OMA Round 3, Rio Grande OH
Race Report: OMA Round 3, Rio Grande OH
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: JG Off Road, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX 450F
Result: 1st
Round 3 of the OMA series brought warm temperatures (90s/30s) and a faster track than round 2.
It was at this track last year that I won my very first OMA event and started my 7 race winning steak that led to the championship. So I was feeling good about the track and looking forward to a good race. My shoulder was still pretty sore after the crash at the GNCC the previous weekend. I had tried to ride on Thursday but it was too weak so I was relying on the adrenaline to make it all better on race day.
Lining up on the start, the sun was beating down, sweat was already flowing freely. I got another great jump of the line although Jimmy Jarrett beat me to the first turn, he ran wide and I was able to sneak up the inside and take the hole shot. I settled into a good rhythm and soon found myself opening up a lead. By the time we had completed a lap I was out to about a 30 second lead. The track was pretty fun with a good mix of fast open woods and fields with the typical tight technical trails that Gusse just can't help himself including to challenge all.
I came around to complete the second lap and Katherine gave me the pit board saying that I was out to about a 50 sec lead. I was enjoying the track and my shoulder wasn't bothering me too much, just when you really have to distort your body to avoid clipping a tree, that sudden movement would send a sharp flash through my shoulder. Maybe it was just my body trying to remind me that tagging a tree is never good.
Gas stop after 3 laps went smooth thanks to Monty, Katherine, Joy and the rest of the JG Off Road crew. On the following lap I had a bit of a moment on one of the creek jumps. A rut was forming where I was landing, from bikes climbing out of the creek. This rut was on an angle and right were I placed my front end. I saw this rut at the last second, it had got a lot worse and tried to pull the front end up to get the front over it and avoid an endo. Instead when I landed on the far side my weight was too far back and I got all out of shape and whiskey throttled it, I almost ended up back in the creek further along the track.
Well I ended up in the creek, my bike managed to stay up on the bank. I got going again pretty quick but this helped Jimmy to close the gap back to about 20 seconds. I saw he was closer on one of the switch back grass tracks and stepped it up, regaining my time buffer over the last couple of laps and crossed the line at the conclusion of the event with over a minute lead.
Jimmy maintained second spot ahead of Thad DuVall who had began to put some pressure on him on the last lap.
Results:
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Jimmy Jarrett
3rd: Thad DuVall
4th: Jason Thomas
5th: Scotty Watkins
Thanks to my following sponsors:
GEICO, Kawasaki Monster Energy, Moose Racing, RG3 Suspension, Moto SR, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, CTi, Pirelli, Leo Vince, ProMoto Billet/Fastway, IMS, Vortex Ignitions, G2, P.G. Graphics, Silkolene, EBC Brakes, Tsubaki Chains, No Toil, Renthal, WER, BRP, Rekluse, CV4, Motion Pro, Works Connection, Enduro Engineering
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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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