CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN – Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Chris Borich had plenty to celebrate after this weekend’s round of the 2011 Grand National Cross Country Series. With one round remaining, Borich clinched his third consecutive XC1 Pro GNCC Championship after racing his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki QuadRacer R450 to victory at the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, IN.
“It’s been a pretty stressful year and it feels good to finally wrap it up,” said Borich. “The Suzuki QuadRacer and the Yoshimura motor are just an awesome combination, and we had plenty of power to rip right up the nasty hills. I can’t thank my Rockstar Makita Suzuki team enough for giving me equipment I can win on.”
At the drop of the flag, Borich got a solid fourth-place start and then put his Rockstar Makita Suzuki into a battle for the lead. But at the midway point of the two-hour race, Borich dropped back a bit after being held up on one of the Ironman’s notorious hill climbs. Fortunately, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider put his head down and once more came from behind on the final lap to take the win and the championship.
“I was running in third place but on the last lap, I took a different line and ended up with the lead,” said Borich. “After I got the lead on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki QuadRacer, I just held on. This is a pretty big race and there are always a lot of people here, so it was good to get the win and clinch the championship here.”
This victory is Borich’s eighth win of the 2011 season and it also marks the fourth time that he’s won the prestigious Ironman GNCC. With the 2011 title wrapped up, Borich heads into the final round of the season without any serious pressure.
“I’m looking forward to Loretta Lynn’s,” said Borich of the race in two weeks. “That’s a good track and we’ll go there and try to finish the season off strong with a win.”
The series moves to Hurricane Mills, TN, the weekend of November 4th-6th, for the rescheduled Loretta Lynn’s GNCC. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow team updates on SuzukiScoopFans on facebook and SuzukiScoop on twitter.
Ironman GNCC ATV XC1 Class Results:
1. Chris Borich
2. Taylor Kiser
3. Adam McGill
4. Chris Bithell
5. Jarrod McClure
6. Donald Ockerman
7. Jeffrey Pickens
8. Kevin Yoho
9. Ryan Lane
10. Mark Notman
2011 GNCC ATV XC1 Class Standings:
1. Chris Borich – 306
2. Adam McGill – 261
3. Taylor Kiser – 238
4. Chris Bithell – 235
5. Brian Wolf – 202
6. Jarrod McClure – 170
7. Bryan Cook – 167
8. Donald Ockerman – 166
9. Kevin Yoho – 152
10. Jeffrey Pickens – 136