RT Pro’s Jesi Stracham returns to GNCC Racing in Polaris ACE

RT Pro Mountaineer Run GNCC Race Report

RT Pro’s Jesi Stracham returned to GNCC Racing at the Mountaineer Run, round seven, for the first time since being paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, and took a fifth place finish in her specially equipped RT Pro Polaris ACE, while Joe Krcelich remains in the SxS XC2 points lead after a second place finish.

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Jesi Stracham was more than excited for her first time back GNCC Racing and besides having a great time, she did well piloting the Polaris ACE, which was equipped with special hand controls. Stracham’s strategy was to get a feel for the course on the first lap and that was exactly what she did. “I just took it easy, and it was such a good time,” she said.

Stracham stayed steady and consistent and rode to a fifth place finish. “It was a lot of fun. There are no words to describe the feeling of being out there again. RT Pro put every effort into the project. and the first time I talked to Andy, he said ‘Welcome to the RT Pro family” and that’s exactly what it is. They are all like family now. It was exhilarating to be back out there on the GNCC course and doing what I love. I grew up racing, and for the first time since my accident, I actually felt normal,” said Stracham.

“It was good to see Jesi back out there. It was a good feeling to be a part of that and help out with the development of the project. To see the impact it had on her and the family was a very rewarding feeling,” said William Yokley, who hand a big part in helping put together the Ace.
Also in the Single Seat class, Sam Yokley came on strong and finished in the number three spot. “I had the holeshot and led for a time. My new RT Pro A-arms worked great, especially with all the rocks. My goal was to finish well this time and that’s what I did,” said Yokley, who is currently third in points.

In the GNCC SXS XC2 class, points leader, Joe Krcelich took the lead early in the first lap, but fell back. Krcelich charged his way back up and claimed a second place finish, keeping him in the points lead. “My can-am is bullet proof right now. The RT Pro parts have been amazing, and I have not had a single failure. I had a good smooth race this round, and I still have a three point advantage. I’m hoping to stay consistent and stay on the podium, and get that championship when it’s all over,” said Krcelich.

In the XC1 pro class, Mouse Pratt had a good race, and earned his best finish of the season so far in the number four spot. Pratt was in mid-pack at the number 13th spot in the first lap and charged his way through the rocks and lap traffic. Pratt made good time and moved into fourth on the white flag lap and held it all the way to the checkered flag.

William Yokley, who had some bad luck earlier in the season made a good charge and landed in the number six spot in the XC1 pro class. “I was on the sixth row on the start, and I had a lot of traffic to work through. It was rocky out there, but my race went good and my RT Pro car was able to hammer through all of it, and handled it well since I have the higher clearance A-arms. Now I am really looking forward to the rest of the season,” said Yokley.

Scott Kiger was looking good and was running in fourth place in the final lap, but a roll over sent him back to a seventh place finish. “We were up to fourth, and we hit a rock area and ended up rolling over, but we still finished and got some points,” said Kiger.

John Yokley was leading the XC1 pro class for some time and was looking as if he would take home a win, but a rock took out his engine, which ended his race.

Round eight of the 2015 GNCC series will head to Millfield, OH for the John Penton round on June 6th, where the RT Pro team will be going for the podium in the final round of SXS racing before the summer break.

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