The AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series has announced it will continue to celebrate its continued alliance with the Japan National Cross Country (JNCC) Series, Japan's all-motorcycle cross-country championship, during the 2013 season.
GNCC XC1 Pro rider Chris Bach will represent GNCC next month, along with 2010 GNCC Champion Josh Strang, at the final round of the JNCC series. The AAGP finale will take place on November 3 at the Jigatake Ski Resort located in Omachi City, Nagano, Japan.
Strang will make his third trip to the JNCC finale with the support of his Rocky Mountain ATV/MC racing team, aboard an RG3 Japan KX-250F.
"I'm excited to head to Japan again this year," Strang stated. "It will be a quick trip but hopefully a fun one to finish off the year.
"The Japanese are always really helpful and fun to hang out with and I'm looking forward to catching up with friends from when I lived in Australia."
Bach, currently third overall in the GNCC standings, will compete in the AAGP aboard a KTM 450-SXF provided by KTM Japan through the friendly alliance with the JNCC Series. In addition to the support provided by KTM Japan, Bach will represent current sponsors RidePG, FMF, Maxxis and Nytro. Bach will be accompanied by his current mechanic Dale Cooke and GNCC Media Manager Jen Kenyon.
"I am really pumped for the opportunity to represent GNCC in Japan this year," said Bach. "It's definitely going to be a different experience and I'm excited to be a part of it."
Bach follows GNCC Racers such as Paul Whibley (2006), Charlie Mullins and Rodney Smith (2007), Nate Kanney and Thad DuVall (2008), Josh Strang and Kailub Russell (2009), Cory Buttrick (2010), Jesse Robinson and Jason Thomas (2011).
It is a tradition for JNCC President Masami Hoshino to invite GNCC riders to the season finale in exchange for Japanese riders that will compete in the opening round of the GNCC series. In March, Hoshino has sent several Japanese riders and crewmembers to the opening round of the GNCC Series at the Westgate River Ranch Resort in Florida over the past few years.
Top Image: Australia's Josh Strang will head over to Japan to race after the final GNCC race of the season
Credit: Ken Hill
