Whibley Clinches OMA Off-Road Title

Mark Kariya | September 19, 2011

FMF/AmPro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley got his wish when he wrapped up his fourth consecutive Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals Championship two rounds early.

Round eight of the series – the Rekluse Moonshine Cross-Country National – held near Erie, Illinois, September 18, saw Whibley jet to the early lead when he started out by snaring the $200 FMF Holeshot Award. But with a light rain turning the course slick and trickier than it had been during practice on Saturday, he opted to ride relatively cautiously. American Honda/GEICO Powersports/JG Off-road’s Scott Watkins and Obermeyer Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn took advantage of that, as well as an unscheduled stop by Whibley.

But Whibley regained his lost ground and re-passed for the lead just past the halfway mark, motoring to a 37-second margin of victory over Ashburn. Ashburn’s runner-up clinched second in the championship. Watkins would hold on for third over teammate Rory Mead with K’s Motorsports-backed Adam Bonneur rounding out the top five.

“Today was just [about] winning the race,” Whibley said. “I wasn’t even thinking about the championship. There’s still two more races to go, and I would like to win both of those as well.”