Lightning Strikes But Whibley Sparkles

Lightning Strikes But Whibley Sparkles

MAY 30, 2013: It was an electrifying performance from Pahiatua motorcycle ace Paul Whibley at the weekend, in more ways than one.

He was able to climb onto the podium again, this time at round four of the Off Road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) series at Fort Smith in Arkansas, but not until he’d first survived a nearby lightning strike.

“The long drive from South Carolina was pretty uneventful, right up until just after we pulled into the pits,” Whibley explained.

“We parked up and got out, surveying some dark clouds that had ominously moved in overhead. There was a crackling in the air and then a massive bang. Lightening struck the ground on the other side of the pits.

“Several people had their hair standing on end and the ambulance was called for someone who was shocked by the surge going through the ground. From what I heard they were okay, after their hair had stopped smouldering I guess. The racing turned out to be just as intense.”

The 34-year-old former Manawatu forestry worker, affectionately dubbed “The Axeman” on the motorcycling scene, won two major cross-country titles in the US last season, the OMA series for an incredible fifth consecutive time, as well as clinching the Grand National Cross-country Championships (GNCC) crown for the second time in his career.

His weekend’s result at 2013’s OMA race No.4 was a welcome one, although hard-fought.

“I grabbed the hole shot, just ahead of Russell Bobbitt. I led the way through the early miles which was mostly tracks from the morning race. Once we got out into the fresh trail, the pace slowed and the search for the track began.

“I took a wrong turn and the pro field went past, but no one was going fast as whoever was leading had to constantly scan for arrows. Kailub Russell ate it when he hit some old ruts in the grass.

“I got back into the lead after charging through an open field. A couple more miles passed then we emerged back on used trail and into the biggest swamp. Just before scoring Nick Fahringer took the lead and was a man on a mission.

“Over the next lap he opened up a 40-second lead. I got my head on straight and gave chase, slowly eating into his lead. We gassed after three laps and Kailub went passed, going for a fourth lap before gassing. I retook the position near the end of the lap after Kailub got wedged in one of the many deep ruts. I was still chipping away at Nick’s lead, but the laps were ticking by. With the white flag out Nick’s lead was still solid and I never got a chance to make a battle out of it.

“Big congrats to Nick, though. He rode a great race to take his first OMA win.”

Whibley is supported by Monster Energy, Sargent Yamaha in Masterton, MotoSR suspension, BikesportNZ.com, Graphic MX Creation and Yamaha Motor New Zealand.

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