Posted: Monday, 10th October, 2005 : 5:44 PM - - 3,551 Reads

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	Juha Salminen. Photo: Gundy

"This one ranks right up there with the first title I won in Europe," said Salminen at the Power Line Park GNCC. "This is my job, and KTM wants me to win it for them. But it feels very good to come here and see new things and a new challenge every week." The new challenge this week came from a pair of Ohio riders who were determined to win in their home state. First came a battle from St. Clairsville's own Chuck Woodford, who grabbed the holeshot but then let Salminen by to follow him.

"The guy has raced all over the world, and I thought I could learn something from him," said Woodford. "I wanted to be the dog and not the rabbit at that point. I was right there until I crashed with two laps to go. It was hard to get back into my rhythm after that."

As Woodford faltered, 19-year-old rookie sensation Charlie Mullins was at it again, upping his pace and charging through the final lap to take second. "I had the lead early and then I crashed. I kind of let these guys get away a little bit, but I'm pretty happy to come back like this. I think I can win one of these."

Salminen likes the ever-revolving door of challengers in the deep GNCC talent pool. "It's fun and it's good for the sport," said Juha. "It's surprising how the guys can go good at one race and then not so good at the other. But the conditions are the same for everyone, and I feel like I can do it in any kind of conditions. I really enjoy it here, but next year, it's back to the manhunt because everyone will be after me."

Fourth went to another Ohio rider, FMF Suzuki veteran "Fast" Freddie Andrews, with Am Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk fifth. Rain all weekend made for a muddy track that slowed a lot of riders, including Rodney Smith, who finished eighth.

Smith, the 2004 Suzuki GNCC Champ, took the number-one plate off of his RM250 and presented it to Salminen. "He's a great guy and he deserves it, he's good for the series," said Smith. "I'm just trying to get back into it after a long time off with an injury. It's tough."

Of the Australian crew, Glenn Kearney maintained his third overall in the standings via 6th outright. "I had a great start and was in the top 3 for the first couple laps even leading a few miles, which was quite a surprise seeing as mud races aren't exactly my specialty! I was a little slower than the lead group in the more slippery sections and lost a few places throughout the race", said Kearney.

"I am really happy with the way my mud riding is coming along though I still have a lot of work to do. 6th is disappointing, especially with the start I had but it's all experience for next year when I plan have this mud thing figured out," he added.

Shane Watts scored another solid finish with 10th whilst Victorian Offroad Champion Jehi Willis impressed in only his second race in the series with 14th outright. Tasmanian Matt Fish had his worst ride after only completing 34 minutes of the event.

Only one race remains in the 2005 Suzuki GNCC Series, the Klotz Ironman Classic in Crawfordsville, Indiana in two weeks.

Power Line Park St. Clairsville, OH - Round 12
Place	Racer	Brand	Laps	Elapsed
1	Juha Salminen	KTM	6	02:49:22
2	Charles Mullins	YAM	6	02:49:54
3	Chuck Woodford	KAW	6	02:51:16
4	Fred Andrews	SUZ	6	02:53:40
5	Barry Hawk, Jr	YAM	6	02:54:47
6	Glenn Kearney	SUZ	6	02:54:52
7	Robbie Jenks	KTM	6	02:55:52
8	Rodney Smith	SUZ	6	02:56:06
9	Michael Lafferty	KTM	6	02:56:35
10	Shane Watts	KTM	6	02:59:06
11	Nathan Kanney	YAM	6	03:00:25
12	Justin Williamson	YAM	6	03:02:04
13	Jesse Robinson	KAW	6	03:02:20
14	Jehi Wills	SUZ	6	03:02:23
15	Joshua Mclevy	KAW	6	03:02:45
16	Steve Hatch	KAW	6	03:02:48
17	Scott Watkins	KAW	6	03:03:09
18	John Barber	GAS	6	03:03:58
19	Aaron Wegner	YAM	6	03:03:59
20	Brian Garrahan	SUZ	6	03:04:48

Points after Round 12
Place	Name	Make	Points
1	Juha Salminen	KTM	314
2	Barry Hawk, Jr	YAM	245
3	Glenn Kearney	SUZ	181
4	Charles Mullins	YAM	166
5	Robbie Jenks	KTM	154
6	Michael Lafferty	KTM	129
7	Steve Hatch	KAW	111
8	Brian Garrahan	SUZ	103
9	Shane Watts	KTM	103
10	Jason Raines	YAM	102
11	Fred Andrews	SUZ	88
12	Chuck Woodford	KAW	82
13	Justin Williamson	YAM	79
14	Nathan Kanney	YAM	78
15	Stephen Edmondson	KTM	62
16	Travis Green	KAW	61
17	Doug Blackwell	SUZ	58
18	Scott Summers	HON	54
19	P A Allen	KAW	51
20	Scott Watkins	KAW	50

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