 | Moto-Trials, Cross Country & Enduro
Race Report: Little Brown Jug Enduro, Union, South Carolina
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 3rd
Conditions were very dry and extremely dusty again for the weekends racing. I was a late entry to the Little Brown Jug Enduro when Randy Hawkins asked me to fill in for an absent Charlie Mullins. With not a lot of racing on, being a long weekend, an Enduro would be a fun change of pace. Also learning the rules and how the event runs took some time with a different system than the World Enduro Format but by the middle of the day I had a grasp of the basics.
Right off the bat dust was an issue. Racing was limited to what you could see and I couldn't see much. The dust was pretty blinding as it just hung in the still, crisp air and with the sun shining down creating a seemingly solid wall in some situations. I wasn't at all comfortable with pinning it in these conditions with the risk outweighing the gain for me. I wasn't about to ride over my head and pick up an injury.
The trail however was pretty fun and had a cool flow to it, weaving through the open woods, a couple sections of rollers that could be turned into doubles and nothing too tight.
Local young gun Stuart Baylor ended up being a man on a mission when the times were all tallied at the end of the day, taking the win ahead of Jessie Robinson. I rounded out the top three, happy to be in one piece. I actually enjoyed the change of pace and getting back to an Enduro format. Hope next years not so dusty cause I'd like to take another shot at this event.
Thanks to the Belue family for all their support at the check points.
1st: Stuart Baylor
2nd: Jesse Robinson
3rd: Paul Whibley
Kenda Tires: Front, Triple. Rear, Washougal
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
Race Report: OMA Round 8, Bedford Indiana
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
Conditions were very dry and extremely dusty for round 8 of the OMA series in Indiana. Everyone knew a good start would be critical to securing a good result. Off the line the urgency was evident, everyone seemed to get a good jump and I thought I had control of the holeshot but Jordan Ashburn bumped me from the inside and pushed me wide allowing Scotty Watkins by as well. I quickly repassed Scotty and knew I had to get by Jordan really quick to take control. On the first hill there was 3 line options to climb the powder filled hill. I took a different line than Jordan and it paid off cresting the top in the lead and in clean air. I took full advantage and pushed hard building a lead. With short laps I knew we would also quickly be into lapped riders and wanted to make the most of the clean air advantage while I had it. I had about a minute lead at the completion of the 2nd lap. The lapped riders were all very good and pulled over to let us by, obviously aware of the difficulty in passing in these conditions. The track fell apart pretty quick. A lot of deep powder filled ruts formed and on many of the hills just getting to the top was a challenge with the several foot deep powder covering the numerous rocks and roots. After the gas stop I was able to push my lead out to about two minutes with Thad Duvall moving up to second and Jordan Ashburn making the most of his good start and coming home in third. This win makes 5 in a row with two rounds to go in the OMA 2010 edition.
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Thad Duvall
3rd: Jordan Ashburn
Kenda Tires: Front, Triple. Rear, Triple
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
Race Report: Setra Round 1, Chereokee, Georgia
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
We were invited down to Dennis Johnsons property in Wrens, Georgia for a ride day on Saturday. Katherine and I had a great time riding around the 7 mile woods loop, playing on the sandy moto track and having fun on the Enduro X track. Katherine was out there on her little TTR 125 and sporting her new pink MSR gear.
 Mrs. Katherine Whibley - "behind every good man is a good woman". Has her own pink riding gear & a Yamaha TTR125 trail bike
We met some good people and sat around the garage festing on a pork roast while the bench racing and smack talk was in full moto. Thanks to the Johnson family for inviting us down and looking after us for the weekend.
Onto the racing. Sunday had the Setra event an hour up the road so we went along for the race. I got a good start and was third round turn one, following Stu Baylor as he moved into the lead. He set a fast pace and we opened up a small lead over everyone else. Mid lap his pace slowed a little and some mistakes started to creep in. Not long after he tagged a tree with his shoulder I was able to move into the lead and begin to pull away. The track was pretty fun with some fast straights and some flowing woods with red clay that got choppy as the day progressed. It had been decided that the race would be 5 laps in duration before we started so we had planned to do 3 laps then gas. With a lap length of about 9 miles I was expecting about a 20 to 25 min lap. At the fuel stop Dennis was handling the IMS dumpcan and I was in and out quickly. I had built a good lead and with two laps to go I set off to make sure thats the way it stayed. Late in the race Ryan Belue, on his YZ 450, made a move on Stu Baylor and took second place.
