2012 GNCC ATV
Race Season Opener at Westgate River Ranch
Westgate River Ranch
GNCC - Round 1 - River Ranch, FL - March 11, 2012
Morgantown, WV (3/7/2012) - Maxxis/Yoshimura's
Chris Borich is not just the defending champion
heading into this weekend's season opener of the
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series at Westgate
River Ranch in River Ranch, Florida. After three
consecutive titles, Borich is paving his way into
the GNCC record books, one race-win at a time, which
means the 2012 tour could help paint an even bigger
picture for the Pennsylvania native.
Since his first championship in 2009, Borich
has won a staggering 30 out of 39 races in the
XC1 ATV Pro class, leaving little room for his
competition to shine. But domination is not new
to this field. The previous GNCC ATV King, Bill
Ballance, still holds the record with nine-straight
titles and before Ballance, Barry Hawk won seven
straight. So while Borich has a long way to go
to match history, he's ready to make some more
of his own as the 2012 season gets underway.
"I'm feeling really prepared for the opening
round after spending some time down here in Florida
getting my program dialed in," Borich said.
"I feel good and the bike feels good so the
only thing left to do is get to racing!"
He'll face stiff competition this year with a
full field of talent around him. West Virginia's
Adam McGill has completely switched around his
program for 2012, now backed by Precision/Moto
Xperts/ITP/Lone Star/RG Honda. McGill was a fierce
competitor in 2011, finishing a close second behind
Borich with consistent podium finishes and even
taking two race-wins, but it's tough to say whether
McGill has fully adjusted to his new machine against
a field of seasoned veterans returning on familiar
programs.
Pennsylvania's Chris Bithell heads the Motoworks/Can-Am
team once again this year aboard the DS450, after
finishing fourth in last year's standings. Ballance
Racing Yamaha's Taylor Kiser edged Bithell out
for the third position, and both of these riders
can be players in the championship run this season.
Ohio's Brian Wolf made a statement during his
2011 rookie season with two race-wins and a handful
of podium finishes and could serve as Borich's
biggest threat this season. Speed is not a problem
for Wolf, and he thrives in the most unfavorable
track conditions, which could be beneficial in
taking home a championship.
But big buzz surrounds Ballance Racing Yamaha's
Walker Fowler, who will make his debut to the
Premier class this weekend in Florida. The Ohio
rider took two overall wins last year on adjusted
time, while also snagging the 2011 XC2 Pro Am
Championship with an undefeated season in his
class. He also finished the season with number
five overall, making him a possible game-changer
in this year's XC1 division. The humble rookie
doesn't expect a championship just yet, but knows
he can run with the veterans.
"My main goal for this season is to just
ride smart and consistent for 13 races,"
said Fowler. "I'm not coming in expecting
to take home a championship right away. I'm hoping
for some wins and if a championship comes along,
I'm definitely not going to push it away but I'd
like to run the pace of the top guys and just
be consistent."
The XC1 and XC2 classes will race for two hours
on a demanding, whooped-out sand track at the
Westgate River Ranch. The race begins at 1 p.m.
on Sunday, March 11, kicking off the Daytona Bike
Week schedule. Classes are also available for
a full roster of amateur and youth riders.
Spectator passes are $20 for Saturday and Sunday
(ATV), and $20 for Monday and Tuesday (bike).
Children five and under are admitted free. On
both Sunday and Tuesday, youth riders race at
8 a.m., amateurs race at 10 a.m., and the top
amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.
The track is located at the Westgate River Ranch
in Lake Wales, Fla. From U.S. 27, go south to
S.R. 60 (Lake Wales Exit), make a left and head
east for approximately 25 miles. River Ranch is
on the right.
The 2012 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Series kicks off this weekend, in conjunction
with Daytona Bike Week. ATV practice will take
place on Saturday and racing on Sunday. For more
information, visit www.gnccracing.com.
About
GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series
is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded
in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced
exclusively by Racer Productions. Each event is
nationally televised on the Versus Network, and
consists of two race days: ATVs and side-by-side
machines on Saturday, and motorcycles on Sunday.
The grueling three-hour races draw as many as
1,800 riders, making it the largest off-road racing
series in the world. For more information, please
visit www.gnccracing.com.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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