|
The Powerline Park
GNCC ATV Race Report
St. Clairsville, Ohio,
October 11, 2008
Mark Notman got the holeshot and
finished on the podium again.
 |
William Yokley finished 12th Overall today at
Ohio’s Powerline Park. There were 200
total entries with 24 XC1 Pro Riders. Team
Rider Mark Notman finished 15th Overall and 2nd
in the 26 rider XC2 Pro Am Class.
Summary
Powerline Park is a great facility with a
variety of riding conditions; there are fast,
open trails that take you over big, rolling
hills, and technical woods sections with mud and
other interesting obstacles. It has been a
very busy two weeks since the last race; I
prepared my race ATV and also my Polaris RZR for
the UTV race this weekend. I also prepared
my Polaris RZR and ATV Show Bikes for a National
Guard Convention in Orlando the week prior to
this race. So, I have been wide open!
I did fly to FL for the convention and then flew
out on Friday to Ohio for a busy two race
weekend. I’ll send out a separate race
report for the UTV Race.
We set up at the track on Friday night and
went to dinner and the hotel. The track
looked good and not as dusty as last year.
Saturday arrived and the weather was great.
The National Guard recruiters were there and
looked good riding around the grounds talking to
potential recruits in my race Polaris RZR.
I headed to the starting line and prepared
myself for the race.
I got a decent start but so did about 20
other racers and we all arrived at the first
turn pretty much together. After some
bumping and rubbing tires, I went into the woods
in 11th place. The first two laps were
pretty uneventful, and I moved to 7th place.
I was having trouble feeling comfortable on my
bike, and it felt like it was kicking me around
more than usual. Laps 3 and 4 were not
good for me; I could not hold the pace and was
passed by several riders, eventually finishing
in 12th place. I tried to hold positions
and move forward, but I realized I was taking
some big chances, and I better be smart and not
splat on a tree or something. I really
don’t have any good excuses other than I just
got beat; these kinds of days happen sometimes.
My teammate Mark Notman had another great
race finishing 2nd in the XC2 Pro AM class and
15th overall. He got off to a great start
with the holeshot, and battled back and forth
for 2nd most of the lap. Mark made a quick
stop for fuel on the 2nd lap. On the 3rd
lap, he overshot a corner and got stuck on a
soft powder berm forcing him to get off the bike
to lift it out, losing valuable time.
Heading into the last lap, Mark was 40 seconds
behind 2nd place; he charged hard and made the
pass with about 3 miles to go. Mark said,
“I couldn’t be happier with how the day went.
It’s been an amazing year so far and I can’t
wait for the Ironman; it’s one of my favorite
tracks on the circuit!”
We now go home to regroup for the last race
of the year at the Ironman in Crawfordsville,
IN. I want to finish strong and we will be
ready. 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.
|
