Yokley Racing ATV and UTV Report: Big Buck GNCC

National Guard Polaris Coastal DragonFire Yokley Racing Team driver William Yokley finished first Overall and first in the Side by Side Open Modified Class at the Pirelli Big Buck GNCC, while National Guard Polaris Coastal Yokley Racing Team driver Scott Kiger finished second overall. Meanwhile, National Guard Coastal Yokley Racing ATV Team rider Jarrod McClure finished 43rd Overall and 11th XC1 Pro today in Round 4 of the 2011 GNCC Series after experiencing mechanical issues.

Yokley Racing Summary

The Big Buck is a popular stop on the GNCC schedule every year, and great weather greeted the racers with sunshine and temps in the 80s. The Polaris Yokley Side by Side Team has continued to refine the new RZR XP-900 for GNCC racing. The team runs many stock parts including the motor in this top-level cross country race series.

William Yokley started on row 1 because he is the series points leader, and Scott Kiger started in row 4. When the starter’s flag dropped, William battled with Daryl Rath for the first few turns, and then slipped ahead as they headed into the woods. He had clear sailing for the first couple of laps until he ran into lappers. The RZR was handling and working very well, and he was able to extend his lead to more than four minutes at the finish. The track was fast with a few dusty areas.

Scott Kiger, on the other hand, had his work cut out for him, starting behind so many other machines. He tried to be patient, but had to be aggressive at the same time. He moved up to fifth after lap 1, then fourth on lap 2, and then was second on lap 3 until the finish. He noticed his front bumper flapping up and down in front of him on the last lap. When he finished and examined it, the mounts were broken off and the winch cable was the only thing holding it on. So much for being patient! Yokley still leads the GNCC season points, while Kiger has moved up, tied for second.

As for the ATV race, Jarrod McClure has been having good finishes so far this GNCC season, and he was hoping to continue that at the Big Buck in South Carolina. The track had the usual tight woods and mudholes, but there were also many wide-open fast sections.

McClure has been on a roll lately, getting holeshots in the past several races. This was no different, as he once again got the lead at the start. Adam McGill assumed the lead as they headed into the woods. About two miles into the race, McGill went in a mudhole, and got momentarily stuck. McClure was committed in the same ruts and had to stop in the deepest part of the bog. McGill was able to get free quickly, but McClure was stuck pretty badly. When he finally got free, all the XC1 Pro riders had passed him.

He put the hammer down and passed several riders, finishing lap 1 in ninth. On lap 2, he caught some more riders and was in seventh. Misfortune struck on lap 3, when he clipped a tree and badly bent his tie rod, making it almost impossible to steer. He limped down an access road back to the pits, and the crew went to work to try to fix it. They removed the bent piece and straightened it the best they could.

With the repairs completed, he took off and re-entered the course where he exited it earlier. At this point, he was almost 1 lap down in 90th overall. He worked his way back to 43rd overall in the last two laps. One little miscalculation pretty much ruined his day. Fortunately, he did not injure himself! He remains in fifth place in season GNCC points.

McClure, as well as Yokley and Kiger, will now get ready for the long trip to the west coast for the next WORCS race in Anza, Calif. on April 23. Before that, the team hauler will provide a display area for the National Guard at the annual Thunder over Louisville, Ky. festivities. The 90-foot hauler makes for a large area to showcase the RZR XP-900 race machines as well as other Polaris ATVs. The display will compliment the other military equipment and helicopters for this one day aircraft and fireworks show. Last year, more than 700,000 people attended this event.

Yokley Racing Team Sponsors: The Army National Guard, Polaris Industries, Coastal Racing, DragonFire Racing, Kenda Tires, Monavie, EXIT Suspension, Roll Design, XC Bobs.com, Douglas Wheel Technology, HMF Exhaust Systems, Moto Pro Training, SHIFT Riding Gear, Tsubaki Chains, IMS/Roll, CV4 Hoses, ATVRiders.com, Tireballs, Precision Racing Products, G-4 Graphics, SCOTT USA Goggles, IMS, Hygh Octane Designs, Bowers Motorsports, TanTerra Wines, Tusk Off-Road, Baldwin Motorsports, K&N Filters, RPM Axles, KG Clutches and PowerMadd.