2008 GNCC -Round#3 -"Steele Creek"- Pro ATV Race Coverage

[Pappy]

Round #3 of the Can Am GNCC Series has been held at the Steel Creek campground for what seems like forever. As one of the most scenic stops of the series, many kick back and relax as the region just seems to put people in that kind of mood:p

Arriving friday afternoon, the weather was outragous, with temps in the mid 70's and lot of sunshine. This made ideal conditions for a quick photoshoot with some of the afternoon racers that make this series such fun!

Gallery (http://www.atvriders.com/gallery/2008-gncc-03-pm-atv-race-photos/index.html)

[Pappy]

Now I have to write about these events so I try and get a vibe from everyone as we cruise the pits chatting and what not, and no matter who I ran into it just seemed everyone was more likely to kick back and BBQ then get ready for two hours of brutal abuse:D

Chris Borich and his mechanic, John Rowling hang out as thier work for the day was done.

[Pappy]

For the Warnert Racing crew, rest is not something you will find them doing often. The large team fields riders in the morning and afteroon races and keeping everything ready to go is fulltime work.

[Pappy]

John Bowers makes some adjustments on a friends quad as I do my best to bug him:D

[Pappy]

XC2 rider Mark Nottman taking it easy which is a good thing as XC2 is a HUGE class and it will take every ounce of energy he has to run upfront

[Pappy]

XC1 rider Brent Sturdivant takes a bit of advice from Chris Borich as Womens class racer Lexie Coulter listens in.

[Pappy]

It took 3 guys to get Johnny C off Borichs quad:p

[Pappy]

For the immediate future, Adam McGill is the man to beat. After getting close at the opening round, McGill unleashed a torrent of speed at round 2 winning by 6 minutes!

Adam and his father chat with fans non stop.

[Pappy]

Bryan Baker turns wrenches as he gets his Outlaw ready to go

[Pappy]

Rain had moved in over night and conditions had worsened by the 1pm start time. A cold wind replaced the warm breeze that greeted us just the day before, and storm clouds were overhead as Tim Farr gets ready to go.

[Pappy]

I heard someone say recently that Matt Smiley was back.....well folks, I don't believe he ever left. He may have had issues with a machine that did not allow him to perform like he had wished, but his racing spirit never wained and he is as ferocious as ever!

Quiet and focused for sure, however I learned that he has one hell of a sense of humor:devil: It is guys like Smiley that bleed racing and more should follow his example of how to be a good person and competitor as alot of that is lost in people all over the world these days.

[Pappy]

Bill Ballance may be trying to have more fun this season, but you wouldbe hard pressed to see any chinks in his armor on the line.

[Pappy]

Craig Reed does all he can to stay warm as the wind kicked up.

[Pappy]

I admit it, I was about to ask Traci if I could share her jacket:p I was wet from the morning race and that wind had me shaking so much I wasnt sure if i could hold the camera still:p

[Pappy]

Borich takes it all in as he waits for this thing to get started

[Pappy]

Chris Bithell seems to always be in a good mood. The talented young racer is also an avid hunter....I wonder if he has ever hunted snipe:devil:

[Pappy]

Digital Dave shows me how to roost out of turn two!

I don't have a catchy name to get a cool nickname like Dave:ermm: Dave and his wife just brought a bouncing baby into the world last week so join me in wishing their family a big ol' congratulations!!

[Pappy]

The minutes were counting down as the start time approached.

[Pappy]

The green flag waved and Xc1 was full throttle to turn 1!


McGill had won the race to teh first turn, but now everyone had to get headed to the second turn as the field swings wide

[Pappy]

McGill was making his KTM scream as he pulled out of turn 1 and reached turn 2 with the lead!

[Pappy]

Ballance was about to chew off the rear end of that orange blur in front of him!

[Pappy]

Ballance may be having fun this year, if your idea of fun is going wheel to wheel:devil:

Ballance and McGill do battle to turn 3!

[Pappy]

Baker gets a face full of roost as Borich can be seen in the background heading into turn 2

[Pappy]

Bithel got jammed up in the second turn, causing him to play catch up right from the start

[Pappy]

Santo Derisi slides around the stalled pair of quads

[Pappy]

Now I dont know about you, but seeing XC2 rocket off the line gets my nerves on full tilt! This class is packed with talent and speed and NUMBERS!!!

Donald Ockerman grabs the holeshot over 38 other riders!

[Pappy]

Parker Jones grabs the lead in College A

[Pappy]

Turn two gets busy as the remainder of College A gets on the gas

[Pappy]

Dave Simmons dives into turn two with the holeshot and rode to the class win in Senior A! Great ride Dave!!!

[Pappy]

Robert Oakley leads Junior A 22+ through turn two

[Pappy]

An over the shoulder view of a Vet A 30+ rider as the class takes the track

[Pappy]

Now thats flyin low!

[Pappy]

Getting the holeshot is such a rush!

[Pappy]

In many classes, if you dont get a good start you have little chance of catching the leaders as the cometition levels are so high these days!

[Pappy]

Once the last row had entered the woods, I headed off to try and catch the leaders before they completed thier first lap.

My wait was short as I could hear a lone quad coming my way. As the sound grew louder, I started seeing bits of orange and I knew McGill was out front and charging hard!

[Pappy]

McGill rolled past me and was out of sight in a flash. I could not even hear another quad for what seemed like minutes, then Ballance came sliding through.

