2007 GNCC Series Round #11 "Yadkinville, NC - Stomp" - Pro Race Coverage

[Pappy]

Pulling off the paved road onto "Cross Country Lane", brought the 2007 Can Am GNCC Series back to Yadkinville N.C. for round #11. The "Yadkinville Stomp" gets it's moniker based on this regions aversion to the many vineyards that dot the landscape as this is wine country.This weekend however would be about racing and riders trying their best to wrap up class championships and others who had to battle for everything to fend off charges from those wishing them defeat for their own points advancement.

One rider that I have been following all season, along with the rest of the XC2 class is Brandon Sommers. Brandon has had a stellar year claiming all but 1 class victory leading to this round. Sommers had this round to dominate and then he could look forward to his next step, XC1.

Photo Gallery (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=3166191)

[Pappy]

XC1 rider Andy Lagzdins was to be aboard the new KTM this round after a week or so of fabricating parts to get the beast in race ready form. Spectators and fellow riders swarmed the machine all weekend asking questions and checking out yet another machine that could show us another factory backed team for 2008

[Pappy]

Jason Weigant interviews the Pro riders before they gear up for the event. Chris Borich is always a favorite for the win, and the battle that has been brewing for the championship with Bill Ballance is as heated as ever. Borich entered this round with a slight edge in points and the building momentum from his win at Unadilla had him stoked and ready to prove once again that he wants this championship more then ever.

[Pappy]

Bryan and Bonnie Cook chat before being called to the line.

Many riders I spoke with have mixed feelings regarding this event due to it being tight with little passing room and the fact it is prone to being dry. The dust can be dealt with but passing would be extremely tough and challenging based soley on how the constant turning can wear you down.

[Pappy]

This fine young lady arrived on the arm of XC1 Pro rider Brent Sturdivant. As I suspected, she spoke no english, and called him "el presidente":devil: Ofcourse I am kidding, but the fun loving rider was raring to go, however I am betting you would rather see her then him so here ya go:blah:

[Pappy]

Chris Borich and Bill Ballance have been giving any cross country racing fans a show all season. Wheel to wheel racing, pit strategy, some heated exchanges and even some trash talk on the podium have kept those of us not in their shoes entertained and riveted to either the results or hunkered around the checkered flag at each round to see who would pull out a win.

[Pappy]

Adam McGill wants a win so bad he can taste it!

[Pappy]

I don't believe there is a bigger smile on the circuit as Chris Bithell's. Outgoing and fast becoming a crowd favorite, Bithell has turned on the juice the past few rounds and his time up front was coming.

[Pappy]

Early rounds of this year had me reporting that the stress involved with Ballance's much sought after 8th championship had to be playing on him like a ton of heavy mud. I have no doubt that the man's thoughts are still filled with the quest, however running rumshot through his plans is none other then Chris Borich. The ferocious battle that is now at fever pitch may be lifting some of that weight from Ballance's thoughts and just maybe give him some refocus as heads into the final three rounds. In a complex way, the battle may be sharpening the cagey vets claws and we could see expierence win out! No matter what the outcome, this year has been filled with excitement and may go down to a cold day in a corn field in Indiana before we crown a new champ or bow to a new legend.

[Pappy]

Brian Baker gives one of his rugrats a hug prior to taking his position on the line. Baker is one of the good guys but has been dealing with bad luck and mechanical misfortune for the better part of the season.

[Pappy]

Matt Smiley marches through the first few turns to get an idea of what he will soon be seeing at top speed. Smiley is a machine, quite and reserved until the throttle hits it's stop and for the next two hours he is reigning mayhem on anyone in his way. This season has seen Smiley's return to the top 5 and at almost any given race, Matt can find himself in position to claim victory.

[Pappy]

With the riders assembled, the prayer completed and our national anthem being sung, soldiers of the Army National Gaurd salute old glory. Be sure to chat with these fine people at each event and thank them for their service no matter what your political views may be.

[Pappy]

The start at this event is laid out to run the riders through a few turns, with the run to each corner allowing more acceleration to the next turn. I decided to pick turns 3 and 4 to capture the starts.

