Paul Whibley's ninth OMA win in a rowCool temperatures and a stiff breeze with the threat of rain was not a real inviting climate to hold a race, and then add to that your lining up for the Moose Run in Illinois. Two laps of twisted entertainment for Bill Gusse, the OMA series promoter. Paul Whibley (1) leads the field into the first
turn, but Adam Bonneur (7) would end up swooping past the champ on the
outside to take the $200 FMF Holeshot Award. Photo courtesy of www.unitedoffroadracing.com I got a good jump off the line and rounded the first turn in front but Adam Bonneur swept round the outside of the wide open corn field, taking the hole shot. I moved back into the lead quickly and led the way around the peat bogs, taking safe lines, not wanting to end my race before it had begun. I held a small lead as we ventured off the quad track and out into the woods. It is very difficult to maintain a breakaway in this race, (kinda like at the Tour de France), as the track is so fresh and you are constantly searching for the arrows. Still it was my own personal challenge to see how long I could keep the gap. I made it about half of the 38 mile lap before Jimmy Jarrett and the chasing pack latched back on. As we closed in on the end of the first lap and we came back to the quad track I again started to open a gap. The pit crew was three Kiwis strong with friend Nick, Katherine and Scotty gassing me up then into the second lap. The track had now been broke in and the myriad of logs that Bill meticulously places on every angle known to man are now exposed for all to see. To add to the debauchery it starts to rain. Mid last lap I get stuck in a deep rut and Jimmy pulls up and passes me. I get going again and shortly Jimmy has his own problems with a log allowing me back into the lead. I again built a gap that I would extend to a minute thirty by the flag, taking my 9th win in a row to close out the OMA season for 2011.  Photo courtesy of www.unitedoffroadracing.com  Photo courtesy of www.unitedoffroadracing.com A big thanks to Katherine and Scotty for their hard work and all the sponsors for their contribution in gaining this championship.
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