Borich Clinches GNCC Championship

Doogie

• September 27 2009
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Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich Clinches GNCC Championship

Yadkinville, NC (September 26, 2009) - Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich did what no other racer has been able to do in almost a decade. In the rain of the Moose Racing Yadkin Valley Stomp, round 11 of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, Borich was able to clinch the 2009 series after an intense battle that saw a leader change through almost every turn. Borich was able to narrowly beat FRE KTM’s Adam McGill and Nine-time Defending Champion Bill Ballance to take the overall win and the championship.

Ballance presented Borich with his new number one plate on the podium. “It’s time to pass the plate,” said Annoucer Rodney Tomblin on the podium.

“When I started racing, I started out just having fun in the B class,” Borich said. “Ballance is a tough competitor. I’ve been behind him for years and I finally did it. It was a real tight track out there and I got into seventh place. I didn’t know what to do so I just waited for someone to make a mistake.”

A light drizzle earlier in the morning turned into a heavier rainfall by the time the 1 p.m. race kicked off, making the red clay track slick. Ballance was the first off the line and roared around the first turn to take the $250 Motorcycle-USA.com holeshot award and lead the beginning of the first lap until McGill took his turn at the front.

The three were only seconds apart as they battled with Yamaha’s Brandon Sommers and Taylor Kiser. Sommers took the lead away from McGill in the second lap and by the third, Borich was back in the lead with McGill right behind. Borich led until the finish with McGill in tow and Ballance just a minute later.

“When I hooked up with Borich I thought, ‘Man, I really want to win, but he has the championship if he does,’” said McGill. “I’m really happy for him. The bike worked really good and I’m definitely ready for the next race.”

Ballance handed Borich his new number one plate and congratulated Borich for his win. Ballance has won the championship the past nine years although Borich has tried to unseat him for the past few years.

“He’s been the number two guy for years,” Ballance said. “He rode great. We’ll see what holds for next year. I need to think it over a little bit and see if we will go through it again to see if can go out on top.”

Kiser, who started in third and fell to sixth was able to move up to finish in fourth followed by Sommers in fifth. Yamaha’s Donnie Ockerman finished in sixth in front of teammate John Gallagher and Jarrod McClure. Warnert Can-Am’s Chris Bithell and Ryan Lane round out the top ten in ninth and tenth places, respectively.

In XC2 Pro-Am, FRE KTM’s Josh Kirkland was able stop Brian Wolf’s win streak. Wolf came in second, followed by Parker Jones in third.

“The race went pretty well,” Kirkland said. “I put my head down and tried to do my best.”

Jones started the race in first, taking home the $100 Rekluse XC2 ATV Holeshot Award. The three riders battled with Walker Fowler, in his debut race in the XC2 class until Fowler had mechanical issues. Fowler would end up finishing 17th.

Top Amateur Award went to College A class rider Zachary Strong.

In the morning race, FRE KTM’s Angel Atwell was also able to tie up the women’s championship by taking second place behind her niece, Kristen Atwell, who took home the GT Thunder Amateur Overall Award. Yamaha’s Traci Cecco took third.

“It feels awesome,” Kristen said. “After having some disappointing races, this feels great.”

Tomblin remarked on the ‘changing of the guards,’ on the podium, as Cecco, a seven-time national championship congratulated Atwell on the podium.

“This women’s class is tough,” Cecco said. “I’m happy to be a part of it. I remember winning my first championship. It’s an amazing feeling.”

“I’ve been working for this for nine years,” said Atwell. “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but give me a bit and it will. I’m glad to have the team I have to help get this.”

Racing continues tomorrow with bikes. Next up for the series is the ITP Power Line Park, October 3-4 in St. Clairsville,OH.

XC1 Finish

1.Chris Borich (SUZ)

2. Adam McGill (KTM)

3. Bill Ballance (YAM)

4. Taylor Kiser (YAM)

5. Brandon Sommers (YAM)

6. Donald Ockerman (YAM)

7. Johnny Gallagher (YAM)

8. Jarrod McClure (YAM)

9. Chris Bithell (CAN)

10. Ryan Lane (HON)

XC1 Point Standings

1. Chris Borich (282/8 wins) 2.Taylor Kiser (217/1 win) 3.Adam McGill (201) 4.Bill Ballance (196/1 win) 5. Brandon Sommer (188) 6.Bryan Cook (170/1 win) 7.Donald Ockerman (149) 8.Jarrod McClure (135) 9. Duane Johnson (132) 10. Johnny Gallagher (109)

XC2 Finish

1.Joshua Kirkland

2. Brian Wolf

3. Parker Jones

4. Dustin Canipe

5. Gabe Phillips

6. Blake Kramer

7. Kevin Yoho

8. Mark Notman

9. Scottie Rich

10. Eric Wilezek

XC2 Point Standings

1.Brian Wolf (301/7 wins) 2.Josh Kirkland (288/4 wins) 3. Eric Hoyland (173) 4.Parker Jones (163) 5.Gabe Phillips (128) 6.Rob Hertz (125) 7.Kevin Yoho (118) 8. Dustin Canipe (115) 9.Scottie Rich (105) 10. Blake Kramer (101)

About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America’s premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1973, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

About Racer Productions
A West Virginia-based motorcycle and ATV event production company, Racer Productions has been a leader in the off-road racing industry for more than 30 years. It’s repertoire of facilities and events includes the 13-round Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, since 1973; professional and amateur national events at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, since 1977; and professional and amateur ATV events at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. For more information, please visit www.racerproductions.com.