Erzberg, where I planned on riding a 250cc two stroke". "I was looking forward to racing at Erzberg but to compete when I'm no where near properly prepared for the race is pointless. The fact that the world's biggest, one off, extreme race falls right in the middle of the US GNCC series makes it hard for me to do both. I have more testing scheduled for the week before Erzberg, before I head back to the States in preparation for The Spartan GNCC. "I will be back at Erzberg - it's a race I've enjoyed competing in, but for now my priority is trying to extend my sizeable points advantage at the top of the GNCC championship before the series summer break". Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team GB XC Rnd 1, Matchams Park, 17.2.2008 Knighter steps up pre-US GNCC training, wins GB XC Rnd 1 Red Bull KTM Off Road Teams David Knight stepped up his preparations ahead of the opening round of the 08 US GNCC series, which takes place in Florida on March 2, by competing in and winning the first GB XC event of 08 at Matchams Park. With his previous competitive outings this season having been on a 250cc two-stroke, Knight wanted to use the race as a pre-GNCC shake down and compete for three hours aboard KTMs new 450cc four-stroke. Claiming the holeshot Knights early advantage vanished when he momentarily took a wrong turn and dropped to second. Then getting rope caught around his rear wheel the reigning GNCC champion was forced to pit having lost the use of his rear brake. Quickly back out on track Knight needed little time at all to work his way into the lead before opening up a commanding advantage of some eight minutes. David heads to the States on Monday, February 25, where he will spend several days testing with his Red Bull KTM team in Florida ahead of the opening round of the 08 US GNCC series. In the mean time Knight will continue testing and training at his home in the Isle of Man. David Knight: The event was great preparation for me. I knew the conditions would be sandy, like the first race of the US GNCC championship, so it was perfect for me. I wanted to race the bike for three hours before heading to the US. Ive spent a lot of time adjusting to and setting up the new bike in recent weeks and everything went well during the race. There are still one or two little things that can be improved but Im really happy with the way the bike performed. I also felt fresh at the end of the race, which is good. The race itself went well. I got about the only holeshot Ive ever had on a 450 but then I took a wrong turn and dropped to second. I got some rope caught in my rear wheel then, which lost me about 45 seconds as I had to come into the pits to sort it, but after that everything went well. The track was quite fast so it wasnt easy to make up time. But I pushed hard and was about eight minutes ahead at the end of the race. It was a really good event and I feel much happier now that Ive raced the new bike for three hours.
Knighter wins 08 The Tough One Red Bull KTM Off Road Teams US GNCC champion David Knight claimed his first race win of the 08 season by dominating the fourth running of the WOR Events The Tough One race. Already a three-time winner of Britains premier extreme hare scramble race Knighter made it four wins from four starts with another impressive victory at the Nantmawr Quarry circuit. Finishing alongside David on the podium were Taddy Blazusiak and Wayne Braybrook in second and third places respectively. Despite the much hyped and highly anticipated battle between KTMs two extreme stars Knight and Blazusiak it was UK trials rider Michael Brown that provided the biggest challenge to Knights dominance. Winner of the Speed Trial event Brown earned a place in the main The Tough One race and able to cross the events technical terrain much quicker on a trials that all other competitors on their enduro machines he worked his way past Knight to earn himself 1000 for leading the race at the half way stage of the race before stopping. Despite becoming one of a number of riders to fall on one of the tyre sections early in the race Knight had things pretty much all his own way in and around the Nantmawr Quarry from the one-hour mark onwards. Second off the start David was soon past Wayne Braybrook and quickly started opening up a healthy lead while his eventual closest rival Blazusiak made several small but costly mistakes on the opening laps. Comfortably ahead as darkness started to fall David maintained his lead to come within little more than 25 seconds of lapping Blazusiak. Davids next event will be the third and final round of the Indoor Enduro World Cup in Genoa, Italy on Saturday, February 2. David Knight: Its great to start the year with a win, and to continue my unbeaten run at The Tough One. Ive been working hard since Christmas, and have probably ridden more than I did all of last year, so I knew I was ready for the race. A lot of people have been quick to shoot me down because of a few disappointing results at the end of last year. I wanted to win to show them that Im ready for 08. I was pretty relaxed fitting my wheel at the start, although I knew a good start would help I wasnt too worried about getting away first. It took a bit of a gamble using a trials tyre but it worked out ok. I wouldnt