MULLINS TAKES THE FIRST GNCC OF 2009!

MULLINS TAKES THE FIRST GNCC OF 2009!
File Photo by Kinney Jones
Following the River Ranch GNCC in Florida, Team Suzuki’s Off-road manager Mike Webb called and gave us a quick rundown of day’s activities.
Team Suzuki’s Charlie Mullins took the start on his FMF Suzuki RM-Z450 and pretty much hammered hard. Dust was an issue, as were tight conditions in the palmettos and Charlie was able to get away pretty good. He ended up taking the win by over one minute.
GEICO Monster Kawasaki rider Paul Whibley overcame a mediocre start and in typical Whibs fashion, put it down hard and relentless, moving through the pack into second place. This is his first big event on the Geico Monster Kawasaki KX450F. KTM’s Nathan Kanney ended up in third place, but was helped out when Josh Strang’s dry brake broke and he lost all of his fuel. Also, Team AM Pro FMF rider Barry Hawk was pecking at the top four when his shock blew. He was tough, manhandling the machine and ended up securing a 5th overall on a machine that was tough to control in the Florida sand. Kailub Russell tallied a first in the XC2 Pro Lites, finishing 6th overall on his KTM. Jason Thomas was second in the Pro 2 Lites and Jake Korn finished third in the class aboard his KTM.
Team KTM’s Kurt Caselli has a very average day, finishing nearly 7-minutes off the lead pace. He was seen donning a wrist brace and this could have been an issue. Thad Duvall reportedly hurt (or broke) his wrist and Husky’s Glenn Kearney was the total hero racing with a broken leg and finishing 10th overall!

1st    SUZ    CHARLES MULLINS    XC1 PRO
2nd   KAW    PAUL J WHIBLEY       XC1 Pro
3rd    KTM    NATHAN A KANNEY XC1 Pro
4th    KTM    MICHAEL L BROWN  XC1 Pro
5th    YAM    BARRY HAWK JR       XC1 Pro
6th    KTM    KAILUB RUSSELL      XC2 Pro Lites
7th    KAW    JIMMY JARRETT        XC1 Pro
8th    YAM    JASON THOMAS        XC2 Pro Lites
9th    KTM    KURT W CASELLI      XC1 Pro
10th   HSB    DUSTIN M GIBSON    XC1 Pro