Oakland, KY- The Ballance Racing/Yamaha Team had their sights set on breaking Chris Borich's win streak this past weekend at round 11 the Powerline Park GNCC in St. Clairesville, OH.  Weather conditions were near perfect with no dust and only mud in the valley bottoms with temperatures in the upper 50's. This track is known for its hard pack clay surface due to numerous 4x4 Truck Jamborees that occur throughout the year, but this year was different. The Racer Productions crew added many new virgin sections of trail which was bound to make this race even more exciting.
 
Ballance Racing/Yamaha's #5 Walker Fowler exploded off the starting line and narrowly missed the Holeshot award by inches but would enter the woods in the lead. " This YFZ450X  was like a rocket ship all day and especially off the start. It's a good feeling to get into first before the woods because you get to control the entire tempo of the race and I like that." Fowler wasted no time on finding his rhythm and quickly tried to separate himself from the rest of the field. "I just felt awesome right from the green flag. I rode at a sprint for 3 miles simply because it will catch most racers off guard. The ones that latch on know your serious and will be there all day." Fowler was not alone by any means, though. He saw challenges from the top 5 a majority of the race. " Brian Wolf caught me first lap and we went back and forth. Bithell and Borich came on strong the 2nd lap and then the last 3 laps was all McGill." In all the excitement it still looked as though Fowler was going to pull off his first XC1 Pro win. Part way through the final lap, Fowler had a 20 second lead. Then he made that final Rookie error. "I saw a lapped rider stalled out in the trial ahead of me and rather than waiting a few seconds to make a decision I just assumed he would be out of the way when I got there. It was wrong of me to assume that! And then I went into a panic. Once I was done wasting time I knew I had 7 miles to get the job done. I finally caught McGill with 2 miles left and we put on an awesome show. I just ended with the shorter on of the stick and it was my own doing." This 2nd place finish makes 5 straight XC1 Pro podiums for the Rookie.
 
Ballance Racing/Yamaha's #3 Taylor Kiser was looking to get back on track with a good rebound race from Unadilla.  Kiser got off to a mediocre mid pack start but was ready to move towards the front. " I didn't have the best start ever but it was a safe place to be and usually this track allows for a lot of passing room." Kiser seemed strong early in the race and was right with the top 5 the first hour. " Fitness isn't the problem, I cycle multiple times a week for 40 plus miles and ride 3 days a week for at least an hour. I would bet I'm in better shape than anyone out here. I just keep having really dumb stuff happening during the race and loose to much time. In this class a 30 second mistake can ruin the whole race. There is hardly room for mistakes and I know that, just figuring out how to stop them is what I'm going to work on these last 2 rounds." Kiser ended the day a less than satisfied 6th place finish, but it still leaves the Ballance Racing/Yamaha rider a strong 3rd place overall in the points standings. " I'm beyond ready to make a statement these last 2 rounds and they are both tracks that I really enjoy. I'm very excited."
 
Racing action will resume for the Ballance Racing/Yamaha Team October 20th at round 12 the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, IN. The Ironman is arguably one of the best tracks for ATV racing and will usually attract one of the largest spectator turn outs at the deep creeks and mud bogs and some of the steepest hill climbs on the circuit! This is the 5th annual PINK race where GNCC teams up with Faith Alliance to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Please bring your PINK and buy some at the track to help support a wonderful cause! We'll see you there.
 

We would like to thank our sponsors for 2012
Ballance Racing, Yamaha, Maxxis, Ohlins, FMF, Hiper Wheels, Lonestar Racing, Fly Racing, GYTR, Waynesburg Yamaha, Wiseco Pistons and Cams, Renegade Race Fuels, Vortex Ignitions, Rath Racing , Pro Taper, G4 Graphics, Scott Goggles, Cycra, IMS, Tire Balls, Works Connection, Yamalube, DP Brakes, Outerwears, Anti’Gravity Batteries, Fuel Customs Intakes, Gaerne Boots, and CV4