say it was a huge amount better than an enduro tyre but in a few places it was really good, like when I had to change line to get around someone. I got held up behind Wayne Braybrook a bit off the start but it didnt take too long to get past him and the few Expert riders that were ahead of me. I pushed on hard to try and make the most of the clear track. When Michael Brown caught me on the trials bike I wasnt going to give up without a fight and ended up colliding with him. I knew there was no way I could keep up with a trials bike out there so I just tried to stay ahead of him for as long as I could. It was good having him in the race. Im pleased he got the 1000 for leading at the end of the first hour but it was right that he wasnt allowed to finish the race its so much easier on a trials bike and The Tough One is an event for enduro bikes, thats what makes it tough. I just tried to build up as big a lead as I could after the hour and then backed it down a bit, just to make sure nothing stupid happened. There were a lot of places where you could make mistakes so I went for safer lines. Early on in the race I went over the bars crossing the tyres. I got mud all over my gloves, which made things tricky for a while. Ive been training and working hard in since Christmas so to win shows that things are hopefully on track for a good season. I want to get the Indoor Enduro World Cup wrapped up in a couple of weeks and then focus 100 per cent on my preparations for the US GNCC series. Its getting harder and harder for me to do occasional extreme races now that my main goal is the GNCC championship, but its great to have won. Knighter wins '07 AMA Endurocross championship Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight claimed his second championship of '07 this passed weekend when the two-time Enduro 3 world champion added the AMA Endurocross title to the Grand National Cross Country championship he claimed at the end of October. Winner of the opening two rounds of the '07 Endurocross series staged in Colorado and Oklahoma, Knight arrived in Vegas eight points ahead of his closest championship rival Damon Huffman and ready to win his second Endurocross title. Easily winning his qualifying heat and impressively fast around the challenging course housed within the Orleans Arena Knight looked all but assured of claiming his second Endurocross title after Huffman, the championship's second most consistent rider at rounds one and two, struggled through the LCQ to make it into the final. Starting well Knight was soon into the lead of the 10 rider main event. Knowing all to well that one mistake could rob him of the Endurocross title the Manxman put in several faultless laps to open up a small gap at the front of the field. Behind Knight KTM mounted Pole 'Taddy' Blazusiak quickly worked his way up into second and for three laps the two riders were separated by nothing at all. As the race neared its close, and not wanting to get into a battle with his team-mate that might result in neither of the two riders winning the race should they have collided with each other, Knight let Taddy take over the lead and one lap later the win. In winning the race Taddy stopped Knight from claiming the $50'000 Motorcycle Mechanic's Institute prize money that was available to him had he have won the race. Extremely disappointed at having not won the sizeable prize purse available to him Knight was pleased to have 'won back' his AMA Endurocross title. In doing so David secured his second major US off-road championships in '07. David Knight: "That was one of the hardest races I've ever done. Not because the track was too difficult, it wasn't it was a great track, but because I couldn't push as hard as I wanted to try and win the race because I knew winning the championship was more important. Taddy was riding really well, and bumped me in a few corners, but it was too risky for me to ride hard - one mistake indoors and your race can be over. If that had happened then I could have lost the championship, who knows what could have happened. So I decided to move over and let him passed, which was hard. But like I said winning the championship was more important than winning the race. Yeah, I'm pissed about not winning the money, who wouldn't be. Winning the GNCC and Endurocross championships in the same year is great, but tonight things didn't go the way I thought or hoped they would." Results - '07 AMA Endurocross Round 3, Las Vegas 1. Taddy Blazusiak (KTM) 8 laps 2. