by: Chuck Lemaster
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | 10:10 AM
Zach Ferrence has been on the GNCC Racing scene for a few years. He first raced 200 B for 2012/13 and moved up to 200 A in 2014, finishing 7th. This past season he improved his results dramatically by finishing 2nd in the hotly contested 200 A class. GNCCRacing.com caught up with Zach to find the secret to his success!
GNCCRacing.com: Zach, you had a breakout year! Congratulations on your 2nd place in 200 A.
Zach Ferrence: Thank you! It was a tough year. I put a lot of effort into being ready for it, but a couple weeks before Florida, I was diagnosed with mono. I couldn’t work out, ride, train or do anything! I had to rest and actually missed the first two rounds. I didn’t come into the series until North Carolina, and even then, I was still recovering.
That’s definitely a tough way to start the season!
Yeah, I was at home watching scoring on GNCClive.com and I saw Chris [Venditti] get 2nd place. He and I had swapped paint the year before and actually finished 1 point apart. He got 6th and I got 7th in class, so when I saw him do so well in Florida, I was really bummed that I couldn’t make it! On-the-other-hand, I was excited to get going because I felt that I could do well, too!
We certainly want to give a shout-out to Chris Venditti for doing so well this year. He took that 2nd place in Florida and then won the next 8 rounds in a row to clinch the championship.
He did good! He’s a great rider and he and I get along really well. We hang out on Saturday nights at the track and usually talk to each other before the races. After the races it’s a little chaotic, but we always had a good friendship. He was up here a couple weeks ago and invited me to go ride some indoor stuff, but I couldn’t get away from work.
GNCC seems to have that “competitor respect” thing going! We often hear stories of people competing but building friendships along the way.
For sure! My dad used to race the GNCCs back in the 90s, so when we started racing, this is actually where we started. I guess that was back in 2005 when we first showed up and I raced the youth class.
Was that your very first race, ever?
Yes! My dad said if I liked it here, I would like it anywhere. I was 11 years old, but had a big wheel 85, so I had to ride the Super-Mini 12-13 class. I think I got like 21st out of 23 and got lapped 3 times by the leaders! But I had fun and that just started me racing some local stuff. We came back in 2011 and raced a handful and by 2012, we started competing full time!
I think the history books show you rode the 200B class for a couple seasons?
That’s right. I went straight for the afternoon three-hour race. My goal has always been to compete, do well and move up. Each year was a learning year for me. I’m really happy with where I ended up this year. It’s my best ever and there was a lot to overcome!
As if mono isn’t enough! Did you have other challenges?
I went through two motors this year. The first was at a local race just before John Penton. So I ended up riding my practice bike in Ohio. That worked out! But after the break, I had a couple really rough races. I crashed in a New East Coast Cross Country Series race and banged up my shoulder. The doctor said I should sit out Unadilla, but I really felt like I needed the points. I rode and didn’t do very well. It ended up being a drop anyway. The next week we were in Somerset (which is really close to my house) and my bike lost the crank about a mile from the start! That was a DNF that certainly didn’t help.
All-in-all, you overcame! Plus, it sounds like you work full-time, too?
I’m at UPS where I load and unload the tractor-trailers. It’s a good job for cross training! Some of those boxes are up to 130 pounds. I’ve found the lighter ones can spike the heart-rate if you hustle! You can get a decent cardio session in!
[laughs] Whatever it takes! Dirt bikes always on the brain! Are you Monday to Friday and then travel for the races?
Yes. My dad works too, so we usually get home Friday evening, load up and hit the road. We’ll get to the track on Saturday, race Sunday and then blitz it home to get back to work on Monday. For me, it’s a good gig. I’m usually off by 4pm so I can get home and go ride. I graduated High School in 2013, so now my only focus is work and ride!
Congratulations on the diploma! Sounds like you are a driven individual: Holding a job and chasing the dream! What’s next on your agenda?
I’d like to head south here in a few weeks and do the Burnt Gin Hare Scramble. That’s a SETRA race in the south. Hopefully it’s warmer! Up here in Pennsylvania, it’s a little cold this time of year! So I’d like to go down there and see how I stack up against other guys. I bought Sam Evan’s bikes from last year, so I’m moving up to the 250 A class. I feel like you need to pass through the 250 A or Open A classes on your way to the front row. These are the proving grounds, so I’m looking forward to seeing how I stack up!
Will we be seeing you at all 13 races this year?
I’m hoping so! I can’t commit to Florida right now. That’s still a possibility. But for sure, I will be in Georgia! My dad, his girlfriend Tammy and I all enjoy going to these and it’s a long winter! We will be looking forward to getting back in action!
Once again, great job this season, Zach! Who would you like to acknowledge?
There are a lot of people behind me! My dad, for sure. Without him, I wouldn’t even be in this. Tammy (his girlfriend) is a big part of this program. My grandma gets involved! She’s always picking up parts or gear. She’s great! And then there are some sponsors that are so valuable to my program and I’d like to thank them all! KTM, FMF, FLY Racing, Dunlop, 100%, Ride PG, IMS, Boyesen, Twin Air, DP Brakes, Renthal, Acerbis, Pivor Works, Vertex, Lucas Oils, Leatt and Hinson Clutches.