GNCC Final Crawfordsville, IN
Race Report: GNCC Final Crawfordsville, IN
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX450f
Result: 4th,
GNCC CHAMPION 2009
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX450f
Result: 4th,
GNCC CHAMPION 2009
The past couple weeks leading up to the final GNCC seemed to take forever. After putting in two wins and a 3rd after the break I had boosted my lead in the Championship to around 23 points. So at the final round I needed to play it safe and finish inside the top 13 to claim the title.
With the wave of the green flag the final GNCC of 2009 was underway. Off the start I avoided any pile ups in the first turn and was mid pack through the first lap. There was a lot of lead changes with plenty of line options as the track had been churned up by the 500 odd morning race entrants. I began to move up toward the leaders and was in touch with the lead group when I bounced off Thad Duvall pretty hard when our different lines merged. This made me nervous as I didn't want the title chase to end right there with a damaged bike. So I backed it down some more and stopped taking any risks. I found it hard to ride at the reduced pace and ended up riding bad and making a lot of mistakes. The mud holes were getting bad but the spectators and team personnel in their bright yellow GEICO shirts kept me on the straight and narrow.
At the fuel stop I was informed I was doing exactly what was needed to take the title and keep it up. Late in the race I ended up riding with Kallib Russell and began to ride better as we pushed each other along. I ended up moving up to 4th in class by the end of the race. Securing the GNCC Championship, Job Done, Mission Accomplished. Crossing the line was an amazing feeling. Lost for words, relieved, excited and so, so happy. Surrounded by the team and supporters and getting a big emotional hug from Katherine. Awesome.
Winning the title has been a life long dream of mine but a lot of people have helped me get to the final step. Too many to mention here but I have to thank some of the major ones. Katherine for believing in me and supporting me 100% of the way. The JG Off road team, JT and Gretchen. Mark for all his work behind the scene. My mechanic Scotty and also Monty for their hard work. All the great sponsors, both personal and team. Our two Mums for coming over to see what we do.
Also in the years leading up to this point, all the people who have helped me and have shared their experience. Scott Summers and Fred Bramblet for giving me the opportunity to come to America and race. The teams in the WEC that taught me a lot, Husqvarna, Gas Gas and Paul Edmondsons' Honda team. Justin Heke for his hard as hell training programs, Richy from MotoSR. Morrie and Dan for their mechanical skills and support.
And the fans at the races for all their support and cheering me on. All the emails of support from friends, family and fans that have wished me well and kept me motivated.
All those that I have forgot to mention I'm sorry, there have been so many in this journey that deserve more thanks than I can give here.
Thanks to my Sponsors:
JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Moose Racing, Shoei, Smith, Sidi, RG3, Ohlins USA, Moto SR, Pirelli, LeoVince, No Toil, CTi, Enduro Engineering, Renthal, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, IMS, Vortex ignitions, G2, PG Graphics, EBC Brakes, Tsubaki Chains, WER, BRP, Rekluse, CV4, Silkolene, Works Connection, Motion Pro
10.0 - 4 voted
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Gordy30 Aug : 10:48 Shit, Katerine. I see you got the no. 1 plate already on your bike. The bush riders need to keep practing before you get home.
Whibbs18 Aug : 06:50 Hi "Other Paul" We had a great time in MN. The track was great, I was having a lot of fun and was pretty disappointed when my day ended early. One of my favorite tracks this year! Will have to come back sometime and try win it. We have to thank the Debel family for letting us stay and showing us around.
Range Riders12 Aug : 14:03 Paul, what did you think of the Hill City race. No B/S, straight up comments. It was great to see you their and would love to see you come back, minus the chain guide breaking. Matt Stavish had the same thing happen to him. Look forward to hearing your comments good or bad. The other Paul
Neil Mercer04 Aug : 18:12 Paul, Congratulations on your recent OMA wins and being back in the lead. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you in the US this month. Cheers, Neil.
Whibbs27 Jul : 05:40 Im still working on finding that perfect mapping. I have tried smoother maps but I also keep coming back to the std map for the power it produces. I have used the G2 throttle cams to mellow it out. Also Im now testing the Q4 FMF silencer. This takes that initial surge away. Now I may be able to go back to a more aggressive throttle cam and mapping. With more testing I hope to have a better idea. I will let you know what I come up with.
eazrider27 Jul : 02:52 Paul, good on ya' and your Yammy..I also have a 2010 450f, and am curious if you would share MAP settings you typically might use for different types of terrain. I find the stock mapping a bit abrupt for off road, tight terrain, but stock seems to work well for motocross. I can adjust timing/fuel mixture to take the 'surge" off initial throttle, but it also takes the 'snap" away that I like to use to steer with the rear wheel...any thoughts..? Wuld like to hearr recommendations...
yzfan15 Jul : 23:13 Go the YZ!It must be a hoot to finally be riding the grown-ups bike now. Wonderful result at the OMA last weekend. Good work.
Whibbs08 Jul : 12:03 Thanks for the info on the race in MN. Will look into it and see if we can stick around for the race. Paul.
Range Riders26 Jun : 12:54 Paul, the weekend after the OMA in MN there is a National Harescramble race in Hill City, MN. You should stick around and hit it then the following weekend is the OMA in Mo. All real close. You can check it out at rangeridersmc.org. Love to see ya their.
rossco14 Jun : 13:51 Congratulations on the Oma win over the weekend. It must be nice to see the view from the top step again.
Gordy09 Jun : 09:25 Another podium finish Paul. Well done. One more race then you can enjoy a summer break. certainaly not summer here with 3 degrees this morning.
Whibbs05 Jun : 07:02 Pretty proud to be recognized as Tararua's Sports person of the year. Also good for the sport of Motorcycle racing to be acknowledged and put in the spotlight. Also you never know were racing will take me. If the schedule falls into place, I may turn up to a CRA event.
jerrymcclure27 May : 07:22 Paul remember if things were easy they would not be worth doing, keep a positive outlook and surport those who surport you have fun. the old ky guy.
harescrambled24 May : 07:13 Paul...keep pushing. I know you have it in you to win...we saw that last year. Keep your chin up, and ride like you know you can. We miss you at the CRA events :( View all posts (173) | |
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