New Berlin, NY - This weekend's third-annual Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series stop at the famed Unadilla Valley Sports Center may become the biggest GNCC ever, and certainly it will hold huge title implications for Yamaha's Bill Ballance and East Coast ATV's Chris Borich. A head-on collision between Ballance's search for a record-breaking eighth-straight GNCC title and Borich's quest for his first championship has taken the series to a new level, as the "Killer B's" have never been this close in points this late in the year. Borich leads Ballance by three points with four races remaining in the 2007 GNCC tour. Further complicating matters, young sophomore pros Chris Bithell and Adam McGill seem to find more speed each weekend as Bithell finished in front of Ballance at the previous race despite starting in last. Throw veterans like Matt Smiley, Chris Jenks and William Yokley in the mix, and the stage is set for a wild weekend. Unadilla joined the GNCC tour in 2005 and drew 1800 riders-a record turnout. Last year's event matched those numbers, putting 1800 within sight again this year. A full slate of amateur classes is available with ATVs racing on Saturday and bikes on Sunday-and each race will use portions of the world famous Unadilla motocross track. Ballance and Borich will square off in a two-hour fight on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the premier ATV division, XC1 Pro. Ballance won the first two rounds of the series in March and positioned himself for another title run, but then Borich fired back with four-straight wins, and one more at the previous round in Pennsylvania. Last year at Unadilla, Borich and Ballance dueled all day until mechanical troubles sidelined Borich-he is determined to prevent that from happening this year. The XC2 Class for up-and-coming pros features GT Thunder Yamaha's Brandon Sommers, who has won all but one round of the series this year. The GNCC morning race at 10 a.m. is a start-studded affair, with the Women's class and the 4x4 and Utility Classes competing for overall honors. Warnert Racing/Can-Am has dominated the proceedings in the 4x4 classes, sweeping the podium at the previous race with Michael Swift (Outlander 800, 4x4 Limited Class) Scott Kilby (Outlander 800, 4x4 Open Class) and Cliff Beasley (Outlander 500, 4x4 Lites) grabbing the three overall morning race podium spots.
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is the largest off-road racing series in the nation. The top pro racers make a lucrative living in the sport, reigning in six-figure salaries and endorsements, as well as a share of a $130,000 prize purse and over $3 million in contingency and bonus money. GNCC events also offer classes for amateur riders of all skill and experience levels. Four-wheeled ATVs will compete throughout the day on Saturday, September 14, and dirt bikes will race on Sunday, September 15. Riders can sign up at the track. The amateur racer entry fee is $40.Spectator passes run $12 for the full weekend, with pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge. On both Saturday and Sunday, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.m., and the top amateurs and the pros race at 1 p.m.
For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084. Directions: Located on State Highway #8, five miles north of New Berlin, New York. From the north take NYS Thruway (Rt. #90) to exit 31 (Utica). After the tollbooth, begin following signs for Route #8 SOUTH. Turn right after the tollbooth and make another right at the first light. You will go about 50 feet and exit to your right. Continue about 1 1/2 miles and you will exit again at Route #8 south/ Route 5/12. Approximately 4 miles later you will exit one more time at "Route #8 South-New Hartford". Once you exit here, you will stay on this road right to the racetrack.
From the south, take Rt. #81 north to Rt. I-88 east. Exit at exit #9- Sidney. At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Route #8 NORTH. Do not go to the Town of Unadilla.
About GNCC Racing:
The AMA/ATVA-sanctioned Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series is America's premier off-road racing series. The 13-round series is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The nearly three-hour long GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. GNCC Racing airs weekly television shows on Versus (formerly Outdoor Life Network) every Saturday at 3 p.m. and Thursday at 4 p.m. beginning on April 14. With varied terrain including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include BRP Can-Am, Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Pirelli, Wiseco, Acerbis, Elka, GEICO, Klotz, FMF, ITP and Weekend Warrior, and riders compete for over $3 million in series prizes and contingency money. Associate sponsors include Alpinestars, Cometic, EK Chain, HiPer Technology, Laegers, Moose Utility Division, The National Guard, Powersport Grafx, Race Tools, REM, Scott, Thor, Tire Balls, Twin Air, and MotoTee's. Media Sponsors include Racer X Illustrated, ATV Rider, ATV Sport, ATVRiders.com, Quadzone.com, Dirt Rider and ATV Insider. For more information log on to www.gnccracing.com.