Ballance Racing / Yamaha's Walker Fowler Wins Ironman GNCC
Ironman GNCC - Round 12 - Crawfordsville, IN - October 20, 2012

Oakland, KY (10/25/2012) -The Ironman GNCC has always been known as one of the most thrilling and most challenging races on the GNCC tour. For 2012 it would again prove to not let the 10,000 plus fans down. Heavy rains saturated the area all week leading up to the event, so fans got an added bonus for the weekend festivities...Mud!

Walker Fowler took his first GNCC XC1 Pro ATV career Win at the Ironman GNCC

The team inspected the 11.5 mile course Friday evening and picked out the best lines possible in the difficult Pro Only Sections as well as a strategy on how to attack the mile long mud corn field section.

Ballance Racing/Yamaha's #5 Walker Fowler was feeling good about the day after just missing the win at round 11 by one second. "After being that close you get a bad taste in your mouth. I was so close and just made dumb mistakes and its been killing me for two weeks to have another shot at it.

With the muddy conditions I knew a good start would be a big advantage for the afternoon." Fowler entered the woods 5th and started making up ground. By the 3 mile mark he had worked up to a top 3 position. Fowler had a good strategy the opening lap. "While leading will save your goggles and vision, you also are the first person to try and make it through the worst spots on the track. I was okay with top 3 because you can watch those ahead of you and get an idea on what you want to do." A few times the opening lap, Fowler actually led but then would choose a slower line or would wait for another rider to try out a mud bog. At the half way point Fowler finally made a series of what seemed to be costly errors. "I was just getting to far ahead of my brain and missed the good line up ironman hill so I turned around and that put me to 3rd.

Then coming back the other side of the hill I hit a tree and dropped to 6th. I just stayed calm and thought if this is where I'm supposed to finish then so be it." Fowler didn't give up though and continued to charge. At the wave of the white flag he found himself in the lead and didn't even know it! "When I came through the pits my crew didn't even see me go by.

I had passed 3 riders so I figured I was 3rd. When I came through the time/score clock said I was first. Later I found out Borich and McClure had gotten stuck. At that point I just knew I had to keep moving and just play the whole lap safe." Fowler was able to secure his first career XC1 Pro win! "It feels unbelievable to say the least. The whole Ballance Racing/Yamaha team has put so much time and effort into my program and it feels awesome to finally give them what they deserve, a win!"

Ballance Racing/Yamaha' s #3 Taylor Kiser was looking to rebound from his round 11 experience and get himself on the podium this weekend. "I've been dissatisfied with myself and my performances lately. The machine has been top notch but I have personally lacked something. I've spend the last 2 weeks really preparing myself mentally as well as physically."

Kiser started the day with a mid pack start. The veteran from Florida wasn't worried though, and started working his plan of attack. "On these nasty muddy days its not always bad to have a few guys in front of you. You get to watch their lines and either follow if they make it or pass them if they get stuck. The first half of the race I just stayed smart and smooth and capitalize on others' mistakes." Kiser stuck with his plan and on the final lap of the race found himself in podium position as well as a shot at a win himself. " I was sitting 2nd the last lap with Borich right behind me. We set an awesome pace and nearing the end of the lap had my teammate Walker in sight. We saw him nearly get stuck on a small steep hill but I knew it was a must try situation. I clipped a stuck rider right at the top and was done for as was Borich. 2 riders got around us there and then Borich was able to get going before me. It’s upsetting to know how close I was and then finishing where I did. It was still good though, and I know I still have what it takes and I'm leaving it all on the track at Loretta's" Kiser ended the day a respectable 5th.

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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