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View Full Version : 2008 GNCC Racing Series - Round #1-The Triton - Pro ATV Race Coverage



Pappy
03-03-2008, 05:54 AM
Sunshine, 25,000 acres, clean new machines, gear so fresh the new smell still wafted through the air amist the freshly applied sun tan lotion that covered many of the whitest legs Florida has ever seen! Well, atleast that is what everyone saw as I strolled out to see what the folks at Racer Productions had in store for us as the 2008 season was soon to be underway at the ''Triton".

Pro row had a new look as the teams began to get organized and their rigs set up. With new involvement from the likes of KTM and other manufactures, I felt a new sense of accomplishment for us all as we took a giant step forward in our sport with the increased factory involvement.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:00 AM
2008 marks a milestone in regards to the growth of our sport. At no other time have we seen this level of factory involvement and it was obvious that the tone had also made a swing to a more professional level as crews now attend fulltime to every detail of the newly formed teams.

Mark Baldwin makes final preperations to Adam McGill's KTM prior to a practice session.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:16 AM
With many riders now receiving a pay check, the off season no longer exists, and many spent the winter in the south racing, testing and training as the competition level is at it's zenith. No longer will natural talent play the only role in how well a rider races, it is enhanced now by daily visits to the gym for conditioning and it is showing. Adam McGill has slimmed down by 30 lbs. and is now slim and trim as the 2008 season is upon us. William Yokely as well was looking fit as were many other riders who in the past had the bulk to wrestle their machines now look more like trained fighters ready to do battle!

For others, a proper work out routine was combined with intense racing during the off season. Brandon Sommers has raced every weekend since the final round of 2007 with the exception of the weekends of Christmas and New Years! Sommers defines the determination level required to run in the XC1 Pro class.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:29 AM
For many, 2008 would begin aboard new machines and the off season was filled with testing and tweaking as both the new ride and team worked towards a common goal. Brent Sturdivant has worked hard with team LTE Racing as they try to get the new Can Am DS450 dialed in for competition.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:35 AM
Matt Smiley returns for another year of competition and is not only a fantastic rider, but a mentor to many of the young riders coming up through all the classes. The vetran of many GNCC battles, Smiley would be leaning on his proven set up from 2007 and remain aboard his Honda 450R for 2008. Matt has a proven track record of being ultra consistant and he was looking forward to starting off this season with a solid racing program ready to roll.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:40 AM
Chris Bithell stomped his way into the top 3 last year and made himself known to all that he is a player. Running the #3 plate for 2008, Bithell would be yet another rider making a team and ride switch for this season. Talking with Bithell, he was very happy with how his Warnert Racing Can Am DS 450 is running and was looking forward to the start of the season.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:44 AM
John Rowling has some serious weight sitting on his shoulders being Chris Borich's mechanic. Being the man responsible for keeping Borich's machine in race ready condition is a big task as all eye's this year are focused on how well Borich does on the Suzuki.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:50 AM
Tim Farr is the man behind Team KTM and works tirelessly to keep the machines and riders in top form

Pappy
03-03-2008, 06:58 AM
The opening round includes a practice session that allows riders to work on their set up and make any changes needed. For many it was just a simple practice as the winter was spent in Florida, for others it was a small taste of what this track was going to offer.

One of the first riders I encountered was Chris Jenks who promptly sent himself over the bars. Thankfully he was fine and once he righted his quad was back out ripping up the florida sand.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:01 AM
Whooped out sand has a way of making things exciting as the machines dance and skim their way across the terrain. With the race course being at the 12 mile mark, everyone was wondering how well it would hold up and just how bad it would get.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:03 AM
Pro MX racer Jason Dunkleberger was onhand to give this XC racing thing a go! Dunk is one heck of a racer and an even nicer guy to have at the track. He was having a blast riding during the practice session.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:12 AM
Chris Borich came out to put in a few laps, and took a pause to check out the action

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:26 AM
The practice track was rough and everyone started talking about what the actual course would be like during the race.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:30 AM
Sturdivant had raced a local in South Carolina last weekend and was eager to see how close he had his suspension dialed in for this terrain

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:32 AM
The weather was perfect for the practice session as rider after rider took to the course. The soil wasn't as sandy as last years event and the area had received rain so it was holding together but getting choppy

