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View Full Version : 2008 Gncc-Round#4-"Pirelli Big Buck- Pro Race Coverage



Pappy
04-13-2008, 07:36 PM
Round #4 of the Can Am GNCC Series was back down south as the series headed to Union, South Carolina for yet another round of exciting racing action. Coming into this round, Adam "I am on a winning streak" McGill was the rider holding all the cards as he stacked two back to back wins in his deck. McGill has already proven that his program is working, his machine is working and the results prove that the man is now a threat to anyone wanting the championship in 2008.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 07:43 PM
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the fact that several of the series top talents are being sidelined with issues that range from simple to complex in regards to issues with thier equipment. Chris Bithell, Chris Jenks, Brandon Sturdivant, Micheal Houston, Duane Johnson and more have all suffered miserably as we entered this round. We all knew that taking on the new models would pose unforseen issues and that top finishes could be hard in the first few rounds, however with round 4 upon us, the season is looking bleake for several riders whos visions of podium finishes are disappearing lap after lap. This round I had my fingers crossed that thier luck would change.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 07:48 PM
For Chris Borich, the season may not be starting as well as he would like, but the young rider is not showing that it is affecting him. Chatting with Chris, he seemed confident and focused without showing any signs of being some how distracted by a less then perfect start to the opening rounds.

It may take a few more tweaks here or there, but Borich isn't ready to conceed anything to anyone and you can bet he will be pushing hard to get upfront.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 07:58 PM
For Matt Smiley, sticking to the basics has him well inside the top 10 so far this season. Bill Ballance may have stated this season was about fun, but I believe Matt is stealing a great deal of that fun and staying upfront while remaining his laid back self. I'm pretty sure you would have to set his boots on fire to get a rise out of him, but ladies and gents, you have someone in your sights that is a champion wether he never runs another race in his life. Without ever saying a word, Smiley shows us all what being great means by his actions.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:02 PM
As for William Yokely, he to has benefited from getting back to the tried and true and finds himself inside the top 10 in points after 3 rounds of competition. Yokley found the podium at round 3, and this round would have him hunting for a repeat!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:17 PM
If there was a surprise so far this season, it comes in the form of Bryan Cook. Cook came out swinging at round #1, backed it up with another top 5 at the second round and slipped to a 14th finish at round 3.

Cook found himself running and gunning with the top guns of the sport and liked it! Sitting second in points on top of a solid team might just prove to be the ticket to Cooks best season ever!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:22 PM
For Taylor Kiser, 2008 is shaping up to be a solid season for him as well. Being team mates on the FRE KTM with Adam McGill has it's perks, but one of them is not a garuntee of running upfront. Kiser has made the bite of this team feel real as he just missed the podium at round 1, found it solid at round 2 as he filled the #2 spot beside his winning teammate, but found himself slugging it out for 7th at Steele Creek among the miles of one line track.

Kiser was looking focused as the rain drops fell prior to the start

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:27 PM
Standing in line for some trackside grub friday evening, I overheard some fans explaining that McGill had to loose weight to make room for the horseshoe he had installed:tired:

While luck always plays into racing, hard work and dedication, ability and drive all work hand in hand with lady luck. However the fact remains he has flat torn up the competition the past 2 rounds. Securing back to back convincing wins has his name on everyones lips as pre race discussions have the pits a buzz.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:33 PM
Bill Ballance works to get a fresh piece of ground for his tires to bite on as the rain fell steadily prior to the start. Bill suffered from a DNF at round 2, but has shown the crowds at the podium that he still knows the way there by visiting it twice this season.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:38 PM
Chris Bithell, to much rider for any man made machine:eek: :p

Chris burst into the limelight in 2007 and was looking for a kickazz season to back it up. While that hasn't yet materialized, Chris's spirit remained unbroken as he prepared to give it his all!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:49 PM
I finally had to ditch the starting line and shield my cameras from the rain and headed off to seek my spot to capture the starts. Away from the crowds and looking across the field to the rows of riders, I began to ponder just how some of this years finishes have to be playing on the racers. The stress has to be enormous on those expecting to do better, the team managers who are shouldering the weight, the families who send off thier sons and fathers and wait in anticipation of hearing good news. Some of us feel for ya!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 08:54 PM
The 10 seconds call was given and all the worry in the world was about to be interupted by the sounds of XC1 launching off the line!

