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View Full Version : 2007 GNCC Series Round #6-The Penton-Millfield,OH Pro Race Coverage



Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:32 AM
Round #6 of the Can-AM GNCC Series headed to the Sunday Creek Raceway facility in southern Ohio for this stop on the coveted Cross Country National series. This is another long standing stops on the tour, and carries with it alot of history for many of the racers past and present. This eveny is notorious for either extreme dust or intense mud and it is always a gamble on what conditions will be on hand come race day.

The crews were busily watering every available section of the motocross track and field areas to do what they could to help control the dust storm that was sure to be kicked up when the flag dropped.

PM Starts (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2892098)

PM Racing (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2892170)

Afternoon Results by Class (http://www.atvriders.com/atvresults/gncc200706afternoonatvresultsclass.html)

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:34 AM
Arriving friday evening, I watched as Pro row was assembled for the weekends action

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:36 AM
Tire Balls are an integral part of the racing action and almost mandatory if your serious about finishing these races without stopping to change a tire.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:37 AM
I counted 5 employees working into the night preparing set ups for riders.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:39 AM
Elka has a serious presence in all forms of atv racing, and their trackside support at the GNCC events goes along way to win the following they have developed.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:40 AM
John Bowers and family cruise through registration and tour the pit area friday evening. John runs the BMS-ATVriders.com V-Force in the U2 class

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:44 AM
William Yokely may not be off to a banner year, but we all know how difficult it can be to get a new team running and when they are dealing with a brand new model the problems can keep a great rider from shining. Fortunatley, Yokely has more then just riding talent and is an excellent ambassador to our sport so no matter how he finishes, he still comes out on top in my book.


Team Green has paired with the Army National Guard to promote and advertise the benefits of serving our great country.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:48 AM
The work never ends, and it is not uncommon to see even the Pro quads getting slight repairs or changes to their set up just prior to the race

Chris Jenks has proven he can run with anyone, but had yet to turn it on in 2007. At all levels in GNCC racing, the smallest of mistake can me the difference between the podium and the back of the pack.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:51 AM
Chris Bitthell has been in the hunt at many events this season, and currently sits in 4th in the chase for the championship.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:55 AM
Adam McGill cruising the pits after making a trip to tech inspection. I think we could slap on a cop uniform and hand him some cuffs and start filming Super Troopers 2 with them cool shades he was sporting. Adam is a riot and will make you laugh no matter how bad of day you are having!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:57 AM
Course workers busily readied the many banners and course ribbons needed to turn a quiet field into a race track

Pappy
05-13-2007, 10:59 AM
Tech inspection ran smoothly all evening and even with a great turn out, the tech official did a great job as always getting things handled and the line moving at all times

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:04 AM
ITP Tires "Jim Pinkston" techs in so he can get-r-done in the Sportsman class

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:05 AM
A peek inside the Borich race hauler:eek2:

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:06 AM
317 Graphics is responsible for Yokelys new look, and his newest canopy cover is awesome! This is a view from INSIDE the canopy looking skyward!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:17 AM
In the latest issue of ATVI, a comment under a picture of Chris Borich stated that he was the hungriest man in the woods, even more so then Big John!

Well, I think both Chris and Big John take a back seat to Joe Borich who proved he can run down one very large snake:eek2:

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:20 AM
After putting away the longest lens I had (so I could get the shot of the snake without being in the same county!:scary: ) I made my way to the other side of the facility (again, more distance from snake = Pappy much happier!) to grab a shot as the sunset on the Penton.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:26 AM
Johnny Gallagher gets ready to take his spot on the front row as the "Penton" was about get underway. JG hasnt been in the mix this season but the Penton has treated him well ine the past, but usually when a bit wetter conditions are on tap.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:29 AM
After going down 1 point to Borich after the last round, Bill Ballance seemed to be all business as he sits aboard his Yamaha as race time closed in.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:32 AM
A few spots away, Chris Borich smiles away as the minutes ticked closer for yet another chance for him to prove himself.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:34 AM
Matt Smiley more relaxed then I have seen in many years gives me a thumbs up as he bakes in the ever warming sun. I did not ask him, but it seemed to me like a big weight had been lifted from his shoulders at round #5 and no matter what the rest of the year holds, he can walk tall again!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:37 AM
Andy Lagzdins is another rider that you just cant help but like and cheer for. Always happy and in good spirits, he has managed to thrive in this sport and help shape it as the years have passed. Andy came into this round still chasing a single digit finish and currently sits 13th in points

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:42 AM
Brent Sturdivant taking full advantage of the young lady and her umbrella! Brent is another rider who wants badly to make a name for himself, and when he can keep a quad under him he has already proven he can run upfront! I may have to do a sidebar story on him and the attractive young lady he somehow cons to follow him to the races! I still say he had a different one last round:devil: ;)

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:45 AM
Santo Derisi, proud new dad, catches a break from the sun and smiling like a new daddy should!