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race team) 8 laps 3. Mika Ahola (Honda) 8 laps 4. Colton Haaker (Montesa) 8 laps 5. Nick Bozobvich (Yamaha) 8 laps 6. Geoff Aaron (KTM) 8 laps Knighter dominates Endurocross round 2 Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team's David Knight has made it two wins from two starts in the '07 AMA Endurocross series following a podium topping result at round two held inside the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Putting himself on top of the podium at round one following a commanding race long performance Knight did exactly the same in Oklahoma and following his two wins sits at the top of the three-round championship with just the final Las Vegas event remaining. Moving one step closer to claiming the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute's $50'000 triple crown bonus, which is awarded to any rider that manages to top each of the three rounds of this year's series, Knight fought off determined competition during the main event to claim his second Endurocross win in seven days. Following a good start Knight took the lead but was briefly passed by David Pearson. Soon back out front Knight made the most of a mistake by Pearson attacking the challenging course and extended his lead. Opening up a commanding advantage the factory KTM racer claimed a deserved win and now holds an eight-point lead in the series standings. The third and final round of the AMA Endurocross series takes place on November 17, in Las Vegas. David Knight: "Two down, one to go - I just hope the third round goes as well as the first two. Things went really well again, apart from my start. I didn't get a good jump out of the gate but still managed to be right up there in the first couple of corners. I went wide on a corner during one of the early laps, because it was easier, and David Pearson got up the inside of me and got passed. I had more speed coming out of the turn so I was back in the lead almost as quickly as I lost it. After a while I managed to pull away. I kept trying to get out of his way and eventually I out braked him into the rocks. He made a mistake and that's when I got my head down and opened up a gap. "For the rest of the race I just did my own thing out front. Damon Huffman was riding well, just doing his own thing at his own pace, so I couldn't ease off too much. Thankfully, my thumb that I injured at the last GNCC race wasn't too much of a problem. I'm really looking forward to the final Endurocross race in Las Vegas now, but before that I need a good result at the penultimate round of the GNCC series this coming weekend." Results - AMA Endurocross round 2, Guthrie, Oklahoma 1. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2. Damon Huffman (Suzuki) 3. Dave Pearson (KTM) 4. Keith Wineland (Montesa) 5. Nick Brozovich (Yamaha) 6. Ricky Dietrich (Kawasaki) Australian Four Day Enduro, NSW, Coffs Harbour, 5-8.7.2007 Knighter wins Aussie four-day Reigning Enduro 3 world champion and currant leader of the 07 US GNCC series David Knight has claimed overall victory at the 07 Australian Four day Enduro, staged in Croffs Harbour, NSW. Taking the opportunity to compete in the prestigious event for the first time due to having a two month break in his US racing schedule, Knight continued his recent run of good form to top the event in style. In winning the competition Knight adds a Motorcycling Australia (MA) title to his already claimed FIM and AMA championships. With little time to prepare for the event, and with his luggage having got lost en route to New South Wales, Knight had no more than 30 minutes to set-up his bike prior to his first enduro event of 07. Yet despite having flown half way around the world to arrive in Australia just days before the start of the event David performed well during the opening days seven special tests and despite a few problems finished within striking distance of Australias Stefan Merriman. More  Racer
Productions US Grand National Cross Country Race Series Round 8 - The Snow Shoe
GNCC, WV, 24.6.2007
Knighter kills em at US GNCC Rnd 8 Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight has claimed what many believe is the largest win margin ever at a round of the US GNCC race series when the double Enduro 3 world champion finished close to 10 minutes ahead of his nearest rival at the Snow Shoe GNCC, staged at the Snow Show ski resort in deepest West Virginia. Coming into the event with a slender lead in the championships point standings Knight dominated the race from start to finish to claim his fourth win of the 07 season and place nine minutes and 48 seconds ahead of former GNCC series champion Barry Hawk. With all competitors leaving the start five at a time in a Blackwater 100 style live engine start Knighter needed no time at all to move into the lead and started pulling away from the rest of the XC1 Pro class. With his confidence high having topped the seventh round of the series Knight found himself unsure whether hed taken a wrong turn mid-way through the opening lap and decided to stop and wait for his class mates to arrive, just to make sure he was headed in the correct direction. Ending the first lap comfortably ahead David then started opening up a commanding lead. With each passing lap Knight edged further ahead as his rivals struggled to make their way passed lapped riders on many of the harder sections of the track. Needing to get off his 450cc KTM and push it to the top of the hardest climb on the track just once, such was Knights dominance during the race he pulled two-and-a-half minutes over his nearest rival in a 30 meter section of track on lap two. Moving further and further ahead as the race progressed David claimed a deserved win to maintain his position at the top of the 07 US GNCC point standings. After a short two-day break at his home in the Isle of Man David will head to Australia at the end of this week where he will compete in the prestigious Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE)
