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GNCC race fans have been treated to an incredible battle for the Championship this season with Bill Ballance and Chris Borich in a dead heat for the title with identical finishing results, but after this weekend’s event, one or the other will have sole control of the points lead.
Five Time GNCC Champion, #1 Bill Ballance, heads to the starting line to defend his title and attempt to move tie Barry Hawk’s seven Championships on an ATV.
#10 Greg Trew heads to the line sporting his new GT Thunder graphic kit after joining the team at Steele Creek. Greg completed his 1st race this season at Steele Creek and came within 3 seconds of a podium appearance, so he is hungry for yet another great race to get his season headed in the right direction.
Greg Trew wasn’t the only Pro with new graphics this weekend, #16 Santo Derisi switched up his graphics for the 3rd time this season looking to find that perfect look, and I must say that I like the new graphics with the Derisi Racing Logo out front.
Santo started off the season like gang busters with two top 10 over finishes back to back, but the mud claimed Santo at both Georgia and North Carolina, so he is looking to get himself back into it this weekend.
Another pair of North Carolina Pro Riders and teammates, #11 Michael Houston and #6 Bryan Cook wait to be called to the line up on Pro Row before the start of the race.
Once all the Pro Riders had their quads lined up, they once again walked over to the fence along the start to wait for their name to be announced to the crowd and walk back to their machine.
It was great to see the Pro Rookie (Rhett Butler) and the Pro Legend (Bill Ballance) waiting side by side against the fence. As young new riders enter the Pro ranks in an attempt to become the next GNCC Champion.
#5 Chad Duvall returns to racing once again after skipping Steele Creek to let his thumb heal after his wreck in Florida. Chad Duvall hasn’t been dealt the best hand this year, but he remains positive and good spirited and is thankful to still be able to race after fighting cancer.
#4 Matt Smiley has been having an incredible season so far aboard his new Polaris Predator. Many speculated that he couldn’t be competitive on a machine that weighs in at over 400lbs, but Matt has proved that Polaris Predator is a race worthy XC machine with two podium appearances.
#16 Santo Derisi and #4 Matt Smiley socializing before the start of the race.
The man that everyone was watching this round was #3 Chris Borich to see if he would be able to stop Bill Ballance’s win streak and regain sole control of the points lead.
Alba Action’s Owner, Cory Hove, made the trip out from California to watch his newest team rider in action along with Traci Cecco.
After the completion of the prayer and the National Anthem we were within only a few minutes of the start of probably one of the most exciting Pro GNCC races in years.
As Ricky Towery, signified 10 Seconds, the Pro riders rose off their seats and intensely stared at the green flag held in his hand waiting for it to move.