Whibbs not riding Suzuki GNCC next year

[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 .

[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.

[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