By getting out front early on I was able to just think about the track. A lot of the other riders were trying to race each other, which made the track twice as difficult. I didnt have any problems at all during the race really. I really enjoyed the tough sections in the forest, you really had to think about your lines and watch out for the lappers. Once I knew I had a good lead I really started to enjoy the race. Things didnt start as well as I hoped they would this season but I feel that Im riding well now. I think I enjoyed the Snow Shoe more than any other event this season, it was a real challenge. Its great to have finished so far ahead as well. Results - XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 8, The Snow Shoe GNCC David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2:56.45 Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 3:06.33 Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 3:06.49 Josh Strang (Suzuki) 3:12.10 Paul Whibley (Honda) 3:16.57 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3:17.26 Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 3:17.48 Robbie Jenks (KTM) 3:21.02 Brian Garrahan (Yamaha) 3:24.01 Charlie Mullins (Yamaha) 3:15.36
After his mid week ride at Erzberg David, Knight arriving in the US ready to make up for the disappointing fourth place result he scored at round six of the GNCC series, Knight claimed his third win of the 07 GNCC series after a relatively straight forward race at The Spartan GNCC. Starting well Knight hit the front after one lap but then found himself back in fourth after falling when he hit a rock in a single track section of the course. Opting to follow his competitors for some time in order to work out where he was faster David then made his move, moved back into the lead, and opened up a 40 second advantage at the flag. Following his third US GNCC race win this season David returns to the top of the US GNCC championship standings on 149 points, one point ahead of Charlie Mullins David Knight Spartan GNCC: I guess I got the result I should have also had at the last round of the series. I wasnt sure how Id feel after flying from Austria to the UK and then on to the States and racing twice all in three days but things worked out perfectly. I started ok, got to the front, made a mistake and crashed, and then followed the other riders for a while. I was faster in a few sections so I passed Charlie and things were good after that. Results - XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 7, The Spartan GNCC 1. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2.58:15 2. Charlie Mullins (Yamaha) 3.00:23 3. Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 3.01:04 4. Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 3.01:13 5. Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 3.01:47 6. Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 3.04:13 7. Russell Bobbitt (KTM) 3.04:33 8. Brian Garrahan (Yam) 3.05:26 9. Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3.05:47 10. Josh Strang (Suzuki) 3.06:28 Knighter denied third straight US GNCC victory Hoping to claim his third straight victory in this seasons US GNCC series reigning Enduro 3 world champion David Knight and his Red Bull KTM Off Road Team travelled to Ohio for the John Penton GNCC this passed weekend, round six of the 07 US GNCC series. Confident that he could extend his championship lead David finished in fourth position having once again had to fight his way from the back of Pro XC1 class before running into problems as the ignition on his XC450 worked its way loose. Making a much better start than he had at the two previous rounds of the US GNCC series Knighter went from mid-pack to last as he collided with Australian Shane Watts, who himself had tangled with Robbie Jenks. Forced to once again make his way from the back of the pack Knighter didnt need long to start catching and passing many of the front runners. But the Manxmans progress was then halted having closed in on the top three as his bike began to misfire and cut out. Later diagnosed as a loose ignition top coil David continued to battle on working his way back up to third after dropping to fifth following the mid-race pit stop. Determined to at least finish on the podium Knighter caught and passed Jimmy Jarrett for a second time to move into the final podium spot but then came close to crashing out of the race as his bike cut out as he hit a section of whoops on the motocross track section of the course. Despite managing not to crash the impact badly buckled the front wheel of Davids XC450. With numerous broken spokes, and with the wheel hitting either side of his forks, David continued pushing as hard as he could, and dared, but was unable to stay ahead of Jarrett and claimed fourth. David now sits in second position in the overall US GNCC series standings, just four points behind Charlie Mullins and 11 points ahead of Garrett Edmisten. David Knight: Im really disappointed with the way things turned out because the win was mine for the taking this weekend. I got a pretty good start, much better than the last two races, but then Wattsy decided to take out Robbie Jenks and I got caught up in it. I was last so I had a lot of work to do again. It didnt take that long to catch up with the guys near the front, but then I started