Santo is another benchmark racer who brings far more to the racing scene then top finishes.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:47 AM
McGill...chick magnet:p

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:49 AM
The national anthem echoed and fans showed their respect as this race was moments from kicking off!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:52 AM
10 seconds.......

25 Pro quads fire to life and thunder hits the Penton! Ballance came charging around the first turn with Borich, Smiley, McGill and Kiser forming a skirmish line behind him

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:55 AM
Duane Johnson#3 and #20 Jarrod McClure move way outside trying to find clean air

Pappy
05-13-2007, 11:57 AM
If you were not out front, the price you were going to pay would be nothing but choking dust and zero visabilty

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:00 PM
Micheal Houston got tangled and it took some work to get them apart

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:03 PM
XC2 Pro Am fired off the line just as the dust cleared from the Pro class starts. Brandon Sommers out front and charging hard!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:06 PM
Junior A (22+)

#80 Marc Marshall cleared the first and second turn and then his day was over following a spectacular wreck that went largley unseen as a wall of dust covered the event

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:08 PM
29 riders charged through turn two as the dust enveloped them there after

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:09 PM
Phil Cole #83 was caught up in the wreck but was able to roll out and get underway

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:13 PM
Vet A (30+) had a chance to see the first few classes start, and thankfully things stayed somewhat tame

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:15 PM
Nathan Wallpe #52 leads out College A

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:17 PM
Senior 40+

Thomas Wright grabs the holeshot over a class full of talent

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:18 PM
As the classes started, the Pro class had entered the woods and eveyone knew this wasnt a good sign

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:19 PM
Vet 30+ B

Jon Chambers battles for the lead at turn two

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:22 PM
College B

Ronnie Mills swings wide as the class takes to the track

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:24 PM
Junior B

Jeremy Benson leads the class of 41 riders into the first turn!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:25 PM
I dont know if Bill slowed down enough to read it, so here it is for him to enjoy!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:34 PM
With all riders deep into the woods, I set out to try and find a spot that I could get shots and avoid the dust....

I could hear the Pro class rocketing above me on a ridge, but with everything green I could only see a passing helmet shrouded in dust. Finally, getting closer, I could hear the leader.

Bill Ballance came past me in his usual fashion, smooth and fast

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:35 PM
Borich wasnt far behind, trailing just back from the dust trail being kicked up by Ballance

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:37 PM
When I saw Smiley in 3rd just behind Borich, I knew Ballance was going to be in for a long day. With the teammates running together, they could lay down an assualt without fear of battling each other...this was going to be a fun race!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:41 PM
Yokely came through and looked behind him and there wasnt anyone.....a gap had developed and he seemed surprised or may have just been wondering where everyone was.

This spot was busted as XC2 started in this section with Brandon Sommers still outfront. A few clear shots and then it was time to roll out.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:46 PM
My trusty pitbike and I traveled to the farthest section I knew of to try and head off the leaders. Sitting there for what seemed like forever I could envision the battle being waged in my mind. Had Borich and Smiley ran down Ballance? Was Borich in charge now? Had Smiley laid waste to both of them :p maybe it was just the heat.

Once again, the sound of the leaders worked its way towards me, and from my spot down in a bottom, i could only set up and wait for the rider to bust this corner to answer my questions.

It was Ballance still out front early on lap 2

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:48 PM
I had snapped 8 or 10 shots of Ballance when i could hear another rider, and before I could even attempt to focus through the dust, Borich came by me like a fat man after a ham sandwich!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:50 PM
The dust had barely been carried out of the corner by a much appreciated wind when the grunt of a thumper bounced off the trees and it was the #4 ride of Chris Jenks!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:52 PM
Smiley had dropped a few spots and was running in 6th or 7th. It was reported to me after the race that he had a spill and had trouble finding his quad:huh Yes, in areas it was dusty enough to not see anything!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:53 PM
Adam McGill disappears in a wall of dust as he trailed Smiley back into the woods

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:56 PM
I dont know about the racers, but when the dust decided to stick around, breathing itself became difficult!

I took off about 3/4 of a mile to a little bottom that had a small stream and hoped the dust would stay away. I was just in time to catch Brent Sturdivant as he fended off a hard charging Brandon Sommers

Pappy
05-13-2007, 12:58 PM
The difference between an Amatuer and a Professional is not in the quality of pictures we produce......








