Whibbs not riding Suzuki GNCC next year

[takitimu]

Wow, from his website

"I'm back in NZ now for a bit of R and R. I plan to fit in a few races while home, so come and say hi if you see me at an event.
Bad news is I will not be returning to the Suzuki team for the 2009 season. Due to the economic situation and resulting budget cuts the four man team has been cut to two, I was not lucky enough to be one of them.

I am currently working on new and exciting things for next season and will have an update soon."

I'm pretty surprised Suzuki let Paul go, here's hoping he gets a quality ride next year.

[chop]

Very odd indeed... thought he would have been a sure thing

[mattwood]

shit, thats not good.

Hope he gets a better ride next year and takes it to them.

[Danger]

Wow thats not good thought he was one of their better performers. Perhaps some of the others had more than a 1 year deal.

[scott411]

that is a shock, he was 2nd in the championship, i wonder if the rides that were left went to US riders

[takitimu]

that is a shock, he was 2nd in the championship, i wonder if the rides that were left went to US riders

Maybe they wanted only one overseas spot out of the two & went Strang as the better long term investment.

Certainly the commentators were getting a bit grumpy about overseas riders winning.

You'd have to think KTM would be working bloody hard to get him for next year now because assuming he's on a factory ride & stays fit, I'd pick him to win the series.

[secondfield]

Man, thats queer ....

Sounds like some dopey internal politics going on over there.

Ah well, Suzuki's loss... :bye:

[takitimu]

Man, thats queer ....

Sounds like some dopey internal politics going on over there.


They've had a fair bit to deal with between 9/11, George Bush & Iraq.

Mind you if Suzuki only had Strang & Whibs in the GNCC, it would be like Honda New Zealand campaigning the NZ National MX with an all Aussie team, imagine how well that would go down !.

P.S. To be clear I know nothing about why any of this occurred, it's just me rambling on.

[noobi]

if we didnt spend so much money on rugby:Oi: then there might be some left to support other athletes :Pokey: like whibbs, who right now need the support, also has any one seen anything in the media about him, is it any wonder that only the motorcycling communty is aware of it

vent over

[CHOPPA]

Suzuki are broke after signing Chad Reed

[Quicker_with_age]

i wonder if the rides that were left went to US riders
Took the words out of my mouth.

Idiots for letting him go, Hope that comes back to bite them on the ass!!

[CHOPPA]

Theres also Cody Cooper, 5th in the AMA MX on a privateer suzuki!
Yamaha next year for Joe Gibbs

[scott411]

have heard from some good sources that Whibs has a ride in teh states, and will be racing some events in NZ, first race on the new bike will probebly be at sumemrcross,

[takitimu]

have heard from some good sources that Whibs has a ride in teh states, and will be racing some events in NZ, first race on the new bike will probebly be at sumemrcross,

Sweet, good to hear. Hope he does some of the enduro's, be great if we could get Merriman/Whibley/Birch up against each other :).

[WRFracer]

yes its a bummer pauls not on factory Suzuki next year, C Mullins was on a 2 year deal and Strang was going pretty much Pauls pace just he is 10 years younger.
I know this because I ride with Paul wen ever hes home , so anyway he is in the process of sorting it all out but basically hes riding Kawasaki's KXF's
he has one all ready here in NZ and will be racing it at a local XC race this weekend. He wont be on the Factory team its going to be a privateer kinda deal and he will have a couple team mates possibly J Jarret who was also his teammate this year on the Suzuki sqaud.
He seems to think this deal providing he does well will be better than what he was getting last year $ wise that is.
either way hes going back to kick some arse..

[chop]

Be interesting to see what he thinks of the inj kxf compared to inj rmz i know cam swears by his rmz and it does seem smooth wonder if kxf will be as good the look very slim

[takitimu]

Be interesting to see what he thinks of the inj kxf compared to inj rmz i know cam swears by his rmz and it does seem smooth wonder if kxf will be as good the look very slim

My suspicion is as long as he's still with the same suspension guys he'll do ok :).

As an aside, did you read the kiwirider review that Birchy did, be fascinating to know what it would be like with a heavier flywheel ( it'd seriously piss off all the guys I ride with if I got another 450, which just might be a good reason to get one even if I'm quicker on a 250 ).


He wont be on the Factory team its going to be a privateer kinda deal and he will have a couple team mates possibly J Jarret who was also his teammate this year on the Suzuki sqaud.
He seems to think this deal providing he does well will be better than what he was getting last year $ wise that is.
either way hes going back to kick some arse..

Sounds great, especially if he does the OMA races again with Jimmy.

[chop]

Yep i did. was with sniffles when he was doing the test he got a hell of a shock reakons the suspension was unbelievable.. Pretty stock mx bike for the kind of riding he does..

[Katoomer]

The Kwaka team should have room for Paul as their current No 1 GNCC rider Garret Edmisten has been sentenced to prison.

[takitimu]

so anyway he is in the process of sorting it all out but basically hes riding Kawasaki's KXF's
he has one all ready here in NZ and will be racing it at a local XC race this weekend.
Looks nice to I have to say http://www.bikesportnz.com/news/?p=850

[chop]

looks mean!!

