This event has the reputation as the toughest, most spectacular and most unique on the GNCC circuit.

Coming into this weekend’s race, WFR/GBC/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Walker Fowler is aiming to earn his sixth win of the season. Last season Fowler pulled off a podium finish on the mountain, but will be looking to redeem himself this year and conquer the mountain by landing in the center of the podium.

After finishing second at the previous round, Yamaha/AmPro/Action Offroad/GBC’s Cole Richardson will be hoping to earn his first win of the season. Richardson earned his first-ever win last season, and has yet to clinch that number one spot thus far in the 2019 season. However, as the series heads into its eighth round Richardson is eager to have another taste of victory.

LanMills XC/CST Tires/Houser/Yamaha’s Brycen Neal rounded at the podium in New York after running at the front of the pack for majority of the race. Neal has already earned one overall win this season, but is eager to race for his second overall win this weekend in West Virginia. Neal has been close to winning multiple events this year, and this weekend he is hoping to put together another great two-hour race and take a victory on the mountain.

Walker Fowler just earned his 50th career win and is looking to keep that momentum rolling into this Saturday’s race.

Last year at Snowshoe, Maxxis/Fly Racing/Ye Olde Cycle Barn’s Chris Borich took the overall victory, and after earning the win at round 4 this season, he is hungry for his second overall win of the season and another one here at Snowshoe. Borich is looking ahead to make it to his 80th overall win this season, and he is well on his way as he has 75 as of now.

JMR/Maxxis/Elka/Moose Racing’s Jarrod McClure has been having a somewhat rollercoaster year thus far. McClure earned second on the mountain just one year ago, and this year he is hoping to do one better by earning the overall win. This would be McClure’s first overall win of the season, and help him improve his place in the points standings.

Coming through sixth at the previous round was Maxxis/Ithaca Recreation Sports/Fly Racing’s Hunter Hart. As the season continues on the XC1, Pro rookie Hart has been a consistent competitor.

Hart will be one to keep an eye on this weekend as anything is possible in racing, especially in the West Virginia mountains.

Looking to conquer the mountain this weekend will be West Virginia’s own, OBOR/Moose Racing/Parts Unlimited/McGill Mafia’s Adam McGill. Last season McGill was only able to complete four out of six laps at Snowshoe, but this year he is determined to take back the number one spot.

Pierce Performance/Moose Racing/Spider Graphix’s Cody Collier came through ninth overall at the previous round, and this weekend Collier will be aiming to once again finish inside the top 10 overall.

BNR Motorsports/GBC Motorsports/HMF Racing’s Josh Merritt will be looking improve his standings, and land inside the top 10. Spider Graphix/GBC Motorsports/Moose Racing/Custom Axis’ Martin Christofferson has not been having the season he had hoped for, but this weekend he is aiming to turn it around and battle towards the front of the pack.

In the XC2 Pro-Am class, Pierce Performance/Maxxis/Waynesburg Yamaha’s John Glauda Jr. continues to lead the way as the series heads into its eighth round in West Virginia. Glauda Jr. has earned the XC2 class win at each event thus far in the season, and he is looking to keep that momentum rolling this weekend.

One rider looking to stop his success is LanMills XC/CST Tires/Moose Racing’s Drew Landers. After seven rounds, Landers holds onto second in the class after finishing on the podium at all but one event. Landers is more determined now than ever to battle for a class win and earn valuable points towards the XC2 Pro-Am Naitonal Championship.

Coming through third last round was Yamaha-backed rider, Jordon Poplaski. Currently sitting third in the points standings, Poplaski is aiming to overtake that number one spot from Glauda Jr. as well. Poplaski has been a consistent competitor throughout the season, and will be one to keep an eye on this weekend.

The AMSOIL Snowshoe GNCC is full of special events each year.

The ISDE US Trophy Team Golf Tournament Fundraiser was slated to take place this morning at Raven Golf Course at the bottom of the mountain. Then at 6 p.m. today, Specialized and Gear Bicycle Sales are offering a free seminar, located at the Specialized display in the Sponsor Village. Specialized mechanics and eMTB Pro racer, Charlie Mullins, will be on hand to go over some basic do’s and don’ts of e-bike maintenance, basic overview of how an e-bike works, best way to clean your bike, and more. Friday night live entertainment will be provided by The Stickers at 8:45 p.m. in the Village.

As Saturday rolls around, the Snowshoe GNCC will also hold round 5 of the Specialized Turbo eMTB GNCC National Championship starting at 5 p.m. followed by the GNCC Graduation Ceremony at 6 p.m.

Then on Saturday at 8:45 p.m., the Davisson Brothers Band take the stage in Snowshoe Village to really get the crowd rocking.

Throughout the weekend. Yamaha will be providing demo riders at the bottom of Ballhooter near the boat house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and eBike demos will take place throughout the weekend with Specialized, Fantic and BULLS.

Local racers expected to compete this Saturday on ATVs will be Levi Myers (College B 16-21), J.D. Brown (Junior A 22+), Kenny Hawkins (Masters 50+), Jared Little (Sportsman A/B), Bobby McCauley (40+ C), Richie McCauley (40+ C), Adam McGill (XC1 Pro), Franklin Moats (19+ C), Anthony Dean (40+ C), Chase Fittro (College A 16-21), Marcus Hefner (16-18 C), Tanner Talbott (College B 16-21), Cody Holcomb (Vet B 30+), Darius Dillard (24+ C), Zachary Phillips (Junior A 22+), Darren Radford (40+ C), Brent Sturdivant (XC1 Pro), Brody Livengood (XC2 Pro-Am), Branden Owens (College A 16-21), Chandler Burner (Junior A 22+), Kenneth Kelly (Vet A 30+) and Jeff Harvey (Senior B 40+). Saturday evening eMTB Local Racers: David Galiano (Amateur), Nate Annon (XC1 Pro), Colin Dierman (Masters 50+), Christopher Eddy (Youth) and Canon Kuneff (Youth).

Snowshoe GNCC has a traditional “Blackwater 100” start on the blacktop on Snowshoe Drive.

Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday.

Youth ATV racing begins at 8 a.m., followed by the amateurs, 4×4 pro and women at 11 a.m., and the pros and top amateurs’ race at 2 p.m. The last race of the day will be round 5 of the Specialized Turbo eMTB series, which takes off at 5 p.m.

For more information on the GNCC series, visit the official website at www.gnccracing.com or call (304) 284-0084. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #GNCC.