What seperates us is we know where to stand so we dont get splattered with mud:p

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:05 PM
With the Pro riders hovering around 28 minute lap times, I decided to try and find yet another spot that was void of dust (sort of like finding a full twinkie box in Rosie O'Donnels kitchen:chinese: )

Up the track a few hundred yards i had watched somewhat clear course as it went up a hill, and as soon as the riders would disappear from my sight a plume of dust would erupt. Ok, that might be a spot to catch some action so with an ear on the action i made my way there

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:08 PM
The small hill had an exposed root that was send a few riders front ends up, dust was minimal as long as I stayed below the top and teh breeze cleared the spot fairly quickly. Ahhh....I was happy:p

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:10 PM
Ofcourse the sun decided to hide behind a cloud and sent me into a camera setting panick as I could hear the leaders charging my way:grr:

Getting the camera up just in time, i could see Chris Borich had taken the lead!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:14 PM
Ballance was in his dust trail as the pair sped out of sight

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:16 PM
Jenks was holding the 3rd spot

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:18 PM
Taylor Kiser was in 4th, and Bithell was running in 5th

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:20 PM
Johnny Gallagher avoided the roots as he workes his way towards the front

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:22 PM
Tyler Lenig has been staying towards the back of the pack in the Pro class....but that in no way means the boys is slow! He will hone his claws and take his lessons as each round wears on.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:25 PM
Michael Burrows is another rider that is clawing his way through the pro class ranks. I know the top tier gets all the glory, but you guys arent forgot!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:32 PM
My vantage point had to be abandon after Gallagher went past as others stared hanging left at the top and the roost started to sting a bit:p

I spied a small rock ledge that actual stuck out above the riders so off I went, perched on a rock awaiting some action

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:34 PM
The wait past quickly as before I knew it the leaders were back, and Borich was dealing with lappers as he past by my location

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:36 PM
Ballance came through but was not charging hard. Later he explained that he had developed clutch issues and was doing everything he could just to keep it upfront

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:38 PM
Kiser was charging hard, and Jenks could soon be seeing him mount a challenge for 3rd

Pappy
05-13-2007, 01:41 PM
McGill was looking for open track as lappers started being encountered by the pro class

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:47 PM
I made my way to pro row to see what lap we were on, and seeing it was pretty empty I figured the white flag was out.

Bryan Cook had to get towed in as his quad developed issues, and Yokely also suffered mechanical issues forcing him out of the race. Brian baker also succumbed to parts failure sidelining him as well.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:48 PM
Borich came down Pro row on cruise control and headed off for the last lap in the lead

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:50 PM
Just about the time the loudspeaker informed everyone that Jenks had overtaken the 2nd spot, he popped into view and chased after Borich

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:51 PM
Ballance took the corner and was now faced with holding the last podium spot as the last lap was completed

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:53 PM
2:16:08 is the official winning time for Chris Borich, as he crossed the finish line taking his 4th win in a row and adding points to his quest for the championship

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:55 PM
The podium area was packed as the winners made their way to there

Pappy
05-13-2007, 05:57 PM
The hoopla was for all the riders, but Jenks was getting his just deserves infront of many of his fans! taking the 2nd spot away from Ballance gave him good reason to celebrate

Pappy
05-13-2007, 06:00 PM
Bill Ballance, 3rd place. It just doesnt sound right but it is a finishing spot that 300+ afternoon racers would get evicted for!

Ballance reported from the podium that his clutch was his issue and that he will be ready to make a stand in Kentucky.

Pappy
05-13-2007, 06:09 PM
Chris Borich, your winner for round #6 ! With a 3 point lead heading for round #7 he has to be stoked knowing that now he is the hunted. As he talked about the race he commented on how he stayed just far enough ahead and held back, words we once heard from our current champion! It been a long time coming, and it is a long way until he could be crowned our new champion, but the era of Chris Borich is upon us.

I am just glad I get to watch as the smell of blood is in the water and a new marked man takes center stage. Like stray dogs after a scrap of meat, the fur may fly as this battle wages on!

Pappy
05-13-2007, 06:20 PM
And there you have it, the 2007 round #6 "The John Penton" is history and we look forward to seeing everyone at the next round!

Top 10

1. Chris Borich
2. Chris Jenks
3. Bill Ballance
4. Taylor Kiser
5. Adam McGill
6. Matt Smiley
7. Chris Bithell
8. Duane Johnson
9. Brandon ballance
10. Micheal Houston

slvrhwk
05-13-2007, 08:07 PM
Great pictures as always!

burrows
05-13-2007, 08:27 PM
Thanks for the great pictures. Always look forward to seeing them. mommab

signboy
05-14-2007, 07:34 AM
Great pics Pappy! It was great to meet you in the flesh. BTW thanks for the nice plug!

PowerMadd789XC
05-15-2007, 08:09 AM
Great coverage, and good job to everyone esp. chris jenks