2007 GNCC
Racing Series
Chris Borich Brings 4-Race Win Streak to Kentucky
This Weekend
Bill Ballance looking to stop his rival's momentum
Morganton, NC (6/8/2007) -
By winning four-races in a row, East Coast ATV's Chris
Borich has already accomplished something no one ever
has during Bill Ballance's seven-year title reign. But
the Sunbury, PA native is still not satisfied, because
he knows the ultimate prize awaits at the end of the
season with the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Title. His quest continues this weekend at the Weekend
Warrior Spartan GNCC in Sparta Kentucky.
Ballance will be there to stop him, of course, the
Yamaha rider claiming quite plainly after a third-place
finish at the previous GNCC in Ohio "it's time
to start winning races." This is the strongest
challenge Ballance has faced during his title reign,
and it comes at an important time, since he is pursuing
a record-breaking eighth straight GNCC title.
The Spartan race always poses a challenge for the racers,
as weather patterns have seen the race run under dusty
or muddy conditions at times. This year's weather looks
nearly ideal, however, which will leave the riders against
themselves and the tight, twisting trails through the
Kentucky woods.
There's plenty of other competition, including Houser/GT
Thunder/HMF's Chris Jenks, who broke through to finish
second at the previous race, while Ballance struggled
down the stretch with clutch problems. "It helps
if I get a good start," says Jenks. "Before
I was just pushing too hard and crashing trying to catch
up. Hopefully those days are over."
Chris Bithell is the 19-year-old young gun of the series,
and the LTERacing.com sophomore pro has a bunch of podiums
this year and looks primed to take his first win. Fellow
sophomores Adam McGill and Duane Johnson should be in
the hunt, as well as rookie pro sensation Taylor Kiser.
Then there are veteran contenders, like Monster Energy/Kawasaki's
William Yokley, who is confident his new KXF450 is ready
to get good starts-and consequently good finishes. East
Coast ATV's Matt Smiley has shown flashes of his old
form this year, too, and Yamaha's Brandon Ballance is
hoping to rebound after suffering from some back troubles.
The XC1 Pro Class isn't the only one with a storyline.
Two perfect seasons are on the line. Yamaha's Traci
Cecco is undefeated, winning every morning race overall
this year, and sweeping the Women's class as well. Several
4x4 and Utility class riders are looking to knock her
off, as well as top Women's class competitors, LTERacing.com's
Angel Atwell and Polaris' Steph Parton.
Another Yamaha rider, Brandon Sommers, is undefeated
in the XC2 Pro Am class, but a determined pack of young
talent is looking to knock him off.
ATV Racing at the Spartan takes place Saturday, June
9. Youth racers compete in a one-hour event at 8 a.m.
Cecco and the morning race stars compete at 10 a.m.,
and the pro racers race at 1 p.m., both of those races
last two hours. To get to the Spartan, follow I-71 to
Exit 57. Follow signs two miles to the track.
For more information, check out www.gnccracing.com.
About
GNCC Racing:
The
AMA/ATVA-sanctioned Grand National Cross Country
series is America’s premier off-road racing
series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively
by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is
one of the most physically demanding sports in
the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races
lead as many as 1800 riders through tracks ranging
from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied
terrain including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks
and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests
of both survival and speed. GNCC Racing airs weekly
television shows on Versus (formerly Outdoor Life
Network) every Saturday at 3 p.m. and Thursday
at 4 p.m. beginning on April 14. GNCC featured
sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis,
Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka, Geico, Klotz,
FMF, ITP and Tire Balls, and riders compete for
over $3 million in series prizes and contingency
money. Associate sponsors include Alpinestars,
Cometic, EK Chain, HiPer Technology, Laegers,
Motion Pro, Moose Utility Division, Powersport
Grafx, Pro Clean, Race Tools, REM, Scott, Thor,
Twin Air, Weekend Warrior, and MotoTee’s.
Media Sponsors include Racer X Illustrated, ATV
Rider, ATV Sport, www.ATVRiders.com,
Dirt Rider and ATV Insider. For more information
log on to www.GNCCRacing.com.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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