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:38 AM
Santo Derisi breaks in his 2008 machine as another season begins for this long time GNCC racer.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:44 AM
Team LTE Racing rider Duane Johnson gets his Can Am dialed in during practice. The Johnson family has had a rough few weeks as their young child battled a serious illness. Thankfully, her condition has improved and Duane was able to make the race. We all wish the Johnson family our support and prayers for a full and speedy recovery for their daughter.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 07:49 AM
Brandon Sommers joins the factory Yamaha team this season as his official XC1 Pro season begins. His level of dedication and training should prove to be a force to contend with as he joins the front row.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 08:02 AM
8 time GNCC Champion Bill Ballance may claim to be racing more for the "fun" that we all know is in racing, but that doesn't mean he isn't as determined or as serious about winning as ever. He looked pretty mean during a quick photoshoot early sunday morning!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 08:07 AM
Borich wasn't pushing to hard during the practice, but when he did grab a hand full of throttle, everyone knew he had the Suzuki ready to run!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 08:54 AM
As the 1 pm start time approached, the sun was high overhead and umbrellas were a welcome comfort to those not tuned into the florida weather. Jarod McClure awaits his call to the line as the 2008 season was fast approaching!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:00 AM
Sturdivant ran into an immediate problem when his machine failed to start. He was able to get it fired with some assistance, however when he shut it off it again refused to fire. He was towed to his pit for a battery change just minutes before the start

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:06 AM
Sommers was ready to go to work

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:10 AM
Bill Ballance looks around at his competitors as his daughter beams away as she hangs with dad before the race. Family is where it's at folks, and a few of us are fortunate enough to enjoy these events together making it all seem right.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:24 AM
Bryan Baker gets a pre race chat with fellow Polaris rider John Gallaghar

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:50 AM
Sturdivant was heading back to the line just in time, with a fresh battery and fingers crossed

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:53 AM
The fans were ready as well as the first two turns became packed

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:55 AM
The opening ceremonies were underway as the national anthem was almost completed.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 09:58 AM
Borich and Ballance would start side by side as we were within 1 minute of kicking off the 2008 season

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:01 AM
One last check from the starter as everything that could be done to prep man and machine for a grueling two hour war was about to be battle tested

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:07 AM
The 10 seconds call was given and the green flag waved as the 2008 Can Am GNCC Series was officially underway!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:13 AM
Bill Ballance was the first to fire however the front row is now fitted with many machines that are on par with the champs steed. Taylor Kiser was going wheel to wheel with Ballance as the entire front row erupted off the line. Borich's Suzuki is equipped with a kick start, and he stated it starts fast. I did not ask him what happened (it looked like his foot may have slipped on the first kick) however he was starting off the season playing catch up as his machine fired to life and he gave chase

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:16 AM
Ballance was going to get yet another holeshot as the first turn got busy

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:19 AM
Kiser was playing middleman as Ballance held tight inside and Bryan Cook swept the outside line

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:21 AM
The run to turn 2 was on as Cook and Ballance pour on the power exiting the first turn

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:24 AM
Johnny Gallagher and the remainder of XC1 work through the first turn

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:33 AM
As I followed the leaders, I saw the crowds attention turn back turn 1. I was to late to catch a spectacular wreck that involved McClure, Jeff Pickens and a few others. We do have the images and I will replace this image once I can get it from Foley.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:51 AM
David Crane edges out Donald Ockerman for the XC2 holeshot

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:53 AM
44 entries in XC2 made it one of the largest classes of the race.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:55 AM
College A ripped off the line and it was Parker Jones out front and that is where he remained, winning the class!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 10:57 AM
Junior A followed as a three way battle for the lead rolls through the first turn

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:01 AM
Vet A 30+ had Gary Bryson grabbing the holeshot, however jeff Miller would take the class victory

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:03 AM
Glen Pritchard pulled the holeshot in Senior 40+

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:13 AM
Even being a 12 mile course, trying to wait for the last row to leave the starting line and reaching a point to cut off the leaders on foot at some tracks is proving to be difficult.

