“I managed to get into the front of my row
after a few turns and I charged hard to catch
the rows in front of me. If you can catch up to
the guys from the row ahead, it means you’re in
front of them because you have made up the 30
seconds. So I managed to make it up to the row
three bunch and was at the back end of row two,
putting me second in the XC2 class after lap one.
“I just kept a good pace going and the track
was getting very tough and technical and I was
enjoying it. The third-placed rider was right
behind me and we battled for a while. Then I had
to do a wheel swap and he got away on me.
“The reason for the wheel swap is that we run
special gummy tires for the rocks at this race,
but they don’t like the road sections and they get
worn out very quick, so I changed wheels and got
a new one on and the guy in second place didn’t.
He just ran with what he had until the end.
“But I was absolutely stoked to just keep a good
pace going and finish in third and get my first
podium.
“This must have given me some confidence
going into the last GNCC race before summer
break (at Dunkard, a township in Greene County,
Pennsylvania, on July 7). Here I managed another
third overall for the day. I was stoked to head
into the summer break with two podiums to my
credit and to still be without injury.”
Draper was recently offered the chance to ride a
factory KTM 300TPI in the American hard enduro
series after another rider became injured.
“I jumped right at this opportunity. I picked up
the 300 they sent out from California, jumped on
it and was blown away with awesome it is and
how it climbs up hills and finds amazing traction.
“So I have three hard enduros to do. At the
latest one I ended up second behind Wade
Young, the rider who won Romaniacs last year. It
was a long five hours, but I’m having a lot of fun
riding this bike.
“All is going well and I’ll be training my ass off in
this summer break.”
After the summer break, the GNCC series
resumes with the 10th round of 13, the Black Sky
GNCC at Hapursville, New York, on September 15.
Draper is supported by Kendatire, KTM USA,
Ridemps, Seat Concepts, IMS Products, Twin Air,
Spectro Oils, Cometic Gasket, G2 Ergonomics,
VP Racing fuels, ODI Grips, Senge Graphics, XC
Ggear17, Tely Energy Racing, Evans Powersport,
Official Moose Racing, Motionpro, Bell
Powersports, Oakley, Eline Accessories, Mojo
Motosport, TM Designworks, Forma Boots USA,
Live It Extreme, JPD Suspension, Wickflow, Kiwi
Rider magazine, BikesportNZ.com, Pod Active
and Axle Surgeons.
All is going well and I’ll
be training my ass off in
this summer break
110 KIWI RIDER