having problems with my bike. It started popping and banging like the jetting was way out. I dropped back to about fifth after the fuel stop but made my way forward pretty quickly. I got passed Josh Strang and I got up to Jimmy Jarrett in third. I actually managed to pass him briefly but then my bike stopped. I didnt lose much time and was able to catch him again pretty quickly. Then I nearly had a big, big crash. I could see Jimmys helmet in the dust when my bike died again as I hit the whoops on the motocross track. I hit them so hard I buckled me front wheel. The wheel was rubbing against both fork guards it was so badly buckled. It was pretty scary too racing across the fast sections of the track. The bike was really hard to control after that. I was having really bad tank slappers all the time as well as the bike dieing and cutting out. I knew that I couldnt stay ahead of Jimmy, I wasnt even sure that Id finish the race even. Thankfully I did but like I said Im pretty disappointed because I should have extended my points lead, not finished fourth. Results XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 6, John Penton GNCC 1. Charles Mullins (Yamaha) 3:09.11 2. Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 3:09.36 3. Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 3:11.12 4. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 3:11.49 5. Josh Strang (Suzuki) 3:12.51 6. Paul Whibley (Honda) 3:13.38 7. Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 3:14.22 8. Robbie Jenks (KTM) 3:14.24 9. Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3:14.41 10. Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 3:15.37 DK wins again and moves to the top of US GNCC championship Reigning Enduro 3 world champion David Knight claimed his second US GNCC victory in as many races by winning the fifth round of the Racer Productions organised championship at Loretta Lynns in Tennessee. After winning the fourth round of the series to claim his first ever GNCC victory on US soil Knighter returned to the top of the podium at round five after hitting the front on lap three before going on to dominate the race. In claiming his second victory in five races Knighter now holds a slender advantage at the top of the US GNCC points standings. Getting a less than perfect start when his bike failed to fire into life as the starters flag dropped, just as it did at round four of the championship, Knighter quickly worked his way forward and ended the first lap in an impressive fifth position. Up to third by the end of lap two DK then opted not to wait until the final lap to attack and move to the front as he had at the previous round of the championship deciding instead to push hard and take the lead, which he did on lap three. As some of his championship rivals slipped backwards down the XC1 Pro class results David extended his lead lap on lap to end the race one and a half minutes ahead of Charlie Mullins in second to claim a well deserved victory. Due to having won the last two rounds of the 07 US GNCC series David now leads the series standings by two points from Garrett Edminsten. The next round of the championship takes place on May 13 when the series travels to Ohio for the John Penton GNCC. David Knight: I dont know whats going on with my starts but my bike just wouldnt go. I honestly thought that I was going to have to try and bump start it. Thankfully it did eventually fire up but I must have been about 20 seconds behind. The other riders were gone. It took a while to get passed riders, mainly because the track was pretty fast and even the lappers were going pretty quick. The dust was bad too, which made things difficult in places. I caught Wattsy and Glenn Kearney on lap two, I think it was, and worked my way passed them. Wattsy stayed with me then until the two lap board. I knew that I was starting to pull away so I took it steady on the last lap. I got caught up with two lapped riders, and even got knocked off on the first lap trying to get passed one rider, so I didnt want to do anything silly on the last lap. Considering how bad my start was Im really happy with the way the race went. To be leading the championship is great too. Results XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 5, Loretta Lynns GNCC 1. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 3:01.51 2 Charlie Mullins (Yamaha) 3:03.20 3 Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 3:03.24 4 Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 3:04.44 5 Shane Watts (Yamaha) 3:05.56 6 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3:07.09 7. Josh Strang (Suzuki) 3:10.06 8. Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 3:10.19 9. Paul Whibley (Honda) 3:10.25 10. Robbie Jenks (KTM) 3:13.57 Racer Productions US Grand National Cross Country Race Series Round 4 Big Buck GNCC, Union, South Carolina, 15.4.2007 Knighter wins US GNCC in South Carolina Finally the wait is over. Four rounds into the 07 US Grand National Cross Country Series and Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight has claimed his first win of the season by topping the podium at the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina. Despite getting the worst possible start when his factory KTM failed to instantly fire into life when the starters flag dropped, Knight then crashed in the first turn when he hit a fallen rider. Quickly on his way Knight all but reached the front of the XC1 Pro class in less than one lap before waiting until the last lap of the race to edge ahead and claim a solid win over Yamaha team mates Charlie Mullins and Barry Hawk. In winning the race Knighter closes to within just seven points of current GNCC series leader Garrett Edmisten. Determined to end his run of disappointing results, and with the hand injury that hampered his performances during the opening races of the series now 100 per cent healed, round four of the US GNCC series started in the worst possible way for David as he started the race dead last after failing to get the jump off the line before then getting caught up in a first corner incident. Quickly on his way Knighter charged through the opening miles of the race getting himself up to second position before the end of the opening lap. Remaining in second behind Charlie Mullins for one more lap Knight then hit the front. Continuing to lead the race through his two pit stops Knight opted not to try and pull away from his XC1 class rivals straight away and instead took his time waiting until the last lap of the race to up his pace and separate himself from Mullins. Saving his fastest lap of the race until the last lap of the race Knighter opened up an eventual one-minute 15 second advantage to claim his first ever US GNCC win and in doing so moves to third in the series standings. David Knight: Im so pleased to have won, but its about bloody time I did. I was starting to wander what it was I had to do to turn things around after the first three rounds but its great to have finally won a race. I didnt make things easy for myself at the start. I had a funny feeling my bike wasnt going to start as well as it did at the last race, and I was right. I must have kicked it seven times and then I managed to hit a bike in the first turn. I think I got all of my bad luck out of the way early though because after that things went well. I had one or two close moments passing a few riders but I felt good. It was hard work in places riding a four-stroke because of the mud but I had some good lines and things went well. The track was pretty rough but I got into a good pace and knew that I had something for Charlie and Barry on the last lap. There was no point going too fast too soon so I just did enough to keep ahead of them from lap three and then pinned it on the lap seven. Winning means Ive closed the gap at the top of the championship so now I need to just keep doing what I did this weekend. Results David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 3.04:31 Charlie Mullins (Yamaha) 3.05:45 Barry hawk (Yamaha) 3.07:12 Paul Whibley (Honda) 3.08:18 Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 3.09:21 Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 3.10:32 Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 3.10:43 Shane Watts (Yamaha) 3.11:32 Josh Strang (Suzuki) 3.15:05 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3.15:51 Racer Productions US GNCC Race Series Round 3 - Steele Creek GNCC, Morganton, North Carolina, 25.3.2007 Knighters troubled season continues Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight finished in fifth position at the third round of the US GNCC series, the Steele Creek GNCC, having taken an early lead in the race before running into problems when his fuel tank vent hose became blocked. Competing on a 450cc four-stroke for the first time this season after racing a 250cc two-stroke at rounds one and two, Knight went from leading the race to second behind Shane Watts before returning to the lead only to then drop outside of the top 10 as the blocked fuel tank breather hose caused his bike to stop. Eventually realising what the problem was and fixing it Knights bike then ran out of fuel due to the earlier problem, which cost him a further four to five minutes. Following a late race charge Knight eventually claimed a hard fought fifth place finish. The first rider to exit turn one Knights decision to revert back to familiar machinery seemed to have been a good one as he took an important early lead. Not feeling 100 per cent during the opening lap he then opted to follow round one winner Shane Watts while he settled into his rhythm. Feeling ready to make a break David passed the Australian and set about opening up a lead at the head of the Pro class but soon after hitting the front for the second time his bike started running poorly. Continuing with a sick running machine for a further 10 minutes Davids bike eventually stopped in a water crossing close to the pits. Eventually removing a troublesome fuel tank breather hose Davids bike instantly began to run perfectly, but David was left outside the top 10. Planning to complete three laps before stopping for fuel Davids bike stopped just meters passed the place where it had stopped on lap two, this time due to being out of fuel. With the blocked breather hose having caused the bike to use much more fuel then planned Knight eventually got to the pits, re-fuelled and set about chasing down the leaders. With a huge amount of ground to catch up Knight managed to work his way from 13th to fifth having