Melbourne, FL - The 2008 Can
Am GNCC Series kicked off it’s series opener
over the March 1st weekend in Melbourne, FL as
the Kempfer Ranch would play host to the event
that would see a record number of factory backed
Pro atv racers . Newly formed teams were unveiled
and many would get their first glimpse at new
machines race prepped to do battle in the Pro
class. The new team haulers were allowed to pit
sideways this season, allowing an even further
look at just how big and fast our sport is growing.
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KTM signed #5 Adam McGill & #7 Taylor
Kiser over the Winter, and Tim Farr is
the running the GNCC race team |
Yamaha's
#1 Bill Ballance is back again for 2008
along with #201 Traci Cecco & Pro
Rookie #734 Brandon Sommers |
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McGill
& Kiser have spent the winter with
Tim Farr training for the 2008 GNCC ATV
Racing Season |
With the number of fully backed factory riders
this season, it was no surprise to see big changes
in the riders themselves. KTM rider Adam McGill
had moved to Florida in the off season to work
closely with team manager Tim Farr and teammate
Taylor Kiser, which proved to be beneficial as
McGill dropped 30 lbs. and was a lean 175 pounds
of sculpted muscle. Training and hitting the gym
is almost a prerequisite for almost any class,
but it’s mandatory these days at the pro
level and Florida allows those fortunate enough
to train here an almost unlimited amount of riding
weather in terrain that will get you in shape
fast.
Yamaha’s Brandon Sommers did not have
an off season as he traveled and raced every
weekend with a mere 2 weekends off for the holidays.
This level of conditioning is exactly what it
will take to be competitive in 2008 and beyond.
The top echelon of the pro class, Chris Borich,
also remained in Florida as his new Rockstar
/ MSR/ Pro Taper/ Yoshimura / Suzuki LT-R450
was built and tested during the off season.
Borich has his sights set on the 2008 Championship
and his team has worked tirelessly to get his
machine ready to accomplish his mission. Borich
stepped out of his rig with a look of sheer
confidence and he has the skills needed to be
the victor in the coming war. Talking with Borich’s
mechanic , John Rowling, showed just as much
confidence in Borich’s machine that will
have to undertake the abuse of one of the fastest
men ever to pilot an ATV through the tree’s.
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Less than a few weeks before the opening
round, It was announced Chris Borich signed
with Rockstar / MSR / ProTaper / Yoshimura
/ Suzuki for 2008 |
#2
Chris Borich has been training all winter
long in Florida and racing in the FTR
Series on his Suzuki to work out any bugs
before the start of the season |
Team LTE Racing is fielding two pro class riders,
Brent Sturdivant and Duane Johnson. Team LTE
will be fielding Can Am DS450’s this season
as they search for the right combination to
get on the podium. The DS450 is a technical
machine but has shown promise in off season
testing and racing. Sturdivant has been training
and racing as much as he can and has natural
talent aboard a quad that most can only dream
of. The young West Virginia native has proven
he can run up front as he finished 3rd at the
Yadkinville round of the 2007 GNCC series. The
1-2 punch from LTE rests solidly with Duane
Johnson who is a rock solid rider and has experience
that will not only help him, but may also flow
to other members of this young team.
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#3
Chris Bithell |
#10
Chris Jenks |
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Warnert Racing dominated the Utility Classes
in the Morning Race last season on the
Can-Am Outlanders, so for 2008 the team
expanded its lineup to include Pro ATV
Racers Chris Bithell & Chris Jenks
to compete in the Afternoon Pro Class
on the all-new Can-Am DS450 ATV
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