Whibley Caps Off Perfect OMA Series

Mark Kariya | November 2, 2009

Paul Whibley capped off a dream season by winning the Moose Run, presented by Moose Racing, in Fenton, Illinois, November 1, giving him an unprecedented undefeated year in the 10-round Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals. Coming one week after he’d wrapped up his first GNCC title, the JG Off-Road/GEICO Powersports/Monster Energy Kawasaki star found it more difficult to put into words how he felt, saying only, “It’s pretty cool to make it the perfect season.”

After two unsuccessful attempts at winning the Moose Run, Whibley proved he’s finally figured out how American woods racing works. He got the holeshot on his KX450F, riding with the pack for the first 15 or so miles of the 35-mile loop, then made a break on the second lap to win decisively over teammate and four-time series champ Jimmy Jarrett. Jarrett would finish the season third in points on his KX450F after missing one round due to a broken wrist. Husaberg’s Nick Fahringer emerged from the pack to claim third for the day on his FX450 and earn fourth in final points, unofficially.

“I didn’t think [I’d be so dominant this year],” Whibley said. “There’s plenty of fast guys racing the series – Jimmy, Jason Thomas, Scotty Watkins – and there’s so many things that can go wrong at these races. There’re sticks and logs and all sorts of stuff out there. To win all 10 this season is pretty cool. So much can go wrong, but everything’s gone right.”

Watkins borrowed one of Jarrett’s KX450Fs and proceeded to claim fourth for the day despite running the last half of the race with completely worn rear brake pads. He’d clinched second in the series previously, giving the JG Off-road/GEICO Powersports/Monster Energy Kawasaki team a sweep of the top three in final points. Jason Thomas rounded out the top five aboard his Fred Andrews Racing/Monster Energy/O’Neal Yamaha YZ250F.

Whibley will now celebrate by heading home to New Zealand with his wife, Katherine, for a couple months of R&R, though he’ll also be trying to figure out how he’s going to top this year’s performances in 2010.