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Ryan Belue
3rd: Stu Baylor
Kenda Tires: Front, Triple. Rear, Triple
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
MOMCC Mototrial August 15, 2010
This event was the fourth round of the club Moto Trials Champs and saw 17 riders competing at the Infracon quarry near Mangatainoka. Ten of these had travelled from Wellington, Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. Phil Stephenson and Tony Smith had done a top job of setting eight sections to challenge the riders.
Being a limestone quarry most sections included quarried rocks of varying sizes and ugliness, although there was one slippery steep slope that didn’t include rocks. Overnight rain hadn’t affected the riding conditions – one advantage of riding in a quarry. And the forcast rain even stayed away.
There was a close battle in the A grade between the two Ixion riders, Carl Robson and Shane Clarke and two of us Manawatu Orion riders, Warrick George and myself. Unfortunatly the Ixion riders prevailed on the day, unlike two weeks previous in Paraparaumu where I edged them out.
The Intermediate grade also saw a close battle between Taranaki riders Grant McEwen and Craig Thompson and our Tony Smith. Unfortunatly Tony lost that battle. And we couldn’t get an MOMCC rider at the top of the Clubman grade either with Ixion’s Ricky Winkle coming out 10 points clear of a Hawkes Bay rider, Jonathan Buck. Our best local rider, Phil Stephenson came in third.
And crash of the day (that I saw anyway). Carl Robson after cleaning all the hard rocks in section four have his front wheel wash out and toss him over the bars for a face plant just a few metres from the section end cards. Mind you both Shane and Warrick had similar but less spectacular off’s in different sections. And I was dumped hard on my bum in another section with a good bruise as proof. Fun all round for all.
The next MOMCC Moto Trial is on September 19th at Infracon’s Linton quarry south of Palmerston North.
Kevin Pinfold
Results
A Grade
Carl Robson Beta 36 Ixion MCC
Shane Clarke Beta 37 Ixion MCC
Kevin Pinfold Gas Gas 39 MOMCC
Warrick George Gas Gas 54 MOMCC
Intermediate
Grant McEwen Gas Gas 5 Taranaki MCC
Craig Thompson Gas Gas 7 Taranaki MCC
Tony Smith Sherco 12 MOMCC
Alastair Neville Gas Gas 33 Tauranga MCC
Robert McEwen Gas Gas 51 Taranaki MCC
Andy Anderson Beta 53 MOMCC
Clubman
Ricky Winkle Scorpa 41 Ixion MCC
Jonathan Buck Sherco 51 Hawkes Bay MCC
Phil Stephenson Gas Gas 52 MOMCC
Adrian Walcroft Yamaha 59 MOMCC (TY175 twin shock)
Jim Sharratt Gas Gas 63 Ixion MCC
Merv George Gas Gas 73 MOMCC
New Zealander Paul Whibley wins another American cross country race
Paul Whibley gets another winners wreath this time from Bill Gussi at Round 7 of the OMA cross country series which he leads overall.
Race Report: OMA Rnd 7, Newark Missouri
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
Round 7 was a fresh venue for the OMA series located in north eastern Missouri. The woods were surprisingly dry considering the rain that had fallen around the area in the weeks leading up to the event. Also it was going to be a pretty fast track with the woods being fairly open and clean, there was less of the gnarly stuff for Bill Gusse to throw at us.
I got a good jump off the line and was in the top 3 going round the first turn. Moving in behind Scott Watkins who shared the hole shot money with Bret Zofchak. I followed Scott for a couple miles and took the lead when he made a small mistake climbing a bank. We set a good pace and opened up a gap on the rest of the pack. Scott latched onto my rear fender and hounded me for the first half of the race. I managed to get a 20 second gap by the fuel stop and I could watch Scott on a couple of sections to make sure I was maintaining the lead. The track was open and I didn't want to go too much faster through the trees because if a mistake was to be made the price would have been pretty high. Scott rode good and continued to keep the pace up and never fell back, maintaining the gap and pressure. I'm sure his maiden win in this series is not too far off.
Taking the win marked my fourth in a row in this series and an extension of my points lead. The plan is to continue to put in good results over the last 3 rounds and pad that lead some more.
Front Tire, Kenda Washougal
Rear Tire, Kenda Washougal
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Scott Watkins
3rd: Thad Duvall
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
The next Manawatu Orion Motorcycle Trial is next Sunday. Details as follows.
Event: Club Champs rnd 4
Date: Sunday August 15th
Venue: Infracon Quarry, Kohinui Road, Mangatainoka, near Pahiatua. Will be
signposted from State Highway 2 at Mangatainoka at the Tui brewery. Approx 6
mins from SH 2 to the venue.
