2007 GNCC Series Round #1 - The Triton - Youth Coverage

The first round of 2007 is now in the books, and I must say, after spending some time in sunny Florida that I can see why most make the first two rounds into a vacation of sorts. With many of the participants traveling in from areas where snow and bitter cold are the norm, the 70 degree sunshine surely wouldnt do them any harm!


The "Triton" was held on the Corrigan Ranch in beautiful Vero Beach, FL. A mere rap on the gas from the warm sandy beaches where riding boots and tear offs were replaced with shorts and sun tan lotion. 2007 was about to get underway in fine style.

Sunday morning the weather looked ominous. Dark clouds were waking folks up and quick adjustments were made just incase these young riders were suddenly faced with wet race conditions.

Youth Race gallery

The machines that were unveiled for this season are spectacular! The racing scene has embraced the mini quads and there is not much being sparred in turning them into mini racers that at first glance resemble the atv's sitting on Pro row!

Walking the pits at daybreak found last minute prep work being preformed as the 8 am start time drew nearer.

Reaching the end of one of the rows, I spotted Kyle Riley milling about his camp awaiting the kick off to the season. Kyle ended up finishing out 2006 obtaining the 14th spot in the Youth series.

It was coming down to a judgement call on which quad Kyle would be taking to the line, but being the rain looked to hold off, the Cobra was going to be his mount for the opening round saving his race prepped TRX90 for Georgia.

The sky lightened as the start time grew closer, and the ranks of the Youth division quickly filled the starting area.

Riley sat patiently aboard his Cobra as I snapped this picture. I have been watching this talented young racer do his thing since he was 8 years old, and once he is on the line he tends to get focused intensely on what the next hour will bring.

Ty Seivard's 90 was looking sharp as he sits on the front row ready to do battle

Words of encouragement, support and some last minute race strategy find their way through the line

To say the first turn was wide is an understatement! Taking a vantage point that should have allowed me to have a decent angle at the start proved difficult as the sound of screaming mini's rounded the turn all holding the throttle as they drifted outside busting open the 2007 season in a hasty fashion as 90 Modified 11-15 railed the first turn!

Matthew Harris (#15) was off like a shot followed to the outside by the Cobra mounted rider.

Harris was gone...not out front but GONE! The little 2 stroke was echoing through the second turn as the rest of the field gave chase.