Ballance was in the lead as all I saw was a blue blur cross my line of sight as I raced to a point where i could get some pictures. Brandon Ballance was the first rider that I came across as the XC1 class was almost complete on the first lap!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:18 AM
Gallager and Bithell were next past me as the sounds of the racers was echoing through the palmetto's

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:24 AM
Dunk was holding his own as he came ripping by my position!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:27 AM
Andy Lagzdins was leading McGill on lap 1

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:32 AM
William Yokely was running solid aboard his Honda

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:33 AM
The racing was close at this point, and Derisi was riding smooth.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:36 AM
McClure had overcome his first turn accident and was charging hard

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:39 AM
XC2 rider Brian Wolf was already mixing it up with the XC1 class before the end of the first lap

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:41 AM
Donald Ockerman was "Wolf" hunting as he reeled Brian in.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:49 AM
I made a quick switch of locations and missed Borich as he came through, however he was running hard. The course meandered through a literal jungle of palmetto that was tight in some areas and very wide in others. A few foot paths were available for spectators to venture into the woods. By the second lap, the classes were getting mixed up as the faster classes were really making time.

Shawn Collins races through the florida course

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:56 AM
The course was choppy and rutted in sections, with palmetto roots and kickers everywhere. There was nowhere near the sandy whoops the riders faced last year at the opening round, however there was plenty to keep a rider intensely focused.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 11:59 AM
The trackside pit areas were also some of the smoothest and fastest areas allowing some a needed break while others continued to push

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:01 PM
New also for this season are the transponders (smal blue unit mounted on this riders fender) They seemed to work fairly well

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:04 PM
When the leaders emerged on lap 3, Taylor Kiser was out front and running hard. Bryan Cook was in second and looked to be running very strong!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:06 PM
McGill was dicing up the track and moving up!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:08 PM
Chris Bithell appeared to be having a solid race and was running up front on his Can Am

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:10 PM
Ballance looked smooth and was slowly picking up spots after dropping back

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:14 PM
Sommers came by minus his goggles which had to be a royal pain riding in that fine black dust that everyone was kicking up

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:16 PM
Mr Consitancy Matt Smiley was having a great race

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:18 PM
Yokely was also riding solid and was pulling up on Smiley

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:26 PM
Jenks was running well and was in position for a top 10 finish

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:30 PM
Dunk called it a day after trashing a wheel bearing. He stated that he enjoyed therace and would love to race more of them if he could find a XC ride! Anyone looking to add a tremendously talented rider to their Xc team might want to give this young man a call!!!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:32 PM
Dave Simmons pulls in for fuel, a cold drink. Simmons finished second in Senior 40+

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:36 PM
Borich's mechanic awaits his rider as he was due in. reorts in from the check points had him moving through the field at a rapid pace

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:48 PM
Borich did arrive and he had the lead! riding smart and ultra fast he worked his way by some serious talent to take control of the race and wasn't slowing down for anyone.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 12:51 PM
Cook was holding second and was on a mission. I could see in his eye's he was 100% focused on doing everything he could to keep charging!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:15 PM
Kiser was running hard and was doing his best to keep Cook in check

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:17 PM
The man on the move was none other then Bill Ballance. He was working his way closer to within striking distance of a podium finish!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:19 PM
Another rider making a charge to the front was Adam McGill. he had his KTM running strong and he was riding hard, but the laps were counting down and if none of the leaders had issues, he might just run out of time.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:21 PM
Sommers was still running strong behind McGill

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:24 PM
Smiley was inside the top ten and looking as determined as ever

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:28 PM
Near the scoring tent, the track crew had prepared a few small jumps to add some excitement to things. McClure works his way through the obstacle

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:33 PM
Santo Derisi comes in for another lap complete and actually had a decent race going until his engine let go.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:35 PM
A large rut had formed causing more then one rider to really have to work to clear the section

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:37 PM
Jenks charges back into the woods after exiting pit row

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:39 PM
Warning, a few tree's were harmed during this race:p

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:43 PM
The whooped sections did a number on more then one machine and being this close to the riders in these conditions had me nervous!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:55 PM
I have been caught in positions before where I was close but safe, but i actually got caught in the middle of a section when I did not know riders were coming. Thankfully a tree provided me cover and I got small in a hurry. The palmetto's were shielding the exhaust noise (and my bad hearing i'm sure did not help:p ) so when they came ripping through here all I could do was make the best of it:eek2:

