News Release

Kiwi Still on Target For Title

18 September 2008
A runner-up finish was enough to keep Kiwi Paul Whibley on track in the Grand National Cross-Country (GNCC) series in the United States on Sunday.
 
But the Suzuki star from Pahiatua has slipped further behind the leader and he is now 47 points behind Isle of Man rider David Knight, with just three rounds to go.
 
With the Alleghany Mountains as the perfect backdrop for motorcycle racing at the Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Whibley found himself in a KTM sandwich between race winner Knight and third-placed man Nathan Kanney in the elite Pro XC1 Class on Sunday.
 
But, with plenty of points still available before the season wraps up, the New Zealander believes he still has a good chance of taking the title.
 
"I'm just trying to keep doing well, for race after race, and keep collecting the points," said Whibley.
 
Whibley raced his way to sixth place overall last season but, now on the new fuel-injected Suzuki RM-Z450, he's shown he's now able to challenge for the title.
 
"After a strong season in 2007, in which I won my first GNCC and had two other podium appearances late in the year, I have simply been looking to continue my good form and push towards the very top of GNCC racing in America."
 
Four of the top six riders in the championship are Suzuki riders.
 
Whibley's Australian friend and fellow Suzuki rider, Josh Strang, managed only sixth place on Sunday but he remains third in the series standings, 10 points behind Whibley.
 
The next race for the Can-Am GNCC Series is scheduled for Sept. 27-28 at Unadilla Valley Raceway in New Berlin, New York.
 
Standings after round 10 of 13:
 
1. David Knight (KTM) 256
2. Paul Whibley (Suzuki, New Zealand) 209
3. Josh Strang (Suzuki) 199
4. Nathan Kanney (KTM) 171
5. Charlie Mullins (Suzuki) 159
6. Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 144