JUST WARMING UP | Bikesportnz

Pahiatua’s Paul Whibley and Titirangi’s Callan May are up and running in the United States.

The 35-year-old Whibley is a two-time former American cross-country motorcycle champion – he won the Grand National Cross-country Championships in 2008 and again in 2012 as well as winning the parallel but separate Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV series on numerous occasions – and he has plans to add to his curriculum vitae (CV) with another successful campaign this season.

Part of that lengthy campaign involves him racing low-key events to warm himself up for the GNCC and OMA seasons and with the 2014 GNCC series set to kick off this coming weekend, it was important for him to “stretch his legs” at round one of the Mid East Hare Scramble Series at Palmetto Raceway, at Gaston, South Carolina, at the weekend.

The former Manawatu forestry worker, affectionately dubbed “The Axeman” on the motorcycling scene, had his work cut out, however, when he lost his rear brakes partway through the race, forcing him to settle for sixth place overall.

“I got a good jump off the line from an average gate pick on the outside,” Whibley explained.

“I ran deep into the turn and nearly took the holeshot but had to settle into second for a mile until I could push through to the front. Once in the lead I tried to go early as there was a large entry for this event and I knew lappers were going to be tough. I opened up a gap on (Australian former GNCC champion) Josh Strang and (American) Ricky Russell who were running second and third.

“About a mile or so from the end of the lap, I think I had maybe 10 or 15-second lead, and my rear brake went out. I almost crashed twice not being able to stop for turns and ploughed into the woods.

“I decided to back it down and pull into the pits when I could, to assess the problem. I pulled over and let Josh and Ricky by, then (Japanese rider) Takashi Koikeda and Nick Bollinger came by too with Matt Nix and (fellow New Zealander) Callan May right behind me when I pulled off the track.

“Darrell Raines lent a hand and helped fix the problem, but, by the time I re-joined the race, I was a long way back.

I decided to keep riding and complete the race, to get some good bike time before the upcoming GNCC in Florida this coming weekend.

May (Yamaha YZ250F), from Titirangi, is living and training with Whibley while he is making this debut US season in 2014.

“There would have been at least 500 people at this event. It was crazy to see so many people at a race. I had a few small issues with my front brake but got that sorted, shook of my first race nerves and ended up fifth overall, so I was pretty happy with that,” said May.

“I have been riding with Paul (Whibley) three times a week. It has been real good to see what it’s like to not have to work full time and just ride.”

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.

May is supported by Yamaha-Motor New Zealand, Kiwi Rider magazine, BikesportNZ.com, MotoSR, Golden Tyres, Fox, Graphic Creation, GYTR and Yamalube.

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