Race Report: Unadilla GNCC Rider: Ricky Russell Team: Raines

 Race Report: Unadilla GNCC Rider: Ricky Russell Team: Raines Riding University/Atlas Yamaha/OffroadViking Bike: Yamaha YZ250­F Result: 4th Unadilla was our first race back after summer break. With about a week in a half until the race I suffered from a minor practice crash. I tweaked my wrist and it left me very weak, unable to ride or train to my full potential coming into Unadilla. I thought it was minor and after seeing a doctor, nothing appeared to be broken. With that being said I knew I had to get through the race the best I could. New York is known for attracting many onetime GNCC racers since it is our furthest north event of the year. This year there was a little over 650 ATV racers and right around 1000 bikes. The course was about 9 miles which is a little shorter than our typical GNCC race tracks. With a short track and a huge amount of racers we all knew it was going to be a rough course and I wasn’t particularly excited about it since I was dealing with an injury. The weather was perfect with very little dust and very little mud which is not too common for us. After a few pain meds, some tape and an awkward wrist brace we were sitting on the line ready to go. I had a good start, putting me in about 3rd going into the woods. I made some quick moves to get to the lead early on. My adrenaline was pumping and for the first lap I felt good. After two laps in we were already into lappers. I made the decision to follow a lapper up the FMF powerpoint hill where he fell in front of me causing me to crash and get stuck. This put me back to around 5th where I struggled to gain any momentum and slowly lost time on the leaders. As the race carried on my pain got worse and I could feel every bump on the track. With some motivational pit boards and that inner drive not to quit, I was able to get back up to fourth and could see third just ahead. I tried to push as much as my body would let me but I couldn’t quite make it up. I was happy to finish after not riding for over a week and not even knowing if I could ride before the start. With decent points salvaged I am looking forward to giving it my all until the final checkered flag. Grant now has a 27 point lead on me for 1st but there are 3 races left so a lot could happen. Currently I’m waiting to hear back from the doctor to get results on my injury and I will let everyone know as soon as I can. Top 3: 1. Grant Baylor 2. Trevor Bollinger 3. Nick Davis I would like to thank all of my sponsors Raines Riding University, Atlas Yamaha, Offroad Viking, Yamaha Motor USA, GYTR, Yamalube, Fly Racing, Kenda Tires, FTDs, Scott Goggles, FMF, Enduro Engineering, Gaerne, AmPro Yamaha, Weisco Pistons, Stickman Graphx, Fasst Company, IMS Products, DP Brakes, Rekluse, Unabiker, Factory Connection Suspension, Pod Mx, GPR Stabilizers, TM Designs, Mad man cleaning solutions, SXS Slideplates, Gasper Engineering, EBC Brakerotors, and WPS