    |
 |
|
|
|
Race Report: Round 6 GNCC, Missouri
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: Parts Unlimited, Moose, Honda
Bike: Honda CRF 450
We arrived at the track to find another wet pit area. The KTM, Suzuki and Yamaha semi's had sunk up to their axles in mud. They all had to be towed into the pits! When they were towing the Suzuki semi with the dozer the chain snapped and flung back and smashed the window of the truck!
It rained all of Saturday. Sunday dawned with grey skies, rain was threatening and had been forecast but luckily it held off all day. The damage had been done though, as the track was a mess from the previous days racing.
I lined up on the start line near the outside. The four stroke usually starts up slightly slower than the two strokes, so my plan was to cut up the inside after everyone pushed wide in the slippery conditions.
Plan worked. I came up the inside in turn one and went round the outside of turn two, entering the woods in about 6th position.
Early in the lap there was a tricky hill. Juha Salminin and all the front runners crashed or got stuck. I had walked the hill Sunday morning and found a safe line to the side and shot straight up. I then found myself leading the race!
I led for a while but as this course suited the two strokes and I began to struggle with early race arm pump, I was caught and passed.
I carried on, the bike got heavier and heavier.
We pitted for gas and got some clean goggles. I seemed to get into a rythem after the stop and put in some consistant laps. One lot of guys were having problems. Crashing and damaging their bikes, or having some kind of drama. A lot did not finish the race.
I was in 6th on the last couple of laps. I got the pit board from Kath telling me that I was making time on 5th place. So I pushed on passing into 5th before the last lap. I was even gaining on 4th place but as usual I ran out of time.
I was stoked to finish 5th.
Top honda, top four stroke, top five, sweet! Podium next.
Til next time Paul
