CONGRATULATIONS TO ITP's 2009 GNCC CHAMPIONS!

ITP had plenty to celebrate as the 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Championship Series came to a close at the Klotz Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Numerous class titles fell to ITP riders again this year, many of whom collected a generous portion of ITP's "XC Bucks" contingency awards.

One of the most hotly contested classes of the season went right down to the wire, as FRE KTM's Josh Kirkland edged fellow ITP rider Brian Wolf by a single point in the final XC 2 Pro Am standings. This finish added to the team's title tally, as Angel Atwell had wrapped up the Women's class championship two events earlier. The third member of the team, Adam McGill, was a front-runner all year in the XC 1 Pro division and finished with a well-deserved third overall in the final points.

The Can-Am Warnert Racing squad was once again a dominant force in many of the utility ATV classes, also riding ITP tires throughout the 2009 series. Most impressive was Michael Swift, who swept the 4x4 Limited class with 13 straight victories. Clifton Beasley came close to that performance, winning all but one event on the schedule to easily claim the 4x4 Lites class championship. Bryan Buckhannon had to fight hard for the 4x4 Open class honors, and came through big-time with a win at the Ironman to finally lift his championship trophy. Richard Cecco didn't have to sweat out his U2 class title, having clinched it two rounds previously.

Privateer riders who chose ITP fared extremely well, too, including Dave Simmons and Glen Pritchard, who walked away with the Senior A and Super Senior 50+ classes, respectively. Robert Cornwell took the Junior A 22+ class, Mike Husband came out on top of the Vet A 30+ division, Luke Decesare topped the 20+ C field, Chris Barnes was first in 24+ C, and David Barton came away with the 36+ C class.

Congratulations to all for an impressive and successful 2009 campaign!

Josh Kirkland (15) had to work for it, but in the end put his FRE KTM at the top of the final XC2 Pro standings - by one point!

Kirkland's XC 2 Pro Am Championship was the FRE KTM team's second in 2009.

Michael Swift (205) dominated the 4x4 Limited class from start to finish on his Warnert Racing Can-Am.

Warnert Racing's Michael Swift filled another trophy shelf in 2009, winning all 13 4x4 Limited events.

Clifton Beasley (208) had a lot of fun while on his way to capturing all but one 4x4 Lites class victory with this ITP-mounted Warnert Racing Can-Am.

The U2 class fell to Can-Am Warnert Racing's Richard Cecco (399), shown here running ITP Holeshot tires.

Bryan Buckhannon (203) flew to the 4x4 Open class title on his ITP-shod Warnert Racing Can-Am.

Dave Simmons (61) dominated the Senior A 40+ class on ITP in 2009, but not without a fight from Glenn McConnell (816).

Photos by Harlen Foley/ATVRiders.com and
Amy McConnell/XcountryPhotos