PAUL WHIBLEY RACE REPORT

Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Race: OMA Round 1, Nashville TN
Rider: Paul Whibley
Bike: KX450F
Result: 1st


The Kawasaki looked great in front of the GEICO rig all stickered up by Powersport graphics and sporting the number one plate. It was a little strange seeing that number one on my bike as for several years Jimmy Jarrett has owned it.

There was a strong turn out for the opening round of the OMA series. Attracting top riders from the GNCCs, National Enduros and even a rider from Finland.

Off the start my KX shot me to an easy hole shot and I led the way into the tight fresh woods. About a mile into the lap I think a vine snagged around my foot peg as we dropped down a small hill. Before I knew it I was flipped upside down and shot over the bars. I picked myself up and got the bike turned around but had lost a lot of positions. Once rolling again I picked off the riders as fast as I could, knowing Jimmy was up front and pulling away. I got into second and began to close in. My goggles had been ruined as I passed some riders while chasing Jimmy and I needed to pit at the end of lap two for a fresh pair. I was in sight of Jimmy now and a lightning fast stop, care of Katherine, Jt, and Monty allowed me to maintain that visual. Over the next couple of laps we pushed hard but the track was tight and passing was tough. Jimmy came into pit for fuel after 4 laps, I went 1 more lap before gassing. With the lead I put my head down to make some time so I could leave the pits after my stop still in the lead. I rode fast enough and came out from the pits after five laps with a 5 second lead. I continued to push and opened a small gap. But just as I was getting comfortable my chain came off in one of the rocky sections. Jimmy flew past as I was refitting the chain. In a true sportsman fashion asking if I was ok, on the way by. The race was on again!

I caught back up and began looking for a way around. Jimmy made a small mistake and stalled his bike, I retook the lead and tried to make a break although it was hard to do with all the lapped traffic.

Over the last couple of laps I opened up about a 30 second lead and took that to the chequers.

Its good to get the first win taken care of in the OMAs and the team taking a 1, 2, 4 finish. 

1st: P. Whibley
2nd: J. Jarrett
3rd: J. Tomas
4th: S. Watkins

Thanks to the following sponsors for their continued support:

GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Moose Racing, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, CTi, Pirelli, RG3 suspension, Leo Vince, ProMoto Billet/ Fastway, IMS, Vortex Ignitions, G2, PG Graphics, Silkolene, EBC Brakes, Tsubaki chains, No Toil, WER, BRP, Rekluse, Renthal, Enduro Engineering, Works Connection, Motion Pro, Moto SR

STEVE LEIVAN RACE REPORT

THE BATTLEGROUNDS: Round 1 OMA Nationals; Nashville, TN; April 12

WHICH YAMAHA I CHOSE: WR290

WHERE I FINISHED: 1st +30 A – 14th Overall

GETTING READY: I’ve ridden some OMA events off and on since the series started five years ago and I really enjoy the format, the trails, and the laid back atmosphere that you usually don’t get at National level events. Last year I committed to doing the whole series and I ended up winning the +30 “A” class and earning Overall “A”. So, I talked the series up to some friends, and in January I had four or five guys that were “for sure” going to do them this year.

Then it came time to “go” and it was just Dad and I. Surely they’ll “for sure” make it to the next event, “for sure”, right? Yeah, I am hackin’ on them. So we left home at 6:30 Saturday morning and at 3:30 we were in Nashville. The track was basically in town – which was really strange for an off-road event.

It had rained quite a lot over the last two days so we slid into the parking lot next to Cole Kirkpatrick and unloaded my dad’s bike so I could mud it up in practice and save my stuff for the race. Jerry Bernardo made the trip out from California and was quick to show us his road rash from a recent road bike collapse. While it took me 15 minutes to get dressed and on the track, it took JB three times that since he had to install padding and ointments on his wounds.

Practice revealed lots of fresh trail that was soft and was sure to rut. There were the usual 3,276 little angled logs and a section of huge flat rocks that JB named “Manta rays”. I thought, “them was slick” – and so did everyone else. Some big mud holes, some creek crossings, and some trail from the ATV race and plenty of ruts and soft ground. Cole and I did a second lap and things were already rutting up. Oh, and it was pretty short – 5.7 miles by dad’s odometer.

All of the “hotel-goers” exited the race site and we found a level spot close to the track to camp for the night. I changed a front tire – a new Dunlop MX31 – made some burgers and potatoes, did some bench racing with my old rival from the late 80’s Kevin O’Brien and Steve Akers, and called it a night.

“GO TIME”: I was on row three with about 28 other guys and got a fourth place start due to some last second encouragement from Jerry. As soon as we got to the woods, I made two quick passes and closed in on Walker “Lou-deckie” Luedtke. I followed him for a few minutes and then used a slick line to take the lead. My plan was to ride steady and stay out of trouble so that’s what I concentrated on doing.

During the first three laps, I got through a lot of the Open and Lites “A” riders that started in front of me and often times I used them to pull me through the most rutted sections or show me where not to go. At the start of the fourth lap there was a section that was really rutted with stuck bikes everywhere. I took my time through there and kept from getting stuck.

