Hard-charging William Yokley
January 4, 2005 – William Yokley (above, far right) is a veteran of the ATVA Grand National Cross Country Series put on by Racer Productions and took second place in the 2004 series. We spent some time talking with the 27-year-old racer from Tompkinsville, Kentucky, and gathering information about him to learn what makes a great GNCC racer. Here's what we learned.
ATVAonline: How did you get started riding ATVs?
William
Yokley: I was about 8 and my dad bought a Honda 70 for me and I rode it
for a while. I started with that, then moved up to LT80s and spent a few years
on that. My older brother, John, raced ATVs, three- and four-wheelers, and I
was inspired by him.
AO: When and where was your first race?
Yokley: it was a little motocross race in Scottsville, Kentucky, when I was 9 years old aboard a Honda 70 four-wheeler. My older brother was racing at the time, and almost every race I've been to in my life my father, Mike, has been there. He's a real enthusiast. My mom, Sue, has been supportive too. It's a real family affair.
AO: When did you turn Pro, and why?
Yokley: I turned pro at 18. I was running the GNCC A Class and finishing in the top 20, getting a top 10 or two. But I wanted to advance to the Pros, be on that front line and then get a top-20 finish and then a top 10. I knew that I wouldn't get any faster until I started running with a faster group. Racing is something I've always loved, and now it's turned into a dream come true.
AO:
How did you prepare for the 2004 season?
Yokley: Last season was the first season for me on a four-stroke. I ride a Suzuki Z400 and Suzuki has been backing me really well. I usually go to Florida and ride in the Florida Trailriders series, and practice on motocross tracks, ride bicycles, and weight train. I went into this season pretty laid back and worry-free mentally. I won the first round and had some good races, but then I had some weird luck. But right before the break I got my momentum back and I've been on the podium the last three rounds.
AO:
How's the competition?
Yokley: Pretty stiff right now, but it has always been tough. In the past few years I've been running with a lot of the same riders, and it's real stiff competition. Bill Ballance (who clinched the 2004 GNCC title) is smart on the track and makes good decisions. You always have to be on top of your game to race with him. But there are a lot of riders who are capable of knocking you down the ladder. There are a lot of people with momentum going into next year, and it will be an exciting year. There are a lot of hungry people.
AO: What was your most memorable race in 2004?
Yokley: It's always memorable when I win races. I think the most memorable was the last round (at Powerline Park in St. Clairsville, Ohio). Me, Chris Borich and Bill Balance had a good race. We had an awesome battle. Sometimes you don't win but you get second or third, and you still feel good because you did as well as you can.
AO: What was your worst experience racing?
Yokley: In North Carolina (Round 4) I was riding right behind Bill Ballance and went from second to 12th or 13th in a bottleneck. After that race, a few things went downhill. I finally got good momentum going again late in the season. Some things just bring you down, and you can't get out of it.
AO: How do you feel about next season?
Yokley:
I'm really excited about next season. I'm looking forward to it. I'm having
a good time this year, but it's always fun at the beginning of the year because
it's a clean board and everyone is off and running.
AO: What was your most embarrassing moment racing?
Yokley: Actually, it was crashing while doing a photo shoot.
AO: Do you have any hobbies?
Yokley: I like to golf when I have time, trail ride on utility ATVs, and anything to do with the outdoors. I like traveling, and just taking it easy.
AO: What advice would you give kids who want to be a pro like you?
Yokley: Try hard, be smart, and never give up. Quitting is not an option. Racing is like life—you'll get kicked around but you have to cowboy up. For every good day you'll have bad days. You've got to hold your head high. If you have the head and the heart, then you can make anything happen.
AO:
Who are your sponsors?
Yokley: Team Suzuki/Yoshimura, Powermadd, IMS, Roll Design, Elka Suspension, Hinson Racing, Tire Balls, Motorex, Sunstar, Motion Pro, Braking, Chris Grissom Racing, Xtreme, RK chain, CTI2, Scott, Badger, Scooby Powersports, Quad Tech, AC Racing, Denton Racing, Nac's Racing, VP Racing, Hardkor Engineering, Uni air filters, and Outerwears.