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Mixed Fortunes for Kiwi Lads
Paul Whibley Race Report:
Race: CRA 4 Hour
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX 450f
Result: 1st
On an off weekend I competed in a CRA 4 hour race at the LL Raceway in
PA. Most riders raced as part of a team but I saw the event as a
chance to get in an extra hour training on the bike so I rode it iron
man.
I got a good start and led the way around the first lap. Overnight
rain had watered what would have been a dusty course to perfection
although it was a little slick in some spots. It was also pretty hot.
Temperatures in the 90s(35c) with high humidity. The air seemed thick
in the trees like it was something you could grasp. Lucky my Smith
goggles have got plenty of anti fog coating and worked great in the
tough conditions.
After a lap Katherine gave me a pit board saying a lap time was 13
minutes. I was in for a long day and a lot of laps. Katherine kept the
motivation coming with times and distances to people to lap in front,
giving me something to chase and focus on.
At the first fuel stop Katherine handed me the IMS dump can and the
tank was replenished. The short lap made it seem like I had been out
there for hours, on the flip side I knew the track inside out.
Another hour and a half up and in for some more gas. I had a good lead
so there wasn't too much of a rush so I grabbed a bite of a sandwich
and made some fine tuning adjustments on my Ohlins shock to better cope
with the demands of the track.
I took the win after 4 hour racing. I almost got dizzy after going around so many times but it was a good days training.
Thanks to my sponsors;
GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Moose Racing, Shoei, Smith, Sidi, CTi,
Pirelli, RG3, Moto SR, Ohlins USA, Leo Vince, ProMoto Billet/Fastway,
IMS, Vortex Ignitions, G2, PG, Silkolene, EBC, Tsubaki, No Toil, WER,
BRP, Motion Pro, Works Connection, Rekluse, CV4
Cheers,
Paul
British maters Hawkstone - Michael Phillips update
Sunday morning we headed off to Hawkstone park motocross track for the 6th round fo the British Masters.
I had done the first round but had missed the others due to my little
injury. I was using the race to get some moto time in on the infamous
Hawkstone track and brush up on a few things before the next round of
the British Champs.
Qualifying was alright but we didn't have long on the track and I didn't fined a good lap. qualified in 8th
Moto one I jumped out of the gates good and came around the first turn
in 3rd. I struggled a little on the first few laps and the leaders got
away. I got passed by KTM rider James Hutchinson and team mate Neville
Bradshaw before I settled into the track and started riding alright.
Hutchinson went down and I moved into 4th and could see Suzuki rider
Martin Barr in front but couldn't make any time on him. Finished in 4th
Moto two I again jumped out of the gates good but wheelied a little and
I had to back it off. I still came around the first turn in 4th. I felt
a lot better in this moto and found some good lines but was still a
little slow on the first few laps and let the leaders get away. I held
off a charge from Martin Barr and when team mate Bradshaw came into the
pits for something I moved into 3rd. I kept a good pace for the rest of
the moto and held on to 3rd.
Overall day 4th
I was happy with my race fitness. The sandy Hawkstone track all ways
gives you a good work out and ever moto and time I ride I feel Like I'm
getting stronger. I was a little disappointed in the first few laps of
the race but it has given me something to work on over the next few
weeks. We have another round of the Redbull pro nationals this weekend
at Canada Heights and then the following weekend Round 7 of the British
Champs in Duns Scotland.
A big thanks to Dav for pitting for me on the weekend and to Honda and
all our other sponsors that make it possible for us to go racing every
weekend.
Cheers,
Mike