Not being able to see the first quads launch off the line is an experience in itself. You know what is happening but without sight, the sounds of the starts allow your mind to open up as you envision the events occurring just over the hill. I could see the tip of the blue flag wave as the area fell silent, knowing we had less then a minute before round 11 was underway. Seconds ticked away as I could see glove covered hands clenching bars, riders positioning themselves in anticipation and fans nervously twisting the barrier fencing and ribbon all hoping their rider would get out front first.

The sound of the machines lit to life and the hair stood up on the back of my neck as I could see for the first time through small gaps in those surrounding the start our XC1 Pro class ripping through the first turn. All fell almost silent as they braked for the tight left hander that turn two offered them, then the engines screamed as my lens settled on the first riders to clear turn three!

Chris Borich and Brent Sturdivant drag race out of the turn neither wanting to give an inch as turn 4 is approached.

[Pappy]

Exiting turn 4, Borich and Sturdivant wheel to wheel as Sturdivants Max Power engine tried to out pull the Sparks powerplant of Borich's machine. Cook was slipping through in third with Ballance settling into 4th.

[Pappy]

Bithell, Baker, Pickens and the rest of Xc1 get a first glimpse of the dust that would choke much of the course

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XC2 fired off the line and Donald Ockerman grabbed the holeshot and was looking to get as much of a jump on the rest of the class as possible.

[Pappy]

Brandon Sommers swings outside for some clean air as he heads after Ockerman

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Junior A (22+)

Phil Cole came charging through the first few turns and was gone!

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Vet A (30+) took to the field as the dust started to build in between the small gusts of wind that brought everyone some salvation.

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College A (16-21)

Nathan Wallpe grabbed the lead early and was riding like a man possessed!

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Senior (40+)

Thomas Wright was off to the early lead, but ran into trouble scoring only 1 lap

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Vet B 30+

Blaine Shick dropped the whole bag of tools at the start and was off to a great start!

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College B (16-21)

Patrick Burch came scooting by me with the lead but was forced to call it a day after the 3rd lap

[Pappy]

Junior B (22+)

Tyler Moore was charging hard and out front as Junior B heads to the woods

[Pappy]

With the last rider taking to the tree's, the crowds started to disperse as the dust enveloped the woods

[Pappy]

Rob Hertz makes his way through a tight stretch of track mid way through the first lap

[Pappy]

The big attraction for spectators was the creek jump. More of a drop off over a creek, riders had to nut up if they wanted to cleanly clear the creek and many did.

[Pappy]

The creek jump was packed plum full of people wanting to see the action!

[Pappy]

Borich had taken over the lead when Sturdivant rolled his quad. Cheers erupted when he popped out in the lead

[Pappy]

Strurdivant had righted his quad and still maintained second with Ballance closing in the 3rd spot

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McGill gets a face full of Smileys roost as Houston can be seen coming ito the turn in 8th

[Pappy]

A rider gets support as he heads off for more racing!

[Pappy]

Lagzdins came through on the KTM and I was hoping for a good showing on the new ride.

[Pappy]

Riders coming by for lap two were showing signs of carnage, with broken fenders, smashed bumpers and some just plain looking like they had been in a war

[Pappy]

Ruts started forming and smooth track was a memory

[Pappy]

Phil Cole tackles the track on his way to a 9th place finish in Junior A

[Pappy]

From what I saw of the track, I would love to race it, but I am not quite as fast as these guys anymore so my perspective may be skewed:p

[Pappy]

Junior B rider Nicholas Regalia finished his day in 10th

[Pappy]

Riders began seperating somewhat as the 3rd lap was underway

[Pappy]

Vet A rider, Jeff Miller, on his way to a solid 2nd place ride!

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Junior A rider Robert Oakley stays on the throttle as the fun begins!

[Pappy]

the dust in my area was not bad until 3 or 4 came past at once, thats when I ran for cover:p

[Pappy]

College A rider Thomas Koontz has been riding extremely well this season and finished todays race in 4th

[Pappy]

XC1 racer Jeffrey Pickens had his best finish at Unadilla and was looking to back it up here at Yadkinville

[Pappy]

Being off the beaten path, I had no clue what was happening until the leaders passed me, but the shouts of support and thumbs up made my day as i snapped away!

