2007 GNCC Series Round#10 "Unadilla" Pro Race Coverage

[Pappy]

Round 10 of the Can AM GNCC series found itself at the world famous Unadilla Motorsports facility in New Berlin NY. Known for it's world class MX facility. Unadilla has been home to the GNCC series for many years, and provides more then ample challenge for the riders as it's course meanders through virtually every type of terrain one could hope for.

Mother nature had a hand on this event as she added some rain, colder temps and bright sunshine to keep everyone happy no matter what conditions they preferred to race in.

Afternoon Results (http://www.atvriders.com/atvresults/gncc200710afternoonatvresultsclass.html)

[Pappy]

With a larger parking and pit area, the break between races seemed shorter then every as everyone scurried from place to place prior to each race. Fans started lining up as the riders were beginning to get ready for two hours of racing.

[Pappy]

Jarrod McClure sits patiently as the rain started to fall.

[Pappy]

Bryan Cook and Bonnie huddle under the protection of an umbrella as the rain intensified. Cook has been riding well this season, and if mechanical issues could be kept at bay, this looked like his type of track to do well on.

[Pappy]

William Yokely and team Kawasaki always have a clean looking presence at the track. With so many races this season being dusty, the rain was a welcome to many who prefer some slick action out on the course.

[Pappy]

Bill Ballance arrived at the starting area and looked to me like he was well focused for the task at hand. He has to get Borich at every round now if he hopes to capture the championship.

[Pappy]

Brent Sturdivant gets some last minute tips from Youth racer Kyle Riley. Sturdivant is blazing fast, and developing into a rider I feel will be visiting the podium soon as he seems to be getting more focused each round. he has the skills, speed and is gaining the knowledge of what it takes to run up towards the front and his time is coming.

[Pappy]

Matt Smiley hangs tough before being called to the line. Mr. Consistancy has arrived:macho

[Pappy]

Andy Lagzdins must have been playing with some heads as he was announced to be riding the new KTM this round. Last minute change of heart or just seeing what the reaction would be Mr. Lagzdins:devil:

[Pappy]

Johnny G ham's it up as the rain started getting everything soaking wet:ermm: I dont mind rain, but damn:p

[Pappy]

Chris Borich stays dry as John Rowlings pulls umbrella duty. Borich knows he is the man to beat....and has what it takes to ruin your day! I'd much rather have to tackle his entire crew then have to go after him on a quad:p

[Pappy]

Adam McGill throws down a big thumbs up as he did not need any stinking umbrella:macho Mcgill looked pumped before the race and maybe this would be the race he would finally capture a win!

[Pappy]

I got to meet Miss Ohio as I took up a position for the start. She is the one on the right for those that need that pointed out:blah:

[Pappy]

The rain dulled to a mist as start time neared and the anthem was played

[Pappy]

The 10 seconds call blared over the loudspeaker and all fell silent. The green flag waved and the sound of 22 XC1 Pro riders fired to life headed for turn 1. McGill was the first rider to fill my lens but that was short lived as Borich and Ballance dive to the inside and head for turn two!

[Pappy]

Chris Bithell and Jeff Pickens were mid pack as turn two got busy

[Pappy]

XC2 Pro Am rocketed off the line and it was Brandon Sommers claiming another holeshot!

[Pappy]

Dave Simmons leads the charge as Senior 40+ takes to the track

[Pappy]

Junior A 22+ fielded 22 riders for this round, and every one of them seemed tohit turn 1 at the same time!

[Pappy]

VET A 30+ rips through the first turn

[Pappy]

College A 16-21

[Pappy]

#691 Blaine Schick holds the inside line as he chases down the holeshot rider as VET B 30+ heads to turn two

[Pappy]

College B 16-21 heads out for 2 hours of racing!

[Pappy]

Junior B 22+ came ripping through the first turn.

[Pappy]

28 entries in this class had riders bumping and rubbing and it was about to get interesting!

[Pappy]

All I could see was something out of place as I held the shutter button down

[Pappy]

The pack went past and the rider was spit out of the chaos

[Pappy]

His quad headed for turn two!

[Pappy]

Big John had just finished helping Nick Regalia get his quad righted when he saw the other rider in the dirt

[Pappy]

The rider thankfully was ok, getting up with hisbell rung and collapsing in Big Johns arms for a second or two. he was able to get back on his quad a sped off.

[Pappy]

Cutting the course and getting set up just in time to catch Bill Ballance and McGill as they raced past

[Pappy]

The clean looking Yokely was now covered in roost as the XC1 class came ripping through this section.

[Pappy]

Jeffrey Pickens was off to a good run as he gave chase to the leaders

[Pappy]

Lagzdins was mid pack as XC1 and XC2 riders now mixxed it up for position

[Pappy]

XC2 rider Jeremy Rice put the stock KTM to the test once again. After claiming a great finish at the Somerset round in the morning class, Rice set his sights on finishing well against heavily modified racers in XC2

[Pappy]

The track looked to be great, with some rutting causing some rough going in sections. I could here off in the woods behind me alot of reving engines so I knew someone wasn't having a good day

[Pappy]

I hadn't ventured far into the woods in several rounds thanks to a broke up foot, but I felt pretty good and without the dust to deal with, I decided to get back where we call home, the woods:macho

[Pappy]

I did miss not hearing the action from the announcer however, and next round I will sport some ear phones. The occasional spectator would fill me in from time to time on who was running where

[Pappy]

The temps were only in the 70's, but rain was falling once again. Thankfully, there are still plenty of leaves to block it and alot of the woods remained almost perfect for racing!

