Ballance Racing / Yamaha GNCC Round 1 & 2 ATV Race Report
GNCC XC1 Pro Rookie Walker Fowler Takes Podium at General GNCC

Ballance Racing / Yamaha's XC1 Pro Rookie Walker Fowler placed fourth at River Ranch GNCC & third at the Maxxis General GNCC in Washington, GA

Round One of the Series would return to the Westgate River Ranch GNCC held in River Ranch, FL. Over the past few years, riders know this track as being one of the most physically demanding with deep sand whoops and ruts, black soupy mud bogs, and plenty of palmetto roots. 2012 would be no different.

Returning for Ballance Racing /Yamaha in the XC1 division was the #3 class veteran, Taylor Kiser. Kiser had upped his off-season training to a new level in hopes of dethroning 3-time champ Chris Borich in 2012. On and off the ATV, Kiser was pushing himself to new limits. “In the weeks leading up to round 1 I was feeling awesome. I began cycling a bunch this winter and I’m without a doubt in the best shape of my life.” Unfortunately only 5 days before the race, Taylor would suffer a shoulder injury during a practice session. This would all but take the hopeful winner out of the race. “I was only able to do 2 laps in Florida due to a separated shoulder. I just needed to go out and race so I could get XC1 class Points. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done as a Pro to be at the track and know I really wasn’t there to race. Time to heal up I guess!” Taylor was still able to salvage a valuable 12th place.

The XC1 class would see a new face for 2012 with Walker Fowler, #5 Pro Rookie returning to the Ballance Racing / Yamaha squad. Fowler was able to spend nearly all of January and February with teammate Kiser in Alva, FL. With the added sand experience, the rookie was anxious to get the season started. “Being able to live with Taylor this winter was a huge help for me, being an Ohio rider I rarely see sand. This is my first full season out of high school and I was fortunate enough to spend it training and riding where the best go.” Fowler got off to a rough start in his rookie race, though. “ I was 9th into the woods and just started picking guys off one at a time. By the 6 mile mark I was in 2nd and just went brain dead and hit a tree hard. I bent up a bunch of steering components. Luckily I was able to finish the course and got into the pits so the team could go to work. After that, I just put my head down and rode as hard as I could and salvaged a solid 4th place finish. I was quite satisfied with that”

After a grueling sand race, Round 2 of the GNCC series would take the riders to Washington, GA for the General GNCC. The General is quite different from Florida, with slick red clay, muddy hillside spring crossings, tight twisty woods, and even a lap around the Aonia Pass MX track where Round 1 of the AMA ATV MX series is held.

With only a week of recovery time, Ballance Racing/Yamaha’s #3 Taylor Kiser was already feeling better. “ I went home after Florida and continued therapy on my shoulder and it definitely helped. No where near 100%, but good enough that I knew I could be a podium contender at round 2” Kiser would get off to a great start and remain there all race. “I was 2nd entering the woods behind teammate Walker Fowler and just settled into a solid pace. I wanted to save my shoulder as long as I could. I had a perfect race, making no major errors. I pitted early to try and give myself a late race advantage and it worked well for me. I gained the lead on lap 3 and was able to maintain pace with the lead group. On the last lap I was in 3rd and pumped to be in a podium position. Walker had some issues at the end of the race bettering my finish to 2nd place and I couldn’t be happier all things considered. Now I have 2 weeks to let my shoulder heal and I’m hungry for a win at Steele Creek!

Ballance Racing/Yamaha’s #5 Walker Fowler was looking to improve on his round one performance in Florida. The rookie got off to a stellar start, claiming the $250 Motosport.com Hole shot award. “I got a great jump off the line and grabbed the hole shot and led the first short lap. I made an error at the first mud hole and dropped back to 10th.” Fowler wouldn’t let this get him down, though, and mounted a charge for the front. “I knew I needed to get back to the front of the group before the lead pack broke away. After lap 3, there were 4 of us that broke away a little bit and I just made sure I stuck with them. I got the lead heading into the last lap and Borich got around me. I just made sure I followed his every move and held on to his grab bar.” Unfortunately, riding this close in the muddy conditions would pack Fowler’s radiator full of mud, causing the motor to begin overheating. “On the MX track the final lap it started blowing antifreeze and I knew I had limited time before the engine failed. Nearing the finish line section I went for a line to try and pass Borich and right in the middle of it the motor gave all it could give. Huge THANKS to the Team and the fans who helped push my ATV because I’m not sure I would have finished alone. I couldn’t catch my breath and had an asthma attack. I’m still very pleased with my first XC1 Pro podium finish and being where I needed to be the final lap gave me a big confidence booster heading to round 3!”

GNCC Racing will resume for the Ballance Racing/Yamaha team on March 31, 2012 in Morganton, NC at the Steele Creek GNCC. Hope to see you there!

We would like to thank our sponsors for 2012
Ballance Racing, Yamaha, Maxxis, Ohlins, FMF, Hiper Wheels, Moto Xperts, Fly racing, Lonestar Racing, Wiseco Pistons and Cams, Renegade Race Fuels, Vortex Ignitions, Rath Racing , Pro Taper, G4 Graphics, Scott Goggles, Cycra, IMS, Tire Balls, Works Connection, Yamalube, DP Brakes, Outerwears, Anti’Gravity Batteries, Fuel Customs Intakes, Gaerne Boots, and CV4

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