Pahiatua’s Paul Whibley is packing as much into his weekends as he can before he takes a mid-season break to undergo a little remedial surgery.

The Yamaha ace decided to use his ‘down time’ at the weekend to race round eight of the Mid-East Hare Scramble series at Jonesville, South Carolina, quickly proving to all concerned that, even when he’s not 100 percent fit, he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

The 34-year-old former Manawatu forestry worker, affectionately dubbed “The Axeman” on the motorcycling scene, was runaway winner of the event, eventually finishing more than two minutes ahead of Honda rider Trevor Bollinger.

“The last time I had an ‘off weekend’, I sat out and licked my wounds but, since it made no difference to my condition or recovery I decided that I would race this past weekend,” Whibley explained.

“I got off to a good start, taking the hole shot and leading former Grand National Cross-country Championships front-runner Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki) around the first couple of laps before I got away and established a gap.

“The Pea Ridge Farm was a good track last year, but this time around the woods were in perfect shape with some nice ruts forming quickly in the turns. The creek jump kept the crowd entertained but the true die-hard fans who ventured a little further into the woods were rewarded with the mud hole that swallowed a few bikes whole. The lines through the bog changed quickly and anyone who was not on the game was caught out.

“(My wife) Katherine and (fellow racer) Ricky Russell (who had broken his chain on lap one) handled the IMS fuel dump can for me and handed me fresh Smith goggles at the pit stop. They got me back out on the track in quick time.

“As the race progressed I was able to increase my lead over second place and as the race wound down had a safe lead. Jesse came under fire from Trevor Bollinger, who has put in some top riders at the GNCCs this season. Trevor eventually got the better of Jesse as the temperature and humidity began to rise.”

With this ‘sideline’ race under his belt, Whibley can turn his attention back to the GNCC series.

Whibley is fifth overall in the GNCC national standings overall, level with American rider Thad DuVall, but a massive 78 points behind series leader Charlie Mullins.

The 2013 GNCC continues at Snowshoe, West Virginia, on June 30.

Whibley is also currently fourth overall in the parallel OMA series, just 15 points behind leader Russell Bobbitt.

“This week’s a short one and, with the GNCC ‘university’ happening at Snow Shoe, we will be heading up on Wednesday to help with the rider coaching ahead of the GNCC race itself.

Whibley is supported by Monster Energy, Sargent Yamaha in Masterton, MotoSR suspension, BikesportNZ.com, Graphic MX Creation and Yamaha Motor New Zealand.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

Leading results from round 8 of 14 in the Mid-East Hare Scramble Championships:

1. Paul Whibley (Yamaha)

2. Trevor Bollinger (Honda)

3. Jesse Robinson (Kawasaki)

4. Jason Gilleland (Husqvarna)

5. Dylan Bean (Husqvarna)