Matt Smiley came screamining into the first turn but was forced to swing a bit outside as the pack hit the off camber right hand turn

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:01 PM
Smiley may have beaten the pack to the first corner, but it would be Bryan Cook digging in and applying the power to get the holeshot! This was Cooks first ever holeshot in the XC1 class!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:05 PM
Cook exits turn two with Kiser looking to his outside and Brandon Ballance making a run to the inside

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:07 PM
Cook explained after the race that he looked around to see what was going on and to make sure he actually had the holeshot!!

Heading into turn 3, Cook indeed had the lead and the race was on!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:10 PM
Kiser, Smiley and Sommers were nipping at Cooks heels through the 3rd turn, as Borich got a mid pack start and would have another race where he would be forced to work through the field of riders in front of him

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:11 PM
Jeff Pickens gets the cold shoulder as the riders converge

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:19 PM
The pack heads to turn 4, and Mr mcGill was going to face an uphill battle as his machine took just a split second to fire (later admitted by McGill that he touched the throttle...tsk tsk:p )

Now the test was on the table as all the McGill doubters leaned back and mumbled about how now we would see if he had what it took...and they were right! And for his supporters, they all looked like sheep as thier man was now going to be tested! Even the announcer commented through out the race how this would be a huge challenge for McGill as the course was brutal, passing would take alot of skill and luck (it's ok, he has that horseshoe installed:p)

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:22 PM
With XC1 now in the woods, it was XC2's turn to let loose!

Donald Ockerman looked like a flush rabbit as he darted out of turn one!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:24 PM
XC2 is over run with entries and is one highly contested class. Just getting to the woods in one piece is a challenge!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:27 PM
With dark clouds looming in the distance, I figured I would not press my luck by staying for all the classes to start. The weather, combined with riders not making it more then a lap or two at previous rounds had my files void of photographs that I despretly needed so I was forced to bail and head off to the woods to cut off the leaders.

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:32 PM
Now I dont walk particuliarly fast, and cutting off the leaders has been tough this year due to the wet conditions and course layouts. With that said, I was pretty stoked to have made my way back into a section well before the leaders had approached. (Self accomplishment pat on the back)

My secret weapon was hot on my trail as we set up and waited for the lead group. I want to thank Cody for all his help at this round as I know he was beat after racing the morning race but never strayed more then a step or two from me as I trekked around the course....and even took several of the shots you will see used in coverage!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:36 PM
Cook approached and was setting a great pace. The course was rutted badly, and slick!

Pappy
04-13-2008, 09:40 PM
Kiser had his FRE KTM in hot pursuit! Unfortunatley, Kiser was only able to score 2 laps before pulling it in to the pits, ending his day

Pappy
04-14-2008, 10:47 AM
Brandon Sommers was in 3rd when he passed my position, and he was looking like he was well on his way to a good day even this early in the race!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 10:51 AM
With the slight turn in the course, and heavy woods, I could not see the approaching riders. When Borich ripped into my view in 4th I could see he had already done some work getting to the front after another mid pack start.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 10:54 AM
Matt Smiley was right in the thick of things once again as the woods now sounded like a war zone as the XC1 class was nose to tail through this section!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 10:57 AM
My headset was ful of talk with regards to the bad start McGill had, however he was inside the top 10 and charging hard!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:01 AM
Ryan Lane has been quietly working is way to the top of the heap in XC1, relying on proven power and reliable equipment to keep him finishing well, shown here inside the top 10 and riding smooth!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:03 AM
Johnny Gallagher is well known for solid finishes when the conditions get bad, and while it wasn't the muddiest event we have seen in 2008, it was right up his alley as he works his way through the muck!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:06 AM
XC2 rider Brian Wolf had worked past holeshot winner Donald Ockerman and was now cutting up the tail end of XC1!!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:07 AM
Ockerman wasn't going away with out a knock down drag out fight, and would soon be wheel to wheel with Wolf as the pair battled the entire race

