Yokley Racing ATV & UTV Report: Ironman GNCC

National Guard Polaris Yokley Racing ATV Team rider Jarrod McClure finished eighth overall and seventh in the XC1 Pro ATV class today in Round 13 of the 2010 GNCC Series. There were 198 total entries with 21 XC1 Pro Riders. National Guard Polaris DragonFire Yokley Racing Team driver William Yokley finished 11th overall and ninth in the Open Modified UTV class. There were 68 total entries with 31 Open Modified teams. Yokley’s guest passenger today was Polaris Program Leader Kevin McNutt.

Summary

The Ironman is the most popular race on the GNCC schedule, and this year was no different with one of the largest crowds in recent history. Great weather greeted the more than 10,000 spectators to this season ending event. The extremely dry summer made the course very dusty except for the creek crossings. Diehard fans lined the steep hillclimbs and water crossings.

Jarrod McClure did not get a great start and entered the woods in 14th position. Because of the powdery, thick dust, it was basically follow the leader and trying to keep in contact with the rider ahead, and hope that they didn’t ride off the course somehow. Jarrod completed lap 1 in 12th, and steadily moved up to seventh by lap 4. The final lap was worrisome, as the air filter was beginning to get clogged by the clouds of dust. Even though the bike was not getting enough air and was down on power, he managed to finish seventh. This was good run for Jarrod after having a big time crash at the last event, and not feeling 100%.

William Yokley had an interesting UTV race to say the least. William was leading the season points and only needed to finish in the top 10 to clinch the championship. His passenger was Kevin McNutt, a Program Leader with Polaris. Kevin has been a huge asset to the Yokley Racing Team with all his assistance and knowledge, and besides that, he’s one of the nicest guys you will meet!

The National Guard Dragonfire Polaris RZR got a good start, going into the woods in third place. Yokley and McNutt were having a great time battling with the other two, and swapped the lead back and forth. On the third lap, the steering wheel began coming loose with the hold down bolts backing out. This was getting progressively worse until the wheel almost came off. They stopped at their pit area, and got a ratchet and socket to tighten it down. The bolts had worn the loose steering wheel to the point that they would not stay tight. As the team raced through the corn fields, Kevin would hand William the ratchet to retighten the bolts. With the time lost in the pits and slowing of the pace, the team finished in ninth place in the Open Modified class.

Overall, it was a very good weekend at the final GNCC race of the season. Jarrod McClure had a good race, and finished the season in 10th place in the XC1 Pro ATV division. William Yokley was able to hang on to a top 10 finish, and secured his second National Championship for Polaris in the Open Modified UTV division. The Yokley Racing Team will take a short break and then start preparing for the 2011 season. The team would like to thank all their loyal sponsors for the generous support this year. Also, a big thanks goes out to all the great fans and the fantastic job the Racer Production crew does with the GNCC Series. We hope to see you all in 2011!

Yokley Racing Team Sponsors: The Army National Guard, Polaris Industries, DragonFire Racing, Kenda Tires, Monavie, EXIT Suspension, Roll Design, XC Bob’s, Douglas Wheel Technology, Motoworks Exhaust Systems, Moto Pro Training, SHIFT Riding Gear, Tsubaki Chains, IMS/Roll, CV4 Hoses, ATVRiders.com, Tireballs, Precision Racing Products, G-4 Graphics, Andrews Cycle, Powermadd, SCOTT USA Goggles, PURE Polaris Lubricants & Fuels, Intense Fabrication & Design, IMS, Hygh Octane Designs, Bowers Motorsports, TanTerra Wines and Tusk Off-Road.