Gilmer, TX - The first-ever Lone Star GNCC in Texas ushered in two big changes to ATVA Grand National Cross Country Racing. The event marked the first GNCC ever held west of the Mississippi River, and it also was the first GNCC where the pro riders all competed on production machines. But the more things change, the more they stay the same, as Yoshimura/Roll/IMS/ITP Suzuki Z-400 rider William Yokley charged to another win.

"I just tried to ride really smart today," said the ever-smiling Kentucky rider. "The course got real rough, and my bike was working awesome. It doesn't feel like the first race. I've been running this Suzuki since last season, so it feels like just another round from last year."

Behind Yokley came a pack of Yamaha YFZ450s. Defending GNCC champ Bill Ballance proved he could ride a four-stroke by leading the race early and battling with Yokley and Team Safari's Matt Smiley. Only one hard tangle with a lapper pushed Ballance to mid-pack, and he fought his way back up to second on his HMF Yamaha despite a sore arm.
Smiley battled hard with East Coast ATV's Chris Borich, and the two Yamaha riders were glued to each other for the final two laps. But Smiley dug down and pulled out a podium finish.

The entire race had a different sound to it since all of the pros were four-stroke mounted. Yokley though, who went through the growing pains of dialing in a new machine last season, had the upper hand in the development wars and used experience to his advantage. His former Pro Production class rival though, Am Pro Yamaha's Chad DuVall, had a terrible day due to a sticking rear shock and a snapped chain.

"This was quite an adventure for the first race of the season," said DuVall.

GNCC young guns Brandon Ballance and Greg Trew swapped the fifth spot several times throughout the day before Ballance overcame some early arm-pump issues to grab the spot.

The AMA Grand National Cross Country series is America's premier off-road racing series. One of the most physically demanding sports in the world, the nearly three-hour long cross-country races lead as many as 1300 riders through tracks ranging from eight to twelve miles in length. With varied terrain including hills, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC races are tests of both survival and speed. GNCC featured sponsors include Parts Unlimited, Moose, Maxxis, Yamaha, Wiseco, Klotz, FMF, Dunlop and ITP, and riders compete for over $500,000 in series prizes and contingency money. The series airs on Speed Channel every Tuesday night and Sunday afternoon. Associate sponsors include MUDD, Scott, Alpinestars, Cometic, Outerwears, Pro Armor, Race Tools, Twin Air, SFB Racing, Thor, Racer X Illustrated, EFM, Motion Pro, Tire Balls, GPR Stabilizer and Laeger's.

Results
Top 10 Overall
Lone Star GNCC - Gilmer, Texas
January 31, 2004 (Round 1 of 14)

1. William Yokley (Suz)
2. Bill Ballance (Yam)
3. Matt Smiley (Yam)
4. Chris Borich (Yam)
5. Brandon Ballance (Yam)
6. Greg Trew (Yam)
7. Todd Knippenberg (Hon)
8. James Wall (Leg)
9. Johnny Gallagher (Suz)
10. Bryan Cook (Yam)