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:09 AM
This shot of Chris Jenks shows just how bad the thick and tacky mud was to deal with.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:11 AM
Bill Ballance among others had pitted the first lap for goggles it appeared.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:14 AM
Xc2 racer Sean Neidlinger has been having a rough start in 2008, but was looking good at this round as the 2nd lap was underway

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:16 AM
Micheal Sroka pilots his Polaris through the one line section. Sroka has been battling for good finishes this season as well as many other talented riders.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:17 AM
Duane Johnson went on to score 2 laps, then ran into mechanical issues forcing him out of competition.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:19 AM
When a break in the action gave me a chance to cross the knee deep track, I headed off to a new vanatge point. The field sections were full of battles as riders looked to make passes.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:21 AM
The rain that was falling at the start had subsided, and now the track was tacking up in many areas, however the mud was still plentifull down in the creek sections.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:23 AM
High speed field sections often ended in a rutted and whoop filled turn or bottom that was making this race plenty rough.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:25 AM
Stumps were everywhere and more then one rider succumbed to them when cutting a corner

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:27 AM
There would be no rest as every section offered enough brutality to keep riders focused

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:31 AM
Bryan Cook was riding super fast, and knowing he had some serious talent behind him, right behind him! had him hard on the gas!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:33 AM
McGill railed this section in 3rd!! He had overcome his bad start, blown through the field of XC1 riders and was now sitting behind his teammate as they had Cook in thier sights!!!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:42 AM
Sommers had been bumped to 4th but was still running strong

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:43 AM
Borich was still running well, shown here in 5th

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:46 AM
Smiley just wasn't going anywhere, offering a challenge to anyone that wanted his position.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:47 AM
Ryan Lane was still inside the top 10 on lap 3 and was looking to finish well.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:49 AM
Yokely wasn't doing as well as he did at round 3, but was still in a position to score another good finish

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:50 AM
Bill Ballance was about t set Yokely back a spot as he put on a good charge as he worked his way back in the mix

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:53 AM
Brain Wolf was still leading XC2, and was close at one point to score a huge overall finish. Ockerman was running him down and both would be looking at great overall positions as the race neared an end.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:54 AM
Chris Jenks was running strong, and would be the only Can Am to complete the race in the XC1 class

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:56 AM
Jarrod McClure shadows Johnny Gallagher on lap 3. McClure would fall back as the 4th lap was completed, finishing 14th

Pappy
04-14-2008, 11:58 AM
Bryan Baker's Polairis took a beatimng, and after 3 laps had to be pulled in to the pits

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:00 PM
Craig Reed tags a hidden stump as he works heads out for the final lap

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:02 PM
Tyler Lenig was giving chase to the XC2 leaders, and would finish 3rd!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:04 PM
Duane Johnson would put in another good effort, only to suffer mechanical issues once again.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:09 PM
Santo Derisi has been having bad luck all year, however at this round he was putting in a solid ride

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:12 PM
Moving closer to the pro pit area, it became evident that many top names were sidelined. Chris Bithell had sent another engine to the scrap heap, Brent Sturdivant was out, Johnson was done......

For others, one more lap would tell the tale

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:13 PM
The rain looked to hold off even as the clouds blocked the sun for most of teh race.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:14 PM
With a long and rough track, the last lap can make or break you in many classes

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:15 PM
The strong survive is not just a saying, in GNCC racing it is the rule!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:17 PM
Shawn Collins ran into issues and did not complete the 4th lap, finishing 10th in Vet 30+

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:20 PM
When Adam McGill set out for his last lap, he was living large and in charge as he had taken the lead and was one lap away from making it 3 in a row!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:22 PM
Cook was now in second after leading most of the race.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:23 PM
Brandon Sommers was in a solid 3rd place position and was headed to another podium finish!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:24 PM
Chris Borich had worked his way to 4th as the last lap was underway

