Whibley GNCC

**Katoomer** · 14th October 2008, 12:12

I really enjoy Whibs race reports. When you read between the lines he is doing some seriously fast riding .
I would love to see one of those rounds ,even on TV.........

**takitimu** · 14th October 2008, 16:38

Originally Posted by Katoomer

I really enjoy Whibs race reports. When you read between the lines he is doing some seriously fast riding .
I would love to see one of those rounds ,even on TV.........

Hell yeah, what he's not letting on is just how close he's got to Knighter's speed, all those races in between GNCC's have made a hell of a difference I reckon, I hope they get to clash again in another 18-24 months in a Cross Country, I reckon it would be very very interesting.

**denill** · 14th October 2008, 17:20

Originally Posted by takitimu

Hell yeah, what he's not letting on is just how close he's got to Knighter's speed, all those races in between GNCC's have made a hell of a difference I reckon, I hope they get to clash again in another 18-24 months in a Cross Country, I reckon it would be very very interesting.

His reports are very matter of fact, but then, that's Whibs. He's no big noter, but he very well could be with results like he's pulling.

How many times have you seen Whibs competing in the States Nigel?

**takitimu** · 14th October 2008, 18:14

Originally Posted by denill

How many times have you seen Whibs competing in the States Nigel?

That'd be a good question

Undilla,NY 07/08
Somerset,PA 07
Union, SC 08

So by my dodgey math 4 times, for what it's worth the last race was the first time I've seen a Whib's t-shirt @ the event shop.

Last year Paul was 5th @ Unadilla & 6+ minutes behind Knight ( dry track ), this year 2 minutes back when he finally got into 2nd ( real wet track ), but then he had engine problems, I figure that's a pretty decent improvement

.

I'm not to sure how long this work will last so trying to make the most of the trips I get.

**denill** · 21st October 2008, 06:08

Whibs Came Home Second:

**takitimu** · 21st October 2008, 07:27

Nice result to get the overall win "2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2", here's hoping he get's a real good sponsorship package for next year.

**denill** · 21st October 2008, 08:15

Originally Posted by takitimu

Nice result to get the overall win "2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2", here's hoping he get's a real good sponsorship package for next year.

Yeah, the man is certainly on the pace AND most inportantly - consistent.

I hope like you that he can get a financially rewarding package, cos I'm given to understand he's on chickenshit at the moment.

**takitimu** · 21st October 2008, 09:08

Originally Posted by denill

Yeah, the man is certainly on the pace AND most inportantly - consistent.

I hope like you that he can get a financially rewarding package, cos I'm given to understand he's on chickenshit at the moment.

It's a tough environment over there, the commentators were getting kinda xenophobic last race about overseas riders dominating & one thing americans are damn good at is playing hardball negotiation.

For all that I think Whib's has done this right, he is getting name recognition now & genuine respect from the fans because he's really delivered this year & he's a good bloke, but to be honest it's really only his first year with any profile so my read is the money will come but he'll have to stick it out another 2-3 years & keep the results & profile solid. Geico are not running a race team anymore & budgets will get tight ( parent company I work for is trimming expenses 3% now, but that won't be the last cut back & promotion is one of the expenses we're targeting ).

**denill** · 21st October 2008, 11:53

Originally Posted by takitimu

( parent company I work for is trimming expenses 3% now, but that won't be the last cut back & promotion is one of the expenses we're targeting ).

Mmmmm. So that means that promotion does not have a positive effect on sales??

**takitimu** · 21st October 2008, 12:05

Originally Posted by denill

Mmmmm. So that means that promotion does not have a positive effect on sales??

Or not all promotion spend is equal

, there were three key areas to be targeted, thankfully one was not employees working remotely from New Zealand

.

