Result: 1st
A new venue for the OMA series had us in the van for 17 hours from the AmPro Yamaha base in South Carolina to Winterset, Iowa. The start again went to plan, taking the FMF hole shot award and control of the race. However, Chris Bach also had a good start and was shadowing me as we weaved through the woods.
I missed a hot line and that was all the opening Chris needed, moving his Beta into the lead. Now it was my turn to apply the pressure. Late in the lap Chris slowed and pulled over with some bike problems. I inherited the lead and a small buffer over the following riders. The second lap I had a small tip over and quickly Chris was back on my heels after restarting his bike.
The racing was exciting up front and my teammate Jordan Ashburn was close behind on his YZ 250f. Bach's Beta stopped again, this time out of gas, we found out after the race a stick damaged the fuel petcock enough to let the gas run out. Jordan was riding the wheels off the 250f, unfortunately his brakes couldn't keep up and a small problem slowed his pace and allowed me to pull away over the last couple of laps. Jordan hung in there and secured second spot with GEICO Honda rider Scott Watkins closing out the podium. Scott's teammate and multi-time OMA champion Jimmy Jarrett had a tough day with a dislocated little finger.
It was a 17 hour drive home, but the new venue and fresh trails made the trip worthwhile.
1st: Paul Whibley
2nd: Jordan Ashburn
3rd: Scott Watkins
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
The AmPro Yamaha Team is supported by: FMF Kenda Yamalube Asterisk CV4 Cycle Gear E-Batt EBC Brakes Factory Connection Fastway Gaerne GYTR IMS Leatt Brace Motion Pro MSR Pro-Clean Rekluse Scott Shoei Slavens TM Designworks Cycra Twin Air Wiseco ZipTy Racing AllBalls Racing
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