2005 GNCC "The Penton" Round #7 Morning ATV Race Coverage

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Millfield, OH was the destination for the 7th Round of the GNCC Series, and for yet another year the forecast wasn’t looking anything close to picture perfect with severe thunderstorms forecasted for Friday night into Saturday.

Friday Evening, the sun was quickly overtaken by the Clouds moving in from the west followed by intense lightning and hail the size of a nickel, which sent many running for cover. The rain continued on and off into the night with heavy down pours at times.

Saturday Morning, as the Youth Racers were putting in their final laps on their shortened yet extremely technical track for youth riders, many morning class riders were prepping their machines for the mud while others headed to Tech Inspection.

Team Safari Rider, Jean Lovely, had her worst race of the season in the past mudfest at Loretta Lynn’s, so she was hoping for better luck this weekend in the mud as the battle is on between her and Ashlie Whaley for that 5th spot in the Women's Class.

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Racer Productions was out early stripping the top layer of mud off the track in a few sections, but it wouldn't make much of a difference as these riders were bound to be completely covered after one lap.

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The Woods sections were some of the slickest as riders had to deal with the slime and the exposed roots which meant riders better have some fairly new tires that are slightly under inflated if they wanted to get any traction this weekend.

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With the morning race set to start at 10AM the morning racers began to lineup to be the first to get to the starting area for a good starting position because getting out front early could be a huge advantage in the mud.

#588 Scott Wilson, (29-34 C Class), wasted no time getting to the staging area along with #438 Matt Hanna (Stock Class).

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½ Hour before the start of the morning race, the riders were released from staging to the starting area, and for many, the ride to the starting gate wasn’t pleasant as many received flat tires from a stake buried in the mud that punctured their tires.

Luckily for Mike Butler, he wasn’t one of the unlucky riders. Mike Butler makes the trip to the GNCC events all the way from Missouri, and after traveling to the races last year just to support his son, Pro Rider #24 Rhett Butler in the Afternoon, he decided to give GNCC racing a try this season himself, and he has done extremely well, which is no surprise considering speed of his teenage son.

Mike Butler is currently 2nd in Points in the C Class 35+ behind the extremely fast Thomas Wright.

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The Women were lined up on the front row as the points battle between Stephanie Parton and Traci Cecco Remains intense as these two riders continue to alternate winning races, so if the trend continues, Traci Cecco heads into the Penton with win in her favor after Stephanie's won at Loretta's.

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Kim Muzzarelli was back once again after making her season debut at Loretta's, but this time, she brought her 400EX back out of retirement after not feeling as comfortable on the YFZ.

Win or lose, it is always great to see Kim at the Track

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Alba Actions, Traci Cecco, and her very supportive husband, Rick Cecco, make some final preperations for the race by putting kitchen gloves overtop her regular riding gloves. Also, notice the foam taped to her helmet which helmets keep the mud from sticking to her helmet, which can add several pounds to your helmet. Also, Traci installs extra large handguard protection over her standard handquards to keep her controls and grips as dry as possible.

It may not be conventional and look stylish, but if it gives her slight advantage, then it will be well worth it. Besides, you won't even be able to tell after a few miles anyway.

Best of luck to both Traci & Stephanie in another exciting year of racing in the Women's Class.

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Nine Super Senior Riders lined up on the 2nd Row in hopes the mud might be an equalizer and give them a chance to over come the dominant #207 John Gallagher.

John Gallagher is well on his way to winning yet another Championship this season, and he is enjoying every minute of it as the Gallagher family lives and breathes racing.

John and his son, Pro Rider #18 Johnny Gallagher chat before the start of the race.

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The man everyone would be watching today would be none other than #253 Billy Good as continues his Morning Class domination as he has only finished 1 race lower than 2nd Overall which was due to him getting locked up with Ashlie Whaley and experiencing mechanical issues at Big Buck.

Not only is Billy a great rider, but he is also an extremely nice guy and clean competitor to race against, and it is great to have him as involved in GNCC Racing.

After winning by almost 5 minutes at Loretta's, Billy was once again the favorite for the win this weekend in the mud.