The Triton GNCC
ATV Race Report by William Yokley
Melbourne, Florida - March
2, 2008
Frankfurt, KY (3/5/2008) - William
Yokley finished 7th Overall in this tough Florida
sand race. There were 224 total entries with 26
XC1 Pro Riders. Team Rider Mark Notman finished
29th Overall and 8th in the 44 rider XC2 Pro Am
Class.
GNCC ATV Race Summary:
It’s been a very busy several months
since the last race getting everything lined up
for this season. Many things have changed since
last year; first of all, the Army National Guard
is the Title Sponsor of Yokley Racing along with
twenty four other fine sponsors. Mark Notman is
a new addition to the team this year competing
in the XC2 Pro Am Class.
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William Yokley
by his National Guard backed 450R ATV
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Mark and I arrived in Florida a few days before
the race and sorted out our bikes. We worked on
suspension settings and prepping the machines
for sandy conditions; sand gets in most everywhere
and we try to keep it out of the engines and filters
as best we can. Warm and sunny conditions greeted
us on race day. Florida always has a big turnout
of competitors and spectators, and it was good
seeing everyone. The first thing I noticed was
the number of big rigs on Pro Row; several manufacturers
have jumped in with full factory teams and 18-wheelers
making this the most competitive seasons ever.
Also new was the electronic scoring with transponders;
this is accurate and eliminates backups at the
checkpoints.
We lined up for the main event and I was excited
to see how all the hard work would play out. I
am on a new Honda TRX 450 this year and I really
like the way it runs and handles. I also have
been working with Mark Spataro, a great fitness
trainer and coach, who has worked me into much
better condition. The start flag dropped and the
Honda fired immediately putting me in the top
seven going into the woods. I wanted to stay with
the leading group and settle in a fast pace. I
worked my way up to 5th at the 3 mile mark, and
was trying to make the pass for 4th when my first
bit of bad luck hit.
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William in
the Florida sand and palmetto roots
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I pulled out to pass and I caught my front wheel
in a palmetto bush, which then pitched me into
a thicket of palmettos. My bike was stuck in there
like a giant velcro strip; it took me a couple
of minutes to finally get the bike unstuck and
going again. I found myself in the back of the
pack but was able to work up to 18th at the end
of the first 12 mile lap. I pushed as hard as
I could and finished 7th at the end of the 5 lap
event. I had a few other adventures along the
way such as my goggle roll offs not working and
a few trees that just jumped in front of me; I
think I hit one particular tree three laps in
a row! The ruts, palmetto roots and sand whoops
were getting more brutal as the race progressed.
I survived the race pretty well other than some
hand blisters. Mark Notman had a somewhat similar
race as me. His bike would not fire up at the
start, and he was dead last of 44 Pro Am riders.
He rode really well to 16th on the first lap when
his bike stalled in a steep berm. It took him
several minutes to get it restarted which left
him pretty spent. Mark put his head down and rode
from 22nd to 8th at the finish; a great ride under
the circumstances.
We loaded up for the 14 hour trip back to Kentucky.
We have a short turnaround for the next race in
Washington, GA this coming Saturday and a lot
of work to do. The National Guard ATV Team will
be ready! See you there.
Yokley Racing Team Sponsors:
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, Axcaliber Axles, Streamline
and Powermadd.
www.YokleyRacing.com
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