Sign on: 9.45am
Start: 10.30am
Event organisers: Tony Smith and Phil Stephenson
All grades catered for
Regards
Kevin Pinfold
FIM Indoor Enduro World Championship
|
2011 Provisional calendar Dates |
Country |
Venue |
|
20 November, 2010 |
Italy |
Genoa |
|
15 January, 2011 |
Brazil (TBC)* |
**TBA |
|
6 February, 2011 |
Spain |
Barcelona |
|
27 February, 2011 |
Spain |
Vigo |
|
5 March, 2011 |
Portugal |
Lisboa |
New Zealander Paul Whibley riding a Yamaha takes another Cross Country win >
Race Report: OMA Rnd 6, Millville Minnesota
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
Round 6 of the OMAs was held at the famous Millville MX track in Minnesota. This event is one of the more fun races on the OMA circuit and attracts a good turnout of riders wanting to tackle the MX track and thrash around in the woods.
I had been practicing my starts and although I don't think I have it perfected yet on the YZ I was able to lead into the first turn only getting passed when fast starter Jordan Ashburn swept around the outside to take the hole shot honors. I regained the lead a couple turns later and began to check out. I moved out to a 15 second on the first lap and was able to watch Scott Watkins in second. I was expecting to have to make two fuel stops and the lap before I came in for gas I pushed the lead out to close to a minute and was in and out before Scott entered the pits. After another couple of laps I came in for the final splash of gas to get me to the finish. Continuing to pad my lead, I was out to about a minute and a half by the finish although Scott Watkins rode a strong race and kept the pressure on through most of the day.
With that win I have now moved into the points lead of the OMAs with only four rounds of the 2010 edition to go.
Front Tire, Kenda Triple
Rear Tire, Kenda Millville
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Scott Watkins
3rd: Nick Fahringer
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
Race Report: IXCR event, Aurora, Indiana
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
On they way back from the OMA in Michigan last weekend we stopped at a friends place to break up the 14 hour drive home. We ended up staying the week (thanks Brandon) and racing a local Indiana XC Race.
With a heavy thunderstorm watering the track overnight early conditions were pretty slick. I didn't get the best jump off the line but had looked at the first few turns before we made a sharp left into the woods. I knew I could shoot up the inside if everyone else ran wide. That's exactly what happened. The door was left wide open and I went from about 4th or 5th to the lead. The track was perfect where the kids had been riding and turned the soil over but once we got onto the fresh tracks it was a different story. A couple of the steep climbs and descents were actually removed for the second lap as I could only imagine the carnage that occurred in those gulleys. The track reminded me a little of the old Sparta GNCC in Kentucky.
I steadily increased my lead throughout the race and was having fun on the drying track.
We caught up with another friend and stayed the night with them (thanks Dan) before we completed the remaining 7 hour drive home.
Front Tire, Kenda Triple
Rear Tire, Kenda Triple
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
MOMCC Mototrial July 18th, 2010: Round 3 Club Champs
Sundays Moto Trial at Opawe Road was a pearler . . but then I could have been a little biased. Andy and I set it up in the fine, a little rain over night just to make things interesting and a nice day Sunday for the ride.
Thanks to the Hawkes Bay guys for boosting our numbers and having a good time we hope. Some good competition in the Clubman and looking at the results, Intermediate class also!
Some of the sections really had us stumped - how to clean an obstacle. It took us a couple of laps to figure out the solutions - they were there we just had to find alternative routes or techniques. So it was very much a thinking as well as a riding trial.
Next mototrial is round 4 of club champs on August 15th at the Infracon quarry near Mangatainoka (near the Tui Brewery).
Regards
Merv
Results
A Grade
Paul Simons Gas Gas 80 HBMCC
Intermediate
Tony Smith Sherco 52 MOMCC
Alistair Neville Gas Gas 64 Tauranga
Andy Anderson Beta 75 MOMCC
Kim Pedersen Gas Gas 80 HBMCC
Clubman
Charlie Morrison Scorpa 56 MOMCC
Phil Stephenson Gas Gas 61 MOMCC
Merv George Gas Gas 65 MOMCC
Jonathan Buck Sherco 84 HBMCC
Race Report: OMA Rnd 5, Mesick, Michigan
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ 450
Result: 1st
With the go ahead to start testing and development of the YZ for racing full time in 2011 I lined up with the 450 MXer at the latest OMA.