**denill** · 22nd October 2008, 05:50

Race Report, The MOOSE RUN, Final Rnd OMA
Rider, Paul Whibley
Team, FMF Suzuki
Bike, Suzuki RMZ 450
Result, 2nd

The "Moose Run" is a bit different than your normal OMA event. Instead of your normal 10 to 12 mile lap, this event runs a 35 mile loop. The race then becomes a two lap affair with a total race time somewhere over the 3 hour mark for the pro's. The track takes in a lot of the surrounding corn fields that are wide open 5th gear but don't let that fool you as the majority of the track is in tight single track woods. Gusse makes special effort NOT to move any logs or other trail nasty's, in fact I'm sure he sees a bog or a log in the woods and aims you straight for it. So typically the first lap is spent picking your bike up after wiping out on a hidden, greasy as hell log. Therefore most of the pros bunch up and follow each other, learning were the hidden nasty's are and the real race starts on lap 2 when the track and obstacles are more visible.

I got a good start and took the holeshot. The first part of the track had been utilized for the quad race on saturday so I decided to see if I could make a break for it. I opened up a small lead going into the tight fresh woods but as I had to search more and more for arrows the rest of the pack closed in and as soon as they could see me they were able to just follow my lead. When I heard the bikes behind me I stopped trying to bust my butt and Jimmy and I took turns at leading.
Since the lap is so long and a bit of an unknown there is a fuel stop out on the track, along with several spectator points. Monty was in charge of the pit stop this week (Katherine had to head back to NZ) and he stepped up to the task.

We headed back into some fast cornfields again before we were back to the starting area and one lap was complete. I had began to break away and had probably 10 seconds on Jimmy at the start the last lap. I put my head down and worked hard to build that lead, wanting to remain far enough in front that Jimmy couldn't see me, kinda like hide and seek. As the lap progressed my lead grew, it was out to about a minute at one point but then bad luck struck. I log or stick caught my radiator and tore it open. Coolant spewed out like a boiling hot geyser.

I thought my race was done and doubted even if the bike would make the finish line. I backed it down and began to try conserve the bike. Not to far from the finish, maybe 5 miles, Jimmy caught and past me. I stuck with him and actually retook the lead as we crossed a river. I hit the river pinned ( bike cant overheat in there, water cooled again. HA!!), the spectators seemed to get a buzz out of the pass. I lead through another tight section but when we came back out to the corn fields leading to the finish, I didn't have the heart to hold my bike pinned for the last couple of miles. I would rather take second than not finish at all.

Congrats to Jimmy for taking the win. He has raced hard this year and deserved to take a win.

1st, Jimmy Jarrett
2nd, Paul Whibley
3rd, Adam Bonnuer

**denill** · 28th October 2008, 07:37

Race Report: The Ironman Crawfordsville, Indiana
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: FMF Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RMZ 450
Result: 5th

The last GNCC of the year and as always the Ironman race was one of the best. Track conditions were near perfect with some rain coming down Friday to moisten what would have been a dry event. Sitting on the line I had an uneasy stomach. I put it down to nerves at first and expected it to be gone as soon as the race started.

Off the line I got a good jump and came round turn one in third but as soon as we were charging I could feel something was wrong. My stomach was gurgling and I seriously needed to unload. I tried to put it out of my head and for the first lap I was able to follow Barry Hawk and the leaders. As the race continued it was more difficult to fight the urge and just concentrate on racing. After a couple of laps I was back in about 5th place.

I ended up riding most of the race by myself. Just out of touch with the leaders. At the pit stop Monty and Dan knew something was up because I wasn't as fired up as usual, I had other things on my mind. I got back out on the track and kept telling myself to just forget about my stomach and go but it never seemed to happen. The more the race progressed the more shook up I became and by the time the chequers came out the stomach cramps were unbearable and I was ready to explode. I raced back to the truck after the race and dived into the toilet.

I finished 5th. It was a really disappointing way to finish up the year.
The good news is that I remained in second place in the GNCC Championship. So next year look out for me on the number 2 bike in GNCCs and the number 1 plate in the OMAs. So overall it has been a successful season.

I head back to New Zealand for the kiwi summer in a couple of days and will begin preparing for the 09 season after some time off.

I would like to thank all my sponsors for their support, as without their help this would not be possible. The emails of support also, from fans all around has been amazing.