AMA Suzuki Grand National Cross Country Series
Parts Unlimited/Moose/Maxxis/Wiseco/Klotz/FMF/Pirelli/ITP

Chris Jenks Breaks Through for First Career GNCC Win
Borich second in Bill Ballance’s absence

Morgantown, WV – When Team Yamaha’s defending GNCC Champion Bill Ballance went down with an injury over the summer, the door was open for the field to break through and get some wins. Ballance’s championship rival Chris Borich was hoping to take advantage, but in the end it was Four-Stroke Tech’s Chris Jenks who emerged with his first-ever Suzuki Grand National Cross Country victory.

"I always wondered what it would be like up here,” said Jenks, who raced the Pro-Am class last year but has broken through with several solid rides this season. “Any time it’s hot and dusty like this, and tight, at this level, everyone has a chance. You can’t just jump into this and do super-well. You need to have knowledge around you and people helping you out. And the fans, they were great for cheering us on.”

On a tight track where passing would be at a premium, Borich was able to work his way into second but couldn’t get Jenks at the end. “It was hard back there, it was hard to pass,” said Borich. “It was pretty nuts there in the creek section, if you wanted to banzaii through you could make a pass there, but I wanted to keep my hands dry. Chris was trying to step it up, and I was trying to pass him but I was afraid to hit a tree or something and lose some points. I’m just happy to finish second.”

With Bill Ballance out, his younger brother Brandon was left to carry the flag for the Ballance Racing team. Brandon did all he could to keep Borich behind him and steal some points, but he was passed while gassing in the pits. Still, he held on for third. “Bill called me before the race even started, and he told me to get out there and get a holeshot. I knew after the first lap if I could just stay with William (Yokley) I would be good, and then when he pitted I took the lead. Chris (Jenks) got past me in the creek. I wanted to get up here and hold Chris back for the points. I bet when I call Bill he’s going to be calling me a, well, a blank, blank, blank, but these guys are good.”

Yoshimura Suzuki’s William Yokley got the holeshot and led early, but he was suffering from a pulled hamstring and dropped back to fifth. Meanwhile, Jenks’ Four-Stroke Tech teammate Bryan Cook was on the gas and moved to fourth.

The next GNCC event promises to be a good one, with the first-ever Unadilla GNCC in New Berlin, New York. Both the amateur and pro motocross tracks will be run as part of the course, as well as miles of fresh trail. Unadilla has never hosted an off-road race before, so it promises to be a historic event.

The Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC was taped for an airing on the Outdoor Life Network. The series resumes on television on October 18, and the GNCC races air Tuesdays at 5 p.m., Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. EST.

The ATVA-sanctioned Suzuki Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1500 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF and ITP, and riders compete for over $1.5 million in series prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors include Moose Utility Division, Scott, Alpinestars, Öhlins, Cometic, Outerwears, Race Tools, Twin Air, SFB Racing, Thor, Motion Pro, MotoTee’s, Warrior and Laeger’s. Media Sponsors include Dirt Rider Magazine, ATV Sport Magazine and Racer X Illustrated. For more information log on to GNCCRacing.com.

Suzuki GNCC Series Results
Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC

ATV Top Twenty Overall

1. Chris Jenks Washington, WV HON 01:59:57
2. Chris M Borich Sunbury, PA HON 02:00:08
3. Brandon Ballance Oakland, KY YAM 02:00:49
4. Bryan Cook Casar, NC YAM 02:01:42
5. William Yokley Tompkinsville, KY SUZ 02:01:57
6. Michael S Houston Hickory, NC HON 02:01:59
7. Matt J Smiley Kunkletown, PA POL 02:03:10
8. Santo Derisi Casar, NC HON 02:04:55
9. Rhett M Butler Oak Grove, MO HON 02:05:02
10. Todd Knippenberg Cumberland, MD HON 02:05:07
11. Jeremy Rice Fombell, PA HON 02:05:12
12. Andris Lagzdins Baltimore, MD ROL 02:05:16
13. Bryan Baker Knob Noster, MO HON 02:05:19
14. Adam Mcgill West Union, WV HON 02:05:28
15. Duane Johnson Trenton, MO HON 02:05:30
16. Brent Sturdivant Montrose, WV HON 02:05:51
17. Chris Bithell Irwin, PA HON 02:05:56
18. Michael Burrows Gilman City, MO HON 02:05:59
19. Brandon Sturdivant Montrose, WV HON 02:06:46
20. Jason LaRusso Graham, NC HON 02:07:14

2005 Suzuki GNCC ATV Point Standings (After 9 of 13 rounds)

1. Bill Ballance (237/5 wins)
2. Chris Borich (203/3 wins)
3. William Yokley (178/1 win)
4. Chris Jenks (163/1 win)
5. Matt Smiley (146)
6. Brandon Ballance (131)
7. Adam McGill (118)
8. Andris Lagzdins (104)
9. Bryan Baker (86)
10. Jeremy Rice (83)