Ballance Eyes Ninth Consecutive Title at Power Line GNCC
Kentuckian Likely to Make History in Ohio

Bill Ballance eyes his ninth consecutive GNCC title this weekend at Power Line Park. (Jason Hooper Photo)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (October 8, 2008) -- No other word comes close to describing the career of Kentucky-based ATV racer Bill Ballance than "Legend." Ballance will continue that legacy this Saturday if he clinches his ninth consecutive Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series title as he takes on North America's top off-road racers at Power Line Park.

With three victories and four additional podium appearances this season, Ballance (No. 1 Yamaha) needs to finish in front of rival Adam McGill this weekend to further cement himself as the top ATV racer in GNCC's 35-year history.

West Union, West Virginia's McGill would love nothing more than to derail Ballance’s championship run here. Riding the No. 5 KTM. McGill has notched four wins this season, the most of anyone on the tour. Another victory this weekend will take the championship fight with Ballance down to the Series’ finale in two weeks in Indiana.

Bryan Cook sits third in points on the merit of a win and three addition top-three finishes, including a third at the previous race two weeks ago. The North Carolina Honda racer will have to contend with a pair of Western Pennsylvania talents, Chris Borich and Chris Bithell.

Borich, from Sunbury, Pa., has ridden the No. 2 Rockstar/Yoshimura Suzuki to two victories this season, as well as a single runner-up finish. Bithell, of Irwin, Pa., won the previous GNCC round in Upstate New York on his Warnert Racing Can-Am.

Rookie Brandon Sommers (Millersburg, Ohio) is fifth in the standings and is seeking his first victory this season. Riding a GT Thunder Yamaha, earning that victory just 150 miles from home would definitely be special for Sommers.

Completing the top 10 in points are Taylor Kiser (No. 7 KTM), Matthew Smiley (No. 4 Honda), William Yokley (No. 11 National Guard Honda), Jarrod McClure (No. 14 ATVRiders.com Honda) and Ryan Lane (No. 18 Honda).

A variety of special races and classes will surround the 1 p.m. Pro race. At 8 a.m., Youth racers ages six through 15 will compete on a special youth race course. The 10 a.m. Amateur race features Women, Super Senior, 4X4 and Novice Classes. The Women's class features a fierce contest between a pair of Pennsylvanians: Uniontown's Angel Atwell and Shamokin's Traci Cecco.

At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the GNCC UTV Series hits the track, featuring side-by-side race machines such as the Yamaha Rhino and Polaris RZR.

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, October 11, and dirt bikes will race on Sunday, October 12. Riders can sign up at the track. The amateur racer entry fee is $40.

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, October 11, 2008 - ATV Racing
Sunday, October 12, 2008 - Motorcycle Racing

Where: Power Line Park, St. Clairsville, Ohio
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 New Zealand's Paul Whibley and Australia's Josh Strang, as well as Nathan Kanney, Barry Hawk, Jr., Charles Mullins, Thad DuVall, 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.