JG Off Road Racing/GEICO Powersports Team Has Highs and Lows at General GNCC

Crouch Finishes 2nd in Women's, Watkins 6th in XC2, Jarrett DNF's After Injury

Washington, GA (March 7, 2010)—The JG Off Road Racing/GEICO Powersports Team saw mixed results at the second round of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, the Maxxis General GNCC, with Jimmy Jarrett having to pull out of the race halfway through the first lap after a first turn tumble left him with a separated shoulder while  XC2 Pro Lites rider Scott Watkins finished 6th and Ashley Crouch in the Women’s Class finished 2nd.

Jarrett and Yamaha’s Charlie Mullins and Barry Hawk went down in the first turn after the start, and it took Jarrett a few moments before he was up again. Although medics wanted Jarrett to pull out of the race after the crash, Jarrett waved them away and hopped on his bike to salvage the time he had lost. But midway through the first lap, Jarrett pulled back into the pits.

“That crash was a bit scary,” said Team Manager JT Bennett. “At first we weren’t sure if he was ok, and then he got back on his bike. After he came in on the first lap we talked about it a bit, but he was in some pain. He had it checked out and it’s pretty bruised but we plan to have him back in two weeks.”

XC2 Pro Lites rider Scotty Watkins had a strong start to the race, and moved up from 7th place to 5th before settling into 6th for the finish. 

“I felt good all day,” Watkins said. “I made a few changes after Florida but I would like to be up front. Sixth place isn’t what my team is working for, but I’m in one piece and healthy which is good.”

“We gave Scotty all of our support out there and he was able to bring it home with a 6th place finish,” Bennett said. “He had a good ride but he wants to be up in front. He’ll be working hard these next two weeks.”

In the 10 a.m. race, Ashley Crouch has an incredible run, leading the first two laps ahead of Defending Champion Mandi Mastin and KTM’s new female rider Mandi Mastin, and finishing second.

“I had a really great start,” Crouch said. “I led the first two laps and when I pitted, Mandi caught up to me. I was pushing hard and crashed into a tree and Mandi got ahead. I just pushed hard and I’m happy with my finish.”

“Ashley had a really nice day and we’re really proud of her,” Bennett said. “She brought home second place against some of the top female riders in the country. It’s more than what we could ask for.”

Scotty would like to thank his sponsors, GEICO, JG Off Road, Moose, Shoei, Smith Optics,  Pirelli tires, PG Graphics, G2, Enduro Engineering, BRP and Sidi Boots.

Jarrett and Watkins would like to thank their sponsors GEICO, JG Off Road, Pirelli, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, Ride PG, Moose, Pro Moto Billet, CV4, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Smith G2, IMS, FMF, Sidi, Renthal and No-Toil.

Jarrett would also like to thank individual sponsors Arai, Cytosport and OGIO.

Watkins would also like to thank Shoei.

Crouch would like to thank sponsors JG OFF Road, GEICO, Silkolene, Fasstway, Rekluse, Spruill Honda Kawasaki, Scott Goggles, Vee Rubber, House Forcepower, PMP Sprockets, Tucker Rocky, One Industries and OGIO.

The JG Off Road/GEICO Powersports team travels next to the FMF Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton, North Carolina on March 21.

The Maxxis General GNCC will be televised on Versus on May 30th at 5:00 p.m.

About JG Off Road

JG Off-Road Racing is owned by JT and Gretchen Bennett. JT started out as a privateer rider, working hard to build his racing career and is a former multi-time AWRCS Champion, GNCC Amateur Class Champion and ISDE competitor. After 17 years of racing, the Bennett’s decided to start their own team as a chance to stay involved in racing and give back to the sport.  JG Off Road started in 2009 and strives to provide strong results in all aspects of racing. Bennett has built a solid partnership with GEICO Powersports to give the team a winning outlook and a hard to beat attitude.