[Pappy]

Ralph Johnson was running in Junior A again this weekend. Ralph hasn't been to but 3 races this season in the Nationals, but he is always fun to be around and I was happy to see him hit Dilla!

[Pappy]

Gary Belbeck heads off for another lap in Senior 40+

[Pappy]

Phil Cole had his best finish of the season at Unadilla, posting an 8th place in Junior A!

[Pappy]

Riders who got either high centered or over the deep ruts were causing bottle necks in several areas

[Pappy]

New lines started opening up every where and riders who could pick them out were gaining positions en'mass

[Pappy]

As the race wore on, the lead pack started to form with McGill, Ballance, Borich and Johnson running for the lead spot. For riders not in a group, this track looked fun!

[Pappy]

A spectator came past me and told me he had heard Borich was down due to mechanical issues and my heart sank! As much as I want ballance to get #8, I want Borich to get his first championship but I want it settled on the track not due to parts failure!

[Pappy]

I could hear the front runners approaching as the tail end of lapped traffic worked by my position

[Pappy]

I was wondering who had the lead as I kept snapping away. If it can get boring during a race I found it:p usually I have my son along but this time it was me and the crickets:p

[Pappy]

I knew the leaders were even closer now as I could hear the occasional shout of "MOVE or LET'S GO" echoing through the tree's

[Pappy]

McGill was holding the lead as i geussed we had the rest of this lap +1 to go

[Pappy]

Ballance was working on McGill and Borich was holding the 3rd spot and moving up! It was later reported he had an issue with his clutch and a rock in his tire but it did not matter, he was running down the leaders!

[Pappy]

I had picked a bad spot to set up on, with two lines the riders could choose. If they took either line I was ok, but if multiple riders came past, I would be forced not to shoot due to the fear of the flash affecting the higher line. Johnson was on Borich and a slight pause in the action and then a ton of riders worked by me. Yokely was running good, but with all the mixed riders I had no idea where he stood.

[Pappy]

The rain once again began to fall as I exited the woods to take a gander at the MX section

[Pappy]

As I got out to the MX track, I watched as McGill fended off charge after charge from Bill Ballance. The pair dropped out of site and then reappeared on the far side heading back to a field section as I headed to pro row to pick up some much needed updates.


McGills father checks the stop watch as we neared the white flag lap

[Pappy]

20 minutes or so standing in a mud filled ditch awaiting the leaders to reappear just a few turns from the checkered flag had me wondering who would claim this one. The last report I had was that McGill was leading with Ballance all over him. Borich and Johnson running 3rd and 4th just back from the leaders made me wonder if we could see McGill grab his first win.

I could see fans pointing and getting excited as I knew the leader was coming. Completely out of my sight, I trained my lens on the opening as the sounds of the leader approached. In all honesty, it sounded like one machine!

Borich suddenly filled my viewfinder with Ballance autographing his grab bar!

[Pappy]

I crested the hill just in time to see Ballance follow Borich in for the win. Borich has comeback from an earlier problem and as fate had it, take the lead and win the race!

[Pappy]

Once on the podium, Ballance explained the last few miles of the race as McGill tangled with a lapper causing ballance to get up under McGill. As they worked to get themselves free, Borich and Johnson flew past!

[Pappy]

Duane Johnson rode hard and clinched the 3rd spot in a race that was full of excitement and drama as the lead was contested all day!

[Pappy]

Borich proves yet again that he belongs up front, over coming challenges that just a few short years ago would have had him riding like mad and making mistakes. Not anymore, the kid has it all together and if he does manage to become our new champion, he will have earned it by riding smart and keeping his cool under immense pressure!

Chris Borich is your overall winner of the 2007 Unadilla Race!

[Pappy]

I hope everyone enjoyed the coverage and we will see you all in two weeks!

[your2slo2]

Pappy I dont know how you do it but those pictures are of the best quality I have seen so far , the way certain items just stick out in the darkness such as goggles . They are just amazing action photos . Thanks !

[slvrhwk]

Originally posted by your2slo2
Pappy I dont know how you do it but those pictures are of the best quality I have seen so far , the way certain items just stick out in the darkness such as goggles . They are just amazing action photos . Thanks !


^Ditto^:cool:

[jb500ex]

absolutely amazing pics pappy

[jb500ex]

absolutely amazing pics pappy

[xcracer416]

loved the coverage of it. pics was untouchable

[klbare]

great job!!!

[GNCC GROVE]

nice pic. pappy
wish I could have been there

[flyboy62]

hey pappy. it was so funny. my bros like i wonder if pappy is here and right after that my dad goes PAPPY!!!lol im in the blue with my dad and bro on the frist page

[gaatvr]

Man dat pappy is big time Q-flashin in da woods.. Lots a light and a camera set right!!!
Beautiful color Pappy.
Hand held 2..dats da pro for ya

[Pappy]

thanks all. i had some difficulties but managed to squeeze out a few that I liked. ill dial in the technique and will improve!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1392/1409443339_95ce668f77_b.jpg

[Karizz]

NICE ONE pAPPY:D

[Pappy]

Originally posted by Karizz
NICE ONE pAPPY:D

LOL is that you:p i had no idea but glad I got one for ya

[ex kid]

Originally posted by Karizz
NICE ONE pAPPY:D

that guy looks familar from the AGP races. hes really fast.

[riverhonda]

great coverage and pics