Yamaha:
Tell us about the upcoming GNCC University.
You have a lot going on with running Ballance
Racing, working with sponsors and even continuing
to race some yourself. How do you find time
to donate to this program, and what do you get
from working with young racers?
Bill Ballance: The GNCC U
is a great! Being able to have this riding school
at Snowshoe makes this event special. Working
with the kids is always a good reminder of how
fortunate we are to be in the position we are
in -- being able to do what we love. This gives
us a great opportunity to pass along some of
our knowledge and skills to the younger racers
and to give back to the sport. It's a great
feeling to actually have time to spend with
these kids and answer some of their questions.
At the races, it seems like we are always pressed
for time and having events like these gives
us time to relax a little and focus on them.
We hope this will help to build our sport for
the future!
Yamaha:
Do you have any expectations for this season?
Bill Ballance: Oh yeah, I
sure do! I'm expecting Taylor and Walker to
be in a position to bring home a GNCC Championship
this year!
Yamaha:
Congratulations on the big win at Steele Creek.
Is there something in particular that you can
point to that put you over the top?
| |
| Yamaha's
#3 Taylor Kiser - GNCC XC1 Pro Class ATV
Racer |
Taylor Kiser: Thanks! I really
can't point to one thing that put me over the
top. I have had a strong group of supporters behind
me keeping me motivated. The YFZ450R has been
working great, and everything is starting to come
together!
Yamaha:
You've been working with Bill Ballance
for a couple of years now. What's the best part
of being on Ballance racing?
Taylor Kiser: Working with
Bill is great! He is by far the best suspension
guy in the business. He is always coming up
with new ideas to improve our race quads. I
can go to the line week in and week out knowing
that I am on the best set-up equipment out there.
Yamaha:
Some might argue that you and Walker make up
the toughest team on the tour. Do you guys spend
a lot of time training together? Do you have
a friendly competition or is it every man for
him self?
Taylor Kiser: This winter
was really the first time that Walker and I
have spent any time together. He came down and
lived at my place in Florida for the winter.
I felt like it was a tremendous help to both
of our programs for him to come down. He lives
in Ohio, so we don't get a chance to ride that
much together during the season, but whenever
we have the chance, I definitely enjoy training
with Walker. We have a pretty friendly competition.
Whenever we can get together on the track, I
feel like it is a benefit to both of us, because
you have someone there you are comfortable riding
with, and you know will help push you!
Yamaha:
So, you've been winning championships your entire
career, but this is your first XC-1 Pro season.
Any expectations?
| |
| Yamaha's
2011 GNCC XC2 Pro-Am Champion & XC1
Pro Rookie
Walker Fowler ATV Racer |
Walker Fowler: Being my rookie
XC1 Pro season, I'm not expecting a championship.
With that being said, I do expect consistent podium
finishes out of myself. I know I have the speed
and fitness to run with the veterans, but putting
the full package together each race can be tough
especially as a rookie. But, championships can
come when you least expect it ...
Yamaha:
GNCC races have been described as the toughest
endurance test in ATV racing. What do you do
to stay in shape throughout the season?
