The other Ballance is pretty fast too!

Finding Brandon Ballance with some spare time at the 2004 GNCC Season Opener in Gilmer, TX was next to impossible, but he spared a few minutes to talk with us anyway. Brandon was the 2003 GNCC Season Opener Overall winner at the Hurricane, Palatka, FL. This was the most gruesome way to start off the season, but Brandon tells us what happened and what to expect for this season.

ATV Scene: Did it feel like you had another round one overall this year in Texas?
Brandon: I was confident coming into this first race of the season. It was a little different terrain out there. The thing about last year, a lot of people had mechanical problems. There were just a few of us running at the front of the pack, and I just didn't’t have as much trouble as everyone else, to be honest. Bill, for one, had trouble on the last lap, where he actually had the lead. So, back to your question, I do feel confident in myself. The competition is even stiffer this year. Everyone is pushing. Everyone wants that number one plate from Bill. And I just hope I am up there in the hunt with those top 3 or 4 guys.

photo by: Harlen Foley After pulling in at the Gilmer, TX GNCC, Brandon was happy with his fifth overall finish.

ATV Scene: What have you done to prepare for this season?
Brandon: I've been riding quite a bit. Since we have new bikes, we have been testing the shocks and doing new stuff to the motors, the jetting, etc. Mainly we have just been on the bikes getting them conditioned. Like I said, competition is stiffer. It's amazing, there's a lot of fast guys out there. Plus I here many riders have been practicing in California and Florida. We don’t have that kind of time to take trips like that. We have a farm to tend to, so it makes traveling across the country harder for us. I am looking forward to this first round and I wish I could have rode yesterday!

Brandon's Troy Racing Yamaha YFZ was decked out with sponsors ranging from Ballance designed HMF pipe( by brother Bill), to the Chains, Brakes, and accessories. The quad doesn't just look sweet, Brandon knows how to make it move pretty fast too.

ATV Scene: When riding with Bill, does he share any secrets or tips?
Brandon: Yeah, when we are riding he will pull over and point out lines or maybe tell me how to go through a section where I may be loosing a second or so. Those few seconds add up over a two hour race.

ATV Scene: Do you think you are wilder than Bill?
Brandon: Wilder? I think we both have pretty good heads on our shoulders. I try to watch it. Sometimes, I get a little wild though. I'll push it when I am feeling good. My arms aren't’t getting pumped up and I try to hand it out, and then I’ll start to ride over my head. I even ask myself while I am riding, “What am I doing?” I just get in a groove and I’m sure everyone goes through that.

ATV Scene: What are your favorite track conditions?
Brandon: I would have to say Loretta Lynn’s is my favorite track that we have been racing on lately. I would rather it be dusty than muddy, especially real muddy. Even though I did good at Florida last year. I just have trouble in the mud, -- picking the right lines. Loretta Lynn’s may be worn out, but it’s fast and I like fast tracks.

ATV Scene: How long have you been racing?
Brandon: Off and on since I was 17 or 18. My first race was the GNCC Ocala, Florida on a 250R in the 250C Class. I was running five or six minutes ahead, but became dehydrated because I didn’t drink any fluids before or during the race cause I was afraid I would loose a second or two off my time. I have done it off and on since then. I raced Four Stroke Mod a few times on a 350RX. Then I raced a full season in 2002 in Pro Production on a 400EX, where I finished 19th overall. For 2003, I raced a Suzuki in Pro Production finishing 10th overall.

Brandon Ballance held off the stiff competition he was talking about in this shot.

ATVScene: Age? Hometown? Married?
Brandon: 24 and Single. I live in Oakland, KY

ATV Scene: What are this year’s goals?
Brandon: I am looking for a top three. Every one of these top 10 guys is looking for a shot at the number one plate. With a top three number, I would be tickled. It will take a lot of good luck this year to pull that off due to all the competition out there. Even though you may be a top ten guy, all those guys in the top five had a lot of luck to go with it. But I am definitely shooting to be one of those guys.

ATV Scene: Do you have a Monday to Friday job?
Brandon: Well, actually Bill and own and operate a store. It's called the Ballance Country Ham Store. All our customers say it is awesome and the best they’ve ever had. Also my parents own a farm. I help them throughout the week. In farming, you set your own hours. I took off for the month of January to get ready for this race, and they didn’t mind too bad. Life is good sometimes.

photo by: Harlen Foley Look out! Brandon is ready for 2004!

ATV Scene: 2004 Sponsors?
Brandon: Troy Racing, Yamaha, Custom Axis, Ars Fx, Klotz, GYTR, Moose, Maier, Works Connection, Maxxis, IMS, HMF – (Bill has a new pipe designed by him built through HMF and it is awesome), TAG, GT Thunder – (Laz designs ways to make the motor run smoother, although these bikes are already powerful), Spider Grips, Douglas Wheels, DP Brakes, Tireballs, Smith Goggles, Kelner Motors, Regina Chain, Pro Armor, Power Madd, Carb Parts Warehouse, Works Enduro Rider, Parts Connection, and Rebel Gears. If I missed anybody, them too!

ATV Scene: Any parting words for the readers?
Brandon: Look out! There is a new Ballance out there and he's fast too!

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