|
Kentucky's Bill Ballance Looks to Clinch Ninth
Title
As Can-Am GNCC
Series Invades Unadilla
Kentucky's Bill Ballance hopes to clinch
his ninth GNCC ATV title this weekend. |
NEW BERLIN, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2008) -- Kentuckian
Bill Ballance is looking to make Can-Am Grand
National Cross Country (GNCC) history this
Saturday as the GNCC Series heads to New York's
Unadilla Valley Sports Center. Ballance can
clinch his ninth XC1 Pro ATV title this weekend
at the 11th round of the 13-race GNCC season.
Spectator passes are $15 for the full
weekend, with Pro pit access and Pro autographs
included at no additional charge. On both
Saturday and Sunday, Youth riders race at 8
a.m., Amateur riders race at 10 a.m., and the
Pro and Pro Am Classes compete at 1 p.m. For
more information on the racing series, check out
the official series web site at
www.GNCCRacing.com.
Huge Turnout Expected
More than 1,500 competitors are expected to
compete this weekend in both Amateur and Pro
classes. Riders from all over the world compete
in the GNCC Series, bringing international
intrigue at all levels.
In addition to the on-track action, this
weekend's event will also feature an expansive
midway, as well as demo rides of new Can-Am
ATVs. Also, Yamaha will unveil its all-new 2009
YFZ450R racing ATV with a display on Saturday.
On-track, Unadilla offers some of the best
vistas on the tour from which to watch the
action. The track includes Unadilla's motocross
track, as well as mud, rocks, hills and trails
through the woods surrounding the venue.
"The Unadilla track is unique on the tour as
it offers our fans some of the best viewing
opportunities of the racing action," said GNCC
Trail Boss Jeff Russell. "In addition, the Pro
pit areas will be accessible to those attending,
allowing them to get an up-close view of the
racers and their highly tuned machines.
"The use of the motocross track also injects
another level of competition into the Unadilla
race," added Russell. "The tight, high-speed
turns, as well as big-air jumps are certain to
make for an exciting show."
Four-Wheeled Frenzy
Ballance, riding a Yamaha, has dominated this
season, earning three wins, as well as three
runner-up efforts. Heading into Unadilla,
however, Ballance is still recovering from
broken ribs sustained in a practice crash
several weeks ago.
Adam McGill, who won the most recent GNCC in
runaway fashion, is well on his way toward
beating back a midseason slump. Sitting second
in points, McGill is just 26 markers behind
Ballance. McGill has four wins this season, the
most of any ATV competitor, as well as a single
runner-up finish.
Rookie pro Brandon Sommers
is hungry for his first ever GNCC victory.
Consistency has placed the Yamaha rider third in
points. With four top-three finishes, it will
only be a matter of time before the Millersburg,
Ohio rider gets to tread to the top step of the
podium.
Brian Cook (Honda) and defending Unadilla
winner Chris Borich (Rockstar Suzuki) sit fourth
and fifth in the title chase and will definitely
be in contention here. National Guard Honda's
William Yokley, Taylor Kiser (KTM), Matthew
Smiley (Honda), Jarrod McClure (Honda) and Ryan
Lane (Honda), as well as many others are
expected to compete on Saturday.
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country
Series is the largest off-road racing series in
the United States. The top Pro racers make a
lucrative living in the sport, reigning in
six-figure salaries and endorsements, as well as
a share of a $130,000 in prize purse and more
than $3 million in contingency and bonus monies.
GNCC events also offer classes for amateur
riders of all skill and experience levels.
Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the
day on Saturday, September 27, and dirt bikes
will race on Sunday, September 28. Riders can
sign up at the track. The amateur racer entry
fee is $40.
This weekend's race is also a full
points-paying event for the WNYOA Series. Also,
WNYOA will be arranging peewee racing for 50cc
bikes and ATVs on a separate course. For more
information, please visit
www.wnyoa.net. The race is also being
co-sanctioned by the Atlantic Grand Prix (AGP).
Fast Facts:
What: The
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series
(GNCC), America's Largest Off Road Racing
Series. Cross-country racing is one of the most
physically demanding sports in the world. The
nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead more than
1,500 riders through tracks ranging from eight
to 14 miles in length. With varied terrain
including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and
motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of
both survival and speed.
When:
Saturday, September 27, 2008 - ATV Racing,
Sunday, September 28, 2008 - Motorcycle Racing
Where:
Unadilla Valley Sports Center, New Berlin, N.Y.
How Much: $15
Per Person Weekend Pass (7 years and older)
Who: The
Can-Am GNCC Series pits the best of the best in
off-road racing against each other. More than
1,500 amateur racers are expected to compete on
custom-built dirt bikes and four-wheeled ATVs.
Top pro motorcycle riders include Isle of Man's
David Knight, New Zealand's Paul Whibley,
Australia's Josh Strang, New York’s Nathan
Kanney, as well as Barry Hawk, Jr., Charles
Mullins, Jimmy Jarrett, Jason Raines and Glenn
Kearney. ATV pro riders include Bill Ballance,
Chris Borich, Adam McGill, Bryan Cook, Taylor
Kiser, Chris Bithell, Matt Smiley and William
Yokley.
Media Credentials:
Media members wishing to cover the event should
contact Justin Anderson at 704-589-2100.
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.
|
