A talk with Bill Balance
By Scott Johnson
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ATV Scene: How long have you
been racing?
Balance: Since 1994 on the national level
but I raced local races 3 to 4 years before that.
ATV Scene: We all know by now that you
flat out fly on the motocross sections. Did you use to race that prior to GNCC
racing?
Balance: That's all I use to do when I raced
locally. Then one year I ran a cross-country at Loretta Lynn's. I guess it was
‘93 or so. I ended up winning my class. I think I was hooked on it from
then on. The next year we decided to go full force for the next year.
ATV Scene: Is your current quad working
a lot better for you than the Kawasaki was?
Balance: It is something I helped LoneStar
design for the 2-3 years prior to it’s release. It’s not a huge difference
-- but I do feel faster on it.
ATV Scene: There are a lot of rumors going
around that you got a sweeter deal to go with the Maxxis Team. Is that true?
Balance: After last year, being #2 for two
years -- and then dropping down to #3 after being so close to winning the championship,
it gets in your gut a little bit. You get a desire to win. I’m not all
about looking for the money so much as I am just going out and winning and proving
what I can do out there. I was very fortunate in that when I decided to do this,
Maxxis stepped up with a good deal of money and made it as good as what I had
with Kawasaki.
ATV Scene: So first it was about the winning
and the rest was just gravy?
Balance: Exactly.
ATV Scene: What advice would you offer
to someone who wants to come out and race in a GNCC race?
Balance: Have your quad ready to fend off
rocks for sure! You’ll need good strong wheels, 6 ply tires, and quality
skid plates. All in all, a good sound quad because you’re going to be out
there for 2 hours. Breaking down and not finishing the race, especially your
first one, will only discourage you from sticking with the sport.
ATV Scene: Any new sponsors in the works?
Will LRD still supply your power?
Balance: Right now all the sponsors I have
now are ready to go for next year. I am really comfortable and happy where I
am. Yes, LRD is a big part of my success and they will be for years to come.
ATV Scene: What would you like to say
to some of the big sports television networks. A perfect example is ESPN2’s
Motoworld. They seem to say "bringing you the latest happenings in motorcycles
and ATVs", but never seem to mention anything about ATVs.
Balance: If they would just give our sport
another look they’ll find a wealth of interesting footage. They put on
some good things now, but occasionally they air some stuff that will make you
fall asleep! If they would get rid of some of that junk they would have room
to showcase quad racing to their viewers. I know it would be tough to do since
it is a 9 to 10 mile course, but if they would bring 4 to 5 cameras you could
keep up with the pro class action on the challenging courses. This would definitely
make for some awesome action that will keep people on the edge of their couches.