There is another line behind me, and at several points I had quads on all 3 lines. First time I knew i had made a mistake and couldn't do a thing about it:ermm:

Pappy
03-03-2008, 03:59 PM
Finally able to get to a much safe vantage point, I was able to see some of the carnage coming in from the track. Overheating (both rider and machine) broken fenders and many loose stems and bars (not to mention tweaked tie rods) were tops on the list

Thanks to this crew for the drink, I sure needed it!!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:01 PM
The racing was still hot and heavy as the final laps were counting down

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:08 PM
I headed back to the finish line to see how it all would end, and caught some of the action at the ever worsening rut

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:12 PM
What seems like a simple obstacle can be difficult when riders are plum wore out after 2 hours of racing

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:15 PM
Greg Condon lends a helping hand to a fellow rider

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:17 PM
When he exited the track, a passing quad clipped him and sent him rolling:p

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:19 PM
It took some fancy body english but most riders made it

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:21 PM
Borich had no issues with the rut and worked his way to the checkered flag!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:24 PM
Cook came cruising in to grab himself the 2nd podium spot! His finish was an excellent start to his season!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:26 PM
Ballance wrapped up the podium with a solid ride, earning him a 3rd.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:30 PM
After a great start and race, Taylor Kiser will leave this race with 4th, not a bad showing at all on the new KTM!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:32 PM
Adam McGill gave KTM it's second seed inside the top 5 as he followed Kiser in rounding out the top 5. An excellent showing for McGill and Team KTM!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:37 PM
Borich lit up his tires and is shrouded in smoke as he celebrates his victory. I walked by him later in the pit's and a simpe nod, a wink and a thumbs up was all that was needed. This opening round win was his statement to everyone that he is taking no prisoners!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:41 PM
Bryan Cook was on it today folks, a solid performance from him and his machine led him to a well deserved second place finish. I am sure he was one tired rascal but he could rest knowing he had earned every sore muscle and blister!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:45 PM
Bill Ballance was indeed a bit more laid back ...yeah right! The man is still able to strike and just because he has his 8 championships doesn't mean 9 would hurt his feelings! A good solid showing from him today and the next round is only a week away!

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:51 PM
Wes Miller from H-Bomb films was on hand to capture action for one of his future movies.

Pappy
03-03-2008, 04:57 PM
For the racers, many are going to be spending a few more days here in sunny Florida for some much needed rest. Others are heading home or to other areas to wait out the next round. A few are even still here to watch the bikes and to enjoy some more racing action.

I can't thank Racer Productions enough for the fine meal we were invited to last night and it sure was appreciated by all in attendence.

For us, we will be here a few more days and then head to another location for some more reporting and maybe I can finally kick this dang flu. I hope everyone enjoyed the coverage and we will see everyone at round 2!!

PowerMadd789XC
03-03-2008, 05:38 PM
Thanks for the awsome coverage!!

IOWAracer
03-03-2008, 07:13 PM
GREAT job as usual Ken!!

Good job Duane Johnson!

BB

JoHn YeLtOn
03-03-2008, 08:44 PM
thanks for the race coverage and pics....:cool:

angelon400ex
03-04-2008, 11:34 AM
Anyone know if they are doing pre-registration this year? Getting ready to head to Georgia. Thanks!

quadmonkey
03-04-2008, 12:19 PM
Originally posted by angelon400ex
Anyone know if they are doing pre-registration this year? Getting ready to head to Georgia. Thanks!

No pre-registration this year

BludgerDB
03-04-2008, 04:09 PM
Outstanding photos!

quadlee
03-05-2008, 09:46 AM
awsome photos. They are the best that I have ever seen without a doubt.

juanki
03-05-2008, 12:40 PM
great work pappy..

i like a lot this race coverages, hope that for 2008, there are more coverages in this format, besides videos, 'cause it gives a lot of fedback of the race.

is there a official kawasaki team running this series?

250Renvy
03-09-2008, 04:30 PM
Love the pics.

I'd really like to see some wider shots though.

woodsracer144
08-31-2008, 03:26 PM
Originally posted by Pappy
Dunk was holding his own as he came ripping by my position!

when has dunk ben doin teh GNCC's i thought he was a mx guy?