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Race Report, OMA Champion 2009
Race: Round 8 OMA, Bedford IN
Rider: Paul Whibley
Bike: KX450F
Team: JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki
Result: 1st
Round 8 of the OMA's saw a new venue in Bedford Indiana. Also with the GNCC's about to resume after the summer break, brought about an influx in Pro riders making the start line.
The JG Offroad, GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki team was back to full force with the return of Jimmy Jarrett. Yamaha was well represented with Am Pro's Thad Duvall and Barry Hawk and Andrews Cycles Jason Thomas.
With little rain at the venue over the last week found the soil dry and loose. After the Quads had torn up their track it was obvious that dust was going to be a feature of the race.
I scored an important hole shot and led the way around the 15 minute loop. Thad Duvall was riding strong and even in the dusty conditions hung with me and a battle for the lead began. As we began the second lap we encountered lapped traffic. There was a powdery hill just off the start that was giving riders fits. There were still riders trying to fight their way up as we came around for our second shot at the hill. Lappers began to play a part in the racing with neither Thad nor myself able to go a couple of minutes before we were back into dirty air or fighting our way through the numerous bottlenecks that occurred throughout the first half of the race. The traffic jams created most of the lead changes as we bounced our way past the blockages.
Unfortunately for Thad he crashed hard in a fast section of the track mid race. I didn't realize he was no longer on my tail until I came around the following lap and got a pit board from Katherine.
Our battle had pushed me clear from other racers and I had a good lead. After the fuel stop, thanks to Nick for the help, I backed down the pace a little to stay safe and not risk a crash in the tough conditions. In tough racing conditions like these, it makes me happy to have some great support from companies that really can stand behind their product that truly works. Two of these that stood out in this race were Smith goggles, for keeping that blinding dust on the outside and allowing me to see the safe lines. Also No Toil air filters and lube, without their quality product keeping the dust out of the lungs of my KXF I would never have been able to finish. Plenty of other bikes ingested dirt and expired in this race so a big thanks to No Toil.
After two and a half hours the flag came out, taking win number 8 from 8, this also gave me the 2009 OMA title for the second year in a row.
Results:
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Jason Thomas
3rd: Jordan Ashburn
Thanks to my Sponsors:
GEICO, Monster Energy Kawasaki, Moose Racing, Shoei, Smith, Sidi, Pirelli, RG3 Suspension, Moto SR, Ohlins, CTi, Leo Vince, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, IMS, Renthal, Enduro Engineering, Vortex Ignitions, G2, PG Graphics, Silkolene, EBC Brakes, Tsubaki Chains, No Toil, WER, BRP, Rekluse, CV4, Works Connection, Motion Pro
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