Jarrod McClure
GNCC Pro ATV Race Report Yadkin Valley Stomp
Career 1st Pro ATV Podium Finish
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GNCC
ATV Racing Links |
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Jarrod
McClure Podiums at Yadkin Valley
Stomp GNCC |
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Yadkinville, NC (6/25/2008) - “You’re
going to the podium!” was all I heard as I
crossed the finish line. I didn’t realize
it at first because I had run in fourth place for
most of the race, and after Bill Ballance got by
me, I was certain I was finishing in fourth. Then
it became clear that Brandon Sommers had dropped
out, and I was actually third overall. What a feeling;
my first ever Pro Podium! I haven’t been on
the podium since 2005 when I won the GNCC Morning
overall at Powerline Park in the Stock class.
This memorable weekend began We arrived at the
track around 8:00 Saturday morning, and watched
the morning races, which made it obvious that
the afternoon race was going to be a dust bowl
because the track was already dry and I mean very
dry. Dry to the point that it looked like you
were riding in powder. Also, I heard they were
having the creek jump again this year and after
the morning starts I went down to check it out.
It was about an eight-foot drop onto a flat landing.
I jumped it last year, but I told myself that
I wasn’t going to do it unless I have to,
because it was such a risk breaking something.
I got back to the trailer, and did some pre race
stretching and got ready to go. I headed over
to the start, and prepared to line up. My mechanic
Jonathan Bowers told me, “Go inside, you
always have a good jump, you just get pushed outside.”
I knew a good start was crucial today so I took
his advice. The flag was thrown and I got a great
jump, as I was beat to the turn only by Brandon
Sommers and Bryan Cook. I fell into fourth place
behind Adam Mcgill going into the woods, and I
thought “Great, a good start!”
McGill and I were flying along in third and fourth,
and we had a great pace going, but we just couldn’t
hang with the dust. We came through the pro pits
on the first lap, and Adam went wide on the last
turn and clipped either someone’s tent or
maybe one of the job johns (I hope no one was
in there!) which put me up into third.
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Jarrod McClure on
the gas through the dust
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On the first lap, I had jumped the creek, just
because McGill did, but after that I kept going
around it because I didn’t want to break
anything. I knew Ballance was jumping it, because
I saw him gaining on me, but then I would pull
away from him in the dusty sections. Finally,
on the third lap Bill got by me. He made a nice
clean pass right after the creek jump.
I was staying within view of Bill, but on the
final lap right after Pro row, I clipped a tree
and went down hard. Somehow when I flew from the
bike I stayed on the path and didn’t hit
any trees. I’d like to thank God for that
one, as well as Shift because the chest protector
saved me from my handlebars. Luckily, I recovered
quickly and tried not to panic or ride over my
head. I would just breathe and say “Smooth,
smooth” over and over to get a nice pace
rolling again. I did, and at the finish, I ended
up on the box! I couldn’t believe it! I
was first to speak so I had to try and remember
all of my sponsors, and also how to open the bottle
of champagne!
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Jarrod McClure takes
the checkered flag & the final spot
on the Podium
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I really felt great today. I tried a new suspension
setup recommended by Leumas Enterprises that worked
great. I could also really tell my training was
playing a huge part in how well I did. If you
are serious about any ATV racing you need a trainer.
Motoprotraining.com is whom I work with, and since
I have started, I have had nothing but great results.
I will be training hard the next two weeks, and
hopefully get on the podium again in my home-state
of PA at the final round before the summer break.
I hope to have a lot of fans there cheering me
on!
Finally, I’d like to give a shout to my
sponsors: Bowers Motorcycle Supplies, Atvriders.com,
Motoprotraining.com, Maxxis, Elka, HMF, SHIFT,
DWT, Team-Ind, Tag, IMS-Roll, Clarke, DP Brakes,
DBR Industrial services, Hinson, Laeger’s,
Maier, Rage ATV Racing, 317 Graphics, Leumas enterprises,
and my parents.
www.gnccracing.com
122 Vista Del Rio Drive,
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-284-0084
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