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File photo - Paul Whibley:
Whibs and Katherine are keeping us updated whenever they are able on their 2005 European campaign with John Shirt GASGAS UK::
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Round 3 of the WEC was held in Tolmezzo, Italy near the Slovenia border. We arrived on Tuesday and began walking tests straight away. Morrie Ebbett a friend of mine from New Zealand, was over here as he is working with Suzuki at the WRC and had a few days spare, so he came to the race to help out. Morrie had a rent-a-wreck and was more than happy to take us to the tests all week. He would have been happy to drive the tests too but best not to!
We found the Cross Test. It was a nice grass test run along the side of a hill. Lots of off-cambers, it looked good. The Extreme Test was in a loose, rocky river schree. Not too difficult but every rock was just waiting to take you down.
The Enduro Test was real cool, finally a test that we could use top gear on. Half was grass and the other half was in the trees. In a few places while walking I noticed some rocks sticking out of the grass and under leaves in the trees. I was suspicious as to how deep the top soil was.
The first test on day 1 was the extreme test, and one of the rocks got me. I hit the deck hard mid test, bending the bars. I had to ride the cross and enduro test with bent bars, which effected my times. We managed to straighten them at the next check, enough to be able to ride ok. As the day progressed I got used to the bars and my times improved. 13th for the day. On Sunday, overnight rain had made the trail slippery and one rocky hill climb was removed and we went up a road. The loop was probably about 40% road, not so exciting.
In the enduro test I was having some good times, but as I expected the rocks were close to the surface and many were catching riders out, making for some spectacular crashes. I had a steady day and finished 10th. Top Gas Gas in E2. It was a procession of Gassers behind me with Miska on the 450 in 11th, Helder on a 250 in 12th and Jeff on another 250 in 14th.
The shit news of the weekend was Stefan Merriman had a big crash on Saturday
and was taken to hospital for an operation. I haven't heard to much in
detail but I think it was internal damage, maybe the spleen.
Katherine and
I wish him well and a speedy recovery.
Till next time
Paul and Katherine.
