WHIBLEY AGAIN AT MILLVILLE OMA

OMA NATIONALS- MILLVILLE

 

Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals, Round 6: FMF Spring Creek Grand Prix

 

Brutal heat and humidity don’t faze Whibley in Millville win

 By Mark Kariya

 

High heat and humidity didn’t seem to bother Paul Whibley in the least, as he controlled the race from beginning to end at Millville, notching his fifth straight series win.

Temperatures in the 90s combined with matching humidity increased the difficulty factor several times at the FMF Spring Creek Grand Prix, round six of the Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals, co-sanctioned with the MXC Series. As expected, though, it was just another day at the office for FMF/Am Pro Yamaha’s Paul Whibley who coupled his superior conditioning with carefully honed speed to lead all day, eventually coming away with his fifth consecutive series victory and stretching his points lead further in his quest for a record-tying fourth straight championship.

            He started out by speeding away with the $200 FMF Holeshot Award. Beta’s Chris Bach put himself into a close second for a few laps but would drop back, losing a lot of time when he stopped to strip his undershirt off to provide a bit better cooling.

Jordan Ashburn rebounded from a so-so start to move into second, though it took a lot out of him and he barely held off a last-lap challenge from Chris Bach.

            That allowed Obermeyer/FMF Yamaha’s Jordan Ashburn to sneak by and the teenager from Tennessee held the runner-up spot for the rest of the way, though Bach put on a charge in the final mile or so, ending up two seconds behind the Yamaha.

            American Honda/GEICO Powersports/JG Off-road’s Jimmy Jarrett returned to the series for the first time since breaking his collarbone at round four, and he demonstrated good speed, running a close third for a lap or so. Eventually, he’d settle into fourth, a minute ahead of teammate Scott Watkins.

            Adam Bonneur, Michael Williams, Lite A winner Nate Ferderer and Open A winner Dylan Debel rounded out the top 10 overall.

 

It was so hot and humid that Chris Bach actually stopped to take off his undershirt before charging to third, just two seconds behind Ashburn.

 

In his first race back from breaking a collarbone at round four in Ohio, Jimmy Jarrett showed he’d lost no speed, running a close third in the early going, eventually finishing fourth.

 

It was a fairly lonely afternoon for Scott Watkins who rode to a solitary fifth, putting him third in series points.

 

Pro podium (L-R): runner-up Jordan Ashburn, winner Paul Whibley and third-place Chris Bach.

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