[takitimu]

looks mean!!

It just got a whole heap meaner, turns out that the team is Geico & they spend real money, they were racing Yamaha back in 2007.

<img src="http://www.pbase.com/sgidude/image/84861140/large.jpg"></img>

If nothing else Paul will have the sharpest bike @ the GNCC.

P.S. Geico is Bershire Hathaway's public insurance company, ie. Warren Buffet's & is huge & very well funded, with some of the coolest ad's on TV.

[denill]

Hey, just arrived back after being outa town for awhile and caught up with this!!!!!!!! :shit:

What can I say - as you guys have said it all. Just goes to show how hard it is to make it. With the successes that Whibs has achieved you'd have thought he was secure???

Can only say good luck to him and we need to give him all the support we can. Cheers. Bill

[takitimu]

Hey, just arrived back after being outa town for awhile and caught up with this!!!!!!!! :shit:

What can I say - as you guys have said it all. Just goes to show how hard it is to make it. With the successes that Whibs has achieved you'd have thought he was secure???

Hey good to see you back :), hope your going to Huntly in the weekend, rumour mill is Whib's is racing along with Birch & all the local guys, should be a ripper Bel Ray.

My read thinking back on it is that he was secure, but security might not mean you stay with the same team, but that you've got strong offers on the table & options.

A pretty good year for Whibs, Off Road rider of the year, 2nd in GNCC, that's kinda impressive eh.

[chop]

Hey good to see you back :), hope your going to Huntly in the weekend, rumour mill is Whib's is racing along with Birch & all the local guys, should be a ripper Bel Ray.

My read thinking back on it is that he was secure, but security might not mean you stay with the same team, but that you've got strong offers on the table & options.

A pretty good year for Whibs, Off Road rider of the year, 2nd in GNCC, that's kinda impressive eh.


Are you coming down this way ?? should be good hopefully some more trees!

[denill]

Hey good to see you back :), hope your going to Huntly in the weekend, rumour mill is Whib's is racing along with Birch & all the local guys, should be a ripper Bel Ray.

Nah, won't be at Huntly Nigel. But it should be a good battle - as bragging rights will be at stake there........... And as someone wrote - a contest between those two and Merriman would be classic!


My read thinking back on it is that he was secure, but security might not mean you stay with the same team, but that you've got strong offers on the table & options.

That is if the money is the same or better. And in the logical order of things, it SHOULD be better.

[takitimu]

Are you coming down this way ?? should be good hopefully some more trees!

Nah was keen but going to play photographer for Mike J Saturday, should be fun as long as I can keep up with the riders he's got on the adventure ride.

I reckon we'll have to get a crew together for the last BelRay though, you going to race Sunday ?.


Nah, won't be at Huntly Nigel. But it should be a good battle - as bragging rights will be at stake there........... And as someone wrote - a contest between those two and Merriman would be classic
It'll be a helluva day alright, especially if it's nice & tight, Paul should have the form, but with a new bike & all, it'll be fascinating to see how everyone goes.

[chop]

I reckon we'll have to get a crew together for the last BelRay though, you going to race Sunday ?.

Yup sure will be!

[raglanash]

I reckon we'll have to get a crew together for the last BelRay though, you going to race Sunday ?.

Yup sure will be!

Whats ya number? I'll come say hi. Don't know if i'm going to race or marshall or be a pit bitch yet, went off a bank at the Karamu ride sunday, still a bit fucked.. It will be awesome to see whibb's racing, or rather blowing by me like a mad cunt!!

[Pierce]

Took the words out of my mouth.

Idiots for letting him go, Hope that comes back to bite them on the ass!!

Kinda like Kawasaki not signing another contract with Bubba:rolleyes: Rather see him on a blue bike then a green one anyway.
Was whib's riding RM250 or RMZ450? If 2T hopefully he can score a ride supporting 2strokes.

[secondfield]

He was on a 450'

He reckons the transition to green will go smoothly. He's commented on how much easier the kxf is to start as opposed to the rmz (I can attest to that too after owning both bikes).

Dead engine starts are the norm for the GNCC. Can make or break a race..

[takitimu]

He was on a 450'

He reckons the transition to green will go smoothly. He's commented on how much easier the kxf is to start as opposed to the rmz (I can attest to that too after owning both bikes).

Dead engine starts are the norm for the GNCC. Can make or break a race..

From memory there were one or two races where the RMZ not starting really cost Whibs this year, kinda curious just how easy are the Fuel Injected KX 450's to start :rolleyes: :innocent:.

[Ktmboy]

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the Birchinator was doing the Waimiha GNCC. The Axeman normally makes an appearance at these races as opposed to the Bel Ray.

[takitimu]

Pardon my ignorance but I thought the Birchinator was doing the Waimiha GNCC. The Axeman normally makes an appearance at these races as opposed to the Bel Ray.

My info was 2nd hand, entirely possible I was suffering exhaustion combined with drinking beer :) & my memory was dodgey.

