team alba sweep at big buck
Wins for Chris Borich and Traci Cecco

APR 16, 2005
GNCC Round 5
Big Buck, SC

GNCC Pro Race Report By Chris Conrady

First Time GNCC'ers

For the first time since ALBA's involvement in GNCC racing, several of the "big wigs" from ALBA's San Diego, CA headquarters ventured out to catch one of the races. We wanted to get a sense of what GNCC racing was all about, meet with the fans and supporters and, of course cheer on our team riders, Chris Borich, Traci Cecco and several other select racers.

ALBA has been a big supporter of ATV racing for many years and is one of the most established teams in desert racing, but has only recently ventured into GNCC. So this trip was a great introduction into Cross Country racing. And to sum it up, we couldn't have been happier and more excited with our first GNCC experience. The weather and course were great, the fans were awesome, and both Chris Borich and Traci Cecco won their classes!

Right off, we were impressed with the scale and scope of the venue. The trailer parking, pro pits and general contingency area looked like a big-time racing event. There was a large number of people milling about and quads everywhere. The best thing was the people. Right away we felt welcomed and like part of the scene. We were happy to be there.

Where was the track?

So, of course we know it is woods racing. But really, where is the track? I asked Rick Cecco, Traci's main supporter, team manager and husband, and he pointed to thick forest and said the course was about 15' into the tree line. He shrugged his shoulders when I inquired about bears and walked off. So I wandered into the trees and could barely make out a 50" wide drag-mark winding it's way through the trees, and a bunch of fluorescent arrows stapled on trees. Traci noted that the course went on like this for 11 miles and included "crik" jumps, mud holes, hill climbs and trees. Lots of trees. This was way different than desert racing.

Race 1 - Traci Cecco

After meeting with fans, it was time for Traci to gear up. The start of the first race was upon us and we all made our way to the starting line. In California, we would call it a lawn, but out here it was the massive starting area, where over 280 riders sat in position, ready to blast out into the woods.

After proper fan fair, National Anthem and a description of some of the major obstacles on the track, the race was on. Standing starts for everyone. Traci, who started a bit wide, swooped in and was a close second around the first turn. And the race was on. Very soon, the next batch of racers headed along the course, then another group and another, until there were riders everywhere.

For me, someone new to the woods and GNCC racing, I was definitely out of my element. After the start of the race, with camera in hand, I was just trying to find the race. I mean, there were quads racing through the woods everywhere, but where exactly was Traci? Where should I set up for a photo. That was the question. Well Traci wasn't lost and in fact, she was swapping the lead with Woman's point leader and long time rival, Stephanie Parton. Another Team ALBA racer, TJ Lennig was having a great podium run in the stock class.

Scoring

For those that don't know, GNCC Race is a lot like shopping at Wal Mart. Yea, there are a lot of people all over the place, but what I am referring to is the bar code scanning guns. It's pretty cool, every rider had a large bar code on the left side of their helmet, and twice a lap, they pass through a check point. There, armed with a gun and a sponge, a race official quickly wipes the code and shoots it with the gun. Then, instantly with a beep and a flash of rider number position and class on an LED screen, the rider is off. It's surprisingly efficient and really doesn't slow down the riders that much.

Speed is Relative

As we were running through the woods to get a good view of the action, our race team manager, Phil, Cory, the owner of ALBA and myself commented about the overall race pace. To us, it looked like everyone was going slow. Seriously slow. As experienced desert riders and racers, we figured we could "easily" do this. Like all famous last words, these would come back to haunt us. And when I say "us" I mean Phil. More later.

Finish

Traci managed to get out front again and didn't look back. She finished about 5th overall. This was a big WIN for Traci in the Women's division, narrowing the gap to the series lead. By the time she passed the finish line, we were all there, cheering her on. All of us from ALBA couldn't have been happier. TJ Lennig, one of Traci's racing nephews and a team ALBA race member, also finished well, with a 3rd in the "Stock" division.

After the race, Traci is just 2 points out of first. Not bad, considering she took a pretty nasty fall and was in a neck-brace just a couple races ago. Traci has a reputation for not just being tough, but being a tough competitor. We are "stoked" to have her on our team.

