Kawasaki's Whibley and Jarrett Grab Top Podium Spots at GNCC

Irvine, Calif. -Kawasaki's Paul Whibley and Jimmy Jarrett put their Kawasaki KX^TM450F machines on the top two steps of the podium at the second round of the GNCC Series in Washington, Ga. It was a beautiful day in the peach state with several other green riders coming across the finish line in first including Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green^TM riders Jordan Ashburn and Jake Fiddler taking their second straight wins in the Open A and 4-Stroke A Lites classes. Kawasaki's Scott Watkins made his first trip to the podium this season with a third-place finish in the XC2 Pro Lites class.

Kawasaki Under the Tent

Whibley's On Top
After a second place finish at the season opener, Whibley not only left Georgia with a win but also with the points lead. His consistent riding on the all-new Kawasaki KX^TM450F has earned him a seven point lead in the XC1 points standings.

"I had a great start and got the holeshot," said Whibley. "There was a great battle for the lead, but after the pit stop I was able to pull away from the others. I'm comfortable on the bike and it's been running really good. After last week I had the confidence that I could win."

Jarrett Comes Up Big
Jarrett's start put him in a great position to battle for the lead early on, but a fall in the second turn slowed him down. He quickly remounted and caught the lead pack by the third lap. He battled down to the last few turns and came across the finish as the runner-up.

"Things were looking good when Paul (Whibley) and I were first off the start, but after I fell I was dead last going into the woods," said Jarrett. "I just pushed really hard to catch up. Once I caught Paul we seemed to pull away from everyone else. I ended up fighting for the second-place spot down to the last turn."

Expectations
Both Whibley and Jarrett are new to the KX^TM450F this season and have done remarkably well in the opening two rounds of racing.

"I don't think many people really knew what to expect from our team coming into the season," said Jarrett. "To go 1-2 in only the second round is pretty great. I honestly didn't think anyone thought we would have this outcome so early."

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green Shows Off
Both Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders Fiddler and Ashburn have gone out the first two rounds and have dominated their individual classes. In Georgia, Fiddler finished over two minutes ahead of second place in the 4-Stroke A Lites class, while Ashburn finished over one minute and thirty seconds ahead of second-place in the Open A class.

To add to their dominance, both amateur riders finished in the top-15 overall with Ashburn 14th and Fiddler finishing 15th.

Good Day in XC2
Kawasaki's Scott Watkins stepped up in his race on Sunday with an impressive XC2 third-place. Along with his podium finish in his XC2 class, Watkins finished an impressive eighth overall.

"I think my race went pretty good," said Watkins. "Obviously I want to win, but I feel like I rode a smart race and I was able to get on the podium. My start was good, which was nice, and I just kept pushing to the front pack. Once I was in third, I stayed really close to second, but I played it safe and came in for a quick splash of gas. From there I focused on not making any mistakes."

Next race
The next race brings the Kawasaki squad to Morganton, N.C. in two weeks for Round 3 of the GNCC series.

"I think the track in North Carolina is one of the really good tracks we go to throughout the season," said Jarrett. "It has a lot of hills and tends to be more technical, which I like. I just hope we have good weather like we did this weekend."

Results

Grand National Cross Country Series
The General- Washington, Ga.
March 8, 2009

XC1 Results
1. PAUL WHIBLEY, NEW ZEALAND, KAWASAKI
2. JIMMY JARRETT, SALEM, OHIO, KAWASAKI
3. Josh Strang, Salem, Ohio, Suzuki
4. Charles Mullins, Hamilton, Ohio, Suzuki
5. Nate Kanney, High Falls, N.Y., KTM
6. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM
7. Homero Diaz, Toluca, KTM
8. Russell Bobbitt, Fayetteville, Ga., KTM
9. Nick Fahringer, Englewood, Ohio, Husqvarna
10. KENNETH GILBERT, TAVARES, FLA., KAWASAKI

XC2 Pro Lites Results
1. Kailub Russell, Kingston, Ohio, KTM
2. Cory Buttrick, Logan, Ohio, KTM
3. SCOTT WATKINS, LEETONIA, OHIO, KAWASAKI
4. ANDREW MATUSEK, FAYETTEVILLE, GA., KAWASAKI
5. Jason Thomas, United Kingdom, Yamaha
6. David Snyder, Navarre, Ohio, Yamaha
7. ROBERY SANTHESON, PLYMOUTH, MASS., KAWASAKI
8. Josh Weisenfels, Fort Smith, Ark., Yamaha
9. Brian Lawson, Adams, Mass., Yamaha
10. Eric Bailey, King George, Va., KTM