2005 GNCC "Unadilla" Round #11 Afternoon ATV Racing Coverage

New Berlin, NY - Until 2005, the National MX track at Unadilla Sports Complex only came too life once a year for the Motorcycle Outdoor Nationals, and it was re-seeded with grass until next years National.

In 2005, two more National events were added to the Unadilla list including the ATVA MX Nationals and now the GNCC Series, which represented the first time in several decades that any amateur bike rider would get an opportunity to ride on the National MX track during competition, which attracted a record crowd of over 1,800 riders to this weekend's event with the majority bike riders.

The ATV attendance wasn't anywhere near a record with just over 400 riders signing up, but it was up from the attendance at the Yadkinville Valley Stomp

By Saturday Morning, the rolling hills of central New York came to life with the Morning racers getting to be the first riders to break in the freshly cut trails through the woods, and for more information of the location and track layout check out the "Live Coverage" thread for all the preview information.

#1 Bill Ballance was determined as ever to defend his National title even though he could still barely walk since his injury, but he received approval from the doctor to compete this weekend, and he was ready to give it his best shot even if it meant only completing one lap.

Hopefully, Next Year, Bill Ballance won't need to stand in front of the Yamaha rig for the bikes, but instead have a rig of his own. It may be wishful thinking, but it sure is fun to dream.

#4 Matt Smiley, headed to Unadilla in the 5th Overall position after #7 Chris Jenks moved into 4th after his win at Yadkinville, so Matt will have his work cut out for himself to preserve his #4 number for 2006.

Speaking of 2006, Matt Smiley, is extremely excited about the new "Outlaw" released by Polaris over the summer, and he was hoping to get a chance to race it in the GNCC Series before the end of the year, but it looks like he will have to wait till 2006.

The Polaris Outlaw looks very similar to its cousin the Predator with very similar fender lines and identical engines.

The difference between the two machines is very obvious once you take a look at the rear of the machine with its "IRS" Independent Rear Suspension, which is a first in mainstream production sport machines.

The IRS system provides plenty of ground clearance in comparison to a straight axle, which normally limits ground clearance to only a few inches. I have ridden IRS on Utility machines and it made a huge difference when trail riding and the ability to keep power to the ground, and if the new Polaris concepts works as well as Smiley has explained, the new Outlaw could eventually become king of the woods, and if anybody can make this new Polaris shine, it will be Matt Smiley.

For those interested in checking out the new Polaris Outlaw for themselves, the Polaris rig will be at the next two rounds, and at St. Clairsville, OH, the Outlaw will be available to test ride on a closed course.

With the Afternoon racers making their way to the starting rows, #1 Bill Ballance geared up and headed to the line, and to get back into the groove, he did a quick practice start on his way to Pro Row.

#6 Bryan Cook and his fiancée Bonnie Hamrick were already waiting in staging to be called to lineup.

For the most part, the 2005 season hasn’t been the type of season that Bryan had hoped for after dealing with one problem after another earlier in the year, but the Wisp marked a turning point for Bryan with 6th Overall finish which was his only top 10 overall since almost making the podium at Big Buck with 4th Overall.

With the opening round on his home turf of North Carolina, Bryan Cook came back strong from the summer break and once again just missed the podium with a 4th overall, so with three rounds remaining, he was determined to make the most of what was left of the 2005 season and hope for a better start for 2006.

#23 Bryan Baker had his family along for the weekend, and his son was all geared up and spending some quality time with Bryan before the start of the race.

In Reverse, William Yokley's Father mounted up William's helmet camera, which shows how important family is in GNCC racing because it requires a group effort and family support to travel to all the races.

Yet another Father and Son combo, with Chris and Joe Borich on the line. The entire Borich family stands behind Chris Borich and his father Joe put his heart and soul into his son's racing program and has down so for years.

Over the summer the pair traveled all over the East Coast attending local events in preparation for the final four rounds of the season, and it paid off with Borich returning to the Podium at Yadkinville, NC with 2nd Overall behind Chris Jenks, which moved him closer to Bill Ballance in the lead, but the remaining three races were still very critical to the Borich team, so all eyes would be on Bill Ballance and Chris Borich because this race would be a major turning point in either direction based on the outcome.