[Pappy]

Vet B racer and all around good guy, Shawn Collins, put in a decent ride and finished the day in the 6th spot

[Pappy]

A group of riders came through my section and for minutes I could not discren who was who and I feared I had missed the leaders. Thankfully a blast of wind cleared the dust just as Chris Bithell shot past me!

[Pappy]

Ballance was just a second or two behind Bithell and I was spiiting mad as I just knew Borich had to have gotten past me in the dust

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Sturdivant was back on track, albiet from what I could tell in the 4th spot

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Matt Smiley was flyin, and saving his tires:p

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Duane Johnson was holding his own, but from what i was seeing, the front 4 riders were setting a blistering pace and keeping them in check would take some serious work

[Pappy]

When Borich popped into view I was perplexed. I had assumed he was in the lead but seeing him back in the pack had my mind wandering what had happened.

[Pappy]

Not knowing how many laps remained, I decided to shoot the leaders one more time in the woods then take the shoe leather express to the pit area. With lap times expected in the 30 minute mark, I figured I had time.

Bithell I could see was clearly in the lead and riding like his pants were on fire:p

[Pappy]

Ballance was still within striking distance of Bithell if he made the slightest mistake.

[Pappy]

Sturdivant was in 3rd and i about jumped up and down knowing this could be his race to get himself on the podium!

[Pappy]

Borich was holding his own, but I knew he had to be having an issue as he was dropping back .

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McGill wasn't showing his usual flare for zipping through tree's, and I had to wonder if the track was putting a hurting on a few of these guys. Watching a few sections showed me how rough things were getting and few open areas to relax tired muscles.

[Pappy]

Jarrod McClure was inside the top 10 and heading for a great finish!

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Taylor Kiser heads out of the woods for a short sprint down a field section

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Michael Burrows ended up finishing 12th, his best finish of the 2007 season in XC1!

[Pappy]

The scoring area was between my location and the pits so i swung by there to get some updates. As chance would have it, I had only a few minutes to wait as the white flag was out.

Brent Sturdivants dad awaits the last few minutes of the race with plenty of tension building as this was another nail biter for brent. Smiley was behind him and fending him off would be quite an undertaking.

[Pappy]

Chris Bithell came through the last few turns unchallenged and is your winner for round #11!!

[Pappy]

Ballance followed Bithell in taking the #2 spot

[Pappy]

After worrying that Brents mom was going to explode, I was very relieved for her to see Brent slide in taking the last podium spot! This is a great run for this talented young racer and now that he has the taste for it, I figure he will be working that much harder to stay up there! Congrats Brent!

[Pappy]

The win, his first ever in XC1, will mark one of many for one super talented rider. Bithell has been chipping away the rough edges and is now a polished racing machine with a big win on his belt! Great run Chris!

[Pappy]

Ballance dodged a bullet, as it was reported he had a brake failure of some type, but ended up being a tangle with some grapevine after the slightest mistake on his part. Combined with Borichs rear shock line developing a problem, Ballance leaves this round with the points lead.

Call it fate, bad/good luck etc, I call it racin!

[Pappy]

Brent getting to hold his own trophy on the podium! take it all in bud, you earned it!

[Pappy]

There ya have it folks, another exciting round is now history. The chase for the points takes another twist and turn as we had for round#12 which has been very kind to Borich over the years.

See you all there!

[Pappy]

And you will be joined on the XC1 line by XC2 champion, Brandon Sommers! Brandon wrapped up the championship and will be running XC1 for the last two rounds. Congrats Brandon, i can't wait to see what you can do!

[Pappy]

Excuse these two pictures as they are for my buddy Chad Duvall. he and i are avid deer hunters and I have been following his advice.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1368/1443872851_bcf54248d0.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/1410532180_49a8d868ed.jpg

[Simon MX49]

Thanks for the Report Pappy, your coverage is the best. See you at St. Clairsville, I'll be on a Yamaha in either First Year 16-24 or 16-24 C :D Its my first National :eek2:

[cdalejef]

Great job Pappy, its like I was there myself!

Hope to see you at St Clairsville or Ironman. :macho

[cletusEX]

As always great pictures Kenny. Man that white on white 450r is pretty!:D

[gpd005]

Nice Job Pappy, See ya in Ohio!

And can I come over in a few weeks and hunt with ya!:eek2:

[my88r]

good job pappy:cool: