2005 GNCC "Power Line Park" Round #12 Afternoon ATV Racing Coverage

Wes Stone wrapped up the 2 Stoke A/B Championship at Yadkinville, and he gave Junior Class a try at Unadilla finishing 5th, so he decided to see how he would do this weekend in Open A.

John Rowling finished his worst race of the season in the Vet Class at Unadilla with a fourth place finish after getting off to a bad start, and fourth is nothing to complain about for an old guy like Rowling :D

Rowling is currently ranked 4th in Points as well, and he could have easily won the class this season even if he DNFed two races in Vet, but unfortunately, he will only have 8 races at the end of the year in the Vet Class, but I did notice that the rules states you must enter 9 events to be eligible for year end awards, but doesn’t say they all have to be in the same class?

Nathan Gogno started off the season with a string of second place finishes, but a injury sidelined him for 5 races, and he made his return at Yadkinville, but hasn't been able to get back into the swing of it till this weekend when finished 3rd.

Tom Hertz, there isn’t much more to say as the photos tells it all just by looking at his ornery grin behind his helmet.

With Brandon Sommers and Tyler Lenig wrapping up the one and two spots in 4 Stroke B, the battle is now on between Adam Mallet and Donald Ockerman for the third spot.

Ockerman(Right) was up for the challenge this weekend as he took the 4 Stroke B win with Adam Mallet finishing in 4th place. If Ockerman can finishing up front next weekend ahead of Mallet he will claim the third spot.

Mason Stephenson (Left) wasn’t in points running as he switched between classes this season, but he did give it a run at win this weekend leading the Open B Class in the first lap, but was out of the race after two laps.

With the race about to begin, it was time for the riders prayer, and Bill Ballance lowered his head in prayer and thanks for his speedy recovery.

The entire Pro Row rose for the National Anthem with Umbrellas providing some shelter from the rain before they covered themselves in mud in less than a few minutes.

With the start of the race about to begin, I raced into position for the start and almost fell flat on my face doing it, so I walked like I was on ice across the track, which provided a good chuckle for Big John watching me tip toe across the field.

Pro Class Start

Rick Towery waved the Green Flag, and the roar of the engines broke the silence in the air with Bill Ballance and Chris Borich jumping out to the early lead down the stretch.

Rounding the 1st turn, Bill Ballance remained in the lead as he pulled yet another Holeshot this year aboard his Yamaha YFZ450, and as Ballance would put it “my powerful Yamaha YFZ450 catapulted me out to the early lead.” In chase were Borich, Yokley, Duvall, and Lagzdins.