caught up several minutes on the leaders during the last two laps of the race. Although disappointed with his result Knight was pleased with his speed, his decision to revert to a four-stroke and with his previously injured hand, which gave him no troubles during the race. David is now up to eighth in the XC1 Pro class championship standings. Davids next event will be round four of the US GNCC series, The Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina, April 15. David Knight: Considering everything that happened Im pretty pleased with the way things went. I dont know what Ive done to keep having bad luck, I just hope Im over it now. Getting back on a four-stroke was great, I was able to ride feet up most of the time and felt really comfortable on the bike. I didnt feel too settled from the start so I decided to follow Wattsy while I loosened up a bit. Right when I wanted to make a break my bike started running rich, which we later figured out was a blocked fuel breather pipe. I lost a load of time with my bike running badly and then when it stopped twice. When it stopped the second time I knew that any chance I had of a podium finish was pretty much over. I rode the last few laps like they were a special test and my speed was really good, which Im pleased with. I crashed with Charlie Mullins near the end of the race, which left me with a sore ankle, but it was a racing accident. Despite the problem with the breather I was really pleased with my bike, the way I rode, and with my hand that didnt give me any problems. Results XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 3, The Steele Creek GNCC Barry Hawk (Yamaha) 2:41.32 Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 2:41.37 Shane Watts (KTM) 2:42.01 Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 2:43.53 David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2:44.38 Josh Strang (Suzuki) 2:45.21 Paul Whibley (Honda) 2:46.02 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 2:46.24 Robbie Jenks (KTM) 2:47.50 Charlie Mullins (Yamaha) 2:47.57
The General GNCC, Washington, Georgia 11.03.2007 Disappointment for Knighter at US GNCC Rnd 2 Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight finished the second round of the US GNCC series, the General GNCC staged in Washington, Georgia, in a disappointed 20th place in the XC1 Pro class due to being unable to compete anywhere near his best as a result of the hand injury he carried into round one of the championship. Starting well Knight was running second during much of the opening lap behind Australian Glenn Kearney but as the discomfort from his injured hand increased he dropped backwards, unable to hold on and control his KTM XC250 around the dry and demanding Georgia track. In finishing in 20th position, having finished as runner-up at round one, Knight now sits in 11th place in the XC1 Pro class, 17 points behind currant series leader Garrett Edminsten. Having been unsure how his injury would hold up at the opening round of the series before going on to finish second behind Shane Watts, Knight was confident at round two that despite extensive blistering to his injured left hand he would be able to again finish on the podium and in doing so move into the lead of the series points standings. And during the opening lap of the race thats exactly what he looked like doing. Running close behind Kearney off the start David then dropped one position from second to third, having been passed by Jimmy Jarrett, to finish lap one in third. But then Knights troubles began. On lap two, with his left hand starting to give him problems, he dropped from third to 10th and during lap three from 10th to 16th. Unsure if he should continue or pull out of the race he decided to try and salvage some points and simply rode around the course at a much reduced pace to the one he started it. Eventually finishing in 20th position and one lap down on the leaders after stopping repeatedly, David scored one point. Davids next event will be round three of the US GNCC series, The Steele Creek GNCC at Morganton, North Carolina, March 25. David Knight: After finishing the first round of the championship I thought my hand was going to be ok here at round two. The track here wasnt as whooped out or as rough as in Florida but I just couldnt hold on over the square edged bumps. Its so frustrating because I got a much better start than I did at round one and was second behind Glenn Kearney for much of the first lap. Then I started having problems holding on. I made a few mistakes and some riders came passed me and I couldnt get going because my hand hurt so much every time I hit a bump. I knew that I wasnt going to be able to run with the fastest riders so I just tried to keep riding to try and get some points. I had to keep stopping out on the track because of my hand. The other thing thats so annoying is that even with my hand problem I was riding at the same speed as Glenn Kearney at the end of the race and he finished fifth. Im going to be heading home for eight days now before the next race so I will be able to see my physio and hopefully get things fixed before round three. Results XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 2, The General GNCC Paul Whibley (Honda) 2:55.02 Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 2:56.32 Robbie Jenks (KTM) 2:56.48 Charles Mullins (Yamaha) 2:56.48 Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 2:59.59 Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 3:00.15 Shane Watts (KTM) 3:00.51 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3:03.37 20. David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team)
