Monday, March 9, 2009 2:50pm PDT (3 years ago)

WASHINGTON, GA - The
Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series welcomed strategic,
bar-to-bar racing back to the forefront at the Maxxis General GNCC in
Georgia, but by the time the battle was over, GEICO/JG Racing Monster
Kawasaki's Paul Whibley emerged as the last man standing. His teammate
Jimmy Jarrett took second to give the team a historic 1-2 finish in
just its second race ever. FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang took third
after colliding with Jarrett at the finish.

In total, 1471 riders competed in the race, a jump of 83 riders from last year's Maxxis General GNCC.

On a fast, rough track run under perfect weather conditions, Whibley
battled with about seven other riders early on. Jarrett, Strang, FMF
Suzuki's Charlie Mullins, Husqvarna's Glenn Kearney, Shock Doctor KTM's
Nathan Kanney and KTM privateer Shane Watts ran in formation out front.
Eventually, the battled boiled down to the two Kawasaki riders against
the two Suzuki riders, with Jarrett and Whibley taking the top spots.

"It was awesome battling like we did for the first few laps," said
Whibley, who nailed the $250 MotorcycleUSA.com Holeshot Award. "I was
just trying to pick out lines. After the first gas, I think everyone
picked up the pace. I didn't think I could go faster, but then I was
able to do it. To finish one-two like that in our second race together,
this is great."

"I went hard at mid race and got into the lead, but when Whibley caught
me later on, I was done," said Jarrett. "He's just a machine out there,
it's incredible."

As Jarrett fatigued on the last lap, Strang put in one more charge to
try to get second. Before the finish line, the riders faced a big pile
of truck tires nicknamed the Maxxis Tire Wall. As Strang bounced over
the tires, his line came together with Jarrett's, and they collided and
crashed hard. Strang felt bad for making the move, so he actually waved
Jarrett back past him to give up second at the finish.

"Maybe it was a mistake, but Jimmy is a good friend and I didn't mean
to run into him like that," said Strang. "I got food poisoning on
Thursday so I didn't know how much I would have left. I gave it
everything I had."

Mullins twisted his ankle and settled for fourth ahead of Kanney.
Watts' day ended when his bike died, and Kearney twisted his
already-broken leg in a rut, ending his day. Am-Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk
struggled with suspension settings and elected to pit for a new shock
mid way through the race.

In the XC2 Class, Shock Doctor KTM's Kailub Russell notched his
second-straight win. Kawasaki privateer Andrew Matusek grabbed the $100
Cometic Holeshot Award and battled Russell early. Matusek got stuck in
a mud hole, and Russell's teammate Cory Buttrick took over second.
GEICO JG Racing Kawasaki's Scotty Watkins collected third.

"I didn't expect to do this," said Russell of dominating the first two
rounds. "I've always had confidence in myself, but I just need to put
together good races."

Buttrick pushed hard to catch Russell, but could get not higher than
second. "We were using a lot of energy out there, and I'm not going to
lie, I got tired," said Buttrick. "It's still a lot better than the
first race in Florida, though."

Watkins rode consistently for third. "I haven't felt the best the last two weeks, so I'll take the points," said Watkins.

Monster Team Green Kawasaki's Jordan Ashburn collected top amateur honors with 14th overall and a win in the Open A class.

The $100 Ohlins Amateur Holeshot Award went to Senior C rider Kenny Sinclair.

The 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series moves to Morganton,
North Carolina for the FMF Steele Creek GNCC in, on March 21 and 22.

Results:

Maxxis General GNCC

Washington, GA

March 8, 2009

XC1 Class

1. Paul Whibley (Kaw)

2. Jimmy Jarrett (Kaw)

3. Josh Strang (Suz)

4. Charles Mullins (Suz)

5. Nathan Kanney (KTM)

6. Kurt Caselli (KTM)

7. Homero Diaz (KTM)

8. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

9. Nick Fahringer (HSB)

10. Kenneth Gilbert (Kaw)

XC2

1. Kailub Russell (KTM)

2. Cory Buttrick (KTM)

3. Scott Watkins (Kaw)

4. Andrew Matusek (Kaw)

5. Jason Thomas (Yam)

6. David Snyder (Yam)

7. Robert Santheson (Kaw)

8. Josh Weisenfels (Yam)

9. Brian Lawson (Yam)

10. Eric Bailey (KTM)

About GNCC Racing: The Can-Am Grand National Cross
Country series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in
1973, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer
Productions. Cross-country racing is one of the most physically
demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead
as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to
12 miles. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks
and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and
speed. Riders compete for more than $3 million in prize money, which
draws talent from all over the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
GNCC Racing is televised and will air beginning April 4th on the Versus
Network. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

About Racer Productions: A West Virginia-based
motorcycle and ATV event production company, Racer Productions has been
a leader in the off-road racing industry for more than 30 years. It's
repertoire of events includes the 13-round Can-Am Grand National Cross
Country Series, held since 1973; The Kawasaki/Monster Energy High Point
National in Mount Morris, Pa., held since 1977; The ATV Dirt Days at
Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., held since 1985; The
U.S. World Motocross Gran Prix at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa. in
1987; The Monster Energy/Kawasaki Steel City National, held since 1988;
The ATV Stampede National Motocross at High Point Raceway, held since
1994; The AMA Pro ATV Open at Steel City in 2007; as well as numerous
other amateur motocross events. In addition, Racer Productions staffs
the prestigious Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross
Championship at Loretta Lynn's Ranch, held since 1982. For more
information, please visit www.racerproductions.com.