An average start and dusty conditions gave me a big challenge to work my way back to the front. The first few miles it was so dusty, all I could do was to stay on track. When we moved into the tighter fresh tracks I was able to pick up some of the slack and latch back onto the guys in front. Picking guys off whenever the chance was presented, I worked my way forward and within 3 laps moved into the lead when I passed Thad Duvall on the side of the track. I came in for fuel at the end of the third lap and had began to build a small lead over Scotty Watkins who was now running second. The track got better as the race worn on with the sand based soil forming some nice lines through the trees. As the race continued I was also able to get a good feeling with the YZ in the trees and appreciate its balance and nimbleness in threading through the tight woods.
I continued to put in safe laps and pushed my lead out to over a minute.
The YZ performed great and passed its first test with ease. Im looking forward to getting back into the points battle for the OMA title. With 5 rounds still to go and only a handful more points to make up Im confident we can make it an exciting close to the season.
Front Tire, Kenda Southwick
Rear Tire, Kenda Millville
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Scotty Watkins
3rd: Nick Faringer
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
Hello folks,
Just confirming Sundays trial is all go - as per the message below. We will
be setting a novice line for any wanting to have a go. If anyone wants to
use the club TY175 let me know otherwise it wont be there.
Regards
Merv George
Ph 323 6146
>
> Hi All,
>
> Just a quick email to remind everyone about the next Manawatu Orion Moto
> Trial.
>
> Event - Club Champs round 3
>
> Date - July 18th
>
> Venue - Richard Christiansen's farm near the end of Opawe Road, off the
> Pohangina Valley East road. Will be signposted from the usual place on the
> Ashhurst to Pohangina Road. Fifth road on the right after turning into the
> Poh Vlly East Rd. Allow 20 mins from Ashhurst.
>
> Sign on - 9.45 am
>
> Start - 10.30 am
>
> Terrain - Rock stream, banks.
>
> Clerk of coarse - Merv George
>
> Regards
> Kevin Pinfold
>
> PS, I'll be away for two weeks from tomorrow so direct any enquiries to
> Merv
> George. Ph 06 3236146 or email jenquip@clear.net.nz
Hi All,
Just a quick email to remind everyone about the next Manawatu Orion Moto
Trial.
Event - Club Champs round 3
Date - July 18th
Venue - Richard Christiansen's farm near the end of Opawe Road, off the
Pohangina Valley East road. Will be signposted from the usual place on the
Ashhurst to Pohangina Road. Fifth road on the right after turning into the
Poh Vlly East Rd. Allow 20 mins from Ashhurst.
Sign on - 9.45 am
Start - 10.30 am
Terrain - Rock stream, banks.
Clerk of coarse - Merv George
Regards
Kevin Pinfold
PS, I'll be away for two weeks from tomorrow so direct any enquiries to Merv
George. Ph 06 3236146 or email jenquip@clear.net.nz
Race Report: GNCC Rnd 9, Snowshoe, WV
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: AmPro Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha WR 450
Result: 9th XC1
Another one of those days.
In the first couple of miles I began to have clutch problems. With the Snowshoe event having a long lap of around 22 miles it was some time before I was back to the pits. One problem was fixed and another was created.
I was sent back out on the track although a long way back. All I could hope for was to score some points. Since the track was rocky and pretty tough there were a few positions to be gained when others dropped out with their own issues. The race was also long in duration, running about 3 hours and 30 min and I picked up a few positions late in the race passing riders that had spent everything already on the demanding course.
The Ohlins suspension again did a fine job of gobbling up the roots and rocks and smoothing the track out. The G2 throttle cam system allowed me to tune the power delivery to find traction in the slickest sections. I'm not sure what went wrong with the clutch, my only guess is I put something in incorrectly.
A very disappointing weekend.
Front Tire, Kenda Washougal
Rear Tire, Kenda Triple (soft)
1st: Nate Kanney
2nd: Jesse Robinson
3rd: Chris Bach
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, Ohlins, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk Cannondale CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne Boots GYTR IMS Jonny Signs Leatt Brace Matrix Racing Products Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing
FLAT OUT ON THE FLAT IN KURATAU
CAPTION: Taumarunui's Quentin Palmer (Suzuki), a likely frontrunner again this weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
JUNE 29, 2010: Throttles will be pinned to the stops when the Ruapehu region again hosts the New Zealand Motorcycle TT Championships, on farmland near Kuratau, this weekend.
With no jumps to slow them down, the dirt bike racers -- including the stars of motocross, cross-country, enduro and even road-racing, ATV and super motard -- will hit eye-watering speeds as they chase glory at this 11th annual Bike Torqu
|