The Triton GNCC, Vero Beach, Florida, 6.03.2007 Knighter finishes second at US GNCC Rnd 1 Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team rider David Knight got his 07 US GNCC campaign off to a flying start by claiming a well deserved runner-up spot at the opening round of the series held in Vero Beach, Florida despite going into the event less than 100 per cent fit. Unsure how he would perform due to having only spent a few days on his race bike in the weeks leading up to the event as a result of injuring his left hand while practicing at home on the Isle of Man, Knight rode a steady and calculated race to claim the runner-up spot behind former GNCC champion Shane Watts. The 33rd rider to take his place on the start Knighter was forced to line-up right on the inside of the XC1 class, facing a tight right hand first turn, with all of his championship rivals to his left. Getting his bike fired into life quickly as the starters flag dropped Knighter was unable to carry his speed around the corner due to the congestion in turn one. Despite getting boxed in at the first turn David arrived at turn two just inside the top 10. Moving his way forwards Knight quickly moved inside the top five, working his way up the leader board with each passing lap. Passing several riders on the first lap and second laps in one of the few muddy sections of the track, after the first round of pit stops David started battling against Charlie Mullins and Garrett Edmisten. With Mullins dropping back into fourth Edmisten moved ahead of Knight during part of the second hour of the race before David upped his pace, passed the Florida rider, and opened up a small advantage. Knowing that only one rider Shane Watts, was ahead of him Knight gave the last lap of the race his all despite two huge blisters on his left hand. Crashing mid-way around the lap he then decided to settle his pace and crossed the finish line just under two minutes behind Watts to claim the second place position and make a great start to his 07 US GNCC campaign. Davids next event will be round two of the US GNCC series, The General GNCC at Washington Georgia, March 11.
Getting 33rd pick of the start didnt help me but I made an ok start considering I was right up the inside and just tried not to make any mistakes during the opening laps. The dust made it hard to catch and even follow some of the other faster guys, but I worked my way passed several riders and felt good at the end of the first lap. Ive not done much riding during the two weeks before the race so I didnt feel as fresh on my bike as I should. My hand wasnt too bad thankfully, but it did start to give me some trouble towards the end of the race as I started to get really bad blisters. My lack of bike fitness was more of a problem. Im still not 100 per cent settled and comfortable on a two-stroke yet after riding a four-stroke for so many years but I know that the more I race the better I will feel. All things considered Im more than pleased with finishing second. It was a hard race but a great result to start the championship with. Results XC 1 class US GNCC Series Rnd 1, The Triton GNCC Shane Watts (KTM) 2:52.28 David Knight (Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team) 2:54.22 Garrett Edmisten (Kawasaki) 2:55.01 Charles Mullins (Yamaha) 2:55.14 Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 2:58.24 Simo Kirssi (Kawasaki) 2:59.58 Barry Hawk (KTM) 3:00.46 Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) 3:00.54 David Knight's Profile Born :31st May 1978 Isle of Man 2008 2007 2006
2005
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996
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David Knight
Results Service Red Bull KTM Off Road Race Team WOR Events The Tough One -
Nantmawr Quarry, Oswestry, North Wales, 26.1.2008
David
Knight: Its great to head into the summer break having won this race. I
was really looking forward to the Snow Show because Id heard that parts of
the track would be really rocky, and I knew that would suit me. The race went
perfectly for me, apart from thinking that Id gone the wrong way on the
opening lap. I got into the lead pretty quickly and pushed hard to open up a
gap, which I managed to do. A lot of the track was really fast but it was on the
difficult sections where I made up my time. It was so important not to stop or
get stuck.
Knighter
wins GNCC Rnd 7
Racer
Productions US Grand National Cross Country Series Round 2
Racer
Productions US Grand National Cross Country Series Round 1
David
Knight: Im over the moon to have finished in second, its the same
result Juha got in 05. I just want to get through the second race now
with a similar result and then get my hand fully healed up and get bike
fit and ready for the rest of the championship. The first few laps were
hard because of the dust and not knowing exactly where all the tree roots
were, but things went really well.