SOLID FINISH FOR WHIBLEY

Pahiatua’s Paul Whibley has wrapped up his 2014 off-road racing campaign in the United States with another solid result.

The 36-year-old Yamaha ace settled for a runner-up at the eighth and final round of the Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) Championships, the infamous “Moose Run” in Illinois, but that was of no concern to the former Manawatu forestry worker who had already wrapped up the series win at the previous round last month.

“The unique layout of a 40 mile lap with contrasting terrain of flat out corn fields separated by tight and twisty fresh woods made bike setup a compromise,” Whibley explained.

“The Yamaha YZ450F could have pulled and extra gear across the fields or made use of some super mellow power to thread through the, at times, maze of logs the resembled a collapsed Jenga puzzle.

“I got a good start and grabbed the holeshot and lead the way through the first eight miles. Once into the fresh single track (American riders) Russell Bobbit and Nick Fahringer joined me up front as we took turns discovering what hidden surprises lay under the leaf litter.

“Nick and Russell both run a fast pace in the virgin trail and, being more similar to a national enduro event than a regular OMA, soon turned up the pace. As we came into the fuel stop halfway around the lap, Russell elected to go for it and didn’t stop. Everyone else stopped for gas but Russell’s gamble paid off as he gapped us and was able to run and hide.

“On the second lap, with the trail clear of leaves, I pushed hard to break away from Nick and catch Russell. But it seemed no matter how hard I pushed, the gap stayed the same to Russell up front. He was riding really well and I had to settle for second in the end. Thanks to Sam from G2 for his support and gassing me at the race.

“It would have been nice to have won the last round but, with the championship already wrapped up, it was little more than bragging rights. But those bragging rights sure would have been sweet.”

Whibley returns to New Zealand shortly to prepare for hosting the annual Yamaha Taikorea 500 at his Taikorea Motorcycle Park facility, near Palmerston North, on November 22.

Whibley is supported by Yamaha Motor New Zealand, AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, MSR G2, Asterisk, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders MCC, Spectro, Acerbis, DID, JT sprockets, Leatt, Kenda, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ, Bikesportnz.com, Unibiker and Tire balls.

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