Whibley Tops Wisconsin OMA

Mark Kariya | July 13, 2009

The Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals reached its halfway point with the Parts Unlimited Cross-Country National at CMJ Raceway outside of Hixton, Wisconsin, and just as it began, Paul Whibley dominated the day aboard his JG Off-road/GEICO Powersports/Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450F.

That, of course, gives him a perfect record in the series so far and gives him the upper hand as he seeks to defend the championship that he wrestled away from four-time title holder Jimmy Jarrett, though he refused to count on a second-straight crown just yet.

“You can never count anybody out,” he stressed. “I never counted on being dominant; I take each race as a fresh start and do the best I can.”

But as good as Whibley’s day went, teammate Jarrett’s day proved decidedly worse. After getting away nearly last, Jarrett quickly sliced through the pack and began a race-long tussle for second with Brian Garrahan and Scott Watkins. With a few laps left, however, Jarrett took a header on a tricky downhill, his bike reportedly slamming him in the upper body. After several others stopped to check on him, he was able to slowly motor back to the pits on an access road and went immediately to a local hospital with a punctured lip and a broken wrist. Early reports are that the wrist will require surgery, possibly putting him on the sidelines for a couple months.

Following Jarrett’s early exit, Watkins ended up prevailing for the runner-up spot on his KX250F, giving him second place for the second race in a row. Garrahan, making his first OMA start this year, would claim the final podium spot on his borrowed MCM Motorsports YZ250F.

Husaberg’s Nick Fahringer overcame a bad start on the comparatively short and dusty course to end up fourth, a mere five seconds behind Garrahan, while Chris Bach earned fifth overall and first Open A aboard his Spastic Designs KX450F.

Pros Adam Bonneur on his YZ250, motocrosser Ryan Poulter on his KX450F and YZ450F-mounted Jeff Melik were next to finish with Lite A winner Chase Bishop and 40-49 A victor Matt Stavish rounding out the top 10.

Mark Kariya | Contributor

Kariya spends way too much time in the desert, but we’re glad he does as he’s the man who gets us our coverage of all things sandy.