MoonShine XC - Dawson Springs, KY - Round 2
Paul Whibley Race Report
TOver the weekend round two of the OMA series ran at a new venue in southern Kentucky. The quads had the track pretty torn up on Saturday but with some hard work by OMA
promoter Bill Gusse, the track was reworked and was almost completely fresh for the bikes come Sunday. From the start I quickly took control of the race. Grabbing the hole shot and jetting out to a lead that would continue to grow with the race. National Enduro Champ Russell Bobbitt gave chase over the first couple of laps before succumbing to my AmPro teammate Jordan Ashburn.
Nick Fahringer and his 300 Husaberg moved up to join the fight for second place around the middle of the event. I had a good pit stop and had completed gassing before second place came into sight. I felt the track was getting better with each passing lap with some nice ruts forming in the soft woods. One steep rooty hill and several mud holes kept us on our toes but smart line selection was key to negotiating the obstacles.
The scrap over second began to heat up late in the race. Nick Fahringer continued his move forward, taking control of the position and dropping Russell and Jordan, leaving them to fight over the final podium position. Katherine and Ryan were giving splits on the pit board so I could monitor the gap back to second. I could tell there had been a war going on back there as a different name was often listed with the split to second place. I was able to ride safely to the win, going 2 for 2 in the early part of the 2012 OMA season.
Paul Whibley is supported by:
AmPro Yamaha, Monster Energy, Shoei, Sidi, Smith, G2, CTi, Moto SR, Vortex Ignitions, EC3D, Bush Riders MCC, Darbis, GHQ, Sargent Motorcycles, Yamaha NZ,
Rosscos Start up Services, Works Connection, Pro Taper, Race Pace Services, Unabiker, Leatt Brace, Tire Balls, bikesportnz.com, Stuk
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by:
FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk CV4 Cycle Gear E-Bat, EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne GYTR, IMS Leatt Brace Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse
Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Cycra Twin Air Wiseco, ZipTy Racing AllBalls Racing Pro Taper Stuk
PAUL WHIBLEY GRABS THE FMF HOLESHOT
All photos are available for purchase, contact John at john@photobyjohn.com
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The Unfortunate
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CALEB DOORES
OVERALL IN MORNING
EVENT
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JG Offroad's Scott Watkins Race Report
American Honda/ JG Off Road’s Scott Watkins took on the second round of the Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals this weekend in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Watkins powered his Honda ride to 5th place on a fast and varied track.
“I got a decent start and was able to get around some guys,” Watkins said. “The track was in really good condition with a few mud holes and some tight and fast stuff. It really had a little bit of everything.”
The leaders set a fast pace and soon Watkins found himself riding his own race.
“Some of the guys really took off and got out front, so I was playing catch up a lot of the day,” he said. “I wanted to get in the groove behind someone. The pace is faster than what it has been but I felt comfortable out there. After I work out a few small set up issues, I don’t see any reason why I won’t be on the podium at the next event.”
Watkins started out the season in the fourth place position in points after a fourth place finish at the opening round of the season in Tuscumbia, Alabama at the Maxxis OMA. The next even for the OMA-focused rider is the Motion Pro OMA in Ft. Smith, Arkansas on April 8th.
Watkins would like to thank JG Off Road, Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, DP Brakes, AXP Racing, Moose, Super Sprox, PG Graphics, Cycra, Tsubaki, Factory Connection, FMF, Works Connection, CV4, BRP, No Toil, Rekluse, IMS, Moto Tassinari, Outerwears, Renthal, G2 Ergonomics and Zip Ty.
Steve Leivan Race Report
MY BIKE: KTM 250 XC
HOW IT ENDED: 2nd +30 “A” – 9 th Overall
BEFORE THE START: With a weeks worth of rain in the books, it was apparently time for another round of the OMA Nationals presented by “Gusse & Associates”. Actually, it appeared that the majority of the rain during the week fell on Missouri and left Kentucky “mostly alone”. That was until we arrived - and the parking area on Saturday morning was quite slippery which resulted in us getting towed (a time or two).
We headed out for our practice lap on Saturday afternoon and found plenty of challenges. There was some deeply rutted quad trail, some bottomless ditches, a couple hills, and some good old fashioned fresh cut trail. It seemed almost certain that parts of the track would get worse as the race wore on and make it a battle from flag to flag. Just what I like!
THE RACE: I got a decent start and was second to the first turn. The guy with the holeshot wadded it up in the second turn and I came to a stop instead of running over his back. The relegated me to almost last just-like-that. I went to work though and used some good lines and aggression to climb up to second by the end of lap one (12 seconds off the lead). I continued riding with the same intensity and caught up to Marty Michels early in lap two and he pulled over and waved me past. That’s when my intensity and aggression bit me.