Race 2 - Pros - Chris Borich

In the early afternoon, it was time for the main event. Race 2 and the pros. The GNCC does it right with a color guard, high profile rider introduction and live rendition of the National Anthem. It was the big show, and cocky, confident and always cool Team Alba rider Chris Borich was ready for action. Chris is new to Team Alba for 2005, and he's the real deal.

Much has been written about Borich this season, with the first credible attack on Bill Balances' series domination in 5 years. Chris is #1 in the points and everyone knows it. He is a serious force to be reckoned with and commands respect from all the other riders. That being said, he's one of the coolest riders you can meet - always taking time to talk with the fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures and cheer for younger riders who look up to him.

"A lot of these kid cheer me on while I'm on the track, so I like to give them a bit of encouragement when I can." said Borich, cheering on some other riders during the first race.

Just the night before in the hotel room, we were watching video of GNCC Round 2. It was a good race, but we were especially taken by a signature "Borich" move. Late in the race, he pulled up along side Brandon Balance, who he had been following for quite a while, and gave him a big "Thumbs up" and then dropped back to keep pace. It was a great intimidator move and, best of all, was caught on tape. Borich went on the win the race and lengthen his lead in the series.

Borich got an Ok start on the main event. He was about 5th by the time they hit the woods. By the end of the first lap, he was 2nd behind Bill Balance - and they were distancing themselves from the field. Chris quickly took the lead and rode point for a while but was passed again by Balance.

We had wandered out to the "crik" jump, hearing that it was a fun place to watch. Upon walking out there we got our first real glimpse and the actual size of the course. It was a good hike back there, but we could see why so many fans made the trek. The crik jump was actually a 4-foot drop-off, crossing over a stream. Most of the riders took a detour, but the pros and more adventurous riders just went for it and made the jump. It was impressive, and you could feel the ground shake on the landing.

You could tell it was serious business, with a decked out ambulance quad stationed near by and a host of other helpers. As we waited for the leaders to come through, we saw several riders do a panic stop and plop right over the edge. It was so common, in fact, that there was a guy (in blue above) who would wave you off or tell you to gun it (or in some cases, grab your grab bar and keep you from plopping over the side). Shown here is just one of those riders who was shaking off a serious rush of adrenalin, which he got when he realized that he couldn't roll over this jump. I'm not sure the pros even know it was there. The second crik crossing, however, was a bit more substantial.

When the pros were approaching, everyone took notice. You could definitely tell by the thundering rumble coming through the valley. It definitely got your blood flowing, and the excitement continued to build. In fact, the sound of the pros was very distinguishable. Our Team Alba Racing pipe had a signature sound that fit in well.

On the last section of the last lap, Borich, who had been tailing Balance, made his move. In a clearing, he hopped out to the right, and blasted by an unsuspecting Balance. Turning back, before they ducked back into the trees, he gestured for Ballance to "come on" and "follow him." Chris Borich was first to cross the finish line, and was very excited for the win - especially with all of us from ALBA out to cheer him on.

Both Chris Borich and Traci Cecco won their respective classes, Team Alba reined supreame at Big Buck.

Back to Phil

So I mentioned that during the first race, us California ALBA boys, thought that the GNCC looked easy, and that it was surprising at how slow the racers were actually going. Well, as luck would have it, we ended up eating those words during the pro race.

Phil is an experienced desert racer, and has ridden for years. We had all commented that we thought it would be fun to participate in a GNCC woods race some time. So about 30 minutes before the pro start, standing in the pits, someone offered Phil a bike. Then gear and a helmet. Phil's always game for a challenge so he grudgingly agreed. Quickly the crew adjusted the Honda for Phil, as he went over and signed up, in the "B" division.

Did I mention that he's never ridden in the woods before. Sure, shooting 70mph down a dirt road in Baja is no problem for Phil, but what about when there are so many trees around?

It all fell into place almost too easily. Before he knew it, Phil was lined up at the start. Wearing someone else's gear, on someone else's quad in a racing environment he's never ridden. Like I said, Phil's always game, and like we said earlier, how difficult could it be.

Phil wasn't out to prove anything or to try and show up anyone. Really, his main objective was to survive.

More later...

See Complete Race and Series Results at GNCCracing.com

Additional Race Info at ATVriders.com
Additional Race Report at ATVSCENE.COM