[Ktmboy]

My info was 2nd hand, entirely possible I was suffering exhaustion combined with drinking beer :) & my memory was dodgey.

Ah yes, that would explain it.

In fact that probably explains most of my ramblings as well.:beer:

[raglanash]

Wouldn't be suprised if they did both, saw Whibbs last year at the Raglan roxx and he had been racing the day before as well... Fit buggers.

[Ktmboy]

Yes too true.

GNCC is on Saturday and Belray Sunday. I doubt Birch would do Belray as its not really his thing.

The Axeman however would excell.
I just about want to go to the GNCC just to watch as this could be an epic!

[mattwood]

Paul was at the bellray today, he had a massive gap at the end of the first lap, it would of been atleast a couple of minutes! not sure where he ended up as we left before the seniors finished, but I would think he took it out!

[alistair1]

Paul was at the bellray today, he had a massive gap at the end of the first lap, it would of been atleast a couple of minutes! not sure where he ended up as we left before the seniors finished, but I would think he took it out!

correct he won it,was a few minutes infront of mark penny before they both lapped me.

[dammad1]

He cleaned up at the GNCC on saturday as well.

[denill]

Race Report: NZ GNCC (Sat), Belray XC (Sun)
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AFC Kawasaki/Geico Team
Bike: Kawasaki KXF 450

Result: 1st, 1st.


With the new KXF loaded into the van I was keen to get some races under my belt. To learn about the bike and aid in the suspension testing that I have been doing with MotoSR/RG3.
First race was the NZ GNCC at Waimiha. Gary Powell always lays out a great track and this was no exception. This is probably the closest NZ has to a race in the States.
With the wave of a flag the race was underway. Chris Power and I rubbed elbows all the way to turn one but I had the advantage of the inside line. I led lap one and really enjoyed the track and the new bike. The loop had cut up from the morning race so there were some nice ruts and plenty of exposed roots to inspire concentration. By the second lap I had a good lead a began thinking about suspension and how we could improve the setting. Rory Mead was riding well and by the half way point in the race had closed the gap. I was informed that he was coming so I put the testing side of the day to the back of my mind and turned back on race mode. I was lucky and sneaked in an extra lap putting my bike time close to three hours. Taking my first win for the Kawasaki brand.

Sunday, was off to Huntly for a round of the Belray series. Jehi Willis had been flown in from Aussie so I had some serious competition for the day.
From the dead engine start the KXF started really fast and I rounded turn 1 in second. I soon moved to the lead and built a gap. A lot of time and effort had gone into marking the track, providing a more challenging and safer layout. With a lower overall speed and some great utilisation of the terrain, the track was by far the best Belray XC I have raced.
By the third lap fuel stop I had a comfortable lead and was enjoying the ride. Mark Penny was running second and riding really well, I was able to monitor the gap as I could see him on another part of the loop.
The Kawasakis' motor impressed me out on the course with the smooth power, I could find some traction in the slippery grass early in the event and as things carved up, had plenty of boost to power through the loose soil.
After 2 hours I grabbed the win.

Thanks to my sponsors in NZ.
Kawasaki, AFC, Geico, Moose, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Pirelli, Spectro, DID, JT, Vesrah, Acerbis, Moto SR, GHQ, IMS,

[denill]

Race Report: Rnd 2 Bush Riders XC series.
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AFC Kawasaki, GEICO
Bike: Kawasaki KXF 450
Result: 1st

The forecast for the day was rain but none had dropped by the start of the race, so many were thinking we had escaped lightly. How wrong they were, afterall this is a Bush Riders event and it wouldn't be the same without some rain.
Off the line I got a great start and took the holeshot. We bypassed the pits and "The Log" on the first lap and headed out into the hills. The track was good with some nice scrub filled gullies and a muddy creek to thrash through. There was even some dust on a couple of the farm raceways. Not for long.
On the second lap I had extended my lead over team Yamaha rider and former NZ XC champ Adrian Smith when light rain began to fall. The track quickly began to get extremely slippery. With hard clay underneath and a film of some kind of gorilla snot over the top, the track became really difficult. Riders began to have trouble climbing the hills and even the down hills became knarly. One in particular had a couple of tight turns and ran down through some scrub. No matter how slow you began the decent, by the bottom you were out of control and hauling.
After the fuel stop (thanks Carol and Joy) I had enough of a lead where I could cruise and not risk any major crashes and just have fun.
I had built enough of a lead that I fitted an extra lap in before the 2 hour cut off. Adam Reeves, NZ XC #2, charged hard through the second half of the lap, to close the gap on his team mate Adrian, but not enough to make a pass and came home in third.
"The Log" that had a few people scared wasn't as bad as many feared. Good on those guys who gave it a go and made it over. Even a couple of the Juniors gave it a crack.

Thanks to the continued support from my great sponsors here in NZ and America.
Kawasaki, AFC, GEICO, Moose, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, CTi, RG3/MotoSR, Pirelli, Spectro, DID, JT, Acerbis, Vesrah, G2, Promoto Billet, Stringfellows