We were on a quad trail and I was on the crown between the two ruts when I washed out the front end and slammed my head into the ground. Immediately I saw stars, but still yet I was trying to get going as quickly as possible. I took off and not far after that was a difficult hill; which I had to get off and push up and I lost even more time. Back to work and I finished the second lap still 12 seconds down.
The next lap was a bit better and I closed the gap to four seconds but then I chose to pit which dropped me back again. I fought that stupid hill again and then got kind of frustrated with my riding. I had trouble picking up on the good lines and it seemed like three or four times a lap I would see a hot line just a half second too, late and miss it.
I kept digging though and the last lap and a half went pretty good. I caught on to a good line up the hill and found a safe way through the bogs so that helped. In those last 10 miles or so I caught up to several of the riders from the rows ahead of me and figured that I had a pretty good shot at a good overall so that kept me charging. In the end I got within seven seconds of Marty (after being 45 seconds down at one point), finishing in second place in the class and 9 th overall.
THOUGHTS & OBSERVATIONS: For sure, I was stoked with the O/A finish – and the fact that just 12 seconds separated me from 7 th overall. Like everyone (I am sure), I know that I had a minute or two in my back pocket. That hill got me three times, I pitted twice, and I had a tear-off issue that resulted in me using a dozen of them in one shot so I had to try to avoid roost for a few laps. In a perfect world, I could have been 7 th. Next time.
Andrew had another good ride. He was battling for the lead and led coming in, to what he thought, was the checkered flag. It wasn’t and he was shot. His last lap was pure survival and he settled for 2nd.
Lance broke out “The Coffee Can” and had a great ride going until he stuck it in the swamp. He had to find an ATV to drag him out so that cost him considerable time. He hung in there to the finish though and will be better next round.
QUICKEST ON THE DAY: 1. Michels (KTM); 2, LEIVAN (KTM); 3. Johnson (Kaw)
THE NEXT WHAT/WHERE/WHEN: Round 3 OMA Nationals; Ft. Smith, AR; April 8
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
SPONSOR LIST – HELPING ME MAKE IT HAPPEN
KTM NORTH AMERICA :: ARAI :: BULLET PROOF DESIGNS :: CLOCKWORK :: DUNLOP :: ENDURO ENGINEERING :: EVS :: FAH-Q :: FLY :: FREEDOM CYCLES :: LEOVINCE :: NGK SPARK PLUGS :: NICHOLS ENTERPRISE :: PIVOT WORKS :: PROUD SIS :: RACE TECH SUSPENSION :: RENTHAL :: SILKOLENE :: TSUBAKI :: VERTEX
All photos are available for purchase, contact John at john@photobyjohn.com
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JD WILLIAMS |
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RONNIE BURKE |
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CRAIG FALLIS
Interview |
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OMA would like to announce our new graphics sponsor Stuk Graphix on board! Britt Hebenstreit an OMA A class racer himself, has officially launched his new graphics company, and we highly recommend racers to support Stuk Graphix, Britt is one you, a complete Off Road enthusiasts! You can contact him at stukgraphix@yahoo.com or 217-556-3051 for more information. Stuk Graphix's website will be launched soon. As of now you can catch him on Facebook
--------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ---------------------------------------------
From: Maxxis International
Date: 1.20.2012
Over $1 Million Cash in Maxxis’ 2012 Race Contingencies
Maxxis is again offering cash contingencies totaling more than one
million dollars to all ATV and motorcycle racers in seven major U.S.
off-road race series.
That’s right - cash! Not just discounts, coupons or free product. Cash payouts are available to first through third-place finishers in most classes!
Payouts range from $25 all the way up to $500 for the pro class in certain series. Riders can earn cash in the following series: ATV Motocross Nationals; Extreme Dirt Track Nationals; GNCC ATV and MC; Maxxis New England ATV-MX; Mid America XC Racing ATV and MC; OMA Nationals ATV and MC; and WORCS ATV and MC.
“We’re offering up one million dollars in cash again for 2012,” said Scott Perkins, marketing specialist for Maxxis’ Specialty tire division. “We are proud to offer this support to all the racers in these series. Our tires are known for their durability along with their pro-level performance, which means they are already a great value to racers. But this cash goes above and beyond to help them with racing expenses.”
Riders must run Maxxis tires on all four wheels for ATV and on the front and rear for motorcycle, and must display the specified number of Maxxis decals on their vehicles. Full instructions are on the contingency application forms. To view or download forms, please visit
http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/Contingency-Programs.aspx.
About Maxxis International
Maxxis International is a producer of high quality automotive, light truck, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, lawn & garden and industrial tires. Maxxis has delivered quality tires to original equipment and aftermarket customers for over 40 years. For more information on Maxxis and Maxxis products, please visit maxxis.com.
For more information see our Rulebook ---- Welcome 2 OMA, ---- Event Info. |