[Pappy]

William Yokely had gotten a great start and was holding 3rd as the first lap neared completion

[Pappy]

I had no sooner lowered my camera when Matt Smiley approached, and I barely got a picture off before I was pumping my fist in support!

[Pappy]

The ranks were closing in as the XC1 class was in the thick of it. Chris Jenks was up to 5th

[Pappy]

Taylor Kiser was chasing the roost of the Can Am ahead of him as he held the 6th position

[Pappy]

Borich was on the move and running 7th. He would work his way to 5th

[Pappy]

The track was rutting up pretty good in many areas, and pay close attention to what you were about to hit was all one could do.

[Pappy]

Santo Derisi looks close at a rut just out of camera range that was causing many to have thier bars ripped out of thier hands.

[Pappy]

Bryan Baker works his Outlaw through this section as he sets up for the hit he is about to take

[Pappy]

The intensity of XC racing can be what you make it, but in the afternoon classes, its all go all the time!

[Pappy]

Shawn Collins works his way in for another lap complete

[Pappy]

McGill held the lead as the first 3 laps were scored and was looking to walk away with another win. For the remainder of other racers, the war was far from over.

[Pappy]

Finding a peice of smooth track was a welcome thing to tired arms

[Pappy]

The field sections were wide open runs, but they were short lived as the braking bumps started to beat everyone up

[Pappy]

Getting on the gas or trying to go slow, it really did not matter as the conditions were going to take its toll on man and machine

[Pappy]

I always tell my son that everyone races the same track, but not the same lines and sometimes a few less poundings here and there can add up to a faster lap time

[Pappy]

With the white flag out, I awaited McGills arrival. He did not disappoint as I wtached him work his way through lappers as he got closer Cody hollared over at how smooth he was riding. Indeed he was, smooth, smart and to be honest he almost looked slow! He was just so fluid and making no mistakes, but when he came to a lapper you could see just how fast the man was riding.

[Pappy]

Bill Ballance had run a great race, holding the number two spot to the checkered flag.

[Pappy]

Yokely had the 3rd spot but couldnt let up, there were a few more miles to go!

[Pappy]

Matt Smiley was running hard, but couldn't close the gap to challenge Yokely for the podium. Matt finished in 4th, an excellent race for Matt!!

[Pappy]

Brandon Sommers was right there at the end, sealing the 5th spot for another great ride. Sommers will be consistant, and he is fast, now all he needs is just the right situation and we will see him with a win!

[Pappy]

Borich trailed Sommers by mere seconds taking the 6th spot. It will all come together for Chris, and I know his approach to the season is different from years past so I am not concerned.

[Pappy]

By the end of the race, machines were showing signs of the carnage during the two hours of racing

[Pappy]

For Brent Sturdivant, the start to this season has to be frustrating. He knows he can run with anyone, and he believes in his team and his machine, however the learning curve with the new model has to be dealt with. Time will tell, but I am certain that it will all come together for him and others battling the same issues.

[Pappy]

For XC2 rider Tyler Lenig, a mechanical issue had him concerned but he ended up running just fine. He finished 3rd in XC2.

[Pappy]

Johnny Gallahger on his way to an 8th place finish. Johnny, as much as I enjoy your friendship, no more rain dances:p

[Pappy]

Jarrod McClure edges out XC2 rider Donald Ockerman as they pass my position, finishing in the same order.

[Pappy]

Ryan Lane had a great run at round 2, and while he wasnt upfront this round, sure looked tobe having a good ride and alot of fun!

[Pappy]

For all those that competed, it was my pleasure to watch it all unfold!

[Pappy]

Hopefully the remaining rounds will be kind to us all with regards to weather. Trying to do my thing in the rain is risky:p and it doesnt allow me the movement i would like to dive in and get some cool shots. maybe next round!

[Pappy]

For McGill, he is on a roll and it will take some work to unseat him. Having confidence in every aspect of your racing program is probably the biggest advantage one could ask for and he has it!

[Pappy]

Tim farr has got to be proud of all of his riders as they are not only getting results, they are winning over a large fan base due to the promotion of the team, the company and the sport in such a positive way.

[Pappy]

Bill Ballance's finish has to be a boost to thier team after the DNF at round 2. I would never count Bill out and I still think he may have a shot at #9!

[Pappy]

William showed the signs of a hard fought battle on the podium. I am sure this will energize him and his Army National Gaurd team to push even hard at round 4!!

[Pappy]

McGill also learned that Bill Ballance can get you when you least expect it:chinese:

Bill crammed Adams ears full of mud
:devil:

[Pappy]

That wraps it up folks. I had a great time chatting with everyone, picked up photography mission from Borich:blah: and got to watch some kick butt racing all day long!

I also promised these two Youth ATV racers that I would post their picture and where better then right here after the Pro coverage. And I now have a new site for you to view photo;'s at a higher resolution, the slideshow works great! Enjoy!



Have fun, be safe and I hope to see everyone at round #4Afternoon Gallery (http://kenny.zenfolio.com/p969721336)

[gyii]

BB did that to McGill on the Ironman podium last year too!! :p

[crayfz]

Originally posted by Pappy
Dave Simmons dives into turn two with the holeshot and rode to the class win in Senior A! Great ride Dave!!!

Thanks Pappy, sorry I didn't see you to say hi.

[my88r]

great shots:cool:

[GNCC Laeger 250]

I think I might know these two hams............Thanks Pappy....

[bustedknuckle]

Great Pic of My Son # 173 Thanks..