Crawfordsville, IN - FRE/KTM ATV GNCC rider Josh Kirkland claimed the XC2 Pro-Am ATV GNCC Championship at the final round of the series by a single point over his toughest competitor Brian Wolf.
Kirkland needed to finish 7th or better in order to take the crown at the final round. "I came in hoping for a win but had my work cut out for me early on in the race when I had some troubles," commented Kirkland. It had rained the day before the race which accounted for large mud sections on the steep, hilly course. Kirkland got stuck multiple times in the mud, each time losing valuable positions and points. In the end, he moved up to 7th, finishing in the exact spot he needed to clinch the championship. "It was a closer battle than I would have liked, but I did what I came here to do and won the championship."
In the XC1 class, FRE/KTM rider Adam McGill got off to a great 2nd place start behind Bill Ballance. McGill remained close to Ballance throughout the duration of the first lap and was able to pull into the lead after capitalizing on Ballance's mistake in the mud. McGill ran out front, followed by Taylor Kiser and Chris Borich. McGill rode a strong race, still holding the lead on the final lap. Unfortunately, on the last lap, McGill and Kiser both got stuck in a bottleneck and were passed by Borich and Ballance. McGill recovered only to get stuck in the mud on a hill a short distance later losing a few more positions. In the end he was able to finish in 6th position. The points earned from this race helped him secure 3rd overall in the series.
Angel Atwell, crowned Women's Champion at the previous round, led the majority of the morning race before falling off her quad in a ravine. She remounted and climbed her way back up to 2nd place before the race ended.
"It was a great year for the FRE/KTM ATV GNCC Team," stated Team Manager Tim Farr. "We ended the year with two championships and a 3rd overall. Next year we will shot for three."
Overall Results XC1 Class:
1) Chris Borich
2) Bill Balance
3) Ryan Lane
4) Chris Bithell
5) Donald Ockerman
6) Adam McGill - KTM
7) Bryan Cook
8) Taylor Kiser
9) Johnny Gallagher
10) Duane Johnson
Overall Results XC2 Class:
1) Brian Wolf
2) Parker Jones
3) Kevin Yoho
4) Josh Beavers - KTM
5) Gabe Phillips
6) Blake Kramer
7) Josh Kirkland - KTM
8) Joey Margueria
9) Eric Wilezek
10) Nathan Thomas
Overall Results Women's Class:
1) Traci Cecco
2) Angel Atwell - KTM
3) Kristen Atwell
4) Shanna Bradshaw
5) Jennifer Britts - KTM
Overall Points XC1 Class:
1) Chris Borich - 342
2) Taylor Kiser - 245
3) Adam McGill - 241
4) Bill Ballance - 237
5) Brandon Sommers - 206
Overall Points XC2 Class:
1) Josh Kirkland - 332 - Champion
2) Brian Wolf - 331
3) Parker Jones - 213
4) Eric Hoyland - 196
5) Kevin Yoho - 160
Overall Points Women's Class:
1) Angel Atwell - 179 - Champion
2) Traci Cecco - 171
3) Kristen Atwell - 165
4) Lexie Coulter - 159
5) Jennifer Albright - 156