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Whibley Whips Maxxis General
GNCC
Paul Whibley Wins The Maxxis Genral GNCC-W.E.R. Damper
Equiped!
 WASHINGTON, GA (March 8, 2009) - The Can-Am
Grand National Cross Country Series welcomed strategic,
bar-to-bar racing back to the forefront at the Maxxis
General GNCC in Georgia, but by the time the battle was
over, GEICO/JG Racing Monster Kawasaki's Paul Whibley
emerged as the last man standing. His teammate Jimmy
Jarrett took second to give the team a historic 1-2 finish
in just its second race ever. FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh
Strang took third after colliding with Jarrett at the
finish.
In total, 1471 riders competed in
the race, a jump of 83 riders from last year's Maxxis General
GNCC.
On a fast, rough track run under
perfect weather conditions, Whibley battled with about seven
other riders early on. Jarrett, Strang, FMF Suzuki's Charlie
Mullins, Husqvarna's Glenn Kearney, Shock Doctor KTM's Nathan
Kanney and KTM privateer Shane Watts ran in formation out
front. Eventually, the battled boiled down to the two Kawasaki
riders against the two Suzuki riders, with Jarrett and Whibley
taking the top spots.
"It was awesome battling like we did for the first few laps,"
said Whibley, who nailed the $250 MotorcycleUSA.com Holeshot
Award. "I was just trying to pick out lines. After the first
gas, I think everyone picked up the pace. I didn't think I
could go faster, but then I was able to do it. To finish
one-two like that in our second race together, this is
great."
"I went hard at mid race and got into the lead, but when
Whibley caught me later on, I was done," said Jarrett. "He's
just a machine out there, it's incredible."
As Jarrett fatigued on the last lap, Strang put in one more
charge to try to get second. Before the finish line, the riders
faced a big pile of truck tires nicknamed the Maxxis Tire Wall.
As Strang bounced over the tires, his line came together with
Jarrett's, and they collided and crashed hard. Strang felt bad
for making the move, so he actually waved Jarrett back past him
to give up second at the finish.
"Maybe it was a mistake, but Jimmy is a good friend and I
didn't mean to run into him like that," said Strang. "I got
food poisoning on Thursday so I didn't know how much I would
have left. I gave it everything I had."
 Mullins twisted his ankle and settled for
fourth ahead of Kanney. Watts' day ended when his bike
died, and also ran with the lead pack early until his bike
died, and Kearney twisted his already-broken leg in a rut,
ending his day. Am-Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk struggled with
suspension settings and elected to pit for a new shock mid
way through the race.
In the XC2 Class, Shock Doctor KTM's Kailub Russell notched his
second-straight win. Kawasaki privateer Andrew Matusek grabbed
the $100 Cometic Holeshot Award and battled Russell early.
Matusek got stuck in a mud hole, and Russell's teammate Cory
Buttrick took over second. GEICO JG Racing Kawasaki's Scotty
Watkins collected third.
"I didn't expect to do this," said Russell of dominating the
first two rounds. "I've always had confidence in myself, but I
just need to put together good races."
Buttrick pushed hard to catch Russell, but could get not higher
than second. "We were using a lot of energy out there, and I'm
not going to lie, I got tired," said Buttrick. "It's still a
lot better than the first race in Florida, though."
 Watkins rode consistently for third. "I haven't
felt the best the last two weeks, so I'll take the
points," said Watkins.
Monster Team Green Kawasaki's Jordan Ashburn collected top
amateur honors with 14th overall and a win in the Open A
class.
The $100 Ohlins Amateur Holeshot Award went to Senior C rider
Kenny Sinclair.
The 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series moves to
Morganton, North Carolina for the FMF Steele Creek GNCC in, on
March 21 and 22.
Results:
Maxxis General GNCC
Washington, GA
March 7, 2009
XC1 Class
1. Paul Whibley (Kaw)
2. Jimmy Jarrett (Kaw)
3. Josh Strang (Suz)
4. Charles Mullins (Suz)
5. Nathan Kanney (KTM)
6. Kurt Caselli (KTM)
7. Homero Diaz (KTM)
8. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)
9. Nick Fahringer (HSB)
10. Kenneth Gilbert (Kaw)
XC2
1. Kailub Russell (KTM)
2. Cory Buttrick (KTM)
3. Scott Watkins (Kaw)
4. Andrew Matusek (Kaw)
5. Jason Thomas (Yam)
6. David Snyder (Yam)
7. Robert Santheson (Kaw)
8. Josh Weisenfels (Yam)
9. Brian Lawson (Yam)
10. Eric Bailey (KTM)
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