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:26 PM
i made my way to the finish line area to see how it all would end. There was alot of racing to do in that last lap, and everyone was running fairly close.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:27 PM
McGill was about to answer many questions if he could indeed remain out front and take this win!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:29 PM
Senior A 40+ racer Dave Simmons rode to almost a 4 minute margin of victory!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:31 PM
The last obstacle before scoring was a wrist buster

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:32 PM
Finally, an orange blur streaked through the last section heading to the finish. Adam McGill was only 100 yards from victory!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:35 PM
Adam McGill had done it! He had shown that he can come from behind and win on his FRE KTM! This was no easy task, and should dispell any doubts that he is for real, and now the man to beat bar none!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:39 PM
For Bryan Cook, it was another trip to the podium and a solid 2nd place finish at the Big Buck!


Please take note of the young man in a red shirt showing support for ALL the racers. That is young Charlie Welch who rides the 70 CVT class in the Youth ATV race. Charlie also races a bike in sundays race and broke 2 ribs during his race. After the crash, he remounted his bike, raced to the finish and never let up for 1 second!!! I dont know about you folks, but seeing these kids tells me we havent seen anything yet as our future looks incredibly bright with this type of racer in our midst!!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:43 PM
Brandon Sommers heads to the checkered flag as he is showered by roost. Sommers holds the 3rd position in points and will be hard to keep out of the top 5 in 2008!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:47 PM
For Adam McGill, this win has to taste sweet! Round after round he is getting the job done and when the checkered flag comes out, he is there.

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:50 PM
And what about Bryan Cook!! This guy is a privateer doing battle with factory teams and money and is proving he has what it takes to make his finishes sting!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:51 PM
And that extra $100 will add a nice steak dinner to the ride home!

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:53 PM
As for Brandon Sommers, well he doesnt show a ton of emotion on the podium. I think that will change shortly when he gets his first overall win;)

Pappy
04-14-2008, 12:56 PM
Thats it folks. McGill steals a kiss, takes the money and the glory from yet another event! Round 5 at Loretta's is now 2 weeks away and closing, remember to bring your A game because McGill is not looking back!


See you there!

my88r
04-14-2008, 01:38 PM
great coverage:muscle:

660bigdaddy
04-14-2008, 02:04 PM
great coverage pappy. as always

Britboy
04-14-2008, 04:50 PM
Awesome coverage Pappy- thanks so much!:D

hungus07trx400
04-14-2008, 06:20 PM
These pictures are always so good, it's like your right there in the thick of it. I feel like i need to shower and wash my clothes when i get to the last page.

IOWAracer
04-14-2008, 07:39 PM
Im gonna race the sportsman class at Lorettas just so I can watch McGill push for #4 and maybe Johnson can pull that Can Am to its first top 3...

BB

Simon MX49
04-15-2008, 06:58 AM
ADAM MCGILL, 2008 Champion, and the man to dethrone Bill Ballance, sounds like someone is finally gonna knock him off the top step of the podium

Linda Reed
04-15-2008, 10:02 AM
I always enjoy this part of the coverage the most. Also, it is a pleasure to watch you and your son work togather.

Steff
04-15-2008, 11:14 AM
Like your pix and coverage a lot! Gives a great inside in the race itself. Do you do it for the 4x4 too?

Stefan from Germany

Pappy
04-16-2008, 01:40 PM
Originally posted by Linda Reed
I always enjoy this part of the coverage the most. Also, it is a pleasure to watch you and your son work togather.

We both appreciate it! We work well together, and when we team up usually good things happen :p

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8622360@N03/2418713787/" title="B. Sommers by mycamerahatesme, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2418713787_f5a489b9f4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="680" alt="B. Sommers" /></a>

Pappy
04-16-2008, 01:51 PM
Originally posted by hungus07trx400
These pictures are always so good, it's like your right there in the thick of it. I feel like i need to shower and wash my clothes when i get to the last page.

It's safer at home!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8622360@N03/2418736985/" title="gncc 128 copy by mycamerahatesme, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2127/2418736985_8355608ec6_o.jpg" width="1000" height="935" alt="gncc 128 copy" /></a>

PowerMadd789XC
04-18-2008, 08:50 AM
sweet coverage.and good job to mcgill