Then I started to catch some of the faster guys from the rows ahead and I got into some pretty good races out in the faster stuff that had some nice deeply rutted corners you could really slam into. In the woods, I was still riding safely and staying clear of trouble. My gas stop was super fast and I set out on the final three laps and continued to get by guys and battle the ever-changing course.

In the late stages of the race there were plenty of places to get stuck so I continued to pay attention and ride smart. There were two spots in the open that were really wide and really muddy so I tried to always crisscross the course there and never use the exact same line twice. It worked out and I never got stuck all day and I don’t think I ever fell – which was quite an accomplishment for me in these conditions. That combination helped me win the class and find my way to 14th overall – the same result that I got at the TN OMA in 2008.

OTHER STUFF: Was it muddy? A bit. But it was nothing like last year. In fact, I wouldn’t call this one a mud race. Maybe a rut race, but not a mud race. I used SCOTT PRO-STACK TEAROFFS and had four left at the end, so it wasn’t all that muddy.

I used the new DUNLOP GEOMAX tires (the MX31 in front and MX51 on the rear) and they were amazing. The 31 impressed me and I am pretty picking about the “feel” of the front tire. I would highly recommend giving these tires a try!

If I counted right, there were nine Missouri riders at the race – which is awesome! I was glad to see them all come out and hope they keep showing up to help represent our local series and show what we can do.

Jerry B had an experience. He missed the check on lap one, when he gassed his dry break tuck open which doused little Jimmy and the twins with some liquid fire, he couldn’t get it unstuck so he found a DR. Pepper can and shoved it in the top of the tank, short-cutted back to camp for repairs and relief, and then went back out and found the trail. All because Bill Gusse “ruined his life” and he wanted to get even….What a ride.

TODAYS “5 FASTEST”: 1. LEIVAN (YAMAHA); 2. ??; 3. ??; 4. Luedtke (KTM); 5. Johnson (Kaw)

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

SPONSOR LIST - THOSE THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN

ACERBIS - ANSWER - ARAI - ATHENA - CLARKE
DP BRAKES - DUNLOP - EVS - FAH-Q - FASTWAY
FLATLAND RACING - GPR - G2 ERGO
HOT CAMS - HYDRAPAK - LEO VINCE - NGK
OZARK FOAM INSEALATORS - PIVOT WORKS
PROMOTO BILLET - PRO WHEEL - RACE TECH SUSPENSION
READY RACING - RENTHAL - SCOTT - SILKOLENE
SOURCE MX - SPORT CYCLES - TIRE BALLS
TRAIL RIDER MAGAZINE - TSUBAKI
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION

TEAM OFF CAMBER RACE REPORT
'Above' Cody Mastin on Saturday Practice Lap

Race Report
2009 Hangman XC OMA
Team Off Camber Racing/Fastway/Klim

The Off-Camber, Fastway Performance, Pro Moto Billet, Klim Gear, Rekluse Clutch, Yamaha Race Team headed for one of their favorite cities, Nashville, Tennessee and the Hangman XC OMA. The race course was the usual tight, knarly, muddy woods loop. The track was short at this race, only 6 miles long, which made for some fast laps and some interesting racing.

The team consisted of Mandi Mastin and Cody Mastin and guest member Jason Thomas from the Andrews Monster Yamaha Team. The team arrived at the race and were happy to see many fellow Pro-Moto Billet/Fastway riders in attendance: Daniel Janus, Marty Michels, Jeff Melik, Zach Klamfoth and old friend Jeff Fredette. The crew road practice on Saturday and found it interesting how many different lines were beginning to develop.

The race turned into a fast and short 15 minute lap time. Mandi started 1st in her class and ended 1st for the day. Mandi was excited to be racing OMAs again and enjoyed returning to the tight woods. Cody had a good start and fought with rear brake issues all day. Cody was glad to be back on the bike and actually getting to race some of his old pals. Cody looks forward to getting back to the races full time, but still has some issues to figure out with the injured leg. Jason Thomas started mid-pack off the line and fought all day to stay in 3rd. Jason was the only pro to really challenge the leaders, Jarrett and Whibley, all day. Jason is looking forward to getting a good start and challenging for the lead and winning an OMA in the future.

The rest of the crew had a good weekend also; Jeff Melik finished 6th in the class, Open A was Zach Klamfoth 2nd, Daniel Janus 4th and Marty Michels was 5th in their class. Jeff Fredette finished 1st in his class.

Off Camber Racing would like to thank all sponsors that have made this year possible. Fastway Performance, Pro Moto Billet, Klim Gear, Rekluse Clutches, Yamaha, Vee Rubber Performance Tires, Bel-Ray, Dirttricks, Steahly Off-Road, Scott USA, EBC Brakes, TCX Boots, Regina Chains, FMF, Works Connection, Factory Connection, Pro Printing.CO.UK and Championship Powersports and Blue Ridge Yamaha. Without the help of all these companies and the great people behind these products are team would not be able to keep going out there and winning every weekend! Thank You!!