Posted February 27, 2008

Q&A with Bill Ballance, the man who made GNCC history

There are many well-known names in ATV racing, and Barry Hawk's name is often spoken with awe. After all, the Pennsylvanian won an amazing seven straight Grand National Cross Country ATV titles, from 1993 through 1999.

He was the King of the Woods among quad riders. That is, until now.

A Kentucky-born and bred racer has dethroned Hawk as King of the Woods. The new King is Bill Ballance, who won his eighth straight GNCC title in 2007.

We caught up with Ballance after the season to get his thoughts on some of the highlights, and lowlights, of his career.

ATVAonline: Describe how you feel now that you've won your eighth GNCC title. How do you feel beating Barry Hawk's championship record?

Ballance: Knowing that there is a good chance that what I have accomplished will have its own place in history is an awesome feeling.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing career. What disciplines have you run?

Ballance: During my racing career I have competed in numerous motocross and arenacross, and normally finished in the top five. I have won some Grand Prix races, raced in some desert races and, of course, the GNCCs in which I have won eight championships.

ATVAonline: Tell us about your racing machine. What trick parts does it have?

Ballance: My machine is a Yamaha YFZ450. Factory Yahama supplies my bikes. I run a lot of aftermarket products, all of which I feel are the best out there.

ATVAonline: What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you at a race?

Ballance: I was doing a photo shoot on the starting line at the nationals and flipped my quad in front of everyone. Needless to say, the crowd went wild.

ATVAonline: What was the most heartbreaking thing to ever happen to you at a race?

Ballance: I was leading the race in Hard Rock, West Virginia, and was tied in the points lead with Barry Hawk with two races to go and my rear hub came off the bike. I lost the wheel, tire and all.

ATVAonline: What was the funniest thing to happen to you this season?

Ballance: I took everything so serious this season that I didn't see the humor in anything. Boy, that is going to change this year.

ATVAonline: What was the most heartbreaking thing to happen to you this season?

Ballance: Leading in Millfield, Ohio, I burned out my clutch and finished third.

ATVAonline: How old are you? What do you do for a living? What is your hometown? Are you married? Do you have any kids?

Bill Ballance: I am 31 years old and my job is professional quad racer. My hometown is Smiths Grove, Kentucky. My wife's name is Tyra, and we have two daughters: Lauren, who is 5, and Leah, who is 20 months.

ATVAonline: What was your first ATV? How old were you? How did you get started on ATVs?

Ballance: My first ATVs were actually three-wheelers and then a Honda 250X. I was 6 when I started riding on my dad's farm.

ATVAonline: What was your first race? How old were you? What was it like?

Ballance: My first race was a at a local motocross track and I was 15 years old. My first national was at Loretta Lynn's. I was 16 years old and I was hooked right away.

ATVAonline: How do you prepare for the racing season? Describe your typical training day.

Ballance: I ride, ride, take a break and then I ride some more. Then I come home and dream about riding while I sleep.

ATVAonline: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time unrelated to ATVs?

Ballance: I go fishing, hunting and golfing.

ATVAonline: What advice would you give young people who want to become great GNCC racers?

Ballance: Set yourself goals and never stop working hard to achieve them.

ATVAonline: Who are your sponsors? Who would you like to thank for your 2007 success?

Ballance: I would like to thank my mechanics/pit crew Elliott Skaggs and Broc Booth. They put in numerous hours in the shop and at the races. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support and help. And a huge thank you to my sponsors: Yamaha, GYTR, Maxxis Tires, Koltz, Moose, Ohlins, ARS/FX, Douglas Wheel, Fasst, Powermadd, Scott Goggles, REM, GT Thunder, One Industries, StreamLine, Precision, Regina chain, Rebel gears, X-Caliber Axels, and IMS.

ATVAonline: Anything else you would like to add?

Ballance: I'm looking forward to a fun 2008 race season with a lot less pressure.

Support from his family has helped Bill Ballance achieve his goals.

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