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The Unadilla GNCC
Race Report
Unadilla, New York, September 27,
2008
Mark on the
podium for the XC2 Pro Am Class |
William Yokley finished 24th Overall and 16th in
the XC1 Pro class today after a rough day at
historic Unadilla. There were 231 total
entries with 21 XC1 Pro Riders. Team Rider
Mark Notman had a great ride finishing 11th
Overall and 3rd in the 33 rider XC2 Pro Am
Class.
Summary
We arrived at Unadilla after an 18 hour haul
from KY; it seemed like we caught every traffic
jam east of the Mississippi River.
Unadilla is a world famous motocross track that
has been putting on races since the late 60’s.
The course features a pro-style natural terrain
motocross section, many technical woods sections
with black loamy soil, and lots and lots of
rocks. It has been very dry here in NY,
but the forecast was calling for some rain.
Saturday arrived and we did have some rain
but that just settled the dust somewhat. I
headed for the start anticipating a good day
because I like this type of terrain and
conditions. The flag dropped and I arrived
in the woods in 10th place. I worked my
way up to 6th place by the 2 mile marker when my
day literally took a turn for the worse. I
was following a tight group of pro riders when
one of them took a wrong turn, and five of us
followed. The GNCC officials put a new,
virgin section of woods for the afternoon race,
and the course arrows were apparently hard to
spot and follow, at least for us anyway.
We raced ahead for quite a while, when we
realized we were going the wrong way on the
course. By the time I found the correct
trail, I was behind riders that started eight
minutes behind me. To say that I was upset
and frustrated is a big understatement!
There was no option but to put the hammer
down and try to salvage something for the day.
At the end of lap 1, I was in 137th place and
mired in a continuous stream of riders. I
felt like I rode well and the bike was running
great, except for some rear brake problems late
in the race. I managed to finish in 24th
overall and 16th in the XC1 Pro class which was
disappointing, but all I could do under the
circumstances. At least I got some good
practice passing riders! I really can’t
complain because only a few of us made the wrong
turn, and that just happens every now and then,
but it sure makes for a long day!
My teammate Mark Notman had a great day; he
had a very good start and ran in 2nd place for
most of the race. He ran with pro rider
Brandon Sommers for most of the 2nd lap, and
then pitted for fuel and fresh goggles. He
kept a good pace with no mistakes until the 4th
lap when he got hung up on a hill. On the
last lap, he hammered a tree and got passed by
Tyler Lenig, but still finished in 3rd place and
11th overall. He will remind me many times
that he beat me today! Mark is solidly in
2nd place in the XC2 Pro Am class with two races
let to run. Congratulations to Chris
Bithell for the win, he has had a rough year on
a new bike, but he sure rode well and deserved
it today. We go to St. Clairsville, OH in
two weeks and I’ll be racing in the XC1 Pro ATV
Class as well as the Unlimited UTV Class on my
Polaris RZR. Should be a fun weekend, see
you there.
Yokley Racing Team Sponsors are: The Army
National Guard, Rocky Mountain ATV, Polaris
Industries, ITP Tires, Elka Suspension, Roll
Design, HMF Exhaust Systems, IMS/Roll, Tire
Balls, Andrews Cycle, Douglas Wheel Technology,
Baldwin Motorsports, CGR, O’Neal Clothing,
Panolin Lubricants, IMS, Hinson, 317 Graphics,
Intense Fabrication & Design, Tsubaki Chains,
Hardkor, Shoei Helmets, Axcalibar Axles,
Streamline, Powermadd, KG Clutch Factory, Moto
Pro Training and ATVRiders.com.
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