Local Racers To Compete In National Off-Road Race

NEW BERLIN, NY—Newtown residents Harrison Schreiner and Robert Kokoski will compete with the best dirt bike racers in the world on Sunday, September 13.

The 15-year-old racers will compete at the Unadilla GNCC, round eleven of the 13-stop Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The race takes place at the Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, NY. As the only stop the tour makes in New York, the event marks local racers’ best chance to gain national attention.         

More than 1,500 racers are expected to compete during the weekend, as the event includes four-wheeled ATV racing on Saturday and dirt bike racing on Sunday. Participants range from riders as young as six up to those in the 50-plus division.

Schreiner and Kokski will compete in the 200 C Schoolboy class. Both of the boys ride and race KTM 125SX motorcycles. Their race team receives sponsorship support from New Milford Cycles, Spectro Oils, Echo Bay Marina, and Pilson Communications Inc.

The top of the GNCC pro class features some of the world’s best riders. The series’ champion is David Knight from the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom. The race will draw talent from all over the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. But the tough terrain in New York makes for a great equalizer. The course features a lap of the famous Unadilla motocross tracks, as well as deep woods trails consisting of mud, rocks and hills. Spectators can watch the action from a variety of points, while racers will be pushed to the limit by the varied conditions.

The Newtown racers are both in their sophomore year at Newtown High School. Locally, they compete in the NETRA Harescramble Series (races take place throughout New England and New York). The boys also race BMX and receive personal fitness training from Mark Fletter at the Newtown Youth Academy.