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Race Report: GNCC Round 10
Rider: Paul Whibley
Team: Moose, Parts Unlimited, Honda
Bike: Honda CRF 250
Round 10 of the GNCC series was held in Yadkinville, North Carolina.
The venue was new to the series last year, so I wasn't at too much of a disadvantage as far as course knowledge goes. The course was a 10 mile loop through trees, which appeared very tight and seldom offered passing opportunities. The decision was made to ride the 250F.
With the limited chances for passing everyone knew the start was crucial.
Off the start, I got an average jump and was towards the end of the pack by the first turn. To the crews astonishment, I was up to 5th by the 3rd turn, before we disappeared into the single track woods.
But unfortunatey the good start was followed by a series of mishaps. Early in lap 1, the strap on my drink system broke. I knew it was coming off so I drank as much as possible, wanting to hold onto it until the pits, so it could be repaired and refitted at the fuel stop.
As I entered pit row at the end of lap 1, I tried to ditch the drink system while passing the crew. It had become so tangled that I couldnt get it off. I had to stop and with the help of the pit crew it was yanked off. During this time, four positions had been lost.
I got going again and managed to catch up to the riders that had passed me in the pits. At the conclusion of lap 3, the bike was fueled and the drink system refitted.
The next problem occurred on lap 4. The quick fill system on the tank, started to leak fuel everywhere, all over the bike and me! So this meant with the amount of fuel being lost, another fuel stop was needed on the last lap.
The drink system problems continued. It wasn't working and I was beginning to dehydrate. Not having a drink since lap 1 was beginning to take a toll.
I signalled Katherine that I had some problems and needed another bladder and was going to need to stop for gas again. So at the beginning of the last lap, along with gas, I received another bladder.
On a last lap mission, I was determined to make up some lost ground and moved up to 7th.
With gas sloshing everywhere and to make things worse still, the drink system failed again.
I finished in 7th position. About thirty seconds separated 4th to 7th position.
I guess you are questioning the drink system failures. The thing is they remain a mistery. The bladders were empty when they were removed from the bag. I remember feeling the weight of a full bladder after a fuel stop, but about ten minutes later the weight was gone and nothing would come through the mouth piece.
Due to being covered in so much fuel it was hard to tell if it was leaking out. I smelt like I had been bathing in a fuel tank!
The good news is I remain in 5th position in the Championship. With 3 rounds remaining, moving up is still possible.
Paul and Katherine
Thanks to my sponsors:
