The General GNCC ATV Race Report by William Yokley
Round 2: Washington, Georgia - March 8, 2008

Washington, GA (3/10/2008) - William Yokley finished 13th Overall and 11th in the XC1 Pro Class today in the wet Georgia clay. There were 276 total entries with 26 XC1 Pro Riders. Team Rider Mark Notman finished 12th Overall and 2nd in the 49 rider XC2 Pro Am Class.

Summary

William Yokley and Matt Notman

This has been a short turn around time between Round 1 in Florida and Round 2 in Washington, GA. We drove home to Kentucky, cleaned all the sand out of everything, prepped the bike, and prepared to head back down south to Georgia. In a short week like this, you don’t have time to do much of anything except get ready and go.

We arrived at the track Friday afternoon; it had been raining a lot and the conditions were going to be very wet and rough with all the deep ruts. Mark and I made a few last adjustments on the shocks and final preparations. Race day was cold and wet with the temperature around 45 degrees, 32 degrees with the wind chill; quite a difference from the hot, sandy conditions in Florida six days ago!

My National Guard Honda fired immediately at the start, and I found myself in 4th right behind Borich as we entered the woods. I felt good and settled in a good pace, that is until he got hung up in a deep rut. I had no where to go, and by the time we both got out, we were at the back of the 26 rider class. So much for the great start! I worked my way up to 7th going into the 4th lap; the ruts and traffic jams were getting pretty challenging to say the least. I got into a major backup with riders stuck everywhere. I helped the guy directly in front to get his bike out since I had no where to go, and then had to flip my bike over and drag it down the side of the hill upside down, just to get another shot at getting through. I lost about 5 minutes on that little exercise, not to mention swimming around in some Georgia red clay bog!

I worked my way up to 11th in the Pro Class by the finish. I was disappointed by the result, but very pleased with how the bike ran and handled. Many riders did not finish in these conditions, but this is typical of GNCC’s and that’s what makes them so special.

Mark Notman had very good ride today, finishing 2nd in the ultra competitive XC2 Pro Am class. Mark’s Honda fired and launched off the line but suddenly stalled, he sat trying to restart there while 48 riders went past. At the end of the 1st lap, he was up to 12th with no other problems. He pitted for fuel and new goggles, and was in 7th going into the 3rd lap. Mark hit a 40 man bottleneck on the 3rd lap but managed to get through, passing several riders in his class in the process. He maintained a good pace going on the 4th lap, and took the lead heading into the 5th and final lap. Mark got stuck in a deep rut and was hung up for about 2 minutes, dropping him back to 2nd. His bike started overheating at the end with all the mud packed in the radiator, but was able to finish in 2nd. Mark said, “I felt strong all day, my training is really paying off, and my bike actually worked great in these punishing conditions.”

We now have three weeks until the next event in Morganton, NC on March 29. We have to completely go through our bikes and work on improving our performance. I can’t wait to get back at it, see you at the races!

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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