Borich Clinches 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series Championship
(9/26/2009)
For Immediate Release
Borich Clinches 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series Championship at Moose Racing Yadkin Valley Stomp
McGill and Defending Champion Ballance on Podium
Photo By: Matt Ware Borich is on a 6 win streak.
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 tack 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."
Photo By: Matt Ware McGill was on Borich's heels until the finish.
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.
Photo By: Matt Ware Ballance passed the championship torch to Borich but not until after a hard battle.
"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," Ki
Photo By: Matt Ware Despite a steady rain, a large crowd turned out to see Borich make history.
rkland 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 ra
Photo By: Matt Ware Atwell tied up the Women's Championship today. She said she has been working for nine years to secure it.
ces, this feels great."
Tomblin remarked on the 'changing of the guards,' on the podium, as
Cecco, a 7-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. Clair
sville,OH.
Photo By: Matt Ware McGill, Borich and Ballance celebrate on the podium.
Photo By: Matt Ware Wolf, Kirkland and Jones take a well-deserved turn on the podium.
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)
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.
WARNING: Much of the action depicted in this magazine is potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced experts or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts that are beyond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear. Copyright 2008 Hi-Torque Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Console Login
