Borich Wins ITP Power Line Park GNCC, Claims Title

Borich Wins ITP Power Line Park GNCC, Claims Title
Gabe Phillips wins XC2 class.

Photo By: Shan Moore
Chris Borich won the XC1 division and wrapped up the title.

As usual, the Yoshimura Suzuki-backed Borich played it smart during the first part of the race, biding his time and checking out lines before making his move at the halfway point of the two-hour event. When the time was right, Borich knifed his way through the pack in a spectacular run to the front, passing Ballance Racing Yamaha's Taylor Kiser, FRE KTM's Bryan Cook, and Warnert Racing Can-Am teammates Chris Bithell and Adam McGill to claim his 10th win of the season and wrap up the XC1 championship with one round remaining on the schedule.

"It feels good and I'm especially glad to wrap it up with a win here in Ohio," said Borich. "It's been a heck of a season and I can't thank Suzuki and Yoshimura enough - without them I wouldn't be here. This took a team effort and I'm happy to be working with these guys."

Photo By: Shan Moore
Taylor Kiser was second in Ohio.

"I just forgot where my pit was and I rode right past it," said Kiser. "I ended up not stopping and I knew I was going to have to stop on the last lap for gas."

Kiser dropped back to third when he finally did stop, but a strong final push moved him around Bithell and into second at the finish.

"I'm not happy with second but this lit a fire under us and we'll be back strong next year," said Kiser.

Meanwhile, Bithell suffered problems of his own on the final lap.

"I was behind Borich and on the last lap at the mud hole we both jumped it and I got my hand soaking wet and that slowed me down quite a bit," said Bithell. "I lost sight of Borich after that and then I got stuck behind a lapper and Kiser got me for second."

Photo By: Shan Moore
Chris Bithell rounded out the podium.

Yamaha riders filled out the next four spots, with Donnie Ockerman, Johnny Gallagher, Brandon Sommers and Jeffrey Pickens finishing sixth through ninth. Meanwhile, Craig Bowman rode a Honda to 10th.

In the XC2 division, Gabe Phillips claimed his second win of the year, taking his Yamaha from last place to first during the two-hour race.

"I got pushed out in the first turn and was dead last so right away I had a lot of ground to make up," said Phillips. "I made up a little ground in the woods, and then I just made good choices in the mud holes and worked my way to the front."

Ballance Racing Yamaha's Walker Fowler stayed in the championship hunt with a second place finish, moving to within five points of XC2 points leader Brian Wolf when Wolf suffered problems on the opening lap and dropped out of the race. Like Phillips, Fowler also came from deep in the pack to get to the front.

"To have the first lap go as horribly wrong as it did for me and then to come back and get second is awesome," said Fowler. "I proved to myself that I can come back from adversity so this gives me a lot of confidence going into the final round in Indiana."

Photo By: Shan Moore
Parker Jones, Gabe Phillips and Walker Fowler fill the XC2 podium.

"We were neck and neck heading up the final straight and he just beat me out at the line," said Jones.

Dustin Canipe put his Kawasaki into fourth, with KTM rider Josh Beavers and Honda-mounted Corbin Knox finishing fifth and sixth.

Mark Notman was seventh after claiming the $100 Motorcycle-USA.com holeshot award at the start of the race, while Kevin Yoho (Yam), James Green (Hon) and Matt Hanna (Yam) rounded out the top 10.

In the morning race, Women's class winner Kristen Atwell made a last lap pass on her aunt, Angel Atwell, to claim Overall win and the GT Thunder ATV Amateur $100 Overall Award that goes along with it. The Yamaha rider so wrapped up the Women's title with her stunning performance.

Photo By: Shan Moore
The UTVs returned to action in Ohio.

Angel Atwell ended up second overall and second in the Women's division on her KTM, with Yamaha rider Dave Simmons finishing third overall and first in the Super Senior (50+) class.

In the Youth race, Marshal Goings wrapped up the Youth title by taking his fourth-straight overall win. He also topped a strong field of 90 Modified (12-15) riders.

The UTVs were back in action at this round, and Team Coastal/Kiger topped a field of 50 teams to take the overall win and first in the Open Modified division. The Polaris-powered team pulled out to a big lead early in the eight-lap race and then coasted to a 12-second victory over Team National Guard.

Team Fortner won the Open Limited class with a fourth overall finish, while Team Travalena won the Lites Limited division in 16th.

Team Dulaney Trackside topped the Pilot class in 17th.

Racing resumes tomorrow at the Power Line Park GNCC with a full slate of motorcycle classes.

XC1 Results:

1. Chris Borich (Suz)

2. Taylor Kiser (Yam)

3. Chris Bithell (CAN)

4. Bryan Cook (KTM)

5. Adam McGill (CAN)

6. Donnie Ockerman (Yam)

7. Johnny Gallagher (Yam)

8. Brandon Sommers (Yam)

9. Jeffrey Pickens (Yam)

10. Craig Bowman (Hon)

XC1 Standings:

1. Chris Borich (336/10 wins)

2. Taylor Kiser (291/1 win)

3. Adam McGill (231)

4. Chris Bithell (205/1 win)

5. Donnie Ockerman (196)

6. Bryan Cook (160)

7. Johnny Gallagher (151)

8. Brandon Sommers (145)

9. Jeffrey Pickens (145)

10. Harold Goodman (119)

XC2 Results:

1. Gabe Phillips (Yam)

2. Walker Fowler (Yam)

3. Parker Jones (Hon)

4. Dustin Canipe (Kaw)

5. Josh Beavers (KTM)

6. Corbin Knox (Hon)

7. Mark Notman (Yam)

8. Kevin Yoho (Yam)

9. James Green (Hon)

10. Matt Hanna (Yam)

XC2 Standings:

1. Brian Wolf (256/5 wins)

2. Walker Fowler (251/3 wins)

3. Gabe Phillips (233/2 win)

4. Kevin Yoho (214)

5. Josh Kirkland (178/1 win)

6. Eric Hoyland (163/1 win)

7. Corbin Knox (150/1 win)

8. Dustin Canipe (143)

9. Mark Notman (131)

10. Parker Jones (130)

UTV Results:

1. Team Coastal/Kiger (POL)

2. Team National Guard (POL)

3. Team Krcelich (POL)

4. Team Fortner (POL)

5. Team APR Performance (POL)

6. Team Night Krawler Kusto (POL)

7. Team HBR Racing (POL)

8. Team Coastal Racing (Yam)

9. Team HAFE1 (POL)

10. Team 4 Coastal (CAN)

MotorcycleUSA.com $250 XC1 holeshot - Bryan Cook

MotorcycleUSA.com $100 XC2 holeshot - Mark Notman

GT Thunder - Kristen Atwell

About GNCC Racing:

The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.