Ballance Back on Top at Acerbis Loretta Lynn's GNCC

Bill Ballance held off Chris Borich in front of a big crowd to notch the Acerbis Loretta Lynn's GNCC. The lead pack battled closely all day, with seven riders entering the last lap seperated by eight seconds. Photos: Jason Hooper

Hurricane Mills, Tenn (April 26, 2008) -- It took five rounds, but Yamaha's Bill Ballance finally charged into victory lane in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. The eight-time and defending GNCC Champion won one of the closest GNCC battles in recent memory to snag the Acerbis Loretta Lynn's GNCC over Rockstar/Yoshimura Suzuki's Chris Borich and Team Excell Motorsports' Bryan Cook.

"Right now it's not even about the championship," said Ballance after logging possibly the longest burnout ever seen at a GNCC on the podium. "I just need to start getting wins and then we can focus on the championship. It was a great battle today and I'm glad to come out on top of it."

The incredible battle saw the top seven riders enter the last lap seperated by a total of eight seconds. FRE KTM's Adam McGill, winner of the previous three GNCC rounds, fought with Ballance on the last lap. The duo passed each other over and over while Borich began a charge from the back after getting stuck on a hill. But with just a few miles to go, McGill's machine suddenly quit due to an electrical problem, ending his win streak. His teammate Kiser, running third, ran into the same problem as well.

Ballance then held the lead, but Borich put in one last charge. The finish came down to a classic "Killer B's" battle, as Borich got to Ballance's rear wheels but came up short of making a pass.

Cook logged another consistent ride to net his third podium of the season. National Guard's William Yokley took fourth ahead of ATVRiders.com's Jarrod McClure, who turned in his best result ever with a fifth.
GT Thunder' Yamaha's Brandon Sommers took the ITP Holeshot Award and finished sixth.

McGill was unable to get his machine refired and did not finish the final lap with the leaders. He was credited with 18th in the XC1 class and 103rd overall. Kiser was able to nurse his machine home eighth in the class. McGill does still hold the GNCC points lead, but Cook has narrowed the gap to 13 points in the XC1 class. Ballance and Borich climbed to third and fourth in the rankings.

In the XC2 Pro-Am division, Joshua Kirkland collected the Rekluse Holeshot Award, but GT Thunder Yamaha's Don Ockerman was able to get the early lead. Ockerman battled with Kyle Martin and Spencer Dickerson and held on to grab his fourth win of the season.

In the morning race, run under very muddy conditions, Tom Clark Motorsports' Angel Atwell took the win and the ATVRiders.com Morning Race Overall Win Award. Lexie Coulter and Jennifer Albright took second and third overall, also racing in the Women's class. Defending Women's Class Champion Traci Cecco struggled with front suspension issues, leaving the Women's class championship battle as tight as ever.

Sam Williams topped the U2 class on a Kawasaki. Can-Am riders won the rest of the utility classes. Michael Swift won the 4x4 Limited class, Bryan Buckhannon continued his undefeated run in the Open 4x4 class, and Cliffton Beasley also remained undefeated in 4x4 Lites.

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series continues with the Wiseco John Penton GNCC in Millfield, Ohio on May 10 and 11.

Results
Acerbis Loretta Lynn's GNCC
Hurricane Mills, TN
Overall:

1. Bill Ballance Smith's Grove, KY (Yam)
2. Chris Borich Sunbury, PA (Suz)
3. Bryan Cook Casar, NC (Hon)
4. William Yokley Tompkinsville, KY (Hon)
5. Jarrod McClure Kaska, PA (Hon)
6. Brandon Sommers Millersburg, OH (Yam)
7. Ryan Lane Bicknell, IN (Hon)
8. Donald Ockerman Marshall, IL (Yam)
9. Kyle Martin Winona, MO (Hon)
10. Spencer Dickerson Malvern, AR (Hon)

Points

1. ADAM MCGILL 109/3 wins
2. BRYAN COOK 96
3. BILL BALLANCE 92/1 win
4. CHRIS BORICH 88/1 win
5. BRANDON SOMMERS 88
6. WILLIAM YOKLEY 76
7. TAYLOR KISER 73
8. RYAN LANE 62
9. MATTHEW SMILEY 61
10. JARROD MCCLURE 60

About GNCC Racing:
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America’s premier off-road racing series. The 13-round championship series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions and has run since 1973. 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 1,800 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC Racing will air weekly television shows on the Versus network starting August 2. GNCC featured sponsors include Can-Am, Parts Unlimited, Moose Racing, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka, Geico, Klotz, FMF, ITP and Weekend Warrior, and riders compete for over $3 million in series prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors include Alpinestars, Cometic, HiPer Technology, Laegers, Moose Utility Division, The National Guard, Powersport Grafx, REM, Scott, Thor, Tire Balls, Twin Air, Ogio, Rekluse, and MotoTee’s. For more information log on to www.gnccracing.com.