2009 GNCC Racing Series - Round #7 - Mountain Ridge - Live ATV Race Coverage

Somerset, PA - After revisions to the results of the previous GNCC round, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Chris Borich is back on top of the points standings in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The Pennsylvania-based rider looks forward to racing in his home state at this weekend's Mountain Ridge GNCC in Western Pennsylvania, where he won last year. But a variety of riders have a shot at taking the series' lead back from Borich, and the rockiest track of the season offers up the potential for unpredictable results.

Three different riders have led the standings at different times this year, and a variety of competitiors are waiting to knock Borich off his lead. Right now, Borich sits on top with 132 points but is followed closely behind by former leaders Taylor Kiser at 126 points and Adam McGill with 125 points.

Kiser was named the winner at the previous race, the Weekend Warrior Titan GNCC, but he missed a short section of the course and was moved down to third place after the race. But to Kiser's credit, he took the lead on his own merit, and probably would have won the race even if he had not missed a section of the course. Kiser, from Florida, was once known as a sand specialist but has proven his merit in the mud, dirt and clay, and he will no doubt he will be fired up coming into round 7.

McGill finished sixth at the Titan but was moved to ninth place after the penalty. After winning three of the first four races last year but still falling short of the title, McGill has proven to be consistent podium finishers this year and will more than likely want to come back from his 9th place finish.

Houser Racing's Bryan Cook is holding on to fourth place in the standings. Cook won at Steele Creek but hasn't been on the podium since, he needs another win to come back into contention for a top three. Defending champion, Yamaha's Bill Ballance, who won his first race at Loretta Lynn's, took home a sixth place finish at the Titan and is in 6th overall in the points race. If Ballance is to come back to win the title, he needs to win the next few rounds.

Yamaha's Brandon Sommers has been on the podium the last two races and is fifth in the points , ahead of Ballance.

GNCC ATV racers were greeted to a sunny day when many arrived on Friday to sign-up and take a peak at the track before the race on Saturday

XC2 Pro-Am Class points leader, Brian Wolfe, was out on his mountain bike checking out the track and especially the rock garden between mile marker 7 and 8.

Brian has won the last 3 straight races, and now holds just a one point lead over KTM's Josh Kirkland

Pro Rookie, #7 Donald Ockerman, got a taste of the rocks today doing a photo shoot for his poster

Donald Ockerman is currenty 8th Overall, and he has only finished out of the Top 10 Overall once this year on his Yamaha YFZ450R

Hopefully some rain moves in overnight or in the morning because otherwise, it is going to be extremely dusty by the afternoon race, which became real obvious will AJ Koontz ripped up a turn

#723 Walker Fowler also geared up for some photos as the sun disappeared behind the mountains, and he has made a smooth transition from the youth ATVs for the College A Class winning 4 out of 6 races and is currently leading the points over Jamie Bithell

Chris Borich is back on top again in the points, and he had three Suzuki's ready to go in his trailer

Can-Am / Warnert Racing's utility racers continue to be a dominant force in the GNCC Series with Bryan Buckhannon (4x4 Open), Clifton Beasley (4x4 Lites) & Michael Swift (4x4 Limited) all remain undefeated with six straight wins

For those wildlife lovers, there is a herd of Buffalo less than 20 minutes east of the track on US30 along the highway

Until tomorrow, here is a big thumbs up