Whibs' 2011 Campaign

[denill]

Race Report: Eastern Hare Scramble Series Rnd 1
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: Am Pro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450 F
Result: 4th

Getting back into the swing of things ahead of the series opening OMA and GNCC events the Am Pro team raced the opener for the Eastern National Hare Scramble Series. Looking down the start line was just like being at a GNCC with a lot of teams using this event as a warm up.

I got a shocking start and was near last into the trees. Tight conditions in the trees made passing tough but some of the open sections allowed a chance to make up some ground. I hooked up with Charlie Mullins on his new KTM during the middle stages of the race and we moved towards the front. Charlie then had bike problems and I was back to riding by myself.

The lead bunch of Thad Duvall, Stu Baylor and Russell Bobbit were pushing each other hard and I was having a hard time bridging the last gap after getting up to 4th I was having a lot of fun on the track and the conditions were near perfect. After racing for a couple of months in NZ in the mostly fast grass track conditions, I was really loving some tight rough trees to weave through. The YZ was working great and the settings we came up with last year with Factory Connection are still spot on. We have also tested some new combinations of the FMF exhaust system and have made some progress with power delivery. 4th was where I would finish up after failing to put a dent into the lead freight train late in the race.

Disappointed with the result but really enjoyed getting back into some racing. The progress Scotty, my new mechanic, and the team have made in the week we have been back state side has been impressive.

1st Thad Duvall
2nd Stu Baylor
3rd Russell Bobbit
4th Paul Whibley
5th Mike Lafferty

Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith,
G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders
MCC, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Rosscos Start
Up services.

[NordieBoy]

Whibs, bad start? Say it isn't true!

[denill]

Whibs, bad start? Say it isn't true!

Wouldn't read too much in to that. Pretty much last off the line and got lots of passing experiences.

[NordieBoy]

Wouldn't read too much in to that. Pretty much last off the line and got lots of passing experiences.

But doesn't he have a tattoo with "Yeah, I got the holeshot" up one arm?

[denill]

But doesn't he have a tattoo with "Yeah, I got the holeshot" up one arm?

Yeah, true. Reckon he will remeber it's there on his next and more important start.

[NordieBoy]

Send him a bar pad with "holeshot" all over it

[denill]

www.paulwhibley.co.nz

Race Report: OMA Rnd 1, Alabama
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: Am Pro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450 F
Result: 2nd

Round 1 of the OMA series kicked off at a new venue near Tuscumbia, Alabama. The track consisted of some tight fresh woods with some pretty rocky sections.

The 2 hour event kicked off with the wave of a flag. I shot toward turn one with Russell Bobbitt just inside me. Rubbing elbows as we entered the turn and getting bumped wide allowing Scotty Watkins by. I entered the woods in third. I pushed hard to get past Scotty quickly as I knew Bobbitt would be pinning it up front. After making a move on Scotty on a rocky down hill I got stuck between two trees in a tight section allowing Russell to get away. Over the next couple laps I worked hard slowly reeling him in.

Finally pulling up to his rear wheel I began to look for some were to make a move. I found a couple places where I was going quicker but it was hard to put it together and set up a pass with most of the trail being tight and rocky. The pit stop went smoothly and we were in and out quickly and back into the battle. Over the next couple of laps I continued to keep the pressure on and look for opportunities but nothing presented itself.

It was becoming clear I was really going to have to put it on the line and make something happen. On the second to last lap I had a place lined up but got a vine snagged on my bars and lost a few seconds to Russell. On the last lap I made my move on one of the open sections and got along side of him but the door was shut pretty quick. In the end I had to settle for 2nd

Russell rode a great race and owned it right from the start. I failed to find and take any chances to take the lead but it was a great battle right down to the end. The pace we were running pushed us further out front and we had a comfortable lead over 3rd place, my team mate Jordan Ashburn.

1st; Russell Bobbit
2nd; Paul Whibley
3rd; Jordan Ashburn

Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith,
G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders
MCC, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Rosscos Start
Up services, Works Connection.

[Reckless]

Thanks Denhill for the updates!!

Sounds like the opposition has up'ed their game a bit??

[NordieBoy]

Sounds like the opposition has up'ed their game a bit??

The others are allowed to ride YZF's now too?

[denill]

The others are allowed to ride YZF's now too?

Bobbit rides for the FMF/KTM Factory Off-Road Racing Team on a 250XC Two Stroke.

[Reckless]

Bobbit rides for the FMF/KTM Factory Off-Road Racing Team on a 250XC Two Stroke.

Ha so there's still hope for the 2smokers!!

[denill]

Ha so there's still hope for the 2smokers!!

The way to the future

[NordieBoy]

Back to the future even

[denill]

Race Report: Mid East HS Round 1
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: Am Pro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450 F
Result: 1st


The final race weekend before the GNCC series kicks off, was filled with attending round 1 of
the Mid East Hare scramble series. The event was held near Woodruff SC which is only about
an hour from our team base so it was nice not to have to travel to far.
Dry conditions for this time of year saw an orange cloud drifting about the pits as the juniors
raced. The trail looked to hold a little more moisture in the woods.

With last pick for the line I was forced to line up on the extreme inside but with the YZ firing up
quickly and knifing up the inside saw me take the holeshot. Leading the way, I set a good pace
and only Jesse Robinson kept me in sight as the laps ticked by. There was a fairly big turn out
and lapped traffic was chaotic over the first hour of the race. Scotty and Katherine had me in
and out of the pits near the hour and a half mark, thanks to Todd McDonald for manning the
dump can. With only two laps to go I kept up the pace and had a comfortable lead but there
was no slacking over the final laps. With the GNCC series looming, pushing hard and holding
the intensity to the end was a must.

Taking the win sealed the race preparation for 2011. Scotty has the bikes under control,
Katherine has the pits running smooth and the training is on track. Things are in good shape
heading to Florida for Round One on March 8th
.

1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Jesse Robinson
3rd: Jason Gillion

[Reckless]

thank Denill

Rely on your reports on here cheers!

Look like paul is back to the old winning ways yehhaa good for the GNCC!!