The Heartland Challenge is one of the most grueling ATV endurance races in America, putting riders to the test with various obstacle sections.
The GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge has grown in popularity each year since the inaugural event in 2008 to become one of the most prestigious ATV endurance races in the United States. The 2012 edition featured over 100 teams tackling the meticulously prepared course in every conceivable class of ATV and UTV competition.
Racing action began Friday evening with the Motoworks Can-Am team led by Kyle Chaney taking the UTV overall win. The Coastal Yokley Racing team led much of the 4-hour event until a huge crash crippled their machine and ended their race early.
Saturday morning’s youth action was highlighted by the tenacious efforts of Team Yamaha, who was able to recover for the overall win despite losing a machine and some precious race time early in the event.
GBC’s own Kory Ellis sounded the starting horn to signal the beginning of the 10-hour main event at 1:30pm on Saturday. All in attendance were treated to an instant classic as the top pro teams of Team Dirtworks and Team Yamaha engaged in a back-and-forth battle that would last well into the nighttime portion of the race.
Eventually the Yamaha team of Walker Fowler, Gabe Phillips and GBC’s Johnny Gallagher pulled a comfortable lead which they held to the completion of lap 34 just after 11:30pm to take the overall win and $6,000 payout.
The GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge features a Le Mans style running start.
Ironman competitors always put up impressive and inspiring performances, tackling 10 hours of racing with one rider and one machine.
The 4-Hour UTV Challenge and the Adult ATV Challenge both ran into the night, requiring lighting systems and extra focus to navigate the course.
Team Motoworks Can-Am took the overall UTV win as well as the UTV Open Class win in the 4-hour UTV Challenge.
Event photography provided by JK Photography. To view more photos or to order prints from the event visit http://jkfamilyphotography.com/f678799667.
See the tables below for a complete list of class winners in the three events:
2012 GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge Adult ATV Class Winners
| Pro | Team Yamaha* | Rogers, OH |
| Pro-Am | Team Upah/Zimmerman | Cable, OH |
| A | Stalker Racing | Hastings, IA |
| B | Son Burns | Waukee, IA |
| C | Team DKR Racing | Omaha, NE |
| 30+ | Three Flyin J’s | Sedalia, MO |
| 40+ | Geezers Racing | Rockford, IL |
| 4×4 Open | Team Katers | Sherwood, WI |
| Women | Show Me Yours | Gilman City, MO |
| Schoolboy | Dirt Works Juniors | Eldon, MO |
| Ironman | Justin Steck | Rochester, MN |
| 4×4 Ironman | UXC Racing’s Team Can-antalk.com | Lewisburg, TN |
*Denotes Overall Winner
2012 GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge UTV Class Winners
| UTV 850 Limited | D&S Racing | Des Moines, IA |
| UTV 850 Modified | Team Biff | Houston, MS |
| UTV Open | Motoworks Can-Am* | Pataskala, OH |
2012 GBC Motorsports Heartland Challenge Youth ATV Class Winners
| 90cc Production | Team Yamaha* | Tomkinsville, KY |
| 90cc Stock | Bumble Bees | Huxley, IA |
| 70cc Production | Shake-N-Bake | Bettendorf, IA |
| 50cc Production | Simply Fast | Indianola, IA |
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