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2008 GNCC ATV Racing Series
Round #3 - Steele Creek
Morganton, North Carolina
March 30, 2008

Can-Am GNCC Racing - Grand National Cross Country Racing Series

"Steele Creek" GNCC Pro ATV Race Report

Morganton, NC - Factory KTM rider Adam McGill rode an impressive race to win his second straight XC1 Pro event. The West Virginia native piloted his KTM 450 to 2 minute lead when the checkered flag came out, marking his second consecutive race where he not only won, but dominated the field with a commanding win.

Adam McGill KTM ATV Holeshot GNCC
KTM's #5 Adam McGill didn't waste no time taking over the lead as he grabbed the Holeshot and checked out on the competition
“I knew I had the lead, and when my crew told me I had two minutes I just decided to ride smart “stated McGill.

Adam went on to tell the large crowd surrounding the podium just how well his KTM is working and how much it is helping him get out front and stay there! McGill fought for the holeshot with Bill Ballance but soon pulled away and by the end of the first lap was well on his way to victory. The rain that fell throughout the morning had an impact on how the track shaped up for the 1pm race. The region has been without rain, and while it was not a dry race, the course tacked up and became rough with deep ruts and sections that quickly set the stage for bottlenecks and hard racing. These conditions were perfect for Veteran Pro William Yokely who was upfront and having his best race in several years as he found himself in third with Ballance just ahead of him.

Bill Ballance Yamaha YFZ450 ATV GNCC
#1 Bill Ballance rebounded from an extremely rare DNF at Georgia to finish in the 2nd spot at Steele Creek

At the end of the first lap, and with exception of McGill out front, the chatter over the loud speakers was like that of yesteryear with Ballance, Yokely and Matt Smiley’s names being repeated as the leaders dug in for the two hour event. Matt Smiley has been on fire thus far, claiming top ten finishes in the first two rounds and backing it up with a solid 4th place finish at Steele Creek. The tried and true set up he is running on his Honda, combined with his years of expertise behind the bars is playing to his favor as many talented upstarts are having major difficulties with new machines. Chris Bithell stomped his way to the top three in points to finish 2007, however he has not been a factor in 2008 and round three was another disappointment as he blew an engine on the last lap. Bithell has the speed as his lap time’s show, and hopefully with some better luck, he will be back upfront soon. Teammate Chris Jenks was another casualty of mechanical issues and was out of the race at the end of the third lap.

National Guard ATV Team Rider William Yokley
National Guard's William Yokley intense training over the winter has paid off as he returns to the Podium for the 1st time since 2006, and this probably will not be his last in 2008
Yamaha mounted Brandon Sommers had another solid race as he ran well inside the top 10, working his way up to 5th at the finish. Sommers consistent riding and reliable set up may play well to his hunt for the championship if others continue to mix it up and have mechanical issues. Chris Borich was holding the 5th spot until the last lap when Sommers skated by him to take the position. While Borich is not having the dominate season we know he would like, there is still much racing that lay ahead as the season is still young. Fellow KTM backed racer Taylor Kiser gave Factory KTM their second top 10 finish as he rode a solid race taking the 7th finishing position, keeping his points position in second behind McGill.
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