"The John Penton"

Millfield, Ohio  May 12^th

 In the Sunday Creek Raceway over this mothers day weekend you either had filtered breathing masks on or a nose full of dust. I thought the famous Baja 1000 had its moments as the greatest but I'm not to sure now! This has to be the most complete opposite of races held here in the past. I have been to this track when the water lords blessed it greatly but never has it been this dusty and the wind just wasn't moving fast enough.

But besides the torrential silty air there was some very good racing going on around the hills of Millfield Ohio. The top riders have changed positions a bit and its a welcomed sight. I think its great that one man can accomplish such goals as Bill Ballance has set for himself but you know, the other guys are due their 15 minutes of fame.

Today was the day for the Pro row to come back to life and in GNCC fashion. There were many changes to the running order and one rider who has worked so hard was in the middle of the battling B's. Chris Jenks hails from West Virginia and has been following the GNCC series for several years now. With his very first win as a Pro coming in the 2006 season Chris has had his share of bad luck. Chris would get a great start but fell off the pace just a bit for the first lap. Jenks then pulled in the strings that bind the champion's crown and found himself in the podium position. Chomping away at the dusty track Chris made his way past Bill Ballance for his second place spot. You could just see the sheer excitement on Chris's face as he quickly apologized for keeping his sponsors waiting for the podium appearance. Jenks explained he never meant for it to take this long but learning a new ATV and trying to ?slow down to go faster? was worth the wait. Congrat's Chris Jenks, I knew it would come. Persistence over resistance my friend, that's how you do it!

Bill Ballance is yet another race down as the Borich clan makes a move that in the game of racing could mean checkmate! Bill started the day all over the front and through the second lap i'm sure he was settled in to take another win on his Yamaha. But, there was one little snafu that had waited till just the right moment to reach out and grab the defending champ and it came in the form of a failing clutch system. "The motor quit pulling like it should," says Ballance "and I could tell something wasn't right". As he came upon his pits Bill stated that he thought long and hard about changing the clutch out and trying to get back on his throne but on second thought, with Chris Borich charging and so many races down, for him to stop would be disastrous. Bill must maintain a fifth or better to stay in the chase. Ballance would limp the Yamaha home to third and gladly accept that over not finishing at all.

So where does Chris Borich fit into all this you might ask? Right in the middle and in his fourth, first place finish of the year Borich is finally getting his payment for praying, begging and flirting with the devil. Chris has pounced out to a commanding 14-point lead but is careful to note that the season isn't over yet. First place has its glory but for Chris Borich, just knowing you finally have a hold on the right stuff is worth more. Chris claimed "I just held on once I made it past Bill and I knew I had to ride with my head to finish in first place".

From the far right of the podium Bill Ballance stood and watched as two very deserving riders gave their speeches as he had many times before. I think even the Champ got a little excited when Jenks unloaded all he had held in over the last season of troubles.

Matt Smiley had began a race here at Sunday creek with every ounce of energy he could gather and maintained a third place position on the first lap but before long the tall East Coast ATV rider would fall back into sixth place where he would finish. William Yokley was another rider who made the first lap count but mechanical failure would be the demise of the Monster energy superstar. Yokley wasn't the only one though as Bryan Cook was towed out of the dusty woods and lived this one on the sidelines.

Our morning class riders made a mark or two also as the trees in the Sunday creek area will not soon forget. Of course the regulars, Traci Cecco, Mike Benson and Angel Atwell would come through unscaved to become what is starting to be repetitive nature for them as first, second and third place for the morning overall. Traci has just been on fire and no one has a clue how to stop her. Cecco would make the first turn and never look back as twelve other women wondered where she'd gone. Angel knew that to catch Cecco she would have to ride smart and stay clear of Stephanie Parton. Parton was closing in and only missed second by seven tenths. Stephanie is getting settled and I think most of her gremlins are on the retreat for now. Look for another championship contention out of the woman before to long. Stephanie was glad to get third after all the troubles in the beginning of this season.

The Ute's made a mole hill out of this mountain as Can-Am racer Richard Cecco stomped his way through the tight woods and blinding dust to take his first place position in the 4x4 open class. Don't worry folks Scott Kilby will be back to straighten him out at the next round. Scott is usually filling the number one spot but has started pulling double duty as the WPSA series gets off the ground for its 2007 season. Scott has been there showing the guys how it's done and will return to Sparta Kentucky with a lesson for the posers. Bryan Buccannon made the second spot look easy and Jacob Kirst would hang on for third.

Clifton Beasley and Ken Robey were the only two who were able to get in five laps and that sticks them one and two for the 4x4 lites. The 4x4 Limited class had a change of pace as Michael Swift lost his four-wheel drive and kept getting hung out on the same hill climb. This gave Kevin Tranthem a much-needed break and Kevin's first win of the season. Andrew Langston and Mike Penland would make three and four. Mike is still getting consistent results and he maintains a good position in the series championship. With talent growing all around him and his own son Hoyt racing also it proves that he must have shared some secrets along the way.

So there it is folks, another race in the books and another dust bowl to remember. The cameras wont soon forget it and at $50 each to have them cleaned it has to be better in Sparta.

The racers are all gone from Sunday creek raceway but a silent mist hangs in the air here. This weekend a rider died in Sundays AM bike races. He was living a dream of enjoying life and making people around him excited about the sport he loved. Robert Lee Hammond was the Logistics manager for KTM in Amherst Ohio. Robert will be missed and his memory will be in the hearts of riders everywhere. Yes he was on a bike and not an ATV but all the same it's racing and when one passes on doing what we all love it still kind of catches you in thoughts of tomorrow. Did you tell your mother you loved her and how special she is to you this weekend?

Don't forget because she may be gone tomorrow!

Sosebee's way gone!